Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, July 3 through July 9

Good morning!

Despite a four-day work week, I have twenty-three feature stories to share with you today - with another six that haven't posted to The Herald-News website yet, so watch for them over the weekend.

Eight of the stories are grouped together as a series on how COVID-19 affected eight local nonprofits, which was one of the last set of stories I finished before I ducked out of work for my second COVID shot.

I'm currently working on another big project but that won't publish for at least another month. And, sorry to say, I did very little on that project this past week. Crossing my fingeres for next week, but next week is my birthday week, and I'm taking a little time off there, too. 

I'll be fully vaccinated on my actual birthday, so before those Delta numbers go up and things shut down again, I'm heading out to see people I haven't seen in more than a year. 

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 is now live in print and Kindle. Buy it here on Amazon and buy it here from the BryonySeries store.

I co-wrote the next Cornell Dyer story with Rebekah. It's called Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being," and I felt well enough on Sunday to finish the book (I slept most of Friday and Saturday).

I've handed it off to her to read, to make sure my expansion of the story followed her original one. My artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer is recovering from surgery, so she won't be able to illustrate it yet. So we'll just have to start another book while we wait!

For instance, Timothy has Cornell Dyer and the Calcium-Deficient Bones mentally worked out, and we are planning to outline it this month, he promised. Crossing my fingers!

And then, for down the road, Sarah had a crazy dream that sounded perfect for An Adventure of Cornell Dyer mystery. Bur she wants time to draw some sketches, a map, and write the "rules." It's called Cornell Dyer and the House of Broken Portals.

I'm hearing rumors that Bertrand the Mouse might be reincarnated soon - maybe by my sixtieth birthday in two weeks? n the meantime, Bertrand's Uncle Bartie is in town to help find his mischievous little nephew.

The first book in the new BryonySeries Limbo trilogy The Phoenix is now available in the BryonySeries store and also on Amazon in print and Kindle.

I'm currently working on tons of character outlines for all the new characters in the second book of the Limbo trilogy: Call of the Siren. Unless inspiration hits, I will probably finish those before I return to any actual writing of this book. Cover art is by Nancy Calkins, which is framed and sitting on my dresser, ready for the move.

Because, yes, my famly and I are moving in just a few weeks. 

I also have an artist for a "Girls of the BryonySeries" series for tween girls, a series Sarah suggested to me a decade ago. The first cover is in progress (the biggest problem was finding someone who could do portraits well), and I've outlined several books. 

Now back to the twenty-three 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 page. We'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: Plainfield animator had a passion for helping others with his skills: Keith Folk owned home computers before many people had heard of them 

Joliet family still needs handicap ramp 6 years later: Homebound daughter died while waiting for one. Now her father has the same need.

New Lenox gives transformational gift to Silver Cross Hospital - again :Tom and Michele Vana give undisclosed amount in support of new NICU, which will be named for the couple’s triplets  

Pets of the Week: July 5: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Joliet, Plainfield Lions hosting fundraisers in July and August: Proceeds benefit charities the Lions support

Morris Hospital recognizes its employees who are ‘fire starters’: In early civilizations, fire starters were individuals who had the important job of keeping the flame alive, Morris Hospital said

Braidwood man builds driveable Navy destroyer in honor of his uncle and to help charities: Joseph Vercellotti is a Korean War veteran and a ‘real American hero,’ nephew said

Plainfield teen’s illustration of World War II veteran a winner: Morgan Wanek won for her age group in Ecolab art contest 

Joliet kids need clothing, home goods and personal care products: G.W. Buck Boys & Girls Clubs of Joliet and Cricket Wireless hosting collection through July 6

5 Things to do in Will County: yoga, a trip to 1940 and plenty of music: This weekend: get in shape, get in tune and go back in time

Plainfield church to host COVID-19 vaccine clinic Saturday and Sunday: Clinic is for 1st dose, ages 12 and up 

Need to see a doctor after hours? No problem: Edward-Elmhurst Health opens walk-in clinic in Crest Hill 

Lockport’s 2021 Downtown Streetscape Project begins Wednesday: The project includes sections of 9th Street and State Street in Lockport

Lockport adds new collection program from Waste Management: Residents can access the program in just 3 steps

COVID AND NONPROFITS SERIES

COVID-19 affected Will County nonprofits in unique ways. Here’s how Easter Seals Joliet Region addressed it: 8 nonprofits share how they survived, met the increased need and challenges in 2021 

COVID-19 affected Will County nonprofits in unique ways. Here’s how the Boys and Girls Club in Joliet addressed it: 8 nonprofits share how they survived, met the increased need and challenges in 2021 

COVID-19 affected Will County nonprofits in unique ways. Here’s how Guardian Angel Community Services in Joliet addressed it: 8 nonprofits share how they survived, met the increased need and challenges in 2021 

COVID-19 affected Will County nonprofits in unique ways. Here’s how Hearts With Compassion in Minooka addressed it: 8 nonprofits share how they survived, met the increased need and challenges in 2021

COVID-19 affected Will County nonprofits in unique ways. Here’s how the Spanish Community Center in Joliet addressed it: 8 nonprofits share how they survived, met the increased need and challenges in 2021 

COVID-19 affected Will County nonprofits in unique ways. Here’s how Stepping Stones Treatment Center in Joliet addressed it: 8 nonprofits share how they survived, met the increased need and challenges in 2021

COVID-19 affected Will County nonprofits in unique ways. Here’s how Trinity Services in New Lenox addressed it: 8 nonprofits share how they survived, met the increased need and challenges in 2021 

COVID-19 affected Will County nonprofits in unique ways. Here’s how Will County Children’s Advocacy Center in Joliet addressed it: 8 nonprofits share how they survived, met the increased need and challenges in 2021 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."