Robyn Tanksley & Kristin Hiatt
Altered Tarot is a collaborative project by creators Robyn Tanksley and Kristin Hiatt, whose work blends intuition, imagery, and poetic interpretation through nature photography and astrophotography. In 2022, the duo pitched a new idea to Stephanie Johnson Lawson, an aspiring indie publisher eager to support visionary creative work.
Visit alteredtarot.com and follow @alteredtarot on Instagram.
More about Robyn
r. tanksley is mom of two incredible universes, a celebrated elementary educator of twenty+ years, and an ardent environmentalist. In poetry, she encapsulates her moments of waxing and waning emotional intensity and, as moon goddess divine, shares insight and clarity with readers. Her work has been published in Harbinger’s Asylum and explores themes of healing, compassion, and spirituality. She empowers students to explore their intuitions, identities, and values through the practice of poetry. Robyn is proud to call herself a survivor of domestic violence and an advocate for all women experiencing trauma and systemic injustices. She lives in Portland, OR.
More about Kristin
A mother of 4 amazing children, k. hiatt loves to find time to escape into the woods to observe and learn about the beauty of Oregon’s wildlife. Since childhood she has been learning about her environment by taking photographs. She knows the importance of understanding our own backyard and how ecosystems are changing, so that we can build the compassion needed to create positive environmental change. She is an adored elementary school teacher, currently teaching first grade, and is always inspiring her students to express their uniqueness through art.
More about Stephanie
Stephanie Johnson Lawson is the founder and publisher of Unencumbered Press, a tiny indie press she launched in 2022 to make books (and more) that embody innovation, intuition, and intelligence. She brings a poet’s heart and a publisher’s acumen to every project. Her own writing explores depression, love, being human, and social commentary. Some pieces find their way into literary spaces, but many more remain on loose pages at the bottom of her backpack and in miscellaneous digital notebooks. Stephanie holds a master’s degree in book publishing from Portland State University and carries a deep respect for the learning that happens inside creative work. She values radical empathy, intentionality, and community. Children bring her joy, and the prison industrial complex breaks her heart.
Unencumbered Press
Within systems that profit from confusion and exploit labor, Unencumbered Press is committed to letting creativity and production serve as acts of resistance. The press publishes boundary‑pushing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction books and book-like products that challenge perspectives, inspire growth, and foster meaningful dialogue. It seeks voices that resonate deeply with readers and extends this mission through its blog.
The UP Blog is a collaborative space open to contributions from writers at all levels who have something to share.
Learn more at unencumberedpress.com.
