Charles Sobczak lives and writes on Sanibel Island, Florida. He formed Indigo Press, L.L.C. in 1999 with the publication of his first novel, Six Mornings on Sanibel. From the original print run of 3,000 copies the novel went on to become the best selling book on Sanibel. It is currently in its sixth printing with more than 25,000 copies sold.
His second novel, Way Under Contract, a Florida Story, published in 2001, went on to win the coveted Patrick Smith Award for Best Florida Literature, 2001 and brought Sobczak's writing to the attention of readers across Florida. That novel is currently out of print and first edition copies are available only on this website.
After the publication of his second novel, Sobczak put together a collection of award winning essays, short stories and poetry in a selected works volume entitled Rhythm of the Tides. In 2005, Sobczak won the Alliance of the Arts Writer of the Year Award in Lee County.
His third novel, A Choice of Angels, was released in 2003 and went on to win a starred review in Booklist, the official publication of the American Library Association, as well as a National Bronze Award from Foreword Magazine for the BEST WORK OF RELIGIONS FICTION, 2003.
Changing his writing direction in 2005, Sobczak began work on a non-fiction book called, Alligators, Sharks & Panthers: Deadly Encounters with Florida's Top Predator—Man. The book went on to win a second National Bronze IPPY Award, this time from the Independent Publishing Book Awards out of Traverse City, Michigan. It was also a Finalist in the annual Florida Publishers Association nonfiction book awards, 2008.
Chain of Fools is Sobczak's forth novel. He is currently working on a second nonfiction title. The book will be a field guide to Sanibel Island titled Living Sanibel, a nature guide to Sanibel & Captiva Islands. It is scheduled for release in early 2010. It will be a full-color handbook to the flora and fauna of Sanibel Island as well as a complete reference guide to all of Sanibel's bike paths, hiking and kayak trails.
Along with writing, Sobczak works full time as a Realtor with the VIP Realty Group. In his spare time he enjoys traveling with his wife, Molly Heuer, and their two sons, Logan (20) and Blake (18). Charles is a lifetime member of SCCF, President of Lee Reefs, Past President of START (Solutions to Avoid Red Tide) and the Sanibel Island Fishing Club. He is also a member of PURRE and an avid offshore angler. |