She was a staff reporter for the “LA Times”. She plays tenor sax. Her mother is a poet. Alisa’s favorite writers aren’t novelists – they’re journalists. Valdes-Rodriquez was named one of “Entertainment Weekly’s” breakout literary stars of 2003. She quit her job to finish first novel. St. Martin’s Press bought it, and the book spent three months on the “New York Times” hardcover bestseller list. Jennifer Lopez and “Spiderman” producer Laura Ziskin optioned her first novel for Columbia Pictures. Valdes-Rodriguez is the author of "The Dirty Girls Social Club." Her new book, "Playing With Boys" (St. Martin's Press) will be releases in October 2004.