About the Author

Mitch Irion brings decades of visual storytelling experience to his debut novel, having shaped narratives as an art director and creative director in both Hollywood and advertising. His innovative marketing strategies were adopted by major film studios, but it was a deeply personal story that drew him to write Nanking Safety Zone.

The novel’s genesis traces back to his mother-in-law’s haunting memories of escaping the Japanese army during World War II. Her fragmented recollections—a teenage girl fleeing through China, seeking refuge in Buddhist temples, saved by her father’s desperate gamble—compelled Irion to explore the larger tragedy that engulfed Nanking in 1937.

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After reading Iris Chang’s The Rape of Nanking, Irion became captivated by an extraordinary group of Westerners (most of whom were American Missionaries) who chose to remain in the city when they could have evacuated. Armed only with moral conviction, these Safety Zone leaders stood between civilians and an overwhelming military force. His research led him to Yale Divinity School’s archives, where he studied original diaries, letters, and firsthand accounts, including the writings of George Fitch himself.

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What began as a screenplay collaboration with his son Jeremy evolved into a novel, allowing Irion to fully explore themes of moral courage in humanity’s darkest hours. Nanking Safety Zone stands as both a meticulously researched historical account and a tribute to those who chose compassion over safety, honoring the memory of all who suffered and those who dared to protect them.