Friday, April 2, 2021

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 27 through April 2

Good morning! Woke up extra early today for an extra early meeting, so extra coffee is sounding like a great idea - starting at about now.

A few times a year, WriteOn Joliet (which meets the first and third Thursday or every month) and the 5 a.m. writers club (which meets at 4 a.m. CST every third Friday) are back to back. This week was one of those times, so the combination makes for a bleary Friday morning until my brain fully wakes up. But it's getting there!

On the workfront, I have eighteen stories to share with you today (at the end of this post). Plus, I have eight more that haven't psted yet, so be sure to check back later today at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

On the "editing for clients" front, I'm editing (of all things) a book about baseball history. Now, I scarcely know a baseball from a football, but, like many good books, the book really isn't about baseball at all - even though it is. 

Because what is the history of anything? It's facts, certainly, but it's memories and perceptions and the people who made the history. So it's really a fun read.

On the fiction front, I'm hoping to finish the first draft of Cornell Dyer and the Whispering Wardrobe this weekend. And Timothy is already creating the storyboard for the next two books, Cornell Dyer and the Miraculous Pot of Coffee and Cornell Dyer and the Calcium Deficient Bones. Sue Midlock will soon be very busy drawing (she does all the cover and interior artwork for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series).

In the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, the second book (Call of the Siren) is progressing very slowly, but it is progressing. Even more exciting is that the proof copy of the first book (The Phoenix) is scheduled to arrive Monday.

Of course, I'm hoping it really arrives on Saturday, so I can read through it this weekend. Otherwise, it may have to sit near the computer for a week or so, as I'm working next weekend.

But for now, I'm drowsing over a nearly empty cup of coffee. And I hope to sneak in a walk (or two) later today.

Now back to the eighteen feature stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too -

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

And have a great Friday!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

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

Each Sunday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks or will be featured in an upcoming cookbook.

Check out the recipe here.

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.

How about a week of birds, bikes, fishing and fungi?

New Lenox caterer and food truck opens shared kitchen facility: Owners of Smokin’ Z BBQ has space available for rent at Cookin’ Z Kitchen

Photos: A look inside a new shared-use commercial kitchen in New Lenox

No deal for Seneca man on long-running game show: Robert Anselme will appear on virtual wall of ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ on Tuesday and in April

Pets of the Week: March 29: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

An Extraordinary Life: ‘She always said she wanted to marry a farmer – and she did’: Born and raised in Joliet, Cecelia Dollinger helped manage farms in Plainfield, Channahon

Carol Turney stood by her man and 1 police organization is thankful: Illinois Fraternal Order of Police recognizes Joliet woman’s ‘selfless dedication’ 

Joliet, Plainfield students earn awards at 2021 SPC Journalism Championship: Here are the winners from District 202 and District 204 

Joliet mission has new registration date for ‘Jump on the Bus’: Register for school supplies on June 9 

Sensory friendly and fully accessible: Will County Health Department held special needs vaccine clinic on Saturday

Dirksen school in Joliet chooses student council: Members recently held toy drive for Joliet mission 

100+ Women Who Care of Will County donate $6,000 to 4 K.I.D.S. Sake

LocalLit book preview: Hogan’s Hope is not just another book about dogs: Retired teacher taught rescue dalmatian American Sign Language

Silver Cross Hospital opens new heart care center: Hospital holds virtual celebration on Wednesday 

CEO Watts will end 40-year YMCA career in Joliet: Greater Area Joliet YMCA begins search for new chief executive officer 

Ridge Elementary teacher will be 1st assistant principal at Wallin Oaks: Jennifer Lewis will serve next year at new D. 202 elementary school

‘It really truly was like everything just stopped, time just stopped’: Video series depicts impact of COVID-19 on #Plainfield School District 202

An in-person, self-guided cross walk for Good Friday: Frankfort camp and resort to hold annual, all-age event



Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."




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