Loiacono Literary Agency welcomes Jeanne Charters and her novel Shanty Gold!
Shanty Gold, a story strength and perseverance.
In 1849’s famine-ravaged Ireland, thirteen-year-old Mary Boland is found lying mostly dead on the side of the road to Cork Harbor, Queenstown, Ireland. She just buried her mother and baby sister after they both died of starvation. Now she is headed for Boston to find her father— no matter what.
Raped and beaten by the motley crew of The Pilgrim’s Dandy, she is rescued by a fifteen-year-old Negro slave who had been used in like manner for some time and had vowed to throw himself to the sharks that very night. Together they survive the harrowing two and a half month trip, helping others as well. Their friendship is the key to the new world for both of them, carrying them through hardships and trials, and eventually to happiness.
A grand tale that is truer than we would like, yet spurs us to endeavor what people consider the impossible.
After years of working in radio sales and raising four daughters, Charters became VP of marketing for Viacom TV, then branched-off and opened her own advertising agency, Charters Marketing, with her husband, Matt. “He’s the business brain, I’m the creative one.”
The writing bug had bitten a long time ago, but its effects stayed hidden until it was time.
“People sometimes wonder where a character comes from. “When did you think up Mary Boland anyway?” I don’t know about all authors, but for me, Mary Boland was a magical name I heard through my childhood from my mother and aunts. She was my great-great-grandmother. There were no pictures of her and no records of her accomplishments, but she came to me in dreams…a young girl with curly red hair, riding her horse along the Irish seacoast.
“Tell my story,” she whispered.
In her first iteration, she was the start of a novel called Daughters of Famine, Mary was the first in four generations of women. Writing class instructors and published authors alike told me, “Each of these women deserves her own book.” They were right. So, I started over and told Mary’s story in Shanty Gold. The next woman’s story is half written and will be called Lace Curtain.”
Publishing Credits and Awards
WNC Woman magazine and website. Jeanne Charters’ columns under the title, funny, isn’t it? have appeared in most issues for the past twelve years.
Clothes Lines: A compilation of women’s writings from across the state and country. Jeanne Charters was honored to be included by Editors Celia H. Miles and Nancy Dillingham.
Funny, isn’t it? Ms. Charters’ book of some of her best columns, illustrated by noted North Carolina artist, Marie Hudson, of Asheville, NC.
Broadcasting: Adopt an Angel for Make-A-Wish…This campaign ran in markets from New York City to Hawaii for seventeen years. Ms. Charters was the sole writer, producer, and director of all television and radio commercials and PSA’s relative to it. Over three million dollars was raised to benefit children with life-threatening illnesses.
Awards: Adopt an Angel for Make-A-Wish…Telly, two consecutive years and the Gold Medal from the New York State Broadcasters Association for Best Public Service Campaign in the state of New York.
www.jeannecharters.com www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com