Robert Beatty

Robert Beatty is the author of the #1 New York Times best selling Serafina series published by Disney-Hyperion, a spooky mystery-thriller about a brave and unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate.

The first book, SERAFINA AND THE BLACK CLOAK was a #1 New York Times best seller, has been on the list for more than 60 weeks, and won the prestigious 2016 Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize. The second book in the series, SERAFINA AND THE TWISTED STAFF, became a #1 New York Times best seller 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.” Enjoyed by both young readers and adults, the books are being taught in over a thousand classrooms nationwide. The much anticipated third and fourth books, SERAFINA AND THE SPLINTERED HEART and SERAFINA AND THE SEVEN STARS, also hit the #1 spot on the New York Times best sellers list, making Serafina one of the most popular heroines for readers of all ages.

Mr. Beatty is also the author of the #1 New York Times best selling Willa series. Set in 1900 in the Great Smoky Mountains, it's the dark, mesmerizing story of an orphaned girl–gentle of heart, but brimming with the ancient forest powers of her people–who must struggle to survive in a changing world. Filled with history, mystery, and magic, Kirkus Reviews describes WILLA OF THE WOOD as “A moving, atmospheric journey of hope.” The sequel, WILLA OF DARK HOLLOW, followed in 2022 to much acclaim.

Robert Beatty lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters, who help create and refine his stories. He loves to explore Biltmore Estate and the darkened forest trails where his novels take place. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Robert 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 books, Robert said, "Serafina's journey grew out of my desire to write a story about an unusual and heroic young girl for my three daughters."

In early 2023, Mr. Beatty announced the eagerly awaited graphic novel version of SERAFINA AND THE BLACK CLOAK (April 4, 2023 release date) and he is currently working on his seventh novel with Disney-Hyperion.