Alyssa Mercante
Alyssa is an international graduate currently based in Brooklyn, New York. After completing her MA in Modern and Contemporary Literature in 2016, Alyssa now works as a Senior Editor at Kotaku, one of the most prominent gaming and media websites in the world.
About Alyssa's career
Describe your current role:
I’m a senior editor at Kotaku, one of the most prominent gaming and media websites in the world. I manage a small team of reporters, write my own long-form pieces, and edit multiple stories daily.
My dissertation really helped me establish a strong, focused specialization. I learned about the power of DIY indie game development and how to translate literary theory to other mediums.
How did you get into this field after studying Literature at Newcastle?
When I first returned to the United States, I bartended and applied like mad to writing jobs. I was initially considering getting my PhD until I was offered a role on a small team at a tech startup. From there, I was hired at GamesRadar as a staff writer and made my way to editor within a couple of years. I was offered the senior editor position at Kotaku this past November and took it gladly, as it’s been one of my favorite video game sites to read. They are at the forefront when it comes to inclusivity, labor reporting, and covering things outside of the typical gaming remit.
Studying Literature at Newcastle University
How has studying Literature at Newcastle helped you in your career?
I wrote my dissertation about the intersection between the queercore punk movement and queer indie games, so it really helped me establish a strong, focused specialization. I learned about the power of DIY indie game development, and how to translate literary theory to other mediums. It also helped me get even better at analyzing texts, applying theory, and, naturally, made me a better writer.
What advice would you give to a student interested in studying Literature?
Read, read, read. I had several years off of school before I returned to get my Master’s, and I spent those first few weeks doing extra reading so I could feel ‘caught up.’ Don’t be afraid to ask questions or speak your mind during class, as feedback and friendly debates helped me understand so much more about literary theory and helped me form my dissertation.
What was the best thing about studying Literature at Newcastle?
My peers. I met some of my best friends while studying at Newcastle, the kinds of people that I cross oceans to come back and visit. I’m even coming back later this year to attend the wedding of one of my fellow Master’s students! Also, I had a great support system from the staff, fell in love with Robinson Library, and truly felt like the city was my home.
