writer ∙ explorer ∙ optimist
Kara Garbe Balcerzak writes memoir and fiction. Her work has been published on websites including The Huffington Post, Brevity, The Mighty, and others, as well as in several anthologies. She studied English and creative writing at the University of Virginia and Minnesota State University Mankato, and her writing has been supported by the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Loft Literary Center, and Blacklock Nature Sanctuary. Kara has written two plays that were produced in the Minnesota Fringe Festival, taught creative writing at the Loft Literary Center, and published more than a dozen nonfiction children's books under the pseudonym Suzanne Garbe.
Following a 2015 bicycle accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury, Kara was forced to leave her career administering government grants to nonprofits. She now works part-time as a freelance grant writer.
When not writing, Kara enjoys reading, knitting, practicing the harp, being in nature, seeing the world, doing jigsaw puzzles, and attempting to grow vegetables. She is an active volunteer for environmental and social justice causes. Kara lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where she is currently scheming to open an independent bookstore (coming 2025!).