Robert Beatty(V)
- Writer
- Producer
Robert Beatty is the author of two #1 New York Times best-selling book series: the Serafina series and the Willa of the Wood series, both of which are historical-fantasies published by Disney-Hyperion. He is also an executive producer on the Willa of the Wood TV series, which is in development with Entertainment One and Amy Adams' Bond Group. Loved by both young readers and adults alike, the award-winning Serafina and Willa books are being taught in over a thousand classrooms nationwide, and have been translated into over 22 languages.
The Willa of the Wood series is the story of a young forest girl with ancient magical powers who struggles for survival and understanding in the Great Smoky Mountains. The novels take place in 1900 during a time of conflict between the mountain families, industrial loggers, the Cherokee, and the beautiful natural environment in which they all inhabit. A beloved favorite among Robert Beatty's fans, Willa of the Wood was a #1 New York Times bestseller. Amazon named it as one of the Best Books of 2018. Kirkus Reviews described it as, "A moving, atmospheric journey of hope." The second book in the series, Willa of Dark Hollow, is scheduled for publication in 2021.
The Serafina series is a spooky mystery-thriller about a brave and unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of George Vanderbilt's grand Biltmore Estate in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. Set at the Turn of the Century, the novels juxtapose Serafina's dark and mysterious nocturnal adventures with the golden opulence of the Gilded Age lived by the Vanderbilts on the floors above. The first book in the Serafina series, Serafina and the Black Cloak, was a #1 New York Times bestseller, has been on the list for more than 60 weeks, and won the prestigious 2016 Southern Book Prize. The second book in the series, Serafina and the Twisted Staff, became a #1 New York Times bestseller in the first week of its launch and earned a "Starred Review" from Kirkus Reviews, which said, "Even better than its predecessor, a sequel that delivers nonstop thrills from beginning to end." In the third book, Serafina and the Splintered Heart, Serafina and her best friend Braeden Vanderbilt continue their role as the guardians of Biltmore Estate, protecting the people they love from an undercurrent of dark and sinister forces. The fourth book, Serafina and the Seven Stars, was published in 2019 to much acclaim.
Robert Beatty lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters, who help create and refine his stories. He loves to explore the historic Biltmore Estate and the Blue Ridge Mountains where his novels take place. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Beatty was one of the early pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the chairman/CTO of Narrative Magazine. In 2007, he was named an Entrepreneur of the Year. When asked about the inspiration for his writing, Robert said, "I've been writing novels all my life, but the Serafina and Willa books were inspired by my desire to write stories about heroic and unusual young girls for my three daughters."
The Willa of the Wood series is the story of a young forest girl with ancient magical powers who struggles for survival and understanding in the Great Smoky Mountains. The novels take place in 1900 during a time of conflict between the mountain families, industrial loggers, the Cherokee, and the beautiful natural environment in which they all inhabit. A beloved favorite among Robert Beatty's fans, Willa of the Wood was a #1 New York Times bestseller. Amazon named it as one of the Best Books of 2018. Kirkus Reviews described it as, "A moving, atmospheric journey of hope." The second book in the series, Willa of Dark Hollow, is scheduled for publication in 2021.
The Serafina series is a spooky mystery-thriller about a brave and unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of George Vanderbilt's grand Biltmore Estate in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. Set at the Turn of the Century, the novels juxtapose Serafina's dark and mysterious nocturnal adventures with the golden opulence of the Gilded Age lived by the Vanderbilts on the floors above. The first book in the Serafina series, Serafina and the Black Cloak, was a #1 New York Times bestseller, has been on the list for more than 60 weeks, and won the prestigious 2016 Southern Book Prize. The second book in the series, Serafina and the Twisted Staff, became a #1 New York Times bestseller in the first week of its launch and earned a "Starred Review" from Kirkus Reviews, which said, "Even better than its predecessor, a sequel that delivers nonstop thrills from beginning to end." In the third book, Serafina and the Splintered Heart, Serafina and her best friend Braeden Vanderbilt continue their role as the guardians of Biltmore Estate, protecting the people they love from an undercurrent of dark and sinister forces. The fourth book, Serafina and the Seven Stars, was published in 2019 to much acclaim.
Robert Beatty lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters, who help create and refine his stories. He loves to explore the historic Biltmore Estate and the Blue Ridge Mountains where his novels take place. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Beatty was one of the early pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the chairman/CTO of Narrative Magazine. In 2007, he was named an Entrepreneur of the Year. When asked about the inspiration for his writing, Robert said, "I've been writing novels all my life, but the Serafina and Willa books were inspired by my desire to write stories about heroic and unusual young girls for my three daughters."