Shonell in TCR Land

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Technical Communication & Rhetoric, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 2009-

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, 2004

• GPA: 4.0

Master of Arts in English, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, 2004

• GPA: 4.0

Masters of Arts in Mass Communication, Towson University, Baltimore, MD, 2001

Bachelors of Arts in Communication Arts, College of Notre of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 1996

ACADEMIC TEACHING/LEARNING EXPERIENCE

COURSES TAUGHT

• Developmental English
• English Composition I (traditional, online, and interactive compressed video)
• English Composition II (traditional, online, and interactive compressed video)
• Essentials of College Rhetoric
• Advanced English Grammar
• Fiction Writing (Continuing Education course)
• Fiction Writing 2: Workshop (Continuing Education course)
• Introduction to Mass Communication
• Writing for Radio/TV
• Writing for the Media
• Writers Boot Camp (Continuing Education course)

• President, TTU STC Chapter, Texas Tech University, 2010-
• Proposal Review Committee, member, Virtual Worlds: Best in Education Practices, 2010
• Disciplinary Committee, member, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA 2007-2009
• Compliance Review Committee, member, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, 2006-2009
• 102 Focus Group, co-chair, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, 2006-2009
• E-Learning Advisory Team, member, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, 2005-2009
• PASS Committee, grader, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, 2005-2008
• Textbook Development Committee, member, Department of English and Foreign Languages, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA 2005-2008

• Bridging the Gap:  Developing Academic Writing Skills, freshman composition textbook, co-editor, Fountainhead Press, 2007
• Bridging the Gap:  Researching and Writing, freshman composition textbook, co-editor, Fountainhead Press, 2006
• Bridging the Gap: Learning to Write Effectively, developmental writing textbook, contributor, Fountainhead Press, 2005

ARTICLES PUBLISHED

• “Letter Writing,” entry in Encyclopedia of Social Networks, Sage Publications, 9/6/2011
• “The Creative Artist as Technical Communicator,” Intercom, July/Aug. 2010 Issue

NOVELS PUBLISHED

• Into the Web, novel, Eclectic Soul Publications, Inc., forthcoming, March 2012
• Death at the Double Inkwell, novel, Lady Leo Publishing, June 2010; re-release CLG Entertainment, February 2012
• Draw Me with Your Love, novel, Simon & Schuster, July 2003
• Luv Alwayz: The Opposite Sex & Relationships, novel, Simon & Schuster, October 2001

SHORT STORIES PUBLISHED

• “Between the Pages,” SK Minis, 2012
• “Tables Turned,” a short story published in the anthology, Undressed, Inc., SK Minis, 2011
• “Fellowship at Hardee’s,” a short story published in the anthology, Oil and Water…and Other Things That Don’t Mix, LL Publications, 2010
• “Connections,” Lady Leo Publishing, 2008
• “Got ‘Til It’s Gone,” Lady Leo Publishing, 2008
• “Under the Mistletoe,” Lady Leo Publishing, 2008

STAGE PRODUCTIONS

• “Being Band Girl,” an essay part of Our Hurricane Kaleidoscope, a live theatre documentary production, McNeese Theatre, McNeese State University, September 29 – October 3, 2010

ARTICLES AND AWARDS

• Recipient of the 2011 Scholars for the Dream Travel Awards, Conference on College Composition and Communication
• Finalist, PAGE International Screenwriting Award Competition for screenplay, Saying No to the Big O, 2010
• Provost Fellow, Texas Tech University, 2009-2010
• Semi-Finalist, The Movie Deal! Screenplay Contest for the short screenplay Social Networking, 2009
• First Round, PAGE International Screenwriting Award Competition for screenplay The Problem with Being Happy, 2009
• Finalist, WILDsound One Page Screenplay Competition for the screenplay Burdens, 2008
• Quarterfinalist, PAGE International Screenwriting Award Competition for the TV pilot of Running from Miss Right, a miniseries, 2007
• “Bridging the Gap:  Textbook Marks 100th Publication by McNeese Associates,” American Press, Lake Charles, LA, July 17, 2005
• “Write On: Published Author Grows with McNeese’s Creative Writing Program,” American Press, Lake Charles, LA, October 19, 2003
• Ada B. Vincent MFA Scholarship recipient, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, March 2003

• Editor, Interviewer, All the Blog’s a Page (http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com), 2008-, A bi-monthly blogging series hosted by me in which writers talk about writing and its relation to various topics
• Editor, Interviewer, ChickLitGurrl™ : high on LATTES & WRITING (http://chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com), 2005-, A popular blog in which I interview women writers and showcase/promote products for and by women
• Editor-in-Chief, SisterDivas Magazine, 2003-2009, A quarterly magazine that offered articles, commentaries, interviews, and more on various topics that cater to women of all races
• Editor, CLG Entertainment (http://clg-entertainment.com), 2000-, I edit all types of works, from short stories, novels, and screenplays to synopses, query letters, and essays
• Co-Founder/Editor-in-Chief, The Nubian Chronicles Magazine, 1999-2009, A quarterly magazine founded in 1999 that showcased literature, interviews, and articles that caters to the African American community

COLUMNS

• Writer for The Blood-Red Pencil (http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/) – articles about writing, 2008-
• The Write Life for You Columnist on APOOO Books (every 1st of the month) – (http://www.apooobooks.com), 2008-
• Columnist for Blogging in Black (every 17th of the month) (http://www.blogginginblack.com) – column features articles and essays on writing, 2008-09

READINGS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Workshop Presenter, Self-Editing for Writers, SORMAG 2009 Online Conference, August 2009
• Presenter, Effective Documentation, Write to Excellence Center, McNeese State University, February 15, 2008
• Speaker, Inception to Publication Presentation, Bayou Writers Group, Carnegie Memorial Branch Library, Lake Charles, LA, May 6, 2006, and June 3, 2006
• Co-moderator, Book discussion on Invisible Man, Black History Month, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, March 2006
• Speaker, Recruiting Presentation, Career Day, Clifton J. Ozen High School, Beaumont, TX, March 2006
• Co-moderator, Book discussion on Cry, the Beloved Country, Black History Month, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, February 2006
• Speaker, Recruiting Presentation, Career Day, Clifton J. Ozen High School, Beaumont, TX, March 2005
• Discussion moderator of movie, “Four Little Girls,” Black History Month, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, Spring 2005
• Discussion moderator of movie, “Imitation of Life” (1934 & 1959 versions), Black History Month, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, Spring 2005
• Reader, “Zelda Does AA,” MFA Graduate Reading, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, May 2004
• Introduction of author ZZ Packer, ZZ Packer Reading, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, April 2004
• Speaker, Recruiting Presentation, Career Day, Clifton J. Ozen High School, Beaumont, TX, March 2004
• Reader, “Burning down the House,” (short story) Women’s Fiction and Poetry Reading, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, February 2003
• Reader, “The Opening of Closure,” (short story) Annual Conference, Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers, Beaumont, TX, September 2002
• Reader, “The Reunion,” (excerpt of novel-in-progress), Women’s Fiction Reading, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, February 2002