Change for a Twenty--the novel

Check out the press Release for "Change for a Twenty" here.

Reviews

Change for a Twenty is a seriously funny, real-life kind of novel that takes it's readers on a journey through it's character's lives. The characters are memorable and lovable, just like your own friends from college. This novel introduces young adults into the college life through experiences of college parties, fraternities and pledging, college assignments, and most of all: relationships, sex, and emotion. Change for a Twenty is highly recommended to the students who want some insight on college life, and to the adults who want to reminise of the times they've had in college. I Loved It!!
-Jacquette Smith (Amazon reviewer)

The book, Change for a Twenty, is a great eye opener for young readers. It gives the young reader a view day to day life of a college student. It holds you and makes you want to know these people on a personal level. I can't wait for the follow up.
-Tiliene McGee (B&N reviewer)

Six young people and their experiences in a Black college. One of the main characters is a female virgin in her early twenties (an admirable and refreshing rarity). This book is worth it for Seleste alone! She is a strong black woman with morals and standards she must struggle to keep in the face of incredible peer pressure. This book is perfect for its intended audience of young African American college students. It speaks to them in their own language with respect and without talking down to them. Seleste is not the only character who does not fall into the stereotypical box that so many Americans have placed them in. Life got in my way and it took me a long time to get around to reading this book. For that I am sorry! I denied myself a good book for too long.
-Crystal Ordonez (author of "Caeli's Daniachew")

I'm very familiar with Ms. Vaughn's writing. We met when we were both members of the Boondocks Fan.com (now Life remixed. com. I'm still a member). Her posts were always so eloquently written that when I found out she had written her first novel, I bought it without even reading the sample chapter at Lulu.com. I just knew I'd like the book.
And I was right.
Change for a Twenty is the story of a woman named Seleste, a twenty-year old college junior determined to keep her virginty - much to the disbelief of her promiscuous best friend, Cara. Seleste's convictions doesn't stop guys from being interested in her, or vice-versa. Travis, nicknamed Memo, a college senior from New York, definitely has his eye on her. And if it wasn't for his jealous ex-girlfriend, Cherese, he might actually have a chance to go out with her.
But while the aforementioned characters are the most interesting, the "extra characters" - for lack of a better term - are far from boring. If you wind up hating any of the characters, it'll be because of who they are, not how they were developed by the author. Also, the book's dialogue is so convincing and realistic, you'll wonder if you're actually reading fiction. I can't say that about every work of fiction I've ever read (which is why I usually stick to non-fiction).
Complete with everything from stomping greeks, a near catfight, and faked intoxication (just...read the book, people), Change is an excellent read - especially when you consider the fact that this is Ms Vaughn's first novel.
-Calvin Armstead Jr. (Phive0Phor from MySpace.com)

At first I had my qualms about reading this book as I was told that it was primarily for the younger crowd and college students to be more specific but so many people raved about this first time author and Change for a Twenty that I felt almost compelled to take a gander. And once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. It was simply mesmerizing. Her characterizations are flawless and the author really knows how to spin a good yarn. This book is rare and I am certainly glad that I had the opportunity to have read it. Trust me!!! If you pick it up you won't put it down. Great summer, vacation book!!! Great anytime book!!! Accolades to this first time writer!!! Now bring on the sequel!!!
-Bertrand E. Brown (author of "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter"

Shamontiel Vaughn is a hot self-published novelist straight out of Chicago! By giving readers access to an 18 page teaser of the novel, she piques the interest of readers and writers alike. In just a few pages, she introduces complex characters, everyday issues, and fantastic dialogue between the characters. Another fantastic fact about this book is that the writer chooses a historically Black college in an urban setting where anything is bound to happen! If you enjoy reading novels about young people and their trials and tribulations in life while in pursuit of higher education, this book is for you! If you have gone to a historically black college or any college, this book will bring back memories.
-Kari Lindsey(Savvy from MySpace.com)

Frequently Asked Questions: 1. Is name of character from Change for a Twenty really name of someone from my website? This book is a complete work of fiction. Even if you find characters with similar initials or familiar characteristics, none of the events in this book actually happened. As for character development, I'm guilty of blending personality traits of about four or five people into ONE character. No character is solely one person and none of the events are true. 2. Why did you publish with LuLu.com? How did you hear about them? A fellow writer named CrysOrdonez introduced me to this site. I edit full-time to pay the bills, so I felt I had the right qualities to edit my own work. I am a bit controlling, so I already knew that I'd want to know every single step involved in the marketing and advertising. After several years of freelance writing, I'd gained the knowledge that I felt I needed in the publishing industry, so when I read about LuLu's printing service, I was impressed. 3. When did you finish this book? Originally the book was titled Just Friends and it was a 30,000 journal entry done between January and March of 2002. When I came home for the summer of 2002, I started working on it again and decided to completely change some of the original characters. I finished Change for a Twenty on 12/31/2004. 4. Why are you just now publishing it? I marketed the book in 2005 and a few publishing companies and agents told me they liked it, but writing for the college-aged group was risky because they aren't the best customers. I was also told that writing about an H.B.C.U. would make my book too narrow. But that's what I have always wanted to write about so I wrote it and marketed it anyway. If folks didn't want to be entertained by H.B.C.U.s, Different World wouldn't have lasted six seasons, College Hill wouldn't be out now, and people wouldn't still be going to H.B.C.U.s. 5. Where can I buy your book? GET AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY BY CLICKING ON THE MYSPACE LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE OR GOING TO AMAZON.COM'S MARKETPLACE AND CLICKING ON MY NAME! Win a free copy by visiting here. In case you don't win there, all three versions (hardcover, paperback, e-book) of my book are available on LuLu.com , ISBN# is 978-1-4116-9492-7 (last digit is "9" on Amazon.com, Borders, and B&N). You can buy the books directly from me by clicking on one of the PayPal links above, $15 for the AUTOGRAPHED paperback and $25 for the hardcover. The $20 paperback book can now be purchased in Barnes & Noble retail stores, at B&N online, Amazon.com, or Borders. 6. What made you pick an H.B.C.U. as your topic? I've been wanting to go to college since elementary school. Both of my parents went to college and thoroughly embrace getting an education. As I got older, I used to write short stories about college students repeatedly. When Different World came out, I was sold! I realized then from the number of people watching that show that others, like me, were also as interested in H.B.C.U.s as I was. I started off at Northern Michigan University but while I was there, I knew I was missing out on something. As soon as I got to Lincoln University and saw those gold boots and purple shirts, I pointed and said "This is what I've been missing." The first Greek step show I went to, I was so excited I was almost shaking. I love the H.B.C.U. scene. I have so many good memories of that school and nothing can compete with some of the crazy parties, memories, friendships, and mistakes that I made at both colleges. In addition to the H.B.C.U., I think it's important that young people can read about others like them that have to deal with difficult decisions like losing their virginity, relationships, and struggling friendships. To be able to tell half the story from the male perspective was something that I've always tried to master. I don't understand guys but I sure like to try. I've hung out in barbershops, tagged behind my brother, gone to clubs with groups of guys, and I grew up with a block full of boys. I think writing from the perspective of Memo and Arnez was the funnest part of this whole novel. 7. What else are you up to these days? I'm enjoying the freelance editorial articles that I've been submitting to different publications, I am totally flattered that Kaplan Financial Services hired me as a full-time Assistant Copyeditor, and I'm in graduate school at DePaul University, so right now my other goals are to be the best employee for KFS, continue to write freelance editorial articles on my Associated Content page, and finish classes for my Master's Degree. 8. Are you going to write any more novels? I've never wanted to do anything more than be a novelist, so my answer is "Of course." 9. Where did the title Change for a Twenty come from? When people come out of their teenage years, they start to understand how the world really works and go through so many changes. College is a speed course in learning about yourself. Most of the main characters in my book are in their twenties and going through changes--Change for a Twenty. 10. Who is the artist that designed your cover? The cover was originally found on Sxc.hu by an art editor/novelist named Crystal Ordonez who designed three covers for me. I loved the third cover so much that I asked for the permission of the photographer and Evan J. Hunter was a great negotiator. If you are interested in using his work, feel free to visit his art page. 11. When are you going to do a book signing in _______________________? I will be doing a book signing at Tennessee State University at their main bookstore on the Floyd-Payne Campus Center, during Homecoming weekend (10/27 and 10/28)--exact dates and times coming soon! For more information on Homecoming activites, please contact Stephen Treece, manager of TSU bookstore at (615) 963-7570 and/or (615) 963-7511. 12. How do I get an autographed copy of your book? Until I set up book signings, please feel free to buy the book through PayPal.com or Amazon.com. I receive those orders and ship them directly to you. If there is anything in particular that you'd like me to say (other than your name), feel free to e-mail me at the contact links above. If you have any other questions, feel free to send me a message.

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