A former journalist with national exposure, Marissa is committed to ethics and transparency in the book industry. She leads Books Forward and Books Fluent, which for 25 years have provided extensive services for authors from publishing through promotion, and is the driving force behind ensuring the companies take client writing and publishing careers to the next level.

Marissa has been named one of Publishers Weekly’s Star Watch Honorees and takes an encouraging, can-do approach to the innovative book marketing campaigns that give Books Forward its cover-to-cover reputation as the industry’s trailblazer in literary publicity.

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“Marissa’s journalism background gives her a noticeable edge in securing relevant press for our books and authors.” – Senior VP at Penguin Young Readers

“With Marissa, I knew from the moment we met that I was in good hands. She definitely has my best interest in mind. I love how she thinks outside the box to come up with ideas that will make me successful. She values her clients and loves what she does.” – S.B. Alexander, author of Dare to Kiss and other Maxwell Series books

“Marissa zeroed in on the intent of my book with the precision of a brain surgeon, then focused her intuitive skills on getting to know me, the author–my vision, concerns, and strengths.” – Kate Kaufmann, author of Do You Have Kids? Life When the Answer is No

“Thank you for your honesty and your unflinching integrity. Everything you shared with me was geared toward making me as fully knowledgeable as possible, rather than toward garnering a new client. It is rare these days to find people willing to conduct business with the sort of unwavering ethical standard you have displayed.” – Robert Steven Goldstein, author of Enemy Queen and other literary fiction

“I truly appreciate how gracious you were with the time you spent answering my questions today and getting to know me and the direction I’d like to go in with my author brand. Your warmth, willingness to share your expertise, and transparency on what we should prioritize in the campaign just reinforced how excited I am to work with Books Forward.” – Christina Bacilieri, author of The Last Refuge