OFFICIAL BIO
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Barbara Hartzler is a bestselling YA Fantasy Academy author writing about Seers, Chosen Ones, sacred stones, and secret societies ... oh my!
Her stories are full of snarky heroines, supernatural shenanigans, dreamy guys, and normal teens taking on larger-than-life quests to save the world. As a former barista and graphic designer, she loves all things sparkly and purple and is always jonesing for a good cup of joe. So grab a cup of coffee and explore all the behind-the-scenes extras in The Seer's Vault, or learn more about her writing journey, fun facts, and her favorite books on her bio page. As for piddly things like qualifications, Barbara earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Central Bible College with an emphasis on drama and media. She won an NRB/Focus on the Family essay scholarship and wrote and directed a successful one act play. She also semi-finaled in the young adult category of ACFW’s Genesis contest. Currently, she’s a fiction coach at Self-Publishing School. |
The BARBARA Awards for Best Fiction (Mostly YA)
All-time Favorite Author: Madeleine L’Engle for A Ring of Endless Light
—Runners-up: Jane Austen & Kristin Billerbeck
- Best Dystopian Book: Tahereh Mafi for her poetic, character-driven Ignite Me
—Runners Up: Suzanne Collins for Catching Fire, Marissa Meyer for Cress, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard - Best Dystopian Lite Series: Kiera Cass for her princess-in-waiting/caste system saga, The Selection series
- Best College-Girl Series: Robin Jones Gunn for her zany & spiritually insightful Katie Weldon series
- Best Teen Writer Series: Stephanie Morrill for her realistically flawed Ellie Sweet series
- Best Final Book of a Chick-Lit Trilogy: Tracey Bateman for her quirky That’s Not Exactly Amore
- Best Multiple Personality Book: Susan May Warren for 5+ POV masterpiece Finding Stephanie
- Best Boy Book: Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves for their sci-fi page turner Interworld
- Zaniest Character: Kristin Billerbeck’s hilarious and true-to-life Ashley Stockingdale series
- Best Theological Allegory: William P. Young for The Shack
- Best Free Book: Mindspeak by Heather Sunseri
- Best Book to Read as a Child or an Adult: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
- Best Urban Fantasy Academy Series - The Darkblood Academy Series by G.K. DeRosa and Elemental Origins series by A.L. Knorr
- Best YA Epic Fantasy/Romantasy books: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, A Blossom at Midnight by A.L. Knorr