Book News and Events

Columnist Ellen Snortland devoted her long-running Consider This column (Pasadena Weekly and LA Downtown News) to Music Mavens

"Giving Music Mavens to your musically inclined young friends as a gift has the potential to change their lives… and yours."

Ellen Snortland is an author, columnist, and producer of the award-winning documentary film “Beauty Bites Beast.”

Writing The Biography Collection Music Mavens

by Ashley Walker & Maureen Charles

In this feature we talk about the challenges of writing about the vast music industry. "...we wanted to take readers on a journey from their comfortable corner of the music world to stages and studios they’ve never imagined, revealing unseen journeys to the big mics and mixing desks of the industry."

Read excerpts from Chapter One: Macy Schmidt: Orchestrating Equity on GirlTalk HQ.

In this excerpt, the authors introduce Broadway orchestrator, music director, producer, and orchestra founder Macy Schmidt, who is making her mark not only with her orchestrations but by hiring female-identifying musicians of color and showcasing their talents. When women are in power, everyone benefits....

Nonfiction for Older Readers: Maureen Charles & Ashley Walker Talk About Collaborating on a Nonfiction Project 

by Stephanie Martinelli Eaton

Ashley and Maureen talk about how Music Mavens came to be: how they selected book subjects, the joys and challenges of writing nonfiction, consulting subject matter experts, and tips on collaborative writing.