ROBERT STANEK OUTPOST

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BOOKS SCI FI & F CHILDREN'S THRILLERS NEWS FROM THE SOURCE FROM THE RUMOR MILL BACKGROUND BIO OTHER

December 15, 2002 Ruin Mist Journals! November 8, 2002 Ruin Mist Winter Newsletter October 12, 2002 Ruin Mist Fall Newsletter October 3, 2002 A Ruin Mist Franchise? September 12, 2002 Kingdoms and Elves 3 propels sales August 16, 2002 Sales approach 2 million August 9, 2002 Ruin Mist Summer Newsletter July 23, 2002 Ruin Mist books are cultural phenom July 8, 2002 Who is Robert Stanek? June 24, 2002 Ruin Mist Feature!

Monday July 8

Who is Robert Stanek? At a time when our national conscious is peaked, Robert Stanek stands out. He is a highly distinguished veteran and was awarded the United States of America's highest flying honor, the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross. He is the recipient of the George Washington honor medal, awarded by the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge. He is a family man with strong values, and perhaps, one of the best authors you've never heard of. His blockbuster debut book sold over 150,000 copies and worldwide book sales are over 1 million.

What is Ruin Mist Mania? It's much more than the title of our giveaway -- it describes the overwhelming response of readers. Our readers don't care that critics have snubbed the books -- it's simply more proof that critics don't always understand. And the proof is in the pudding as they say. Keeper Martin's Tale and Elf Queen's Quest climbed online bestseller lists this spring and sales continue to be strong -- proof that underground sensations can break through to the mainstream.

How many Ruin Mist books are there? Seven so far: Five children's books and two for adults. Children should start with The Kingdoms & the Elves of the Reaches (ISBN: 1-57545-059-3), adults with Keeper Martin's Tale (ISBN: 1-57545-042-9). A companion volume entitled Ruin Mist Heroes, Legends and Beyond will be published in October.

Tuesday July 23

Robert Stanek's "Ruin Mist" books are a cultural phenomenon in the making, especially on the Internet where fans and critics hang out.

Now the bestselling author debuts "Magic Lands: Journey Beyond the Beyond," the first book in a new series that invites readers to embark on a journey to places lost and deep.

"Delightful storytelling has always been a key part of the magic in every Robert Stanek installment, but I think he went to an entirely new level this time. The dreamy style sweeps readers away to an enchanting world, and you feel like you are there every step of the way. Only the big screen could improve upon the magic, but then the image captured there might not match the one in your mind's eye." So says Jeannie Kim, Reagent Press, on the approach that underpins this latest offering from the highly successful author.

"With this series, Robert wanted to do something different, something that would do justice to the expectation and excitement of fans. He wanted to write a series that could stand on its own and would go beyond anything he'd written before." Surpassing previous books in the highly successful "Ruin Mist" series was a remarkable goal by any measure. "Keeper Martin's Tale" debuted on the Amazon.com (Nasdaq:AMZN - News) Science Fiction and Fantasy Top Sellers list and the sequel "Elf Queen's Quest" was quick to follow. Together, the books spent nearly six weeks on the Top Sellers list.

This success factors into overall bestseller status of Robert Stanek's other writings and strong sales, but it has been a long road since the debut book that helped launched his writing career. Looking back, he admits writing a book while working (U.S. Air Force) and going to college (Hawaii Pacific University) full time wasn't close to anything he imagined a writer's life would be like. He says, "It was a pressure cooker. I worked rotating shifts, went to school, studied, and wrote." But you can tell he remembers those days fondly.

Having just returned from a trek across America's heartland where he gave away copies of "Magic Lands" to schools and readers, Robert plans to use the rest of the summer to "finish the last few pages (of his next book) and relax with his family". He lives in Washington with his wife, two daughters and one son. For up-to-date information about the author, our $5,000,000 Promotional Giveaway, "Magic Lands" and other titles, visit www.tvpress.com.

Friday August 16

Robert Stanek's Keeper Martin's Tale dominated Amazon.com's Science Fiction and Fantasy Top Sellers list this past spring.

Worldwide sales of his books are quickly approaching two million, and as young fans anxiously await the official release of The Kingdoms & The Elves of the Reaches III, Robert Stanek's older, more mature fans can revel in the release of Magic Lands & Other Stories, a story collection that showcases the author's diverse skills and uncanny ability to provide windows into the heart, mind and soul.

"We're thrilled to partner with Robert Stanek to publish books that are delighting readers across the country. His vision was to produce high quality, affordable books. Books printed on paper you'd find in hardcover editions with a print size that just about anyone could read, yet without the expense of a hardcover book. The result is our high-quality trade paperbacks with sturdy covers, quality paper and truly readable print. While most new books cost $28-$30, our new books cost $14-$20, and readers are noticing the savings," says Thomas Green, Reagent Press, on the company's unique publishing approach.

Magic Lands & Other Stories is more than just the latest offering from the highly successful author, it's a gateway to spellbinding new worlds and new realities. Here's what reviewers have said about the book: "Exercise your mind and the power of your imagination while embarking on a journey of discovery." "Robert Stanek paints eerily haunting images that dazzle the mind's eye and delight." "Fascinating, utterly thought provoking from start to finish."

Thursday September 12

Readers haunted by sleepless nights. Parents suspect Friday 13th voodoo spell. Can it be?

Robert Stanek may keep readers up late with his enchanting tales, but he promises that he's not a wizard, only someone who dares to write about serious issues in a fantasy series.

While the themes can be decidedly dark and mature for the target 9-14 audience, Robert handles the issues with great skill and makes no apologies. "These are real issues, hazards of life. The message in every book in the series is clear, and ultimately life-affirming: good can triumph over evil, hard work has rewards, and everyone has the opportunity to make a difference."

STANEK'S LATEST BOOK, The Kingdoms & The Elves of the Reaches 3, follows in the footsteps of its top-selling predecessors. It is issued in a high-quality trade paperback edition with a sturdy cover, quality paper and truly readable print. The book is a breathtaking passport into the world of Ruin Mist where the mystical and the magical abound with a story that is perfect for the young and the young at heart.

"His readers understand that he's not afraid to break the rules. The official release of this latest book should help propel sales of all his books and attract new readers."

Thursday October 3

Reagent Press has been inundated with rights requests, including those for film/tv, foreign and audio rights ever since the publication of Keeper Martin's Tale. Early interest for film/tv rights was expressed by DreamWorks SKG. The ongoing worldwide rights auction should heat things up. With the upcoming release of a companion guide, Ruin Mist Heroes, Legends & Beyond, Reagent Press is also looking to role playing game, video game and toy opportunities and there's been strong interest in licensing King's Mate(TM), a chess-like board game Robert Stanek invented for the books, so other types of games make sense and it's what the author wants -- gaming is sort of in his blood. Stanek grew up in southern Wisconsin where Dungeon & Dragonsİ and Role Playing Games were born, and attended early gaming conferences in Lake Geneva. A big plus is that Reagent Press is in Washington state with Nintendo, Microsoft and Wizards of the Coast Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. all nearby. Ask Thomas Green of Reagent Press what he thinks about all the interest and he'll tell you: Most small presses dream of that one big book that'll put them in the black for the year, that's what he's used to. He never dreamed that the launch of Keeper Martin's Tale(TM) would lead to franchise opportunities. But there it is. Stanek's comment: "My nine-year-old son wants to see Ruin Mist on Microsoft Xbox(TM). If that happens, he'll be the happiest kid in the world and I'll be the happiest dad." Ruin Mist(TM) is the fantasy world Robert Stanek created and wrote about in his top-selling books for adults and children. Three Ruin Mist books for adults are available: Keeper Martin's Tale (Feb. 2002) Elf Queen's Quest (Mar. 2002) Kingdom Alliance (May 2003) Six Ruin Mist books are available for children: The Kingdoms & the Elves of the Reaches Books 1-4 The Elf Queen and the King Books 1-2   (The Kingdoms & the Elves of the Reaches IV will be published in March 2003.) What's next for this international bestselling author? A thriller: Sovereign Rule, already generating buzz and attracting film/tv rights interest.

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