About

Rob Rogers is an attorney and award-winning author from Winter Garden, Florida whose creative nonfiction and fiction essays have appeared in literary journals throughout the United States, including Ponder Review, Still Point Arts Quarterly, Thorn & Bloom, and Four Tulips. He also contributes articles about backpacking to outdoor and travel magazines and newsletters for the Florida Trail Association, and he writes a blog called the Central Florida Backpacking Desk Jockey (https://backpackingdeskjockey.blog). Rob is a member of the Independent Authors Network (IAN), Florida Writers Association, Florida Authors & Publishers Association (FAPA), Outdoor Writers Association of America, and Writers Alliance of Gainesville. He is also a graduate of the University of Florida and Florida State University College of Law, from which he graduated with high honors and honors (respectively).

Rob rediscovered his passion for creative writing in 2024 after experiencing mental health problems and coping with them by backpacking during a three-month sabbatical. He then wrote an article about his experiences and shared it with Diana Helmuth, author of How to Suffer Outside: A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking and Backpacking, seeking guidance on finding a publisher. After Diana suggested he turn the article into a book and provided heartwarming encouragement, Rob transformed his essay into Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida, which was published by Barringer Publishing in November 2024. In 2025, Finding My Way Home won the Bronze Medal for Autobiography/Memoir at the 2025 FAPA President’s Book Awards, and was also a Finalist for Nonfiction: Mind/Body/Spirit at the 2025 IAN Book of the Year Awards.

Rob began writing nonfiction and fiction essays and outdoor journalism articles shortly after the publication of Finding My Way Home. Several of Rob’s essays have received awards and other recognition, including “Mardi Gras ’95,” which won First Place for Nonfiction at the SLO NightWriters Golden Quill Writing Contest, and “Morning Coffee,” which was nominated for the Pushcart Prize by Ponder Review. His travel articles have also appeared in Outdoors Unlimited and Go World Travel, and he has contributed articles examining legal issues to Law 360, Bloomberg Law, and Communications Lawyer.

Although Rob’s non-literary writing focuses on hiking, backpacking, travel, and legal analysis, his creative writing has explored a variety of themes, including backpacking and hiking, coping with mental health struggles, music, and even his “man child” hijinks tailgating at college football games. A disciple of Hunter S. Thompson, Rob aims to thrust the reader into his adventures by describing the full sensory experience of the places he visits and the challenges he faces there, while often also accenting his subjects with self-effacing humor or historical and biological insights about the places he discovers. Whether writing editorially or creatively, he treats his subjects like a journalist, albeit one whose voice has been shaped by sardonic humor, misanthropic cognitive distortions, and an irresistible compulsion for authenticity at any cost.

Rob spends as many weekends in the winter and spring as he can hiking and backpacking in Central Florida. He is also certified to sail and enjoys paddleboarding in Central Florida’s spring-fed rivers. A self-described history junkie, Rob is an avid reader of nonfiction, and he has traveled with his family to national parks throughout the United States and to more than fifteen European countries.  He is also an avid fan of all University of Florida sports and served as President of the Central Florida Gator Club from 2014 through 2016. He also scouts college football games for Florida Citrus Sports, the Orlando charity that hosts Orlando’s two major college football bowl games. He has also received awards for his service in both organizations.

Rob is also a partner at the construction litigation firm of Kirwin Norris, P.A. He lives in Winter Garden with his wife, Kara, and his daughter, Claire.