Robert Mitchell is a writer, martial arts expert, and transitional archdeacon pursuing holy orders of the priesthood in the Old Catholic tradition. A martial artist for over thirty years, he is the founder of Heritage Arts Inc., a 501(c)(3) federally-recognized non-profit educational charity providing free instruction in martial arts, fitness, outdoor skills, and spiritual development (www.heritageartsinc.com). In 2011 he was awarded the rank of Master by the Combat Martial Arts Practitioners Association, and in 2019 became an authorized instructor of Mark Hatmaker's Frontier Rough & Tumble Martial arts program. On the subject of martial arts and related topics he has penned "Martial Grit: Real Fighting Fitness on a Budget" and "The Calisthenics Codex" which has been in Smashword's Top 10 fitness books since its publication in 2015. His fiction works include the novels "Chatters on the Tide," "Ghilan" and "The 14th Mansion," as well as numerous poems, ‘zines, comic books, and short pieces. His work has appeared in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Hulltown 360 Literary Journal, and more. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1983 with a B.A. in English. He and his wife Karen reside in Richmond, VA and are the proud parents of four children and five grandchildren.