Helga & Andy
A romantic historical fiction novel by Jessica Noel
Currently in developmental edits, coming 2027.
Wordcount: 75k
Synopsis: Helga & Andy is inspired by American Realism painter Andrew Wyeth’s 246-piece-collection of his muse, Helga Testorf. Noel imagines what happened in 1986 when Andy revealed The Helga Pictures to his wife and business manager, Betsy Wyeth. When the press discovers Betsy had no prior knowledge of the collection’s existence over the fifteen years Helga modeled for Andy, a media frenzy ignites the simultaneous publication of Helga paintings on the covers of Newsweek and TIME magazines. The Helga Pictures become a global sensation, as well as wreak havoc on sleepy Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Noel leads the reader into a dramatic unveiling of what might’ve transpired behind closed barn doors. What secrets did the hills see? And where in the world are The Helga Pictures now?
seeking representation
Jessica Noel seeks an agent well-suited to shepherd Helga & Andy into the publication phase, with experience repping literary fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction and/or romance. Her ideal match is a hard-working dreamer with big vision and an appreciation for cinematic stories and high drama.
About The Author
Jessica Noel is a Philadelphia-based playwright and theatre curriculum developer with 26 years of experience producing and writing for the stage. Playwrighting and theatre-making have given her a unique perspective on fiction pacing and scene-setting, as well as a compelling interest in character motivations and authentic dialog. Since discovering The Helga Pictures in an art book in 2019, Jessica has been possessed and obsessed with the what-ifs between the historical facts surrounding this mysterious collection of paintings.
