Melissa Anelli | mischief maker

Hello! I’m Melissa Anelli, an author, entrepreneur, podcaster, webmaster, activist, and general mischief-maker.

But mostly, I’m a geek. I get into things — really, really into things. Everything I do circles around creating digital and real-world spaces for people to enjoy the things they love. I don’t just want people to engage with the culture that lights them up: I want them to be empowered by it. I also want that culture to reflect their values and backgrounds, and work to make sure we keep moving the needle toward that equality. I believe the simple act of enjoying yourself and engaging with culture can change the world.

This site is still being converted from a template, so please bear with me as I fix it all up!

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I’m the CEO of Mischief Management, which is one of the greatest honors of my life. We work hard to make sure that fan events are for the people they purport to be about. We believe in igniting the enthusiasm in everyone. We believe in creating memorable interactions and an atmosphere that encourages community and creativity. Check out our properties below:

Kirkus Review (starred)

Chronicling ten years of Pottermania, Anelli dishes up a revealing, delicious insider’s view…vividly capturing the exhilaration of being part of what was at once a community and a movement.Oct. 8, 2008

The Scotsman review: 9/10

In her vivid and illuminating book, Anelli unravels what lies beneath the Harry Potter phenomenon and how it feels to be so wrapped up in the mystical world.

Crammed with details and facts, this is a heartfelt, well-written book by a true insider.Jan. 3, 2009

I wrote Harry, A History (Simon & Schuster, 2008) to record the remakable history of the Harry Potter phenomenon and write a love letter to a community that changed my life.

J.K. Rowling wrote the foreword, and it debuted on the New York Times best-seller list. The best part, however, is that I am still hearing from readers who say that my book helped them relive that period or understand what they missed.

There are two editions: the original and the enhanced e-book. The e-book features a 2011 update, videos, images, and the full text of my eight-hour, two-day interview with J.K. Rowling. You can also read some cool stuff on my dedicated Web site for the book.

latest podcasts

sometimes we work together to make the world better

I am a founding member of The HP Alliance, the group that has been working for more than 11 years to help empower young people to lift their values out of books and movies, and turn them into change in the real world. I am a member of the board of directors, and a former president. I also serve on the advisory board of Uplift, which works to combat sexual violence that can come of online communities.

I have a lot of experience with stalking and bullying, which I’ll detail at a later time, and am proud to be a longtime advisory board member of NaNoWriMo .

snail mail

c/o Mischief Management
500 7th Ave, 7th Fl
New York, NY 10018

Because of my history with online stalking (read more / listen to the “Criminal” podcast about it), the best way to contact me is actually through social media: this offers me more safety than e-mail. Tweet at me or send me a Facebook message; it may be screened but it will get through. Or, just feel free to follow me in any of the below ways!

speaking engagements

Since 2009, I’ve been speaking publicly about Harry Potter, fandom, passion, and more. I love traveling to do these talks! To inquire about booking me for a public speaking event, please contact David Buchalter at the Great Talent Network Speakers’ Bureau.