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Feliks W. Kres

フェリクス・ダブリュー・クレス

Ferikusu W. Kuresu

Aliases: Witold Chmielecki
Pen Names: Feliks W. Kres（Pseudonym used for fiction writing. Name plays on Latin 'Felix' (lucky) and Polish 'kres' (end).）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1966-06-01 （Łódź, Poland）
Died
2022-10-14 （Not specified (reported in Poland)） age 56
Nationality
Poland
Languages
Polish

Career

Occupations
writer, fantasy author, magazine contributor / mentor
Active Years
1986-2022

Awards

Janusz A. Zajdel Award
1992
Work: Król Bezmiarów (King of Infinite Space)
Organization: Janusz A. Zajdel Award committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Północna granica (Northern Frontier)

Fantasy

A volume in the Book of the Entirety cycle, exploring worldbuilding and tensions between peoples and species.

worldbuildinginter-species conflict

Król Bezmiarów (King of Infinite Space)

1992 Fantasy

One of Kres's notable novels set in the invented world Szerer, featuring non-human intelligences such as cats and vultures alongside humans. The second volume of the cycle won the Zajdel Award.

non-human intelligencepower and fate

Grombelardzka legenda (Grombelardian Legend)

Fantasy

Part of the Book of the Entirety cycle, dealing with legends and local cultural myths.

legendlocal culture

Pani Dobrego Znaku (Lady of the Good Mark)

Fantasy

A story from the Book of the Entirety cycle focusing on the world and relations between characters.

fateinterpersonal relations

Porzucone królestwo (Abandoned Kingdom)

Fantasy

A tale concerning an abandoned kingdom, with motifs of decline and renewal.

declinerenewal

Tarcza Szerni (Shield of the Shern)

Fantasy

Further exploration of the Szerer world, depicting conflicts among species and factions.

conflictpower struggles

Żeglarze i jeźdźcy (Sailors and Riders)

Fantasy

An episodic work about sailors and riders, illustrating the diversity of the setting.

journeycultural exchange

Strażniczka istnień (Guardian of Beings)

Dark fantasy

A volume in the United Kingdoms cycle, with a darker tone and historical flavor.

darknessprotection and destruction

Piekło i szpada (Hell and épée)

Dark fantasy / alternate history

Dark fantasy set in an alternate 17th century featuring demons and ancient beings.

alternate historydemonsmoral ambiguity

Klejnot i wachlarz (Jewel and Fan)

Dark fantasy

Part of the United Kingdoms cycle, containing both short and long narrative works.

intriguehistory

Bibliography

  • Północna granica (Northern Frontier)
  • Król Bezmiarów (King of Infinite Space)
  • Grombelardzka legenda (Grombelardian Legend)
  • Pani Dobrego Znaku (Lady of the Good Mark)
  • Porzucone królestwo (Abandoned Kingdom)
  • Tarcza Szerni (Shield of the Shern)
  • Żeglarze i jeźdźcy (Sailors and Riders)
  • Strażniczka istnień (Guardian of Beings)
  • Piekło i szpada (Hell and épée)
  • Klejnot i wachlarz (Jewel and Fan)

Translations of Works

  • The Crown of Shergards — translated by Agata Koc; appeared in Chosen by Fate: Zajdel Award Winners Anthology (2000)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
dark-fantasy-leaning prosedetailed worldbuildingportrayal of moral ambiguity in characters
Recurring Motifs
demons and ancient beingsnon-human intelligence (cats, vultures)power and fatealternate history

Legacy

One of the notable contemporary Polish fantasy authors. Known for his unique worlds and dark tone; he received the Zajdel Award and influenced younger writers through magazine guides and translations of his work.

Archives

  • Official homepage archived (Wayback Machine): http://www.kres.mag.com.pl/ (archived)

Trivia

  • His pen name plays on Latin 'Felix' (lucky) and Polish 'kres' (end).
  • Many works are set in the invented world Szerer and feature non-human intelligences such as cats and vultures.
  • The short story 'Korona Shergardów' was translated into English and included in an anthology.
  • He ran guidance columns for aspiring writers in magazines such as Fenix, Magia i Miecz and Science Fiction.