Josef Formánek (born 1969 in Ústí nad Labem) is a Czech novelist, traveler and journalist. In 1992 he co-founded the geography magazine Koktejl and served as its editor-in-chief for nearly thirteen years, traveling to over forty countries - most profoundly to the Indonesian island of Siberut, where he lived among the Mentawai people on several extended stays. He has written ten autobiographical novels; his debut Prsatý muž a zloděj příběhů (2003) sold over 110,000 copies and was voted into the BBC/Czech Television 'Book of My Heart' top 100. Two of his books - Úsměvy smutných mužů and Dvě slova jako klíč - were adapted into films by director Dan Svátek.
Formánek gave an author's reading and discussion at the Municipal Cinema in Nový Bor (May 11, 2026).
At the Literatura žije! festival in České Budějovice (April 20-26, 2026), he presented his latest book Zamilovaný poutník.
In October 2025, Formánek's tenth novel Zamilovaný poutník was published, inspired by a three-month pilgrimage from Bohemia to Assisi.
In March 2025, an author's discussion with Formánek took place at the Central Scientific Library in Kladno.
In autumn 2023, Formánek published his ninth book Nevím, a diary return to childhood, as part of the Big Book Thursday.
