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Marissa was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a graduate of New Mexico State University (2003) with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture/Animal Science. Marissa survived an almost fatal work accident, which left her unable to attend vet school. She turned to writing as a method of healing. Marissa continues to write as a tool for managing anxiety, stress, and trauma, as well as an expression of love, independence, and sexuality. Marissa is a mother of two daughters, loves gardening, cooking, art, travel, and playing pool. She is polyamorous with a nesting partner, and currently resides in Albuquerque. 

Marissa is a spoken word artist and has been writing since high school. She has been published in different periodicals and anthologies, including one by MindWell Poetry (Albuquerque, NM) titled, "We Don't Break We Burn" and "Milk and Honey" organized by Samantha Swain, as well as multiple domestic & international poetry anthologies, magazines, and journals. 

She authors "Poetography505" on Facebook and is the co-founder and Creative Director of "The Word is Write" on Facebook & Instagram; a platform that hosts open mics, slams & workshops almost every day of the week. She has hosted a live poetry show at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in Manhattan, and performed at the NYC Poetry Festival. Marissa also works with the New Mexico State Poetry Society.

Marissa has been involved in the film scene in New Mexico and has written screenplays, multiple novels of fiction, a memoir, children's books, poetry, prose and recently embarked on erotica. Her dream was to see her work published, but the problem was finding one publishing house to manage the assortment of genres and not be exploited financially. Not one around? She decided to take the leap and founded Read or Green Books, LLC. With the help of fellow poets who were also seeking publication for their books, the inaugural launch of the intrepid "Original Poets" moved this publishing house into reality. 

It has become our mission to focus on debut authors who have been stigmatized, discriminated against, overlooked, minimized, abused, mistreated, and forgotten.

We are dedicated to providing a safe space for authors to unite and share their work free of discrimination, judgement, exploitation or fear.  You MAY NOT find trigger warnings for some content in the literature and/or events.