Nancy J. Hedin completed her MFA at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Her novel, Bend was named Debut Novel of the Year by the Golden Crown Literary Society and one of twenty-five books to read for Pride month by Barnes and Noble. Her second novel, Stray was released in 2019 and was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in novel and short stories. Hedin has been a pastor and a bartender at the same time. She has been a stand-up comic and a crisis social worker at the same time. She lives in Arden Hills, Minnesota with her wife and two daughters. (Author photo by Ryan Rodgers)