Based in Austin, Texas, my work centers around telling stories, making people laugh, and helping kids cultivate a passion for writing and reading.My own passion for writing was sparked by a very encouraging fourth-grade teacher, and I've been writing stories ever since. In my short stories, satire, screenplays, and novels for middle-grade readers, humor and highlighting queer experiences define my voice.Bringing it all full circle, I teach youth creative writing workshops, offer private tutoring, and am developing a free series of online videos to help kids on their writing journies. My seven years as a nanny and childcare professional have greatly informed my work as an educator and are a constant inspiration. I've worked with children from ages 1-18, and believe in encouraging independence and empathy at all ages.When I'm not working with kids or writing for them, I am looking for any excuse to make people laugh. I've been performing improv comedy for five years, have produced comedy-centric podcasts, and created five short films and a feature film. Links to my work can be found at my website -- https://www.marissamacy.com/