Friday, January 15, 2021

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan 9 through Jan. 15

Good morning!

On this day in 2014, I officially said, "Goodbye," to a career as a freelance features writer and officially became the features editor at The Herald-News.

I'm thankful every day for this job, and that is the truth - and it was one of the best surprises in my life.

Shaw Media had just purchased the newspaper, my family was in a rough situation, and I had maxed out on the amount of freelance work I could accomplish. I literally had no more hours left in the day and the amount of money publications would/could pay for the work was dropping.

So I had made the decision to look for a "real" job after Old Calendar Christmas on January 7. Instead, a former reporter for The Herald-News insisted I send off my resume to Shaw Media and apply for the position of features editor, which was definitely a stretch of my skills (not the resume, the position).

Having seen journalists come and go (mostly go) in this industry through the years, I'm fortunate enough to still be here, and I'm grateful for it.

I wish the same for all of you - work that interests you, stretches you, and gives you a tremendous amount of satisfaction at the end of the day.

On the fiction front, Colleen Robbins has returned Ed Calkins' manuscript Ruthless to me with her copyedits, and she said it was pretty clean, making me super happy I spent four intense days working on it over Thanksgiving break (Ed is very dyslexic). 

So I plan to get Ruthless ready for Rebekah's formatting this weekend and a proof copy ordered by Tuesday. It's less than a month until Calkins Day.

And speaking of Calkins Day, we will have event details to you next week!

Also on the fiction front, Colleen is also working on the copy edits for The Phoenix, the first book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I'm also playing around - very slightly - with beginning notes for the second book, Call of the Siren. Can you believe I already have original cover art for it? (More on this later).

Finally, I'm finishing up the copyedits on a novel for a client, hopefully by this weekend.

Have a great Friday!


WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook pageWe'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. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year, well, except this year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

If you need support in your writing, I highly recommend this Twitter group: #5amwritersclub. I  joined it last year. Writers support each other on Twitter and meet every three weeks at 5 a.m. (4 a.m. CST - needless to say, I am often late!) on Zoom.

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 Will County Go Guide and Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story and Book Review Newsletter at https://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/

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 do post the briefs 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.

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

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

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events-1.

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

Troy schools return to hybrid learning, will give rapid test at school: Parents make final decision for learning, testing

An Extraordinary Life: Joliet native was ‘a bonafide rocket scientist'

‘What can we do to respond to the situation that exists today?’: Longtime Romeoville pastor has advice for tough times

Wilmington 4-H members donate PPE to area first responding agencies: Recipient agencies include those in Braidwood, Plainfield and Wilmington 

 'It will bring smiles to their faces’: Joliet artist donates her time, talents and treasure for UCP mural

2 students, 2 scholarships help bring hope to the future: Scholarship namesake believed education matters was the key to building a future

Pfizer vaccine comes to Timbers of Shorewood: Residents and staff were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Thursday

Westside Children’s Therapy opens location in Shorewood: Multidisciplinary clinic offers flexible scheduling options

Pets of the Week: Jan. 11: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Chick-fil-A in Joliet to open Thursday: Popular franchise to offer drive-thru service and mobile curbside pickup

A bit of Vietnam Christmas in Joliet remains through March: Seminarian at the Church of Saint Anthony recreates #nativity display of his home country

Photos: A bit of Vietnam Christmas in Joliet

Photos: Moe Joe's staff delivers meals to COVID unit nurses

A creative replacement for Galabration celebration at Plainfield school: St. Mary Immaculate taking the raffle concept to whole new level of fun

Lockport won’t be getting its ‘ducks lined up in a row’: Accessible artwork will help Lockport’s small businesses

LocalLit book review: ‘Soul Parole’ by Tommy Connolly: A stark, firsthand glimpse into the mind of a Christian in recovery

Channahon and #Minooka Knights of Columbus to host blood drive: The Knights hope over 100 units will be donated at this event

Edward Hospital answers your questions about COVID-19 vaccines: Get the facts on availability, safety, efficacy and more 

Mystery Diner: Joliet’s Old Fashioned Pancake House consistently serves up outstanding food: Family-owned restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week



Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."



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