Katie Fallon | |
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Born | Wilkes-Barre, PA, United States | October 25, 1976
Occupation | Non-fiction writer, essayist |
Nationality | American |
Genre | literary nonfiction, nature writing |
Kathleen "Katie" Fallon (born October 25, 1976) is an American non-fiction author and essayist. Her essays have appeared in numerous literary journals, both electronic and print, and received several accolades. In 2011, she published her first book, Cerulean Blues: A Personal Search for a Vanishing Songbird. [1] She currently resides in Cheat Neck, WV with her husband Jesse, where she teaches creative writing at nearby West Virginia University. [2] Much of Fallon's writing is grounded in naturalism and conservation efforts, especially concerning raptors and other birds.
Fallon was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and grew up in Dallas, Pennsylvania. Both her parents were public school teachers. Her family has a long coal-mining heritage in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia. [2] Fallon founded the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia, Inc., [3] a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving wild birds through scientific research, public outreach, rescue and rehabilitation. She and her veterinarian husband live with their three children. [2]
Fallon began her undergraduate studies as a Wildlife and Fisheries Science major at Pennsylvania State University, and soon switched to English. She received her MFA in Creative Nonfiction from West Virginia University. [4]
Fallon taught English at Virginia Tech, West Virginia University, West Virginia Wesleyan University, and Chatham University. Numerous published essays of hers have won awards and nominations, including several nominations for the Pushcart Prize. [4] She has published two books, titled Cerulean Blues: A Personal Search for a Vanishing Songbird and Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird. [5] Among other nature writers, she cites Edward Abbey and Terry Tempest Williams as influences. [1]