Halle Arbaugh
"I continue to marvel, as I did from the first, at her distinctive voice, her control over her cool, sophisticated prose and her wise-beyond-her-years insight into her characters' human conditions. As an author, Halle never shirks from cracking the smooth glass of daily modern appearances - she goes deep, grappling with the murkier complexities of romantic urban life (jealousy, revenge, missed opportunities, despair)... I believe, if she continues in this vein, she might produce a collection that could serve as insight, a roadmap, to the psychological topography of her generation."
- Marianne Wiggins, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, Author of Properties of Thirst and Evidence of Things Unseen
PRAISE FOR HALLE ARBAUGH:
BIOGRAPHY
Halle Arbaugh is an author, screenwriter and filmmaker. Her debut novel has been optioned for TV/film by Big Beach Films, the production studio responsible for Little Miss Sunshine, The Farewell, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Additionally, Halle works as an executive producer in film and television, and has worked in development on producing and/or writing film/tv projects with Big Beach, A24, Disney, Hulu, The Weinstein Co., HBO, and others.
Halle's written work and photography has been published by and included in anthologies from the Washington Post, Random House, Heinemann, Spider Magazine, Figment and Her Daily.
Her writing awards and recognitions have included:
- Edward W. Moses Award for Creative Writing
- Finalist for the Los Angeles International Screenplay Award (2025)
- Figment Story-In-Verse contest (short-listed/finalist)
- Generation Next Creative Writing Award winner
- Power of the Pen Award Winner
- Named to the Board of the USC Alumni Association: Young Alumni Council
In her writing, she seeks to explore narratives through traditional and unconventional storytelling mediums, dealing with themes such as the psychological character of the modern American, the artist's place in society, romance as a fictional construct and more. Her writing is informed by the places in which she has lived, including the Midwest, New York, New Orleans, New England, and France, where she studied in high school. In 2024, Halle founded Uplifters Ranch Films, a film, television, and literary development company. Named after the historic Hollywood club, The Uplifters, Uplifters Ranch Films is dedicated to illuminating rising voices in film and television, uplifting and evolving our world through narrative filmmaking and storytelling in both written and film formats. Halle is also the founder of Big Beach Reads, which she co-produced as a literary and film endeavor with Big Beach Films. She also hosts a podcast, From Didion's Desk.
A survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence while working in film and television, Halle believes in the power of storytelling to uplift and empower. Halle holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Southern California, where she graduated with Honors as a Dean's Scholar. She is based in Los Angeles.