For going on twelve years, Shonell has used her knowledge in creative writing to assist writers. Through her editorial services, evaluation services, online writing class (Writers Boot Camp), coaching, and articles written for several online outlets, Shonell has worked tirelessly to make writers BETTER writers. If your goal is to be a better writer, a writer who believes in the lifelong learning of the writing craft, then you need to know Shonell, and you need to take part in the services available here at CLG-E.
Shonell Bacon is an author, doctoral candidate, editor, educator--everywoman. She has published both creatively and academically--novels, short stories, textbooks. She has had an essay of hers developed as part of a live theatre documentary production. She has watched as her screenplays, which she started writing in 2007, climb from first round selections to finalists in screenplay competitions. In addition for her love of writing and what the future holds in her literary life, she is also an editor who loves helping writers hone their literary craft. Since 2001, she has edited for hundreds of writers who have gone on to pursue self-publishing careers and have been published within the traditional publishing arena. Her love for helping writers also moved her to begin writing articles and commentaries regarding the writing life and craft, and she publishes these articles on various websites. She is an educator, having taught English and mass communication courses in addition to fiction writing and other courses related to creative writing. And while taking part in all of those things, Shonell also finds the time to pursue her Ph.D. in Technical Communication and Rhetoric at Texas Tech University. She is currently conducting research and writing her dissertation. Her research interests include race, gender, identity, online spaces, and virtual worlds.
]]]]]]]][[[[[[[[
]]]][[[[
]][[
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
Masters of Arts in Mass Communication, Towson University, Baltimore, MD, 2001- GPA: 4.0
Bachelors of Arts in Communication Arts, College of Notre of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 1996
ACADEMIC TEACHING/LEARNING EXPERIENCE
- Visiting Lecturer, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, 2012-
- Graduate Part-Time Instructor, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 2011-
- Graduate Assistant to Dr. Juan Munoz, VP, Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement, July 2010-11
- Research Assistant to Dr. Kelli Cargile-Cook, June – September 2010
- Editorial Intern, Technical Communication Quarterly, Fall 2009
- Mass Communication Adjunct Lecturer, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA 2008-09
- English Specialist/Instructor, as part of the Louisiana Academy of Innovative Teaching and Learning grant, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, 2005-09
- University Lecturer in English, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, 2004-2005
- Graduate Teacher in English, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, 2001-2004
- Developmental English
- English Composition I (traditional, online, and interactive compressed video)
- English Composition II (traditional, online, and interactive compressed video)
- 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)
COMMITTEES & ORGANIZATIONS
- 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
ACADEMIC WORKS PUBLISHED
- 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
- “Letter Writing,” entry in Encyclopedia of Social Networks, Sage Publications, forthcoming, 9/6/2011
- “The Creative Artist as Technical Communicator,” Intercom, July/Aug. 2010 Issue
- Into the Web, novel, Eclectic Soul Publications, Inc., Crimson Whispers imprint, forthcoming, March 2012
- Death at the Double Inkwell, novel, CLG-E, re-release, forthcoming, February 2012
- Death at the Double Inkwell, novel, Lady Leo Publishing, June 2010 (out of print)
- Draw Me with Your Love, novel, Simon & Schuster, July 2003
- Luv Alwayz: The Opposite Sex & Relationships, novel, Simon & Schuster, October 2001
- “Between the Pages,” a short story in the Dip Me in Chocolate Series, SK Minis, forthcoming, March 2012
- “Tables Turned,” a short story in the anthology, Undressed Inc., SK Minis, Fall 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
- "1-800-Hot-Talk," a short story in the anthology, Chocolate Flava, Atria Books, 2004
- “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
- 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
EDITORIAL EXPERIENCE
- 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://www.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
- 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), 2008-2011
- Columnist for Blogging in Black – column features articles and essays on writing, 2008-09
- Presenter, "Writing Workshop," Native American Summer Bridge Institute, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, July 15, 2011
- 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
