Friday, January 29, 2021

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan 23 through Jan. 29

Good morning! What a busy week!

Nineteen stories to share with you this week plus one photo gallery by Herald-News photographer Geoff Stellfox, who braved the blustery weather on Wednesday to capture a vigil that law enforcement representatives held outside a hospital room for one of their own - a father of five who is battling severe COVID-19.

In addition, Rebekah is attending a two-day marketing conference for authors in my place, which is being hosted by someone from whom we've been following for a couple of years, taking his classes, etc.

She's jotted down some good ideas and received reinforcement that we've absorbed some of the material, so that's been useful.

This morning, I also attended a virtual discussion on revision at 4 a.m. (yes, you heard that right) as part of the 5 a.m. writers group on Twitter (the group is on the east coast). I'm actually surprised I made it. 

Last night I wound up with a migraine aura - haven't had one of those in a few years. But the resulting headache is nearly gone, and I'm, surprisingly, not that tired (migraines usually leave me sleepy).

Rebekah is planning to upload the final draft of Ed Calkins' "Ruthless" today, too. So unless KDP has any issues with it, Ed should be able to order copies this weekend.

Speaking of Ed and his book, don't forget to register for his book release party.

“Ruthless,” by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, is a work of absolute literary nonsense about the last seven seconds in the life of an Irishman and his afterlife as an Irish vampire, most of which never happened.

Calkins Day 2021 will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Calkins Day (Feb. 13, 2021) on Zoom. 

Real food and drink available if you bring your own ingredients. 

Calkins and his sidekick “The Goddess” will chat about author collaborations, how to legally  fictionalize a real person, literary nonsense. Irish vampires, deep time psychosis, and Astro-Time Physics.

He will also answer questions but doesn’t promise you’ll understand the answers. Calkins will also randomly give away three copies of “Ruthless.”

Local author and WriteOn Joliet co-leader Tom Hernandez will emcee. 

Chef Tim will give three demonstrations. Menu and ingredient list provided after registration.

Calkins Day is free. To register, visit bryonyseries.com/registerforcalkinsday.

Finally, if you'd like more kindness in your life, here are some reflections where you might find it: Nine Months of Kindness.

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.

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 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

An Extraordinary Life: ‘He wanted to make sure everyone was safe’ : Gordon Latz was a dedicated Joliet police officer and family man

Few dispute the need to protect seniors citizens from the SARS-CoV-2. But at what cost?: A year into the pandemic, here’s the effects of physical distancing on the elderly

Turning technology around ‘on a dime’: Despite challenges, Troy technology specialists keep remote learning running smoothly

Putting their money where their beliefs are: Will County lawyers offering unique scholarship to help promote diversity

LocalLit book spotlight: ‘With Only Seconds to Spare’: Story of how 1 family survived the 1990 Plainfield tornado will be reviewed in this week’s newsletter

LocalLit book review: A teen’s experience of the 1990 Plainfield Tornado: Thoughts on ‘With Only Seconds to Spare: How one family survived the 1990 Plainfield tornado’

Pandemic brought ‘opportunities for creativity and growth and inclusion’: Plainfield-based After the Peanut offering online tutoring in new partnership

Plainfield resident named BCBSIL ‘Volunteer of the Year’: Dominique Bryant spent nearly 285 hours in 2020 serving others

Up to snow good? We want to see it: Herald-News seeking submissions of your snow photos

Pets of the Week: Jan. 25: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Wilmington’s ‘free’ store runs on donations, volunteers and prayer: With pandemic protocols in place, Our Caring Closet continues to serve its clients

Seeing red because of face masks? Here’s what to do: Personal protective equipment great for slowing spread of COVID-19, terrible for your skin

In search of better protection from COVID? The answer’s in your dresser drawer: U of I research team found the best face mask – and CDC references its research

Braving the elements for one of their own: Will County law enforcement held vigil for Deputy Ken Kostecki

Photos: Vigil for Ken Kostecki: Will County deputy battling severe COVID

‘Something was going on with her kidneys. And they didn’t know what it was’: Joliet teen didn’t know she had rare genetic syndrome – and now she needs a kidney

Easy come, easy snow: Herald-News readers submit their best snow photos of the fierce winter storm that wasn’t

Students receive a tour of their school - finally: D. 202 in Plainfield phasing into in-person learning 

A showcase of creative abilities: JCA students display their work at 2 collegiate art exhibits 

Got cabin fever? Try these ‘remedies’ from Forest Preserve District of Will County: Check out fun outside and inside activities for this weekend and beyond


Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."



1 comment:

The Owl Laughed said...

Thank you for sharing thhis