Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Feb. 19 through Feb. 25

 Good morning!

I have just sixteen feature stories to share with you today, despite only working three days this week (I worked through the weekend last week). So Friday rolled around quickly this week. 

Thank you to everyone who braved the winter weather to attend the "meet your local authors" program at the Joliet Public Library last night.

Duanne Walton, WriteOn Joliet's "intrepid videographer" recorded it. Several WriteOn Joliet members attended it. And several writers from the community came out, too, stayed for the entire program, and chatted to Tom and I after the formal part of the event had ended.

And we sold a few books, too, rounding out a pleasant evening. And one person who wants to be notified when Call of the Siren is published (I read an excerpt from that book last night).

On the fiction front, I'm still making nice progress on Call of the Siren. I have all but five (and part of a sixth) chapter edited, and I hope to have at least one more in good shape by the end of the weekend.

Call of the Siren is the second book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy). I'm anticipating a late spring publication date, with gorgeous cover art by Nancy Calkins.

We plan to release Cornell Dyer and the Calcium Deficient Bones and Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being very soon.

Rebekah simply needs to incorporate the edits in "'Mistical' Being" (we've gone through the proof) and she needs to format "Calcium Bones."

Timothy has also completed the outline for the next book in the series, a Sherlock Holmes parody (the main character is Sherman Homes). We were hoping to make some time for a "Cornell Breakfast" over the holidays, but that didn't happen - maybe next weekend? However, he did finish the bulk of his overhaul of the BryonySeries website. You can read more about that here.

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 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! 

Rebekah Baran has completed cover art for two of "Girls of the BryonySeries" books. They are beautiful! One book in this series of eight books is completely written, a second is halfway written, and the rest are outlined. 

Jennifer and I texted back and forth yesterday, and she is making good progress on the third cover art. I will start releasing this series when I have three completed books. 

Now back to the sixteen 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 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.

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

Ukrainian pastor inviting community to pray for peace Thursday night at his Joliet church: Rev. Mykola Bodnarchuk is ‘grateful to God’ for freedoms in the U.S.

Crest Hill plant store and ‘safe space’ to hold grand opening on Feb. 19: Features include hand-painted pots and plant pairings, painting classes and mental health awareness

Nurses union says some at St. Joe’s still not paid in full since Kronos ransomware attack: Union wants Joliet hospital to meet with nurses one-on-one to review pay

Kathy Whalen retires from Plainfield Park District after 21+ years of service: Shorewood resident has worked in parks and recreation for 36 years

Baran-Unland: How social media landed a friend in hot water: Here’s how one Will County resident received an outpouring of support

Pets of the Week: Feb. 21: Will County Rescues have dogs and cats for adoption.

An Extraordinary Life: Plainfield man ‘really had a deep love and affection for his hometown’: Jerry Taylor was a business owner, asst. fire chief, village board member and loyal friend and family man

Visitation and Aid Society of Joliet to host brunch May 1: The organization is more than 100 years old and continues to assist Will County residents.

D. 86 in Joliet announces its students of the month for January: Students at 13 buildings were recognized 

54 students from D. 204 in Joliet named Illinois State Scholars: Students recognized for their ‘exceptional academic achievement’

Mystery Diner in Joliet: Can’t decide what to order? Johnny’s Beef & Gyros has something for nearly everyone: Online ordering, catering and delivery options available at this Joliet venue

District 204 in Joliet announces its students of the month for February 2022: Service clubs honored ‘character, responsibility, and academic performance or improvement’

JTHS Foundation to host trivia event on March 13 in Joliet: Table reservations and event sponsorships are available. 

Morris Hospital to host community blood drive March 1: Donors will help replenish local blood supplies

5 Things to do in Will County near me: Girl Scout cookies, entertainment vintage faire And check out the ‘Will County Works: On the River’ on Thursday night, too. 

SHIP counselors available to help with Medicare Advantage Plan: Morris Hospital is the sponsor for the local Senior Health Insurance Program program

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"