Friday, September 3, 2021

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 28 through Sept. 3

Good morning!

I havetwenty-three stories to share with you today and quite a few not yet posted, so watch for them over the long weekend.

Quiet a bit has changed on the fiction front, so here is a quick recap.

We have another book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series to share (Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being, co-written by Rebekah, who also needs surgery now). Our artist Sue Midlock is currently working on the chapter heading illustrations. Timothy saw her last night and said the drawings are about halfway done.

Sue is recovering nicely now from that surgery but may have another issue, ugh! So please keep the good thoughts coming. 

Timothy and I had outlined Cornell Dyer and the Calcium-Deficient Bones and I hope to complete the first draft this weekend. We have another breakfast scheduled for tomorrow - hopefully - to work on another Cornell Dyer story. This one is another parody and features a character named Sherman Homes.

A few weeks back, Sarah had a crazy dream that sounded perfect for An Adventure of Cornell Dyer mystery. But she wants time to draw some sketches, a map, and write the "rules." It's called Cornell Dyer and the House of Broken Portals.

Bertrand the Mouse has returned, and you can read about it herehere, and here

I created quite a few character outlines for all the new characters (and returning minor characters who now have secondary or major role) in the second book of the Limbo trilogy: Call of the Siren. I've written the first and last line for every chapter and become more granular on the outlines. 

Since I'm not going to Raleigh this year AGAIN (I'm so bummed), I'm planning two at-home writing retreats with my vacation time and want to make good use of that time as we'd like to release the book in 2022. The first writing retreat is the week Rebekah has surgery. 

The writing retreat starts on an odd day off, then I work four days through the weekend and then I will be off. I have my writing homework outlined and ready for me to get started.

I also have in my possession the first piece of completed cover art for the "Girls of the BryonySeries" series for tween girls. It's beautiful and it shows that artist Jennifer Wainright can draw anything from werewolves to portraits! She was working on art for the next two books (I have eight planned in all) - until she was in a bad motorcycle accident. Please send up good thoughts for her, too!

I have one "Girls of the BryonySeries" book ready for editing, a second in progress, and some really skeletal outlines for the rest. So I'm not lacking in projects, just time - but I have three days this weekend and intend to make good use of them. 

Now back to the twenty-three 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

Getting all people vaccinated - that’s the mission of this Joliet resident: RJ Barry-Ethridge is a COVID Ambassador for the state of Illinois

LocalLit book preview: All you need is another Beatles book - yes, really: Joliet history professor published book focusing on Fab Four’s time in Chicago

Nursing was her dream – until she decided not to get the COVID-19 vaccine: CNA from #Joliet nursing home refuses COVID vaccine and tells why

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

Morris Hospital physical therapist is a ‘professional who gets the best therapy results’: Renee Joder honored as Morris Hospital’s Fire Starter of the Month

Trinity Services recognized for 10 recent advances to help people with developmental disabilities and mental illness: 2021 International Business Awards honors New Lenox nonprofit with a Stevie Award 

Pets of the Week: Extra: Here’s an extra edition of dogs and cats for adoption by Will County rescues

LocalLit book review: recovering addict offers advice about achieving goals: ‘Body. Mind. Beatdown.’ is a concise, no-nonsense guide to making your dreams come true

An Extraordinary Life: Athlete’s family paying it forward in his name on Sept. 12: Rick Baranak of Shorewood was ‘the type of person you get to meet once in a lifetime’ 

Joliet Central’s classes of 1989-1991 to host combined reunion: Special incentives for early registration 

HRSA grant will help Joliet university prepare nursing educators: Goal: reduce nursing faculty shortage, address health disparities 

From teen entrepreneurs to young adults with a downtown storefront: Joliet Kreamers is the place to buy, sell or trade your sneakers

Morris Hospital, Silver Cross post daily COVID numbers: Morris Hospital also breaks down cases by vaccination status 

As COVID cases rise, need for blood rises, too: Here’s where to donate in Will County this September

New police chief for the village of Frankfort: Board approved Leanne Bender-Chelep for role

Protect forests and natural resources as a USDA wildland firefighter: The USDA Forest Service Eastern Region has 14 openings

Morris Hospital changing visitor guidelines due to rising COVID cases: Changes were effective Friday, Aug. 27

Edward Hospital’s tiniest preemie is now a senior at Plainfield Central: Zoe Koz’s earliest days were filled with ‘tubes and wires and machines’

5 Things to Do in Will County: End of summer fun includes festivals, luau, Labor Day party: For some quiet fun, check out an unique exhibit of historical buildings

Use Labor Day weekend to plan your fall colors: Will County Inside/Outside Guide offers suggestions for enjoying your weekend

10 opportunities to chase away loneliness in kids: Angelic Kindness donated Buddy Benches to 10 schools around VVSD District 365U 

Joliet club for students receives WiFi-connected Lift Zone: Lift Zone also will help the G.W. Buck Boys & Girls Club of Joliet extend its programs and services

Black pastor and photographer delivers stirring pro-vaccination message: Nolan McCants’ ‘Stillness’ video is part of the Arts Alliance Illinois’ ‘Vax to Get Back’ project 



Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."


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