BryonySeries

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Save the Date: Calkins Day 2026

Calkins Day (Feb. 13) is the BryonySeries' official holiday. It's a day to celebrate laughter, imagination, generosity, and the birthday of Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara: man, myth, and author.

And we are inviting you to that celebration from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

The drop-in celebration will include free food, a chance to win an original acrylic waterscape painted by Ed’s wife Nancy Calkins (an accomplished artist and retired art teacher), and the opportunity to purchase books authored by Ed and books in which Ed appears as a character.

One of those books will include “Recovering Ruthless,” the third book in the outrageous, literary nonsense BryonySeries Ruthless series, all authored by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara.

The first book is simply called “Ruthless.” The second book is titled “The Fifth.”

Ed also wrote my Irish genealogy. (I’m not Irish).

Ed also appears as himself (as in himself, a ruthless dictator, and an Irish vampire) in “Bryony,” “Visage,” and “Staked!”

Who is Ed Calkins? Here is a twenty-question interview withthe real Ed Calkins, here is my Calkins Day address from 2020, and here is Ed’s Calkins Day message from 2018.

Here is why we celebrate Calkins Day.

Here is how to celebrate Calkins Day in our "Guide to Becoming Un-Serious."

I must also add that Ed is very dyslexic, which makes writing more challenging for him than many other writers. But he not only works through the challenge, he’s made dyslexia a key part of the plot in his Ruthless trilogy in ways that has nothing to do with reading or writing.

You also might want to listen to this podcast.

And if you follow those links, you might find yourself almost prepared to celebrate Calkins Day at The Book Market on Feb. 13.

But if you really want to impress the Steward of Tara (also known as Your Ruthlessness), come prepared to recite a limerick about him as WriteOn Joliet member Mauverneen Blevins did in 2023.

Or memorize “Birches” by Robert Frost and recite it to him.

And then watch the magic unfold.

Happy Saturday!

Friday, January 23, 2026

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan. 17 through Jan. 23

Good morning!

I have seven stories online to share with you today. More stories will go live over the weekend and next week. So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

Before the stories, I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

For January, all activities center around becoming your best self.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries) - so far:

We typically don't host in-person events in January to give us time to recoup and prepare for tax time - but we are participating in one!

Jan. 31: Critical Grind Winter Local Author Fair: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Critical Grind Board Game Cafe, 852 Sharp Drive No. L, Shorewood.

Feb. 13: Calkins Day: 6 to 8:30 p.m., The Book Market, 2365 Plainfield Road, Crest Hill. Celebrate laughter, creativity, and generosity with Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara. BryonySeries book specials (some free), art raffle, free food, free gift certificates to The Book Market.

We also encourage you to check out our books by popping into The Book Market in Crest Hill (if you live in the area) or bookshop.org or Amazon if you don't.

Please note: Bookshop does not carry all of our books.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is finally begun, although albeit very slowly. I'd like to get enough done over the next month or so to finally give Sue Midlock (our artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer) some ideas for the book's cover and chapter heading illustrations.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright has finished the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But the goal is to release "Brainy Ann" in early 2026.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the weekly recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it!

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

FEATURES

Morris Herald Angels Campaign benefits United Way of Grundy County

https://www.shawlocal.com/morris-herald-news/2026/01/21/morris-herald-angels-campaign-benefits-united-way-of-grundy-county/

Trump reverses mental health cuts, agencies in Will, Kendall counties say they likely would not be hit

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/17/trump-reverses-mental-health-cuts-agencies-in-will-kendall-counties-say-they-likely-would-not-be-hit/

Wendy’s closes Joliet site, property for sale

2 other Joliet locations remain open

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/10/wendys-in-joliet-closes-property-for-sale/

Jack-in-the-Box coming to Joliet’s Jefferson Street

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/21/jack-in-the-box-coming-to-joliets-jefferson-street/

Fate of Will County Noodles and Company locations unknown as company looks to close sites

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/21/noodles-and-company-plans-to-close-more-restaurants/

3 Will County GameStop locations closing

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/20/3-will-county-gamestop-locations-closing/

Will County Pets of the Week: Jan. 19, 2026

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/19/will-county-pets-of-the-week-jan-19-2026/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Thursday, January 22, 2026

A Light in the Writer's Block Darkness

It's funny sometimes how life works out.

Every year for many years now, fellow original WriteOn Joliet member Duanne Walton has presented me with a thoughtful gift of some kind during the holidays.

For the last few years, that gift's been a candle.

The first candle was a "werewolf candle." I now burn this one sparingly because it's out-of-stock.

The second candle was called "The Playwright," which I burned during the oom rehearsals for WriteOn Joliet's oom radio play. That's the candle with the dusty lid, which I set aside to burn again for the 2026 radio play rehearsals.

This year's candle is called "Wordsmith." So now I have rehearsal choices.

And it's funny how life works out.

Because I wrote this post to post today.

And tonight launches WriteOn Joliet's 2026 radio play with our first table reading.

And due to brutally cold temperatures that are predicted for tonight, it's likely that table reading will move to Zoom, where I can burn this candle while we read.

You should also know that I presented Duanne with a special gift this year, too.

My niece and goddaughter Rachel, who directed WriteOn Joliet's two radio play, owns White Stag Wares with her husband Michael.

And Michael created this one-of-a-kind leather journal cover for Duanne, who journals regularly and has a robust collection of journals.

We selected the colors, texture, and size based on Duanne's preferences.

So Duanne, like me, will be able to enjoy his gift long, long past Christmas - and enjoy the happy glow of a longstanding writely friendship.

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Sue's Diner: Candy Cane Brownies

By now, most Christmas candy is now a pleasant memory.

But you might have a few leftover candy canes, especially if you encountered Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, over the holiday season, and he was generous in distributing them (as he typically is).

So use up those leftover candy canes to make room for Valentine's Day candy by preparing these extra special Candy Cane Brownies.

The recipe is simple enough for a child to assemble with adult guidance and supervision.

This recipe not featured in any of the BryonySeries cookbooks, including Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties and features all the recipes referenced in the novel Bryony.

However, you can try this recipe for Valentine French toast on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone next week. A new recipe will take it's place.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

A "Bryony"-Inspired Bracelet From a "Team Henry" Member

In December 2024, I ran into Jamie Wood, owner of The Raven's House at a holiday vendor fair (Rebekah and I'd come out to support Cindy at her first solo event).

If you recall, I met Jamie in October 2024 when I bought my "Stingy Jack" necklace from her.

I admired one of her handmade bracelets called "Red and Rose," which Jamie then said she felt inspired to make it after reading "Bryony."

In fact, after she finished "Bryony," she messaged me and said she "loved Henry a lot" and then added:

He seemed the most sincere in his intent. I was drawn how he chose to be the "dumpy" lit teacher in the "real" world. As a young girl, he would be the type of Vampire I would have been drawn to if I lived in the book.

Well, I have super skinny wrists, so Jamie offered to make a smaller version of "Red and Rose" for me. I also admired a bracelet that reminded me of a lake, but that one is no longer available.

Jamie then showed me her winter/snowflake design and asked if I'd like that one. I did (it felt like a marrying of Simons Woods with Lake Munson to me), so Jamie made a smaller one in that design, too.

Well, 2025 was off the charts for my family and me, challenge-wise. So I only just recently was able to pick up those bracelets. And they are lovely!

Jamie and I are now (quite unintentionally) "three for three."

Because Jamie also bought "Visage" and "Before The Blood: Henry Matthews" over this past year.

To purchase "Red and Rose" and check out all available store items (jewelry and more), visit theravenshouse.net/s/shop.

Monday, January 19, 2026

Random Reflections on Service

For the second time since 2024, the area's MLK Day of Service has been cancelled due to dangerous cold temperatures.

While I'm certain that's disappointing to everyone involved - organiations, recipient agencies, and volunteers - if you think about it, even the cancellation is service - service to participants to keep them safe.

While we may often think of service as engaging in a service project or other activity, service comes in so many forms, as I discovered during the months in 2020 when I was writing this book.

Service can include:

* reaching out to someone lonely or staying away from someone who doesn't wish to see you

* providing a kind word, a prayer, and/or a listening word to someone who desperately needs them.

* a simple smile and "thank you" to anyone who's provided service to you, yes, even the bank teller person checking out your groceries.

* taking the time during a busy day to walk around the block to move your body and clear your mind on a busy day.

* going to bed early to get enough rest or waking up early to reserve time for yourself.

* graciously receiving someone else's service to you

Each day is filled with unrecogized opportunities for service.

While a large event like MLK Day of Service provides the means to serve many people on a wide scale, the necessity of canceling such an event doesn't erase the fact that we and they benefit from our acts of service.

Let today be the start of a new pattern of service in your life.

Happy Monday!

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Beethoven Angry Sonatas

Saturday, January 17, 2026

'Winter Song' - cover in Irish

Friday, January 16, 2026

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan. 10 through Jan. 16

Good morning!

I have thirteen stories online to share with you today. More stories will go live over the weekend and next week. So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

Before the stories, I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!