Friday, April 1, 2022

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 26 to April 1

 Good morning!

I have seventeen feature stories to share with you today and about half a dozen or so not yet posted. So do check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

I can't recall the last time I welcomed Friday with such glee. I worked straight through last weekend and took Monday off because Sarah was in town for the weekend and leaving Monday afternoon. So I was thankful to spend some time with family.

And then midweek took a dive with a major family emergency. 

So I am especially happy to spend some extended period of time with the last two chapters of Call of the Siren and then tackle some of the more nuanced aspects of its editing (most of has gone through hard edits).

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. Both Rebekah and our artist Sue Midlock have gone through health issues this past year, which has caused publication delays. But I'd rather have delays and healthy collaborators. Please send up good thoughts for them both.

Next up in the series: a Sherlock Holmes parody (the main character is Sherman Homes). Timothy is ready for a Cornell breakfast to share his ideas. He and I just need our time off schedules to sync. But that won't be this week as he is leaving this morning for a week-long business trip out of state. 

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. 

Now back to the seventeen 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 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

Troy 30-C school board recognizes January 2022 Students of the Month: Students selected for their consistent effort, productive citizenship, positive attitude and participation in class

Joliet West H.S. interp team went to IHSA state finals this past weekend: The team previously earned 2nd place for its performance of ‘Hercules

Challenge team at Plainfield H.S.–Central Campus makes school history: The team is heading to state competition for the 1st time ever

Joliet theater to feature play about 4 women from the Radium Watch Factory in Ottawa: Performances are Thursday and Friday at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre

Baran-Unland: Do you know Peggy Georgevitch?: I’ve had her scrapbook for almost 20 years. It’s time the binder goes back to her.

USF in Joliet will host blood drive on April 8: Donors must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test 

An Extraordinary Life: Manhattan man raising awareness for living donors in wife’s memory: Kathy Malone ‘just focused on life.’ 

Pets of the Week: March 28: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption.

St. Joe’s payroll woes continue more than 3 months after ransomware attack: Some nurses at this Joliet hospital are either underpaid or having checks garnished for overpayments

5 Things to Do in Will County: Learn about area coyotes and white-tailed deer: Also, enjoy a U2 tribute band, classical piano works, live theater and flashlight egg hunt

Attend Joliet Catholic Academy’s Jubilate in-person or vitually on Saturday: The Kentucky Derby-themed event will be begin at 6 p.m. Buy tickets now. 

Morris Hospital recognizes radiation oncologist for her compassion: Dr. Suzan Cheng: ‘It’s important that we make patients feel welcome, known, and heard’ 

Manhattan fitness club to host blood drive on Saturday: The blood drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 540 W North St. in Manhattan.

Plainfield ‘citizen scientist’ monitors stream health at Midewin by collecting aquatic insects: Jim Pustz: “We’ve become little stewards of the waterway there.” 

Annual ‘Fishing for a Cure’ set for April 30 at Braidwood Lake in Braceville: Proceeds will benefit Advocate Children’s Hospital.

Sunshine Nutrition to host grand opening April 3: New Lenox venue will offer healthy shakes, smoothies and teas

Plainfield church to exhibit replica of Shroud of Turin Saturday and Sunday: St. Mary Immaculate Parish invites the community to study the evidence and reflect on Jesus’ passion 




Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"




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