Professional life
Writer
Maureen Charles is passionate about the power of a well-crafted story to open hearts, broaden minds, and reshape the world views of people young and old.
She has worked as a professional writer and editor for 15 years and holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, where her studies included both the VCFA Picture Book Intensive and a summer residency in Bath, England.
A strong proponent of lifelong learning, she is an active participant in the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP). She has participated in the 12x12 Picture Book Challenge, Non-Fiction Fest, and many other personal and professional development courses, workshops, and conferences.
Maureen's YA nonfiction biography, MUSIC MAVENS: 15 WOMEN OF NOTE IN THE INDUSTRY, co-authored with Ashley Walker, is now available from booksellers worldwide. Music Mavens is Book #9 of Chicago Review Press'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 is available to talk about Music Mavens at schools, libraries, book fairs, performing arts programs, and youth groups.
She also co-wrote and developed the book School Bullying: Tools for Avoiding Harm and Liability (Corwin Press, 2007) with school law attorney Mary Jo McGrath.
Her 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.
Maureen, who joined her first choir at age four, sings, plays guitar and ukulele, and is the widow of Jon Charles, a music arranger, composer, and orchestrator for television, films, and live performances.
She lives in Pasadena, California, where she shares an office with three highly-opinionated felines.
Editor
I provide substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading services for writers of both fiction and narrative nonfiction for adults, young adults, middle grade readers, and young children (picture books).
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 co-leads Love of Aging workshops and serves as Editor-in-Chief of its website.
Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer
Maureen volunteers as a writer and content developer for young audiences at the Foundation for Climate Restoration.
She also volunteers her time as a children's writing instructor for active older adults at Santa Monica-based nonprofit Wise and Healthy Aging.
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.