Robert Beatty

Robert Beatty is an American technology entrepreneur and author of historical fiction, fantasy novels. He has published six books with Disney Hyperion, which have been translated to over 20 foreign languages. Beatty is an executive producer for the television adaptation of Willa of the Wood, which is in the early stages of development.

Early life

Beatty began writing at the age of 11 when his mother provided him with an old electric typewriter to play with. He was an avid reader of fantasy and wrote books in his free time.

Robert Beatty attended Michigan State University where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in computer science. His continued interest in writing led him to enroll in literature courses, as well.

Novelist

In 2006, Beatty sold the majority of his shares in Plexus, but continued with the company as a technical consultant and Chairman of the Board, at which time Beatty began to focus on his writing career. With the encouragement and support of his family, he wrote the first book in the Serafina Series, Serafina and the Black Cloak, which was acquired by Disney Hyperion. The book trailer was an important component of the successful launch of Serafina and the Black Cloak on July 14, 2015, debuting at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. Serafina and the Splintered Heart launched July 3, 2017 Willa of Dark Hollow released in spring of 2021, 2017: Serafina and the Splintered Heart 2018: Willa of the Wood 2019: Serafina and the Seven Stars Barnes & Noble Best Books for Young Readers 2016: Serafina and the Twisted Staff 2018: Willa of the Wood 2019: Serafina and the Seven Stars Books-A-Million Best Books 2017: Serafina and the Splintered Heart Brightly, Middle Grade Books for Environmentally Conscious Kids 2018: Willa of the Wood Cybils Award, Elementary Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Nominee 2018: Willa of the Wood Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 2019: Serafina and the Seven Stars Goodreads #1 Middle Grade Novel 2015: Serafina and the Black Cloak Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize 2016: Serafina and the Black Cloak PopSugar, The Best books for Kids 2018: Willa of the Wood Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Nominee 2020: Serafina and the Black Cloak South Carolina Book Award Finalist 2018: Serafina and the Black Cloak The Children's Book Review Best Book of 2018: Willa of the Wood Volunteer State Book Award 2017-2018: Serafina and the Black Cloak