By Melissa Blumberg

While growing up outside of Boston, Gotham Children’s Book writing teacher Marissa Walsh dreamed of being a nurse, teacher, writer, and the first woman president. Today, it’s hard to put a single finger on what Marissa does, but to be certain she is busy. Now settled in New York, just outside of Manhattan, Marissa is a teacher (check), a writer (double-check)… as well as a literary agent, editor, t-shirt designer, and pop-culture obsessed glasses enthusiast. For Marissa, having several outlets is essential.

Upon graduating high school, Marissa went to Smith College where she majored in Woman’s Studies and minored in English. After graduating from Smith, she moved to New York to pursue her romantic writing dreams, “I thought I’d end up writing in some garret in the West Village, but I actually ended up in Queens.”

Once in New York, Marissa quickly landed a job working as a children’s book editor at Random House. After seven years, she decided to quit the editorial gig in order to write full time. One of the books she was working on at that time was Girl With Glasses: My Optic History, which is a quirky account of her life as a Girl with Glasses. “Wearing glasses makes you stronger!” Marissa declares.

Marissa has compiled two anthologies for young adult audiences— Not Like I’m Jealous Or Anything and Does This Book Make Me Look Fat?, which was released this past December. The book consists of short stories, comics, and essays written by young adult authors, including fellow Gotham teacher Matt de la Pena. "Hopefully it will help girls feel better about how they look,” says Marissa. “Being an Olsen twin is just not an option for most people, nor should it be."

Marissa has recently launched her literary agency, Shelf Life. “I started agenting because as an agent I get to do things that I loved as an editor and none of the things I hated,” she says. “I like working for myself, making my own hours, and taking on the projects I care about. Shelf Life represents pop culture, humor, narrative non-fiction, and memoir.”

Marissa is also currently working on a humor book and a t-shirt line. The book will be a wedding survival guide for the wedding guest. “Very tongue in cheek,” Marissa admits, “but all the books that are out are for the family or the bride and groom. I want to empower the guest!”

Fashion Emergentee, her t-shirt line, which she started with a coworker from Random House, makes t-shirts about New York stuff. One of them declares “I will step on your dog.” Which she says, is directed at people who stand with their “rat dogs” in the middle of the sidewalk. While becoming the first woman president is probably not in the cards for Marissa, she continues to follow her passions in whatever directions they lead.  Even if that means stepping on a dog.