R. A. Salvatore

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Robert Anthony Salvatore

Pseudonym: R.A. Salvatore
Born: January 20, 1959
Leominster, Massachusetts
Occupation: novelist
Nationality: American
Writing period: 1982 to the present
Genres: fiction
Subjects: fantasy, science fiction
Debut works: The Crystal Shard (1988)
Influences: J. R. R. Tolkien, Terry Brooks
Website: R.A. Salvatore's official website

Robert Anthony Salvatore (b. January 20, 1959, Leominster, Massachusetts), who writes under the name R. A. Salvatore, is a fantasy author best known for his Forgotten Realms Novels and The DemonWars Saga.[1]

Robert Salvatore was born in Leominster, Massachusetts. He was the youngest of a family of seven. A graduate of Leominster High School, Salvatore has credited Scott Hay, his high school English teacher, with being instrumental in his development as a writer. During his time at Fitchburg State College, he became interested in fantasy after reading J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, given to him as a Christmas gift.[2] He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications and later a Bachelor of Arts in English. Before taking up writing full time he worked as a bouncer.[3]

In 1982 he started writing more seriously, developing a manuscript he titled Echoes of the Fourth Magic. [4]He went on to publish several series of books in the Forgotten Realms campaign world, while lately his popularity surged due to his Demon Wars sagas and his two Star Wars books.

One of his most popular characters is Drizzt Do'Urden, a drow, or dark elf, portrayed against the stereotypes of his race, who fights for what he believes is right.

In addition to his novels, Salvatore wrote the story for the PS2, Xbox and PC video game Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone (2004), working with the design team at Stormfront Studios. The game was published by Atari and was nominated for awards by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and BAFTA. CDS books commissioned him to edit a four book series based on the interactive online Everquest game. [5] He also wrote the bot chat lines for the Quake III bots. Currently, R.A. Salvatore is busy at work as Creative Director for 38 Studios, formerly named Green Monster Games, along with pitcher Curt Schilling and Spawn comic creator Todd McFarlane.

He is noted for his intense and descriptive battle scenes which have been attributed to his history in boxing and his work as a bouncer.[6]

In 2000, Salvatore's collected papers, including correspondence and unpublished works, were donated to his alma mater Fitchburg State College to create the 'R.A. Salvatore Collection.'

He and his wife Diane have three children: Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin.

Contents

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] Forgotten Realms

[edit] The Icewind Dale Trilogy

[edit] The Dark Elf Trilogy

[edit] Legacy of the Drow

[edit] Paths of Darkness

[edit] The Cleric Quintet

[edit] The Hunter's Blades Trilogy

[edit] The Sellswords Trilogy

[edit] Transitions

  • The Orc King (2007)

[edit] War of the Spider Queen

[edit] The Spearwielder's Tales

[edit] Corona Novels

[edit] The DemonWars Saga

[edit] Chronicles of Ynis Aielle

[edit] Crimson Shadow

  • The Sword of Bedwyr (1994)
  • Luthien's Gamble (1996)
  • The Dragon King (1996)

[edit] Star Wars: New Jedi Order

[edit] Star Wars

[edit] Graphic Novel Adaptations

  • Homeland
  • Exile
  • Sojourn
  • The Crystal Shard

[edit] Other novels

[edit] Short Stories

  • The First Notch Dragon Magazine #152 (1989 )
  • A Sparkle for Homer Halflings, Hobbits, Warrows, and Weefolk (1991)
  • Dark Mirror Realms of Valor Feb (1993)
  • The Third Level Realms of Infamy (1994)
  • Guenhwyvar Realms of Magic (1995)
  • The Coach With Big Teeth Otherwere (1996)
  • Gods' Law Tales of Tethedril (1998)
  • Mather's Blood Dragon Magazine #252 (1998 )
  • That Curious Sword Realms of Shadow (2002)
  • Three Ships Demons Wars: Trial By Fire Comic TP (2003)
  • Empty Joys The Best of the Realms (2003)
  • The Dowry The Highwayman (2004)
  • Wickless In the Nether Realms of Dragons (2004)
  • Comrades at Odds Realms of the Elves (2006)
  • If Ever They Happen Upon My Lair Dragons: World Afire (2006)

[edit] Other media

  • The Accursed Tower A 2nd Edition AD&D Module
  • Demon Stone Role-playing Game released on PS2, XBox, and PC
  • In collaboration with Seven Swords, R A Salvatore created the bot chat responses for the computer game Quake 3 Arena

[edit] Miscellaneous

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

As the author tasked with writing the first book of the New Jedi Order series, Salvatore was ordered by Lucasfilm to kill off Chewbacca, one of the most popular characters in the franchise. Many fans thought that Salvatore himself had made this decision, but it was actually Randy Stradley.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Shippey, T.A. eds. Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy vol I. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 1996.
  2. ^ Clute, John. And John Grant. The Encyclopedia of Fantasy. NY: ST. Martkin’s Press, 1997
  3. ^ Clute, John. And John Grant. The Encyclopedia of Fantasy. NY: ST. Martkin’s Press, 1997 . Publishers Weekly. 5/17/2004, Vol. 251 Issue 20, p23
  4. ^ Shippey, T.A. ed. Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy vol II. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 1996.
  5. ^ Raugust, Karen. "*The Expanding World of EverQuest". Publishers Weekly. 5/17/2004, Vol. 251 Issue 20, p23
  6. ^ Pringle, David eds. St. James Guide to Fantasy Writers. Detroit, MI: St. James Press, 1996

[edit] Reviews

  • Cassada, Jackie. “The Lone Drow (book).” Library Journal 9/15/2003, Vol. 128 Issue 15, p95
  • Cannon, Peter. Zaleski, Jeff. THE THOUSAND ORCS (BOOK) Publishers Weekly. 10/7/2002, Vol. 249 Issue 40, p57
  • THE HIGHWAYMAN: a Novel of Corona Publishers Weekly. 3/1/2004, Vol. 251 Issue 9, p54.

[edit] External links

[edit] Interviews

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