Winds of Change – 25th Anniversary Legacy Edition
Launches February 10, 2026
A restored celebration of imagination and endurance.
Preorder & Learn More »The Reality of Reader Voices
How Stories Find Their Readers
Great stories travel in many ways: from librarian to student, from teacher to classroom, from one reader pressing a book into another’s hands. That’s how my work found its earliest audience—quietly, steadily, and authentically.
Over time, those recommendations became reviews, reading lists, and chart moments. None of that happened overnight. It happened the same way it always does: one reader at a time.
How to Read Reviews Like a Librarian
- Look for specifics. The most helpful reviews mention scenes, themes, or characters—not just star ratings.
- Consider the mix. A range of perspectives (parents, teachers, teens, fantasy fans) paints a fuller picture.
- Follow trusted sources. Professional journals and educator lists (e.g., VOYA, Foreword, school/library newsletters) add helpful context.
- Time matters. Reviews accumulate over years. Growth that’s gradual is a healthy sign of real readership.
What Carried the Stories
- Ruin Mist / Kingdoms & the Elves / In the Service of Dragons — Longtail classics that grew through schools, libraries, and word of mouth.
- Bugville Critters & Bugville Jr. — Family and classroom favorites praised by educators and early learning specialists.
- Audiobook Milestones — Chart-topping runs on Audible that introduced new generations to these worlds.
Each milestone reflects the same pattern: readers discover, share, and return. That’s the enduring work of literature.
Ways to Support the Books You Love
- Borrow or request titles at your local library.
- Leave a thoughtful review—short, honest, and spoiler‑aware.
- Recommend a favorite to a friend, book club, or classroom.
- Share what the story meant to you on social platforms or Goodreads.
Reader Voices in Action
From the first classroom read‑alouds to audiobook commutes, your voices have kept these stories alive. I’m grateful for every shelf they’ve landed on and every conversation they’ve sparked.
That’s the real headline: authentic readers, lasting impact.
Celebrating Worldwide Recognition & Success
Beloved Series & Bestselling Titles
Ruin Mist • Bugville Critters • After the Machines • Scott Evers Thrillers
Chart-Topping Achievements
- #1 Fiction — Audible.com
- #1 Kids & YA — Audible.com
- #1 Mystery/Thriller — Audible.com
- Top 10 Kids & YA — Audible.com
- Top 50 Sci-Fi & Fantasy — Amazon.com
- Top 50 All-Time Bestseller — Audible.com
- #1 Free Dystopian, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery/Thriller — Amazon.com
As Featured In
The New York Times • Publisher's Weekly • VOYA Magazine • Foreword Magazine • School Library Journal • Library Journal • Children's Bookshelf • Parenting Magazine • The Journal of Electronic Defense • OverDrive’s “ContentWire for Libraries” • Ancient Art of Faery Magick • The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Elves & Fairies • Popular Series Fiction for Middle School and Teen Readers
Trusted by Leading Platforms
Audible • Emusic • Epic! • Kobo • Spotify • Tales2Go • Playaway • Findaway World • Ripple Reader • Sony Ebooks • Google Play • Apple Books • Walmart • ThriftBooks • OverDrive • eLibrary • Ingram Digital • EBSCO • Chirp Books • Barnes & Noble • Scribd • Hoopla Digital • Bookshop Org • Tolino Media • Target • Storytel • Librofm • Audiobook Store • Downpour Audio • BookPage • eBrary • Proquest • Baker & Taylor • BookSource • and dozens more over the years to ensure our stories reached homes, schools, and libraries everywhere.
Acclaimed Worldwide by Readers, Critics & Professionals
Ruin Mist / Kingdoms & the Elves / Service of Dragons
- Instant Bestsellers (2002): 26 weeks on Amazon’s Sci-Fi/Fantasy Top 50
- Audible Milestone (2005): #1 for 14 consecutive weeks; Top 10 Kids & YA for 3 years
- Millions of readers reached via Amazon, Audible, OverDrive, and more
- VOYA Review: “Dramatic illustrations draw the reader into the Tolkienesque world...”
- Foreword Magazine: “Three compelling stories, fast-paced and suspenseful… Brisk, accessible prose.”
- Publisher’s Weekly Cover Feature: April 2009
The Pieces of the Puzzle
- #1 Fiction & Top 10 Mystery Bestseller — Audible (2005)
Bugville Critters
- Follett Early Learning: “Essential early learning series.”
- Foreword Magazine: “Colorful and instructive, reminiscent of Little Miss Spider.”
- The Audio Book Store: “One of our most featured and respected Kids authors.”
- Parenting Magazine: “Recommended Series.”
Stormjammers
- The Journal of Electronic Defense: “Ride along with Stanek’s crew in 32 Desert Storm missions.”