Phillip Manning is an award-winning author based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is the author of four books: Afoot in the South: Walks in the Natural Areas of North Carolina, Palmetto Journal: Walks in the Natural Areas of South Carolina, and Orange Blossom trails: Walks in the Natural Areas of Florida, and Islands of Hope: Lessons from North America's Great Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Manning is a regular book reviewer for the Raleigh News & Observer, and writes a column for the Chapel Hill News. He also teaches writing for the North Carolina Writer's Network and a course on the introduction to science at the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement. His articles have appeared in Field & Stream, Outdoor Traveler, Backpacker, and many other publications. Manning has a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His wife Diane is an artist, who takes occasional breaks from her own work to illustrate his books.