Robert J. Szmidt
Robert Jerzy Szmidt (born 26 July 1962 in Wrocław, Poland) is a Polish science fiction and fantasy writer, translator and journalist.
Biography
Szmidt trained as a sailor, however, he never worked as one. In the late 80s and early 90s, he was a sales representative for Amber Publishing House, and worked in the video and bookselling business.[1] He was also the owner of one of the first legal video rentals in Poland.[2] In late 80s he founded two magazines: Video Business and Video Premiery. Afterwards he moved into video games publishing (editor of PlayStation Plus[3] and Player Station Plus magazines).[2] He has also been a translator of English fantastika works to Polish since 1980s.[1][2]
Robert Szmidt joined the Polish Science Fiction fandom in the early 80s and soon became a co-founder of the Sphinx Award, which later was renamed the Zajdel Award.[4]
In 1985 he was awarded the Śląkfa Prize as The Fan Of The Year.[1][4] In 2015 he received the award Wrocławianin Roku, and in 2017 and 2018 a Silver and Gold, respectively, Odznaka Honorowa Zasłużony dla Województwa Dolnośląskiego.[5]
He founded the Science Fiction magazine (2000) and Nautilus Award (2004).[1][4][6]
He was a publisher and editor in chief of the Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror monthly magazine.[1][4]
Szmidt has lived in Katowice, Poland, since 1986.
Bibliography
Novels
- Toy Land, "Science Fiction" No. 11 / 2002, Fabryka Słów, Lublin 2008
- Revelation by Mr. John (Apokalipsa według Pana Jana), D.W. Ares, Katowice 2003; Fabryka Słów, Lublin 2008
- Whisperer (Zaklinacz), D.W. Ares, Katowice 2003
- Unicorn Chronicles: Hunting (Kroniki Jednorożca: Polowanie), Fabryka Słów, Lublin 2007
- Szczury Wrocławia: Chaos (Wrocław Rats: Chaos)
Metro 2033 series
Schmidt wrote three books which were included in the official Universe of Metro 2033 and Universe of Metro 2035
- Otchłań (The Abyss), Insignis, Kraków 2015
- Wieża (The Tower), Insignis, Kraków 2016
- Riese (The Giant), Insignis Media, Kraków 2019
Books translated
- Campbell, Jack; Lost fleet: Fearless, Fabryka Słów, Lublin 2008
- Campbell, Jack; Lost fleet: Fearless, Fabryka Słów, Lublin 2008
- Church, James; Death in the Koryo, Książnica, Katowice 2008
- Gibson, William; Spook Country, Książnica, Katowice 2008
- Portis, Charles; True Grit, Sonia Draga, Katowice 2011
References
- ^ a b c d e Konieczny, Piotr (2025). "SFE: Szmidt, Robert J". The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
- ^ a b c Sedeńko, Wojciech (2012). "Robert J. Szmidt". www.encyklopediafantastyki.pl. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
- ^ "PlayStation w Polsce - czym konsola podbiła serca Polaków?". Gadżetomania.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2019-12-29.
- ^ a b c d "Spotkanie z Robertem J. Szmidtem". gwarek.com.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2019-12-29.
- ^ "Wrocławskiemu pisarzowi udało się dostać na plan "Wiedźmina" [WYWIAD]". www.tuwroclaw.com (in Polish). Retrieved 2019-12-29.
- ^ Szatan, Ola (2015-09-09). "Robert J. Schmidt, Paweł Majka i zespół Video w katowickim Empiku". Dziennik Zachodni (in Polish). Retrieved 2019-12-29.