Marissa grew up in Western Sydney and lived abroad in Asia and North America before settling down with her family on the NSW Central Coast. She has a degree in journalism, is a graduate of the Australian Writers’ Centre, and briefly worked in magazine publishing before moving into corporate affairs and representing major multinational brands.

Marissa once slept in a tree house in a Laos jungle, hiked to the Tiger’s Nest Temple in Bhutan, dove with sharks off Byron Bay, and walked with wolves in the Rocky Mountains. These days her favourite thing to do is play in the backyard and read stories with her cheeky kids.

Marissa writes funny and heart-warming picture books. By entertaining and sparking curiosity in children, Marissa’s goal is to foster a lifelong love of books and learning.

Current memberships: The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Australian Society of Authors.