Robert Beatty (author)

Beatty earns Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award

While still in engineering school, Beatty gained employment as an engineer drafting automotive parts for a local manufacturer called MSP. Frustrated with the disorganization and inefficiency of the factory, Beatty created and implemented a communication system called Plexus at MSP that successfully improved and restructured the operation of the company.[3]

Following the successful transformation of MSP, the Plexus software was in high demand among companies seeking to streamline manufacturing, lower costs, and improve quality control. Beatty and Richard McDermott, president and owner of MSP, started Plexus Systems, LLC in 1995 to meet this demand and sell customized Plexus software designed by Beatty to meet the specific needs of each company. As the CEO and chief architect of Plexus, Beatty became one of the leading pioneers in the development of cloud computing.[3][4] Beatty was the 2007 recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.[7]

Beatty autographing books and greeting fans at an author event

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.[4][3]

Intent on improving his writing skills, Beatty developed relationships with the editors of Narrative Magazine. He later served as Narrative Magazine’s Chief Technical Officer, a member of the board of directors, and eventually Chairman of the Board.[7]

Encouraged by his eldest daughter, Beatty began to write for a younger audience.[2][3][6][8] 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.[2][4][6][8] Understanding the importance of marketing from his experience with Plex Systems, Beatty and his family produced a book trailer for Serafina and the Black Cloak.[4][9][10] The book trailer was an important component of the successful launch of Serafina and the Black Cloak on July 14, 2015,[3] which eventually rose to the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List and remained on the list for over 60 weeks.[8]

Following the success of Serafina and the Black Cloak, Disney Hyperion decided to create a series based on “Serafina” and contracted two more novels with Beatty.[3] Serafina and the Twisted Staff was released on July 12, 2016,[11] debuting at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List.[12] Serafina and the Splintered Heart launched July 3, 2017[11] placing the Serafina Series on the New York Times Bestseller List.[12] Beatty's success continued with the debut of the first book in a new series, Willa of the Wood, which launched at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List in the summer of 2018.[12][2] Disney Hyperion signed Robert Beatty for three more novels: Serafina and the Seven Stars released in July 2019,[13] Willa of Dark Hollow expected in 2021,[14][11] and an additional novel yet to be determined.

Robert Beatty will serve as an executive producer for the television adaption of Willa of the Wood. The dramatic rights for the Willa book series were purchased by eOne. eOne has signed Amy Adams’ and her company Bond Group Entertainment to produce the TV series.[1]

1. Serafina and the Black Cloak (2015)
2. Serafina and the Twisted Staff (2016)
3. Serafina and the Splintered Heart (2017)
4. Serafina and the Seven Stars (2019)

1. Willa of the Wood (2018)
2. Willa of Dark Hollow (expected 2021)