Eighty Six was born David Klenda in Cedar Creek, Nebraska. His family moved to Western
Washington when he was three. He currently resides in Spokane Valley, Washington, with his wife and
three kids. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Emphasis from
Dominican College in San Rafael, California. The Penguins taught him to write in a wide range of
styles and voices. After college, he taught ESL in South Korea for a year. He has worked most of his
life as a server and bartender. He currently sells used cars. Both industries have taught him much about
character, dialogue and the human condition. He has performed at Broken Mic, Terrain, multiple Foray
for The Arts events, Ž iž kovš iš ka in Prague and anywhere in Spokane he's able. In March 2020 he won
the Last Chance Poetry Slam and earned a spot to compete for Spokane's regional team. The Finals
never happened.
