Originally from southern California, she received her MFA in creative writing from the University of Oregon, and works as an editor for Tin House/Zando, where she acquires poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, and graphic narratives. Her authors have been recognized by the Booker Prize, the National Book Awards, the National Book Critics Circle Awards, the Carnegie Medal, the Whiting Awards, the Lambda Awards, and other national accolades.

In addition to editing, Alyssa has taught college-level creative writing and literature courses, including Asian Pacific American literature. She has also taught for the Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop and guest-lectured at national writing conferences and graduate programs. A recipient of an Elizabeth George Foundation grant and an Oregon Literary Fellowship, Alyssa tries to find pockets of time to write in between her newest role as a mom.