Professional life
Writer
Maureen Charles is passionate about the power of a well-crafted story to alter hearts and minds and to shape world views of people young and old. She has worked as a professional writer and editor for 14+ years and holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree in Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP), and 12x12 Picture Book Challenge.
Her YA nonfiction biography, MUSIC MAVENS: 15 WOMEN OF NOTE IN THE INDUSTRY, co-authored with Ashley Walker is due out from Chicago Review Press (CRP) on November 15, 2022. The book, which focuses on women in music, is part 9 of CRP's Women of Power series, "a timely, inclusive, international, modern biography series that profiles 15 diverse, modern women who are changing the world in their field while empowering others to follow their dreams."
Maureen's favorite nonfiction subjects are music/musicians and true stories at the intersection of social justice, kindness, and inclusion. Other works in progress include a middle grade novel, several fiction and nonfiction picture books, and a young adult graphic memoir with her foster son, Shakib, who was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan.
She is editor-in-chief at LoveOfAging.com. She was also contributing author for School Bullying: Tools for Avoiding Harm and Liability (Corwin Press, 2007), which she co-wrote and developed with school law attorney Mary Jo McGrath.
She lives in Pasadena, California, where she co-writes with three feline office assistants.
Editor
I provide substantive editing and copyediting services for writers of both fiction and narrative nonfiction for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers as well as for picture book writers.
Writing Coach
Stuck with your book project?
I can help get you back on track with personalized one-on-one coaching, editorial feedback, and mentorship.
Community Engagement
Board Chairperson
Social Entrepreneur
Social Entrepreneur
Maureen serves as Board Chair for AidStillRequired, an international NGO that shines the spotlight on forgotten areas hard hit by natural disasters and funds innovative, custom-tailored field programs that engender dignity and self-sufficiency in some of the poorest communities in Haiti.
Social Entrepreneur
Social Entrepreneur
Social Entrepreneur
Maureen is a social entrepreneur and cofounder of LoveOfAging.com, where our mission is to engage communities in creating a new narrative for aging.
She also serves as the site's Editor-in-Chief.
Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer
Maureen volunteers her time as a children's writing instructor for active older adults at Santa Monica-based nonprofit Wise and Healthy Aging.
She also volunteers as a writer and content developer for young audiences at the Foundation for Climate Restoration.
Leader
Volunteer
Volunteer
Maureen has trained over two thousand people to create community projects large and small - from neighborhood events to international NGOs - and to be unstoppable in service of their vision. She brings extensive experience in community leadership, consensus building, and project implementation to everything she undertakes.