Lana Hechtman Ayers was born in New York, to first-generation American parents. She grew up in Queens, spent fifteen years in New England, then relocated to the Pacific Northwest, where she continues to make her home.At various times Lana has worked as an inventory taker, an actuary, a science museum volunteer coordinator, a social security claims representative, a vitamin company customer service represenatative, and a milieu therapist. Now she leads generative get away writing workshops. She also is publisher of Concrete Wolf and MoonPath Press poetry chapbook series and is editor-at-large at Crab Creek Review. Lana's first book, "Dance From Inside My Bones," won the Violet Reed Hass award and was nominated for the National Book Award. Her second collection "Chicken Farmer I Still Love You" won the D-N Publishing national manuscript contest.The unexpurgated, uncensored, unrated complete version of Red Riding Hood's life story, "A New Red," was released in 2010 from Pecan Grove Press.Lana is currently at work on her first novel.Cats, tekka maki, Earl Grey ice cream, jazz, Sci Fi, and independent film are among Lana's favorite things.