Robert Jerzy Szmidt (born 26 July 1962 in Wrocław, Poland) is a Polish science fiction and fantasy writer, translator and journalist.
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. He was also the owner of one of the first legal video rentals in Poland.[citation needed] In late 80s he founded two magazines: Video Business and Video Premiery. Afterwards he moved into video games publishing (editor of PlayStation Plus[1] and Player Station Plus magazines) and as a translator.[citation needed]
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.[2]
In 1985 he was awarded the Śląkfa Prize as The Fan Of The Year.[2] In 2015 he received the award Wrocławianin Roku, and in 2017 and 2018 a Silver and Gold, respectively, Odznaka Honorowa Zasłużony dla Województwa Dolnośląskiego.[3]
He founded the Science Fiction magazine (2000) and Nautilus Award (2004).[2][4]
He was a publisher and editor in chief of the Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror monthly magazine.[2]
Szmidt has lived in Katowice, Poland, since 1986.
Schmidt wrote two books which were included in the official Universe of Metro 2033