Friday, December 3, 2021

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Nov. 27 through Dec. 3

Good morning!

I have just eighteen features stories to share with you today and quite a bit more that will be posted over the weekend (I'm working through the weekend), so do watch for them.

Also, if you haven't read the post on "Books and Bombs," now is a good time - especially if you like books, gifts, chocolate, free stuff, etc. 

And now, an update on my fiction projects.

I am currently re-reading my scribbled first draft for Call of the Siren (the second book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy) and starting to color in the lines. I'm anticipating a late spring publication date, but progress is slow, so we shall see. 

Barring the unforeseen, we do plan to publish the book in 2022. Rebekah already has the cover ready to go.

Sue Midlock has completed the art for Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical Being" (cover looks great, by the way) and I'm hoping she can begin art soon for Cornell Dyer and the Calcium Deficient Bones. 

Timothy has also scheduled (and canceled) a couple of "Cornell" breakfasts to start working on the next book, a Sherlock Holmes parody (the main character is Sherman Homes) as life has gotten in the way for us. But we will get to it soon - before Christmas, as he promises.

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 herehere, and here

Jennifer Wainright (frontispiece artist for Lycanthropic Summer) has completed two portraits for  "Girls of the BryonySeries" series for tween girls and is currently working on a third. The portraits are beautiful and it shows that artist Jennifer Wainright can draw anything from werewolves to portraits! 

And Rebekah Baran is working on cover art for two of "Girls of the BryonySeries" books. They are beautiful!

I currently have one book in the series completed, and I am working on the second, which I'll revisit this weekend when I'm off work. The rest of the books are outlined. The goal is to have three of the eight done before I release any of them.

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 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

Nominations open for the annual Sister Clare Award: University of St. Francis in #Joliet accepting nominations through Dec. 17

Plainfield Fire Protection District receives grant for new equipment: The IAW 2021 Firefighter Grant Program provides financial assistance to fire and emergency organizations in its service area

D-202 in Plainfield hosting madrigals, holiday music events: Food will not be served at any of the madrigal concerts this year 

193 Lockport Township High School students inducted into National Honor Society: LTHS hosted an induction ceremony for the students on Nov. 17.

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

An Extraordinary Life: Jay Henry was ‘the anchor of the faith in the family’: Former Herald-News district manager was known for his good character and inner strength

Are you going ‘gnome’ for the holidays?: Joliet park hosting 45th Festival of the Gnomes Saturday and Sunday 

Chris Finch honored as Morris Hospital Fire Starter for November: Finch has worked as a courier for the hospital for 18 years

Webinar on Wednesday commemorates Christmas ship, promotes forest health: Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie will host the program, registration required 

Gary Grizaffi receives award from Illinois Association of School Business Officials: Grizaffi is the assistant superintendent at Valley View Community Unit School District 365U. 

The New York Times featured #Joliet West alumnus’ crossword puzzle on Sunday: Shorewood native Jeff Kremer started building puzzles during the pandemic

Will County Habitat for Humanity dedicated 1st home in Elwood: The nonprofit currently has 2 duplexes under construction as well

2 New Lenox organizations receive donations from Friends of the New Lenox Parks: Recipients were the New Lenox Community Park District and the New Lenox Township Food Pantry 

USF’s Jonathan Wolf named a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois: Biology major at Joliet university has volunteered at Daybreak Center in Joliet and with the Miracle League of Joliet 

Blood donations still down, donors still needed: Here’s how to donate blood in December 

5 Things to do in Will County: 5 ways to get into the holiday spirit: Events include concerts, gnome festivals, craft shows and holiday open house

Shorewood retirement community donates $5,000 to Alzheimer’s Association: To date, The Timbers of Shorewood has donated a total of more more than $25,000 to the Alzheimer’s Association

Morris Hospital sees jump in number of COVID patients in 1 week: Grundy County Health Department is offering walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics 3 days a week through Christmas




Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"


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