Echelon Network Links

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Upcoming Book/Author Conferences

Here are a few upcoming conferences:

APRIL


25-26
L A Times Festival of Books
UCLA/Los Angeles: http://www.blackwriters.org/


MAY
02-03
DFW Writer's Conference Grapevine Convention Center, Irving, TX
http://www.dfwwritersconference.org/register/index.html

16 - 17
National Black Book Festival
Houston, TX: http://www.nationalblackbookfestival.com/

28-31
Book Expo America
New York: http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/

JUNE
18 - 19
Black Writer's Reunion & Conference
Las Vegas, NV: http://www.blackwriters.org/

JULY
9-19
Indiana Black Expo: http://www.indianablackexpo.com/index2.html

11-16
NAACP Author's Pavilion
New York: http://www.naacpauthorpavilion.com

16 - 19
Faith & Fiction Retreat
Orlando, FL: http://www.nationalbookclubconference.com/

31 - 02Aug
National Black Book Club Convention Atlanta, GA:
http://www.nationalbookclubconference.com/

AUGUST
06-08
Greater Philadelphia Writer's Conference
http://www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia/

23 - 29
Shades of Romance Online Conference
http://sormag.blogspot.com/2009/01/online-conference-2009.html

SEPTEMBER
10 - 13
California Book Club Summit San Ramone, CA:
http://www.thecaliforniabookclubsummit.com/authors.htm

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Book Review: Serving Justice by Jacqueline D. Moore


Serving Justice by Jacqueline D. Moore


Amazon Rating: 3

Pain and Pride

Meet smart, sassy and successful legal professionals and friends, Angela, Theresa, Darlene and Rhonda, in Jacqueline D. Moore’s latest release, Serving Justice. These friends meet in college and become more like family over the span of approximately 20 years. This offering gives us the opportunity to experience a whirlwind weekend that threatens to destroy the ladies’ bond. In Serving Justice, Judge Angela Jenkins has loved her chauffeur, Tony, for awhile. She’s never shared her feelings with her friends or anyone else. She fears the scrutiny of colleagues, friends and others.

Judge Jenkins decides to break the ice, asking Tony to escort her to a public function where her girlfriends would be in attendance. Angela’s high-powered girlfriends all but lose it after finding out Tony is not only their girl’s chauffer, he’s a cab driver. The ladies’ friendship and Angela’s relationship with Tony is seriously threatened after.

I appreciated the balance in personalities in this circle of friends, from Angie’s eventual willingness to risk it all and not live according to societal expectations, to Darlene’s commitment to her career and assertive disposition. The novel for me was really about Angela, Theresa, Darlene and Rhonda, examining themselves and the way they see others. I was also rooting for things to turn out well for Angela and Tony.

I enjoyed this novel. It really held my interest. The character development was on point for me. I enjoyed getting to know each of the ladies, and Tony. Jacqueline Moore’s style of writing allows readers to experience each character’s pain and pride.

Monday, April 6, 2009

OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

FREE!! MIT announces its MITES Program, (Minority Introduction to
Engineering and Science), a challenging 6 week summer program that
prepares promising rising seniors for careers in engineering and
science. If you are selected, all educational, housing, meals and
activity costs are covered. You must, however, pay for your own
transportation to and from MIT. To apply, go to http://mit.edu/mites

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Science & Engineering Apprenticeship
program (summer) - This program places academically talented H.S.
students (at least 16 yrs old, sophomores/ juniors) with interest in
science & math in Dept. of Defense laboratories for an 8-wk period over
the summer. This is an invaluable experience in the world of scientific
research, with hands-on exposure to scientific & engineering practices
not available in the HS environment. It is a paid apprenticeship
($2,000) and the students are assigned a scientist or engineer as their
mentor. To apply online or get more information about the program:
http://www.usaeop.com/ Students must submit their transcript (minimum
GPA 3.0) and teacher recommendation to the program director for
consideration and daily transportation is the student's responsibility.
Program runs from June 22 - August 14, 2009.


FREE!! PRINCETON UNIVERSITY announces its Summer Journalism Program for
low-income sophomores or juniors with at least a 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0
scale) who have an interest in journalism. The cost is free including
travel costs to and from Princeton ! Apply now! Go to www.princeton.edu

FREE!! The National Center for Health Marketing's Global Health Odyssey
Museum is pleased to offer the 2009 CDC Disease Detective Camp (DDC).
DDC is an academic day camp for students who will be high school juniors
and seniors during the 2009-2010 school year. Campers will take on the
roles of disease detectives and learn how CDC safeguards the nation's
health. The camp will be offered twice from June 22-26 and July 13-17.
For more info and to apply to go www.cdc.gov/ gcc/exhibit/ camp.htm

FREE!! The American Legion sponsors a week-long summer leadership
program called Boys State. This year's program will be held at McDaniel
College in Westminster , Maryland from June 21-27. If you are a junior
interested in a leadership opportunity see your guidance counselor right
away for more information.

The Leadership Center at MOREHOUSE COLLEGE presents the 2009 Coca-Cola
Pre-College Leadership Program. There are 2 programs, one for male
students completing their sophomore or junior year, and the other for
male students completing their senior year. Applicants must have a
minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). The curriculum focuses on personal and
interpersonal leadership skills. The program runs from June 20 to June
26. The cost is $400.00. To apply, go to http://www.morehouse.edu

Access is listed under "Events at the Leadership Center ."

NASA sponsors the National Space Club Scholars Program, a 6 week summer
internship at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. It is open to students
who will be 16 years old and have completed the 10th grade by June 2009,
have demonstrated high academic success, and have an interest in space
science or engineering as a career. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK : Women in Engineering,(email:
E2@UMD), July 12-18 or July 19-25; rising juniors and seniors. Go to
http://www.wie.umd.edu/precollege or call 301-405-3283

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND Young Scholars Program targets rising juniors and
seniors who have a strong academic record and a desire to excel to
experience college life while earning three academic credits. 14 courses
are offered for three weeks from July 12 - 31, 2009. Visit http://www.ysp.umd.edu

CITY YEAR, WASHINGTON DC (Americorps) - Graduating seniors who are not
sure what they want to do after high school should consider applying for
a paid community service position with City Year, Washington, DC., a
group of 17-24 year olds committed to full-time service for ten months
in the Washington, DC community. Benefits include: living stipend ($200
per week), health care coverage, free metro pass, and $4,725 educational
scholarship. For more info: http://www.cityyear.org
or email: cmurphy@cityyear.org or call: 202-776-7780, Amanda Seligman. Recruitment open houses will be held once a month at their headquarters: 918 U Street, NW , 2nd floor, Washington , DC 20001.