Alissa works as a screenwriter, specializing in adaptation, the most recent being "Ranger's Apprentice" and "Shipbreaker" (adapted from YA books of the same name).

Growing up as a studio brat, Alissa has held a fair number of entertainment jobs including Assistant Director in Toronto (for which she became the youngest member of the Director's Guild of Canada at 15), 2nd Unit Script Supervisor on location in the Yukon, Wardrobe department in Latvia just after the Berlin Wall fell, Props, Art department, Segment Producer for a dating show, Personal Assistant and P.A. She has also spent time as a studio musician and elementary school teacher.

Alissa has both American and Canadian citizenship.

She lives in Los Angeles where she spends the pre-dawn hours watching animation with her two young sons.