T.A. (Tom) Pierce received his MFA in Creative Writing from Spalding University and is a former USAT-certified Level I triathlon coach. ChiWriting is based on his experiences as a writer, MFA graduate, and triathlete, which includes training for and finishing a 140.6-mile Ironman race. In addition to ChiWriting, he has completed a collection of short stories, some of which have appeared in respected journals such as Quarterly West, American Literary Review, and Bellevue Literary Review. He is also the recipient of an Emerging Artist award (in literary arts) from the Kentucky Arts Council. He lives in Louisville with his family and is currently at work on a novel.