Meet Barbara
Barbara Vaka has written 15 captivating novels, each inviting readers into vivid worlds filled with unforgettable characters and heartfelt stories. She has traveled the world with her husband Peter and shared her experiences in her stories. From Egypt and the Middle East to the capitals of Europe, Barbara’s characters come to life on the pages of every book she writes.
My Journey
Fifteen novels later, my passion for storytelling has only deepened, and I continue weaving tales that linger long after the last page. I have been writing stories for as long as I can remember. At age 10, I wrote a science fiction story about going to Mars. I was invited to publish my story in a magazine and my parents said no. When I wrote Tharsis Zone, a scifi thriller, I published that story in the back of the book.
Roots
Born with a love for words, I grew up lost in stories that shaped my own voice. I was a voracious reader and became an English teacher, where I taught creative writing and journalism. Later in life, I published a weekly newspaper in Pueblo, Colorado, where I raised our three children on a small ranch. My first novel, Hank’s Mountain, was based on that experience.
Behind the pen, Barbara now has 6 grandchildren and is living in Purcellville, Virginia. She and her husband Peter continue to travel.