Mercedes Gonzales-Bazan is a writer, researcher, and editorial assistant with a background in media studies.
I received my master’s from NYU’s Steinhardt School in Media, Culture, and Communication and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s from the University of New Mexico in both English & Communication.
I am the editorial assistant for the journalist Ann Friedman and the research lead for The Light Leaks.
My past work includes hosting the Meet Cute podcast The Rom-Com Room, being an editorial fellow for Women & Hollywood, as well as being the editorial assistant and episode transcriber for the Call Your Girlfriend podcast.
Skills:
Newsletter writing and editing; Editorial writing; Copy-editing; Copy-writing; Proofreading; Fact-checking; Content analysis; Interviewing; SEO; Transcribing; Qualitative research; Hosting; Google Workspace; Microsoft Office; Mailchimp; Squarespace; WordPress; Substack; Canva; Air Table; Adobe (Photoshop, InDesign, Premier); Pro Tools; CapCut; Social Media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter X, Instagram, Youtube, Discord, TikTok, Lemon8, Tumblr; Twitch, Pinterest); Conversational Spanish; AP style, APA & MLA citation styles
Writing & Research interests:
Representation and identity within popular culture, specifically film, television, and internet trends. Topics range from reality TV and romantic comedies to internet memes and the evolution of celebrity culture, as well as dating apps and AI public figures.
Event experience:
Midwives of Invention - Unstuck Writer’s Retreat (Taos, NM), with Ann Friedman and Jade Chang. My role: Assistant for Support, Organization, and Planning — (May 2023)
Meet Cute’s The Rom-Com Room Reunion: The Holiday (Discord live chat). My role: Host — (December 2022)
Midwives of Invention - Ideas Workshop (online), with Ann Friedman and Jade Chang. My role: Support Assistant — (April 2022)
Teaching experience:
NYU Media, Culture, Communications Dept. — Media History Teaching Assistant (2019)
Accolades:
Diverse Women in Media Emerging Content Creator Scholarship (2020 and 2021)
Academic Honors: Dept. Banner Bearer (Spring 2020); Outstanding Service Award Recipient (Spring 2020); NYU MCC Dept. MA Student Association (MASA) President (Fall 2019 – Spring 2020); NYU Steinhardt Social Media Representative (Fall 2019); Mitchell Leaska Scholarship Recipient (Fall 2019); Steinhardt’s 21st Century Scholarship Recipient (Fall 2018 – Spring 2020)
Creative pursuits:
Screenwriting and fiction writing
Creative courses:
The Spring School by Alanna Bennett (XO, Kitty)
Richard Curtis & Me & You rom-com writing course (2023)
Nancy & Nora & Me & You rom-com writing course (2023)
Olivia Gatwood (Whoever You are, Honey) fiction writing seminar (2023)
Brent Forrester (The Office) comedy writing courses (2021 and 2022)