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Background

Debra Madaris Efird is a freelance writer and former middle school counselor residing in Harrisburg, NC. She worked in school counseling for over twenty-five years and obtained the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). As a member of the American Counseling Association and the American School Counselor Association, she wrote many articles about counseling-related topics such as parenting, adolescent anger, and study skills. She also enjoys writing travel articles, essays, and Southern fiction. Her work has appeared in national magazines, online publications, state writing collections, and newspapers. She is a member of the North Carolina Writers' Network.

Her book, "Groups in Practice: A School Counselor's Collection," was published in June 2012 by Routledge. It is available for purchase through Routledge, Amazon, and other retailers. Check out the link:

http://www.routledgementalhealth.com/groups-in-practice-9780415503723

She may be contacted at debramadarisefird@gmail.com

See published articles on additional pages (go to upper left corner of this page). All material on this website is copyright protected.

Awards are listed below:


  • Semifinalist in 2021 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize competition for story entitled "Stories Told and Untold."

  • Semifinalist in 2020 Doris Betts Fiction Prize competition for story entitled "Supply and Demand."

  • First Prize in The Writers Workshop of Asheville 2019 Literary Fiction Contest for story entitled "Choosing Wrong."

  • Semifinalist in 2019 Doris Betts Fiction Prize competition for story entitled "Forgivable Offenses."

  • Finalist in 2016 NCSU Prize for Short Fiction for story entitled "Palette of Love."

  • Honorable Mention in the Savannah Authors Workshop Writing Contest and publication of short story "Revival" in Savannah Anthology 2016.

  • Finalist in 2015 Doris Betts Fiction Prize competition for short story entitled "Palette of Love."

  • Winner in Saturday Evening Post Tribute to Our Troops Contest - Sep/Oct 2013 (see essay on subpage)

  • Finalist in 2012 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize competition for short story entitled "Revival."

  • Finalist in 2011 Press 53 Open Awards Contest for short story entitled "Aileen's First Day at the New School."

  • 2010 National Health Information Merit Award for article entitled "For Parents: Diabetes Support at School" in Diabetes Self-Management magazine.

  • Finalist in 2006 Novello Literary Award (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library Novello Festival Press) for novel entitled "Admissions."

  • County and/or State Winner from 2004-2014 in the Young Authors/Forever Young writing contests of the North Carolina Reading Association.