Timeline

Quick jump

• 1986
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2007
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2020

Chronological timeline

1986 — First publication

• At Dream’s End published (first published book).

2001 — Ruin books begin as serialized eBooks

• Ruin Mist begins publishing as serialized eBooks—an early indie-first release model.

2002 — Major relaunch + multiple tracks + early universe expansion

• Ruin Mist Chronicles adult trade/hardcover track relaunch begins:
  • Keeper Martin’s Tale
  • Kingdom Alliance
  • Fields of Honor
  • Mark of the Dragon
• Dark Path adult alternate-track begins:
  • Elf Queen’s Quest
• Kids/YA editions released (with illustrations, extra notes, and encyclopedia-style content).
• Magic Lands begins (Hundred Worlds-adjacent):
  • Journey Beyond the Beyond (first)
• Named-path editions start (the “Kingdoms & the Elves of the Reaches” line):
  • Winds of Change (#1)
  • Seeds of Dissent (#2)
  • Pawn of Dragons (#3)
  • Tower of Destiny (#4)
• Also released in a numerical manga/comic-friendly style naming:
  • The Kingdoms & the Elves of the Reaches #1–#4

2003 — Classroom + journals

• Student’s Classroom Handbook and Teacher’s Classroom Guide begin releasing (multiple editions over time).
• Ruin Mist journals begin publishing in hardcover and softcover.

2004 — Translation and platform “floodgates”

• Translation requests accelerate rapidly.
• Earliest language wave remembered as: Russian (first), then Turkish, then Thai, Korean, Chinese, Bulgarian.
• Platform and distributor deal flow expands (schools, libraries, retail, and digital channels).
• Deal volume: Over 100 total agreements signed across translations / platforms / formats.

2005 — Audio expansion + guides + global rights

• Audio releases expand reach and category visibility.
• Encyclopedia of Ruin Mist: The Essential Reader’s Guide published.
• Magic Lands continues:
  • Into the Stone Land (published 2005)
• In the Service of Dragons line begins (named-path and/or numerical #1–#4):
  • A Clash of Heroes (#1)
  • A Dance with Swords (#2)
  • A Storm of Shields (#3)
  • A Reign of Dragons (#4)
• Translation deals expand into additional languages (including French, Spanish, German, and Nordic languages in the broader wave).

2007 — Art book

• The Art of Ruin Mist: Heroes and Villains published.

2009 — Trade coverage referenced

• Ruin Mist referenced as being featured in a Publisher’s Weekly cover story (April 2009) in internal documentation.

2010 — Prequel + guides + comics begin

• Rise of the Fallen (adult prequel) released.
• Magic of Ruin Mist: A Candid Look at Robert Stanek’s Life, Work and Books published.
• Keeper Martin’s Guide to the Fantastical Beasts and Faerie Peoples of Ruin Mist published.
• Keeper Martin’s Guide to More Fantastical Beasts and Faerie Peoples of Ruin Mist published.
• Ruin Mist comics begin publishing with the A Daughter of Kings arc:
  • Betrayal (#1)
  • Deliverance (#2)
  • Rebirth (#3)
  • Discord (#4)

2011 — RPG + graphic novel compilation

• Battle for Ruin Mist Core Roleplaying Game Rules released.
• A Daughter of Kings released as a graphic novel compilation (December 2011).

2013 — Kids/YA prequel editions + episodic Guardians

• Adult prequel Rise of the Fallen released as Kids/YA editions:
  • Breath of Fire
  • Living Fire
• Guardians of the Dragon Realms episodic eBooks begin releasing:
  • The Dragon, the Wizard & the Great Door
  • A Legacy of Dragons
  • Memories of Fire

2014 — 10th Anniversary editions begin

• 10th Anniversary editions begin releasing for the Kingdoms / Dragons lines.
• A Daughter of Kings comics rereleased (2014).

2015 — Omnibuses and complete editions

• Complete Tetralogy omnibuses for:
  • The Kingdoms & the Elves of the Reaches
  • In the Service of Dragons
• Guardians & Dragons (The Complete Quintet) published.
• Dragons of the Hundred Worlds bundle released (bundling the prequel Kids/YA material).

2020 — 20th Anniversary editions begin

• 20th Anniversary editions of Ruin Mist Chronicles begin publishing.

Series milestones at a glance

Ruin Mist (core)

• 2001: serialized eBooks
• 2002: adult relaunch + Dark Path + Kids/YA
• 2005: audio expansion + encyclopedia guide
• 2010–2011: comics + graphic novel + RPG
• 2014: 10th Anniversary editions begin
• 2020: 20th Anniversary editions begin

Magic Lands (Hundred Worlds-adjacent)

• 2002: Journey Beyond the Beyond
• 2005: Into the Stone Land
• Classroom guides (multiple editions) described as releasing beginning in 2005

For detailed reading sequences, see Reading Order. For edition/format context, see Publishing History.

Living notes / what we’re still reconstructing

Much of the 2004–2005 expansion involved distributors, storefronts, and partner systems that were later rebranded, merged, or discontinued. We’re rebuilding the most accurate list possible.

• Full platform/distributor reconstruction: Translations & Global Reach
• Press and coverage references: Press
• Awards + recognition hub: Awards & Recognition