Robert C. Parsons has been called one of the most popular and prolific writers on the subject of Atlantic Canada’s ships and ship disasters. He is the author of more than thirty books. His work has also appeared in a number of newspapers and magazines such as Downhome, the Telegram, the Newfoundland Quarterly, and Newfoundland Lifestyles. In May 2009, Robert’s nonfiction prose was judged an award winner in the annual Arts and Letters Competition. In December that same year, he was presented with the Polaris Award from the Canadian Coast Guard Alumni Association, Newfoundland and Labrador division, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the preservation and public awareness of the marine heritage and history in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. This award was only given out two previous times in the years of the Alumni Association’s existence. Robert’s book Courting Disaster: True Crime and Mischief on Land and Sea was a Globe and Mail bestseller. A former fish plant worker and educator and a present-day researcher and devotee of all items marine-related, Robert lives in Grand Bank, Newfoundland.