Why Nonfiction?

By Laurel Abell, Kidlit Book Columnist

Abell wrote: "Young readers of all ages want the adventure of a great plot, imaginative characters and stunning settings. Current narrative nonfiction delivers all that in a way that's much more engaging than when we were kids. Don't just believe me! Check out these [six} recent nonfiction [picture book, middle-grade, and YA] titles..." 

Harford's Heart is "Maryland's Magazine for Harford County."

To celebrate Woman's History Month 2024, the Chicago Public Library included Music Mavens on its list of 9 "books for teens by and about women in the performing arts." 

Music Mavens is available in 7 Chicago Public Library branches.

By Kacy Helwick and Marie Simoneaux

"There’s usually at least one budding performer in every family, and what better way to inspire their love of the stage (or help quell their fears) than with a book about their craft! Check out these great titles from the New Orleans Public Library to grow their passion for dance, music, acting, and more..."

NOLA Family Magazine is a nationally-recognized, New Orleans area monthly. Its slogan: "Parent Fearlessly."

We had a fabulous time being video-interviewed by the Society of Young Inklings this summer. The full video is for Inklings only. However, they published our responses to 3 of the questions in their online Inksplat newsletter:

What would you offer young writers who want to consider a collaborative writing relationship?

What is the most challenging part of your creative process?

What piece of guidance would you offer young writers who might like to explore songwriting? 

Reviewer Mary Quattlebaum writes in Washington Parent Magazine: 

Musicians and educators Ashley Walker and Maureen Charles share the life stories and accomplishments of 15 contemporary women of note in the music industry. The co-authors range over genres – pop, rock, rap, jazz, classical, electronic, film, Latin, Native American, Broadway – and spotlight myriad talents and skills: “composing and songwriting, performing and conducting … audio engineering, producing and … rock photography.” Fascinating profiles of Nami Melumad, who has won awards for her scores for films and videogames; Regina Carter, MacArthur genius and jazz innovator; and others reveal women’s increasing presence in the still male-dominated musical sphere.

Newbery Honor Winner and New York Times Bestselling Author Kirby Larson reviewed Music Mavens in her newsletter:

Music Mavens: 15 Women of Note in the Industry was a terrific surprise -- nonfiction that reads like a page-turner. I meant only to skim a few pages and soon I was several chapters in. I've read so many wonderful "women in STEM" books of late, and now here are Ashley Walker and Maureen Charles with an engaging companion title which focuses on women in the arts. Highly recommended for general reading enjoyment but a must-add to school library collections.

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.”

Interviewer Ceredwyn Bagley introduces us like this:

As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” It has been compared to breath, to life, and is generally understood as something mankind simply cannot be without. In celebration of this universal language and amazing women who contribute to it, VCFA alums Ashley Walker and Maureen Charles combined forces to give young audiences everywhere an all new biography collection, Music Mavens: 15 Women of Note in the Industry. Join us as we learn more about this amazing new book and the authors who co-wrote it! ...

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.