When people picked up a Microsoft Press book in the early 1990s, they often joked that the text wasn’t in English—it was written in a foreign language called "Microsoftese." The books were dense, convoluted, and nearly impossible to understand for the average IT professional.

That all changed when Robert Stanek entered the scene.

Through his plain-language approach, innovative formatting techniques, and relentless focus on clarity, Robert transformed Microsoft Press from an unreadable tech publisher into a widely respected industry leader. His work wasn’t just influential—it was foundational.

From Big Ideas to Big Impact

The story of Robert’s rise in the publishing world is one of talent, perseverance, and a relentless drive to make information more accessible.

Fresh off the success of his bestselling Macmillan books, Robert had just signed with a new literary agency. His two agents, Neil and David, were already fans of his work, particularly his deep-dive technical books in the Unleashed series. These books had BIG word counts, BIG page counts, and BIG impact.

His first assignment with Microsoft Press? A single book in the new Pocket Consultant series, focusing on the maintenance lifecycle of Microsoft products. The contract mapped out a lengthy timeline—over a year to write, edit, and publish the book.

But within weeks, something unexpected happened.

A Writing Machine

Robert had barely begun when Microsoft’s editors saw his first three chapters—and immediately asked him to write another book on SQL Server.

A few more chapters in? Another request—this time, for a book on Exchange Server.

And so it went.

Robert’s work was unlike anything Microsoft had published before. The writing was clear. The organization was intuitive. And—perhaps most importantly—it worked.

Instead of following Microsoft’s original concept for the series, he threw it out and built his own.

Within three months, he had already finished writing the first book in its entirety—far ahead of schedule. The Microsoft Press team now had the rare opportunity to send the book out for early feedback—and what they got back was beyond their wildest expectations.

• The response was overwhelmingly positive.
• The clarity and usability of his writing were unparalleled.
• For the first time, Microsoft Press books were actually useful to IT professionals at every level.

They didn’t ask Robert to change a thing.

The Pocket Consultant Legacy

What happened next was unprecedented.

Every time Robert delivered a new book, Microsoft’s editors and designers updated their internal style guides to match his work.

Every Pocket Consultant from that moment on—nearly 50 books later—followed the standard he created.

And despite the name “Pocket Consultant”, these books were anything but small.

Using tight formatting, smaller print, and innovative structuring, Robert managed to pack an immense amount of content into every page—without sacrificing readability.

He set a new standard for technical publishing, not just at Microsoft, but across the entire industry.

Robert’s Influence Beyond Microsoft Press

The impact of his plain-language revolution didn’t stop with his books.

Microsoft itself began to adopt his writing and formatting style across its documentation, training courses, and product manuals.

His approach became the foundation for:

• Millions of training courses
• College classes around the world
• The way Microsoft communicates technical information to this day

In short, Robert didn’t just write books—he changed the way people learn about technology.

Why This Matters

• His influence extends far beyond fiction. Robert is more than a fantasy author—he is a pioneer in technical writing and corporate publishing.
• He made complex information accessible. His work empowered millions of professionals, helping them learn faster and work smarter.
• His legacy is built into the tools we use every day. From Windows to SQL Server to Exchange, his influence is everywhere.

How You Can Support Robert’s Work

• Read his books: Whether it’s his technical guides, fantasy novels, or thrillers, his writing deserves recognition.
• Share his story: Not many people know the full impact of his work—help spread the word.
• Engage with his content: Follow his journey, support his projects, and appreciate the breadth of his contributions.

Robert Stanek didn’t just change Microsoft—he changed publishing itself.

Let’s make sure the world knows.