Carson City poet Teresa Breeden is aware that words can both create and destroy as she uses her words as a means to begin a conversation about the complexities of relationships. Her poetry book, Handling Shadows, explores the dark and light sides of parenting and families. Melanie Perish, from Reno, is a gender fluid crone who is especially interested in poetry. Her work has appeared in various small press publications and has been featured on the Nevada Humanities Double Down Blog. Perish believes that reading makes you beautiful.