Bio
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I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English from the
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. I received my Masters of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing
from Naropa University in Boulder, CO.
I am currently an English instructor at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, University of
Pittsburgh at Johnstown, and Allegany College of Maryland. I am the leader of the Works in Progress
Writers’ Workshop.
My work has been published on Pittsburgh Quarterly Online and Our Town Magazine. My novel, Tracks,
was optioned for a screenplay by Ziji Films, Hollywood, CA, and I was represented by the Coppage
Agency of Hollywood, CA. I was also the assistant writer of the short film, The Tech Know Zone.
I have won fiction awards including first place in the Wild Violet Online Literary Magazine 2007 Fiction
Contest for my story, "X and Q", third place in the Pennwriters Novel Beginning Contest for the novel,
Tracks, and the winner of the 1996-1997 Claire S. Garber Memorial Creative Writing Award for my story,
“Dodge”.
I have also won awards for my poetry including third place in the Pennwriters poetry contest for my
poem, "If I wrote love poems..." and first place in the Central Cambria High School Writing Festival
Adult Specialty Writing Contest for the poem, “Morning Mist”.
In addition, I have given public presentations and readings including a presentation on writing at the
Central Cambria High School Writing Festival and readings at The Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Center in
Johnstown, PA and Laurel Arts in Somerset, PA. I also coordinated and hosted poetry readings and an
Edgar Allan Poe night in Somerset, PA.
You may contact me at purbaugh@comcast.net or www.barbarapurbaugh.com
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