Raven Grimassi is the author of over a dozen books on Wicca & Witchcraft.  He is an award-winning author who frequently lectures at conventions and universities across the United States.  Grimassi is also the foremost authority on the works of 19th century folklorist Charles Godfrey Leland, and is an expert in the field of studies on Italian witchcraft.

Grimassi is the son of an Italian immigrant who came to the USA from Naples as a War Bride in 1945.  Rasied by a European woman, Raven grew up "between the worlds" of American society and Italian culture.  Growing up as an Italian-American in many ways caused a separation from other people and created social challenges for Grimassi. His family moved frequently from state to state because of his father's career, which continually exposed Grimassi to new situations and environments.

Grimassi is reportedly descended from an Italian witch named Calenda Tavani, who lived in Naples several generations ago.