The books I loved as a kid touched on something I was struggling with, swept me away from it and inevitably, showed me a way through.

Rebecca Balcarcel says her stories are houses of fiction built on fact. With each book I’ve written, I’ve started with a struggle I’ve experienced, taken the reader out into the boundaries of my imagination, and then shown them how we can tackle it or face it or move through it.

I think that’s why I love writing fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary fiction for young adults and middle grade readers. Because each of these genres allows us to explore our early struggles but in ways that can be complex and limitless.

A few of my favorite writers are Veronica Roth, Emily Rodda, Kate DiCamillo, Leigh Bardugo, Tae Keller, Rebecca K.S. Ansari, Adrianna Cuevas, Jaclyn Moriarty, and Madeleine L’Engle.

When I’m not writing or reading, I am an acupuncturist (currently on hiatus but I’ll be back!) and a mother of four readers (my youngest sleeps with her books). I enjoy biking and baking and am obsessed with high tea. I also have a special place in my heart for live theater. Once upon a time, I was a scuba diving instructor. I still dream of helping conservation groups clean up the ocean.

I hold a bachelor’s in Cultural & Social Anthropology from Stanford University, a master’s in Oriental Medicine, and a doctorate in Metaphysics. I live in Colorado and am a member of Writing Heights Writers Association.