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| Ferrum writer worked on novel since age 12 |
Charles Shea LeMone lives in a quiet section of Ferrum where he spends much of his time at a computer writing. |
Monday, July 20, 2009
By MORRIS STEPHENSON - Staff Writer
Charles Shea LeMone of Ferrum will never forget growing up in the "most dangerous gang-invested neighborhood in North Philadelphia."
LeMone has recaptured those days in his novel "Corner Pride," just released by Multicultural Educational (MCE) Publishing in Jerome, Ariz.
The former News-Post feature writer is the author of the highly acclaimed mystery novel "A Dance on the Streets," published by Avon Books.
His latest book is set in its entirety during the summer of 1957.
Although described as fiction, LeMone draws the book and many of the characters from family members and friends, he says.
The novel is a semi-autobiographical "anti-gang" book he has been "working on for decades," LeMone points out.
A young boy and older teenager are the book's central characters. The younger one is James, nicknamed "Curly" Wylie. His desire in life is to become a writer.
LeMone created Curly from his growing up experiences.
Another character, Barry "Bear" Brown, who is several years older, has a dream of becoming a successful heavyweight prize fighter. His crooked, underhanded manager, however, only has making money for himself in mind.
"The question is, will the two both survive long enough to see the dawn of a new year," the book cover questions
His mother also is featured as one of the main players.
"My mother and father were both strong people," he added.
Most of the other characters in the book are a blend of people he knew growing up or are completely fictitious.
LeMone works a wide variety of young characters and several of their families into the novel.
Curly, Bear and their friends are growing up on a block in North Philadelphia where the homes and apartment buildings are quickly deteriorating.
The novel is set in a time period where "block gangs" were in the early stages of developing into full-fledge terror groups.
While Bear is constantly struggling to deal with his worthless manager, Curly has the clever idea of forming a "social club."
However, what he has in mind is totally opposite from the purposes of neighboring gangs.
LeMone nicely blends girls into the lives of each of the main characters. The descriptions of all the characters he brings into the book become live, real and believable.
The trials and tribulations of day-to-day survival of the youths and their friends give the reader a vivid idea of what it was actually like growing up on a block in North Philadelphia.
The novel continues to build momentum as a potential gang war grows, like a cancer, out of a misunderstanding of Curly's social club idea.
LeMone has his own easy-to-read style of writing. It flows from chapter to chapter leading to its surprising end on page 181.
Publisher Mairi Ross said, "We believe it is destined to be an American classic." She described the novel as a "page-turner" with "an ending you'll never forget."
Ross believes so strongly in the book that she has mailed personal copies to TV host Oprah Winfrey, actor/director Spike Lee and actor Will Smith, a native of Philadelphia.
LeMone has been writing mystery and romance novels along with short stories, poems, satire and editorial opinions for more than 40 years.
All of his writing experience is thrust into the spotlight with "Corner Pride."
The book has received rave reviews, several of which are included on the back cover, along with a photograph of the author.
"Of all the books and short stories I've written, this novel gives me the greatest sense of satisfaction," he said. "It's a story I've started and stopped dozens of times, wanting to get it right. I wrote the first draft when I was 12 years old, trying to capture what had happened in my neighborhood in the summer of 1957."
"Growing up in the roughest, most gang-ridden neighborhood in North Philadelphia taught me many lessons that I continue to apply, like how to be diplomatic, the importance of building bonds and bridges and how to be there for my friends when push comes to shove," he noted.
"All of these thoughts came to me as I put the finishing touches to Corner Pride. Most importantly, I came to realize more and more how blessed I am to have had such a wonderful, wise and courageous mother who encouraged me to face life's obstacles head on," he added.
Jim Morris, author of "Fighting Men," wrote that "Corner Pride is a story of how sweetness and decency can arise in rough places, how good intentions can go wrong and sometimes go right again. It is the kind of story that makes you like humanity a little better."
Enid McConnell, author of "The Conjurors' Trilogy," added, "Shea LeMone's vividly written story inspired me once again to believe in the power of the human spirit to rise up out of the darkness. A great read! I couldn't put it down."
The Rev. C. Brookins Taylor Jr., said, "Corner Pride is a graphic reminder that from the cradle to the grave man is constantly striving to have his basic needs met, both in the natural world and the spiritual realm. It is a message that will always be contemporary."
For many years, the author taught creative writing seminars through an association with the Watts Towers Art Center.
This took him into middle and high schools throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Although he lives in a remote area of Ferrum, he dreams of one day opening an arts center in his old neighborhood near the corner of Grantz and Oxford, the setting of the book.
The book can be ordered via e-mail from LeMone at cshealemone007@aol.com. The cost if $15 per copy and he will sign the book if so requested. He also will take care of the shipping and handling costs.
The book is featured on his website at www.thewordman.com.
It also is available from the publisher at MCE Publishing, PO Box 1054 Jerome, Az. 86331 or from the website at www.mcepub.com. The cost is $15 plus $3 s&h. |
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