Denise Da Costa
The School of Creative Writing is pleased to congratulate Denise Da Costa, MFA. Denise’s thesis is a novel entitled Misericordia.
Denise Da Costa is a Niagara-based writer whose work explores love, class, and mental health. She holds a B.A. in psychology from York University, and has worked in the technology industry for many years. Her debut novel And the Walls Came Down (Dundurn, 2023), was longlisted for the 2024 Toronto Book Award. During her time at UBC, she served on the PRISM magazine editorial board and published pieces in Geist and Existère magazines, respectively. Additionally, she hosted workshops and panels at the TIFA and FOLD festivals as well as other literary events.
Misericordia is a dystopian fantasy that follows Alicia, a disgruntled and overlooked mid-manager employed at a thriving AI company. She is promoted to lead an unethical AI project just as she takes on new caretaking duties at home. Conflicted, she attempts to balance work, and the needs of her newly unemployed husband, their aging parents, and dependent adult children. Straddling family drama, corporate mystery, and sci-fi, her story highlights the intersections of family, capitalism, technology, and duty.
Contact
Request more information about Denise’s thesis project using our 2026 Graduate Showcase Contact Form.