Nastashia Minto is the author of Naked: The Rhythm and Groove of It. The Depth and Length to It. An African American woman born in South Georgia and raised there by her grandparents, she grew up in poverty and around drugs, alcohol, and family violence. Her life experiences led her to obtain an associate’s degree in occupational therapy and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Nastashia has been writing since she was nine years old, and has found that her writing offers her a way to help others. Her work has appeared in Gobshite Quarterly, Portland Metrozine, Nailed Magazine, SUSAN The Journal, and the Unchaste Anthology. She is a popular featured reader at Portland/ Seattle reading series including Grief Rites, Seattle Folklife, and Powell’s book store.