OUR PEOPLE

Liz Nealon is the President and Founder of Great Dog Literary, where she represents both adult and children’s books, largely non-fiction. 

     Previously, Liz was an award-winning executive producer and media industry leader who played an integral role in shaping the indelible youth brands Sesame Street, Kidz Bop, and MTV. She served as Worldwide Creative Director for Sesame Street and traveled the world as SVP of MTV International, launching channels in Europe, Brazil, Japan, and Australia. 

     Not surprisingly, given her many years working in television and interactive media, Liz is drawn to illustrated books, for both children and adults. Her tastes skew to non-fiction and her instincts are decidedly commercial, so she’s always looking for just the right mix of pop appeal plus intellectual content. She likes nothing more than packaging serious non-fiction in an alternative, surprising frame. Liz is more interested in thought-provoking than provocative, though she’s been known to represent some deeply edgy content. 

     Across all the media in which she has worked, Liz Nealon has demonstrated a commitment to seeking out and amplifying diverse creative voices, starting with recruiting, mentoring, and supporting a diverse staff, and then empowering that team to source and develop breakthrough content.

Member: AALA

Twitter: @liznealon   Facebook: @liznealon   

LinkedIn: Liz Nealon

Anissa has spent a lifetime working in all facets of entertainment doing representation, writing, content development, production, post-production and current series programming. She began in high school as radio talent and production, along with directing live TV shows daily. Anissa later moved into film production, music production, live action, and animation. Anissa has also worked to create web content, online gaming, comics, and creative development.  

     At Cartoon Network, Anissa worked in current programming and development for original shows and shorts, revamped WB classics like Scooby-Doo and other Hanna Barbera characters, The Goonies animated series with Richard Donner and The Lost Boys Animated; she developed DC Comic TV series and films for The Batman, Legion of Superheroes, Teen Titans amonst others. Anissa worked closely with new talent, high-profile talent and high-profile properties such as The Jim Henson Company’s The Dark Crystal and others. Anissa also has experience working with Nickelodeon, Disney, independent comic publishers, up-and-coming and established cartoon and comic book creators and talent. Anissa enjoys writing, cooking Cajun meals, Yoga, meditation and reading mysteries, non-fiction, YA, and of course, comics.  

     Anissa is currently representing traditional, diverse and marginalized creators, writers and illustrators for the graphic novel format that is appealing to all ages and genres. Anissa is currently open to signing referrals, dynamic new talent and well-established talent who use their own voices and unique experiences for publishing and other mediums. Member: AALA and HRTS

Twitter:  @anissadorsey777    Instagram: @ezreaderspawn LinkedIn: Anissa Dorsey 

Inspired by imagination and content creation, Mona spent 25 years designing, writing and making non-fiction media for broadcast, non-broadcast, print, and the web. Mona helped define the audience, the medium, and the message for The Human Genome Project, Weston Woods, PBS, several of the Discovery Channels, and others. Her work won top national awards.

      Before she was a producer, Mona was a librarian at the Boston Public Library & for several years managed a small book shop in D.C. She's always sought to forge connections—between visuals and words, trust and the collaborative process, content and authenticity/emotion. She believes in the power of books to create more empathic beings. 

      She is seeking smart, resonating projects including literary fiction, memoirs that read like fiction, & non-fiction for adults that speaks to today's cultural currents. She's closed to non-referral PB and MG fiction queries at least until Spring, 2022, when she'll re-evaluate. Authenticity/own voices always essential. Member: AALA

Twitter: @kaninmona

Ismita is a Georgia native and graduate of Emory University, where she studied Human Health and Italian. During college, she also worked for various Atlanta area hospitals in departments ranging from neonatal to geriatric care. In her Desi household, she grew up speaking Bangla, Hindi, and Urdu. Ismita is a founding member of Disability in Publishing and currently serves as their External Relations Lead. She is also a part of the Literary Agents of Change Mentorship Program 2022 cohort.

       Ismita is seeking literary fiction, health-related non-fiction, YA, and short story collections. Some of her favorite authors are Flannery O’Connor, Cormac McCarthy, Oscar Wilde, and Tom Perrotta. Ismita is especially drawn to fiction with a Southern setting, gritty realist writing, and any books that explore health or disability. Ultimately though, she’s a sucker for writing with a great sense of humor. Member: AALA 

Twitter: @ismita                                  Visit My Website

A recent graduate of the University of Maryland, Gabriella is working towards her goal of promoting diversity and underrepresented voices in fiction with specific interest in Young Adult. She was previously a prose editor for UMD's literary journal, STYLUS, as well as an editor for their academic journal. Gabriella is also a graduate of the Denver Publishing Institute, where she focused her efforts on learning about the different divisions of publishing and ways to promote diversity. She is excited to learn from and work with each team member as an editorial assistant at Great Dog Literary.