About the Author - Shamontiel's Motto: Live to Write

Shamontiel Latrice Vaughn is the author of two novels ("Round Trip" and "Change for a Twenty"), a freelance writer of over 400 articles in various print and online publications, a transcriptionist and transcription editor, an Arts & Entertainment Source Writer for AssociatedContent.com, Examiner.com's Chicago Relationship Examiner, Chicago News & Events Examiner, Chicago Black Hair and Health Examiner and Chicago Fragrance Examiner.

This Chicago native graduated Cum Laude from Lincoln University (MO) with a Bachelor of Arts in English/Creative Writing. Shamontiel has also taken courses at Northern Michigan University; University of Chicago; and DePaul University, studying writing; communications; Spanish and criminal justice. In 2003, she received the Missouri Writer's Guild Walter Williams Outstanding Student Award. In 2007, she was honored at Lincoln University (Missouri) with the Master Student award. Shamontiel is also a member of the International English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta and the Message from Montie blogger for ChicagoNow.com (owned by the Chicago Tribune). She has previously been an Assistant Copyeditor for Kaplan Financial (Dearborn Publishing), the Web Editor and newsletter editor for D'PUC Credit Union, and a Staff Writer and Web Editor for The Chicago Defender newspaper before becoming a full-time freelancer. Her work can also be found in Spoken Vizions Magazine, Fate Magazine, TheFrisky.com and a featured Message from Montie blog on Russell Simmons' Global Grind.com.

Shamontiel participated in various political and news events like promoting and raising money for the Obama campaign, reporting on the Schlumberger and Jena 6 trial, embracing the vegetarian lifestyle, speaking out for animal rights and vegetarianism. She is equally passionate about raising awareness about safe sex through volunter programs, speaking to college students about sexual responsibility and getting tested for HIV/AIDS and correct condom usage.

Although literature will always be closest to her heart, music and dancing are a close second. A hardcore lover of positive hip hop, R&B, jazz, and neo-soul, Shamontiel has participated in numerous dance performances and hip hop classes, and interviewed several music, book and TV celebrities. You can check out her entertainment interviews as the Arts & Entertainment Contributor on AssociatedContent.com. Or, check out Other Publications to read her news, reviews, op/ed articles and interviews.