Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Oct. 20 through Oct. 25

First of all, a shout-out for tomorrow's Panic in the Plaza event, which will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. outside on Van Buren Street in Joliet (which will be closed for the event) and is hosted by Audiophil's Records.

BryonySeries will be there (i.e. Rebekah and me, for sure), along with our books, other vendors, music, and more. Come in costume (we will) and enjoy!

Second of all, it's been a crazy week with the move and more, but we're getting unpacked and turning our new townhouse into a real home.

I only have two chapters to finish of Cornell Dyer and the Flu. The rest are edited and ready to go. As soon as Sue Midlock has the art done, we'll upload.

The goal is to have a few copies for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Nov. 15 at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

At the very least, we should have the proof copy and will take orders for discounted copies, which will be shipped to buyers in time for Christmas.

The book has a great nod to A Christmas Carol (thanks to the great plotting by Timothy Baran) and is very readable for kids and adults - just ten chapters and around 10,000 words.

The memoir I'm ghost-writing is very nearly ready for formatting. I have just a few more pages of notes and then Phyllis can read and approve the text. I'm also working on an independent editing project and plan to dive a little more deeply into it next weekend.

What about the werewolf story?

I saved up about half of my vacation time for Thanksgiving and Christmas, where I'll be giving myself a couple of mini writing retreats as my own Christmas present to myself.

I also have some updates on audio book version of Bryony, which I'll discuss next week.

Have a wonderful day readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans. I'll write soon - from the view of the new room.

Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works - brief posts and calendar listings - into one convenient file and posting them on Facebook in the evening, so readers can easily choose the ones they want to read.

One can also find those event listings, the Gotta Do It calendar, as well as the pets, health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars, under the sections tab on the left hand side of http://www.theherald-news.com/. Click on "features" and the topics drop down.  Gotta Do It runs under "people."

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time): 

 Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to jon WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming events:

Once Timothy Baran is done updating this page, these will listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts. 

Check out the progress he has made so far. Each square is hand-built. And be sure to "hover" your hand over the first square. Note: this only works (so far) with the desktop version.

But he's also made A LOT of changes to the website. So be sure to roam around a bit.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.com. Again, Timothy is in the process of updating the website, so all titles may not appear. If you have any 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.

'He's like a Santa Claus, really'
Ozzie Mitchell of the Peter Claver Center in Joliet is battling terminal cancer, supporters hosting fundraiser

Find out how you can help - and why you should.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/10/16/417b97f6313b4d9b97281b1b98940b05/index.xml


An Extraordinary Life: Joliet teacher valued service above all

Anthony Gutierrez was born in box car but grew up to use his talents in the most extraordinary ways.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/10/09/a3a6342d1df649f188c20393699a6202/index.xml


5 decades of prayerful faithfulness in the Joliet-area

The St. Clare House of Prayer is only open to visitors on an individual basis. And yet, the small ministry has greatly impacted the Joliet-area community in the past five decades. Find out how.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/10/16/5-decades-of-prayerful-faithfulness-in-the-joliet-area/ak50o59/


All for the love of chocolate
A primer and recipes to help celebrate National Chocolate Day on Oct. 28

All you ever wanted to know about the different types of chocolate, plus three tried and true recipes to get you in the chocolate mood.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/10/14/all-for-the-love-of-chocolate/apc5c7/


Ghouls rule this Joliet Catholic School 

"We take the kids to Mass every morning," Jan Novotny said. "We’re certainly not doing anything against dogma.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/10/21/ghouls-rule-this-joliet-catholic-school/dqcqemv/


Artworks: Lockport program will commemorate 100th anniversary of suffrage through song 

Phil Passen said: "I do it for two reasons. The main one is I love it. It’s how I want to spend my time. The other reason is that it really does bring joy and happiness to people. Their eyes just light up.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/10/24/artworks-lockport-program-will-commemorate-100th-anniversary-of-suffrage-through-song/a73n0o/


LocalLit author spotlight: Celebrating diversity and families 

Check out this new children's book about open and biracial adoption

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/10/14/locallit-author-spotlightcelebrating-diversity-and-families/d5nosn2/


VIDEO: mermaids and more in Crest Hill

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/a3860485-a553-4607-a461-8f3043054114.html


VIDEO: Author shares dark secret at Crest Hill event

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/d67ac5d9-b5df-42c4-abc0-d0f14bc64ea9.html


VIDEO: Highlights of author fest in Crest Hill

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/0e54b204-ada6-428e-aa70-0b48108f80a3.html


VIDEO: Peggy Mitchell of the Peter Claver Center in Joliet speaks from the heart abut her husband Ozzie and their service to the community.

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/59125e50-8bbb-4c3b-904a-b6a7547cf2b6.html


VIDEO: Joliet nonprofit offers karate classes

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/a171625d-c2d7-4849-9599-0bf84ea07d72.html

Illustration bu Matt Coundiff for "Visage."