Peta-Gaye Nash

Peta-Gaye Nash has always been a storyteller at heart—ever since she was a child caught under the covers with a flashlight and a book long after bedtime. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and now living in Mississauga, Ontario, she writes across genres, from short fiction and children’s literature to poetry. Her stories are deeply rooted in the vibrant landscapes of the Caribbean, her mixed-race heritage, and the lived experience of immigration.

Her newest collection, Told Ya – Stories (Tamarind Tree Books, 2024), winner of the 2025 Independent Press Award for short fiction and the 2025 third place winner of fiction for the prestigious Next Generation Indie Book Awards, explores themes of class, adversity, and resilience with unforgettable characters and a sharp emotional eye. She is also the author of I Too Hear the Drums and seven children’s books, including Bushyhead, winner of the 2021 Canada Book Awards and the Global Book Award bronze medal for children's self-esteem.

A two-time Mississauga Arts Award (Marty’s) winner—first for Emerging Literary Art in 2015 and then for Established Literary Art in 2022—Peta-Gaye’s work has appeared in multiple anthologies. On her blog, she writes candidly about creativity, self-help, and personal growth. She is also the host of Heart to Art, a podcast by Sauga Arts HUB where she dives deep with fellow creatives about the hidden struggles and quiet victories behind the art.