Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 25 through Oct. 1

Good morning!

Despite a trip to the ER late Friday night, a second trip on Wednesday night, an appointment with a specialist on Thursday, and feeling a bit under the weather all week, I have eighteen stories to share with you today and a few not yet posted, so watch for them over the weekend.

Now my exercise workout has been a bit compromised, and I've accomplished very little fiction since my first at-home writing retreat of 2021 a couple weeks ago - although I (almost) wrapped up Cornell Dyer and the Calcium Deficient Bones last weekend (but it didn't need much).

So here are my weekend plans:

I'll reconnect with Call of the Siren (the second book in the Limbo series) tonight by reading through my previous work. And then I'll start working, in a very up close and granular way, on all the areas I've sectioned off. I have no timetable for getting this done because this is where the quality of the writing counts.

Sue Midlock, artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer is nearly down with the art for Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being, co-written by Rebekah, who has recovered very nicely from surgery), so I'm eager to pass along the art ideas for  Cornell Dyer and the Calcium-Deficient Bones (co-written by Timothy). 

However, Sue is still experiencing some issues from her surgery in June, so the art is coming along slowly. Please keep the good thoughts/prayers coming for Sue. 

Timothy is currently outlining another Cornell Dyer story. This one is another parody and features a character named Sherman Homes.

Sarah also 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 here, here, and here. 

Jennifer Wainright (frontispiece artist for Lycanthropic Summer) has completed two portraits for  "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 third book (I have eight planned in all and two in progress). Jennifer is also recovering from a motorcyle accident, so please send up good thoughts for her, too!

Now back to the eighteen 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

Pets of the Week: Sept. 20: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Pets of the Week: Sept. 27: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Haunted house at Old Joliet Prison opened Saturday with 2 attractions: Thirteenth Floor Entertainment says might be too scary for ages 12 and under 

Fox TV’s ‘The Big Leap’ premiered Monday with glimpses of Joliet theater: A number of scenes in Fox TV’s new show were filmed at the Rialto Square Theatre 

LocalLit book review: 5 books you should read now: A quick recap to 5 previously reviewed books that are worth a 2nd glance

Get free dental care in Romeoville on Oct. 15: Care is provided on a first-come, first-served basis

It’s not every day someone turns 105 - and this Joliet resident celebrated in style: Granddaughter said Gertrude Chandler also beat COVID-19

LocalLit book preview: adoptive mom tries to free son from abusive past: Plainfield author Betsy Naglich said ‘The Length of Our Staircase’ is based on true events

‘Have you considered donating blood?': Supplies of blood products at historic low, donors desperately needed 

The Joliet Franciscans elected and appointed new leaders — here’s who they are: Installation ceremony for the 6 sisters was Sept. 4

Worn out American flag? Give it the respectful retirement it deserves: Plainfield American Legion Marne Post 13 held ceremony on Sept 2. Here’s how to host your own.

Celebrate the changing of the seasons at a local pumpkin farm: Pumpkin patches, hay rides, corn mazes and haunted barns are some of the features you might see in Will County, Grundy County

Eat pizza on Wednesday and help a veteran: 4 Rosati cousins will celebrate their purchase of Rosati’s Pizza in Romeoville by donating 25% of sales on Wednesday to American Legion Post 52 

LGBTQ couple crowned homecoming king and queen at Plainfield South - or were they?: Despite their sashes and crowns, District 202 said Emily Novak and Gianna Pometta were named senior attendants

5 Things to do in Will County: Get creative, scared and entertained this weekend: Haunted events, scarecrow decorating and Shakespeare are some of the highlights

Head to your local library this weekend for plenty of free, fun activities: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Don’t miss these 2 events at Lewis University in Romeoville: Hear stories of transformation and forgiveness learn how scientists and engineers make sense of religion 

Have questions about Medicare? These volunteers can help: Morris Hospital is sponsoring local SHIP volunteers 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."