Press Release Summary: Heart of Diamonds author Dave Donelson has released a series of free videos as part of his efforts to support the cause of peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Press Release Body: West Harrison, NY October 16, 2008 -- Author Dave Donelson has released a series of free videos as part of his efforts to support the cause of peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The six short programs feature the author reading passages from his novel, Heart of Diamonds, as well as photographs he took in Central Africa while researching the book. The three-minute videos are available on YouTube and other websites and blogs.
"I hope these videos will help draw the world's attention to the endless violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo," Donelson says. "Nearly six million people have died in this war so far and the violence is increasing as we speak." The author says the media generally ignores the devastation, which is why he is speaking out. The videos are free for non-commercial distribution.
The videos are at www.heartofdiamonds.com/Making_A_Difference/making.... They highlight the effects of the violence in the Congo, which is one of the major themes of Heart of Diamonds. Titles include "The Rape Of A Mother," "Making A Child Soldier," "The Machete," "Refugee Children," "The Anguish Of Rape," and "A People Destroyed." Each is approximately three minutes in length.
The release of the videos coincides with Congo Week, a slate of events October 19 - 25 held on over 1,000 campuses and other venues in 100 countries worldwide. Donelson is also speaking at several locations that week. He is appearing at the Harrison, NY, Public Library at 7:30 PM, Monday, October 20, and the Multicultural Living Learning Unit of Clara Dickson Hall at Cornell University, Ithaca, at 7 PM, Wednesday, October 22. He will appear at Borders in the Pyramid Mall in Ithaca at 3 PM that day. He will also make a presentation at Barnes & Noble, White Plains, at 7 PM, Thursday, October 23.
"Heart of Diamonds is a work of fiction," Donelson avers, "But it is based on actual events in the most deadly conflict since World War II." The author says he drew heavily on news accounts of rape as a weapon of terror, child soldiers, widespread corruption at all levels of government, and the very sad plight of the hundreds of thousands of refugees from the violence that continues to wrack the nation.
In his novel, Donelson uses a diamond smuggling scheme to represent the fight for control of the DRC's gold, timber, uranium, copper, coltan, and other natural resources. An intricate plot involving an American televangelist, the President of the DRC, and the White House reflects the convoluted relationships of the factions involved in the struggle. His heroine, Valerie Grey, is a TV journalist who uncovers the scheme and fights to expose it to the world.
Donelson is a freelance writer and photographer. Heart of Diamonds is his third book. It was published by Kunati Books, named Independent Publisher of the Year at the 2008 Book Expo America. Press Release submission By PressReleasePoint(http://www.pressreleasepoint.com)
Web Site: http://www.heartofdiamonds.com
Contact Details: Press Contact: Dave Donelson heartofdiamonds.com 44 Park Lane West Harrison, NY 10604 914-949-7483 dave@heartofdiamonds.com http://www.heartofdiamonds.com
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