hey, i'm alyssa (she/her, they/them)
In a few words:
I'm passionate about storytelling and the arts. My skills as a writer and editor, including those honed as a journalist, have allowed me to make a living telling stories through marketing.
My aim as a copywriter is to create compelling, on-brand copy that aligns with the client's goals and generates results. I love to incorporate a sense of narrative storytelling in my work whenever possible, and I specialize in crafting cohesive brand voices that reflect the heart and soul of an organization.
My long-term professional goals include transitioning to full-time work in the arts, using my experience on and off the stage to help organizations reach new audiences and inspire the next generation of creatives.
In a few more words:
I'm a marketing copywriter, recovering journalist, playwright and traditionally published author originally from Chicago, IL. I currently live, work and create theater in St. Cloud, MN.
I studied Playwriting at Columbia College Chicago, an interdisciplinary program shared by the Theater and Creative Writing departments. As a student, I won several awards for playwriting, including the 2015 Fresh Play Prize.
After graduating with my Bachelor of Arts degree, I accepted a position as Go-See-Do Reporter for the St. Cloud Times, a Gannett publication under the USA TODAY umbrella. As lead entertainment reporter, I was able to combine my passion for the performing arts with my skills as a writer and editor. It was during this time that I developed my expertise in AP Style and professional writing, as well as my multimedia skills through packages incorporating radio, podcast, photo and video elements. My work earned me several Minnesota Newspaper Association awards, including First Place - Arts & Entertainment Story.
After several rigorous and enriching years working in journalism, I made the transition to marketing. As Senior Copywriter at Dayta, I led copywriting development and implementation for a wide range of clients, from manufacturing giants to healthcare professionals to aerospace industry leaders. I created brand- and goal-aligned copy for websites, blogs, and other audience-facing materials.
While marketing is my profession, my life is the arts. I spend my free time volunteering with my local theater non-profits in St. Cloud and the Twin Cities and collaborating with my peers on new ways to bring theater to our small Central Minnesota community. As a performer and playwright, I am excited by opportunities to step outside myself into new perspectives and to grow as a human and an artist. Offstage, I am passionate about reaching new audiences, creating safe spaces for exploration and discovery, and inspiring the next generation of creatives through youth outreach and education.
As an author, I'm represented by Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management. My debut middle grade novel, MARTIN McLEAN, MIDDLE SCHOOL QUEEN, was published in 2020 by Union Square Kids. It centers on Martin, an introverted 7th grader who finds his voice through the transformative power of performing arts - and his drag queen alter ego, Lottie. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, it was important to me to create a queer narrative that does not center on coming out or queer pain/trauma, but rather shines a light on the joy that can be found in the journey of self-discovery and exploration both on stage and off.
TL;DR
My writing, editing and creative experience is vast and varied, with a foundational passion for storytelling and the arts. If you need a writer who will understand your goals, connect authentically with your audiences, and put your brand voice at center stage, I'm the gal for the job.