Friday, June 18, 2021

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, June 12 through June 18

 Good morning!

I have twenty-one feature stories to share with you this morning - with another fifteen that haven't posted to The Herald-News website yet, so watch for them over the weekend.

I'm working on a couple big features projects today and Sunday, so the rainy weather in my part of the world is perfect for getting the words out.

Here's a quick summary of where I'm at, fiction-wise.

The next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer chapter book series: Cornell Dyer and the Whispering Wardrobe should be available for purchase this weekend at the earliest and beginning of next week at the latest.

I know I said that last week, but Rebekah had an especially busy week at work and didn't have time to finish the Wardrobe's Kindle. But we are nearly there, I think.

Timothy's been busy, too, so while I'm waiting to schedule a time to meet to outline Cornell Dyer and the Calcium-Deficient Bones, I have two other Cornell Dyer projects in the very early works.

One is a Cornell Dyer book I'm "sort of" co-writing with Rebekah. Many, many years ago, this dyslexic daughter of mine started her own Cornell Dyer and actually had about 4,000 words down. We read through it last weekend, and she laughed a lot at her choice of word spellings, etc.

That said, she's got some great stuff there, and we're even incorporating some of those spellings and turns of phrases into the book. It's called Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being, and I've did get a tiny bit of work on it last weekend - tiny because I did sleep away quite a bit of it (first COVID shot).

Also, Sarah had a crazy dream that sounded perfect for An Adventure of Cornell Dyer mystery. This one may take a while, but I've added it my list of projects for this year. And she is working on a couple drawings, the rules, and a map to go with it and help me out. It's called Cornell Dyer and the House of Broken Portals.

Bertrand the Mouse still has not come home. Sarah reached out to his "real mom" this past week to see if she can possible remake him. She has a lot of health issues, but she is going to try to make two - in case he runs off again.

The first book in the new BryonySeries Limbo trilogy The Phoenix is now available in the BryonySeries store

I'm hoping to get some work done on the second book of the Limbo trilogy - Call of the Siren - but because of the abundance of new characters and situations, I am pretty much starting from scratch, so progress is still very, very slow. But I'm hoping to peck at it a bit, if my energy allows it.

I scratched the surface of a new series in the BryonySeries this past weekend. It's an idea Sarah suggested to me over a decade ago. It's aimed at tween girls, so if you have a tween, are a tween, or will have a tween someday, this might interest you.

And if you missed it, I had a really nice review on Bryony recently and also one on Visage. Both are from the same reader, which is now also reading Staked!

Now back to the twenty-one 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.

FEATURES

Blood donors desperately needed - especially if you have type O blood: Here’s how you can donate locally 

Pets of the Week: June 14: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

WIC recipients will receive increased benefits this summer: Increase will help eligible families receive more fresh produce 

He’s just 6 but he’s already an honorary police officer and a superhero: Supporters planning car show in honor of #Channahon boy battling cancer

LocalLit book preview: a 40-year journey to forgiving the man that killed her friend: ‘Miracle: The Long Journey Home’ by Maureen Kincaid is a ‘personal narrative of tragedy and loss’

And the review is here.

D. 202 students in Plainfield earn Seal of Biliteracy, receive scholarships: Eight students earned the State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy, 23 students received scholarships 

LocalLit book review: an armchair journey into serenity: ‘Barns of Will County’ is well worth the look 

Nominations now open for Distinguished Alumni Award: The University of St. Francis plans to honor five alumni during its homecoming celebration this fall 

A virtual event on Monday for those who are grieving a father or father figure: Joliet hospice offering 2 opportunities for paying tribute this year 

Diocese of Joliet seeking  volunteers for medical/construction mission: Volunteers will spend 2 weeks in the Philippines in January 

A special program to help bring more teachers of color to Joliet schools: University of St. Francis announces the 3 latest recipients of its newest MERIT scholarship 

Nominations now open for Distinguished Alumni Award: The University of St. Francis plans to honor five alumni during its homecoming celebration this fall

A gift to foster lifelong friendship: Best Buddies at #Lockport Township High School received generous donation 

Taking time to honor those working behind the front lines: Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C recognizes its support staff

National quilt exhibit raises awareness of endangered species: Exhibit available at Forest Preserve District of Will County centers starting June 19

USF in Joliet to host unique summer camp for high school studentsCampers will study the architecture of 21st century music 

5 Things to do in Will County: fun, fundraisers and Father’s Day: Enjoy comedy, markets, music, open mic and food this weekend

From STEM to STEAM to art to food: Will County libraries offer a variety of activities: Will County Inside/Outside Guide offers tips for enjoying your weekend

Meet the Joliet seniors who earned a 4.00 grade point average or higher after 7 semesters: JTHS announces its 2021 summa cum laude graduates 

Cornerstone Services celebrated diversity at Wednesday’s #Juneteenth Friendship Festival: This was the first in-person gathering for Joliet nonprofit since the COVID-19 pandemic began 



Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."


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