Stephen Wayne

Stephen Wayne is the pen name of István Szabó, a bestselling horror writer and multi-award-winning author based in Hungary. He is also a professional book formatter and designer with an international clientele spanning more than 85 countries. His background includes assisting law-enforcement agencies with criminal investigations and working with governmental agencies on matters of national security.

Stephen writes horror, science fiction, and philosophical fiction. Influenced by H. P. Lovecraft and Philip K. Dick, his stories explore consciousness, identity, belief, and the nature of existence—from supernatural mysteries and cosmic horror to theological reimaginings and speculative futures. He also creates AI-assisted music, cinematic trailers, and visual projects, using different creative forms to tell stories and build interconnected worlds.

An adventurer at heart, Stephen has practised martial arts since childhood, beginning with Ju Jitsu before pursuing kickboxing and Muay Thai. His interests also include long-distance running, fencing, extreme sports, and scuba diving. He has even studied all seven forms of lightsaber combat, combining martial technique, cinematic choreography, and play in a discipline he shares with his son.

Above all, Stephen is a proud father to Christopher and Blaise, who remain his greatest inspiration.