Well, I am glad I pre-wrote this post as I'm currently experiencing the worst bout of diverticulitis yet.
That's not to play the sympathy card (cliche, I know), but can you help an author out?
Side note: If you're a member of WriteOn Joliet, you can stop reading here. The ask if not for you.
Here goes.
In 2024, WriteOn Joliet participated in Kidz Fest in downtown Joliet for the first time.
We gave away nearly 90 locally authored books for kids and adults, which I purchased with my manuscript editing funds.
In fact. those 90 books were gone in the first 90 minutes of a five-hour event.
We also gave away approximately one hundred bookmarks people could color at home.
We distributed eighty-five special subscription offers to The Herald-News in Joliet.
We gave away word finds and crossword puzzles based on some of the books.
In 2025, WriteOn Joliet gave away 300 books, as well as bookmarks and handmade "write-your-own poetry books from Holly Coop. Only 50 books remained three hours into the five-hour event.
Both years, our word blocks were hugely successful, especially after the books disappeared. Kids and adults enjoyed manipulating our 48 double-sided blocks (so 96 words in all) to create fun sentences and simple short stories.
On Aug. 1, WriteOn Joliet will participate in Kidz Fest again this year with the same activities.
So this year, WriteOn Joliet is planning to give away 500 books.
And this year, I have the books of nearly every WriteOn Joliet author sponsored (a few are still pending).
This is the "awkward ask" part.
Because of my role in the community, I'm not comfortable seeking sponsorships for my BryonySeries books, which we will also give away on Aug. 1.
In addition, the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team will provide free kids games with prizes and free BryonySeries books at the Independence Day celebration on July 3 at Bicentennial Park in Joliet, for the fourth year in a row.
The first year, we gave away 33 books, the second year we gave away 82, and last year we gave away 135 BryonySeries books at the July 3 event.
Now, I'm not completely self-funding the books this year as one of my B.L.O.C.K.S. team members has actively solicited her contacts to help us out.
But we still have some BryonySeries books to go. Please see "How to help" below
Why are we doing this?
Because not all families can afford new books.
Because even when families can afford new books, a free book is a no-risk way to explore the works of unfamiliar authors and books.
Because families should read together.
Because when kids see adults enthused about books, they will often naturally follow.
Because the level of our excitement at our table as familes scooped up the books was off the charts, and we wish to create that experience again, both for the families and the WriteOn Joliet authors.
How to help
1. Browse my list of BryonySeries books.
2. Purchase the book(s) you'd like to gift for the giveaway at Bicentennial Park on July 3 and Kidz Fest on Aug. 1.
We especially need more books in the Bertrand the Mouse and The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series. If you can believe it, ALL of the Girls of the BryonySeries books have been sponsored.
3. Mail to: Denise M. Unland, P.O. Box 2789, Joliet, IL, 60436.
4. My one non-BryonySeries book "Nine Months of Kindness" is also available for purchase or sponsorship.
Can I deduct my purchase at tax time?
Unfortunately, since neither WriteOn Joliet nor BryonySeries is a nonprofit, you will not be able to write off your purchase at tax time as a donation.
But that isn't necessarily true if you are sponsoring books. If you are interested in a true sponsorship, email me at dunland@bryonyseries.com.
Please know your purchases place locally authored books into the hands of readers and nonreaders alike.
For kids who struggle with reading or who aren't enthused about reading, simply taking home a book written by someone in their community can help strip the mystique sway from books.
Perhaps it may spark their own creativity, knowing writing a book is really, really possible.
And it can't hurt when reading and writing are presented in such a fun way.
