Friday, April 8, 2022

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 2 to April 8

Good morning!

I have just twelve feature stories to share with you today and a few yet posted. So do check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news. Not only have I been sick this week 9not COVID), I'm also working on two big projects that are also taking up some time.

Here's what I wrote last week:

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).

Well, by Friday afternoon, Rebekah and I realized we were both sick. And so we spent the weekend curled up with blankets and watching "Hill House" and "Bly Manor" - both of which Daniel had already watched and loved and really wanted us to find time to see. And so...

However, I finished the drafts and initial edits of the remaining chapters of Call of the Siren on Sunday. They need more because I wasn't at the top of my focus, but I have all of tomorrow with no interruptions to work on those - or, at least, that's the goal from this morning's point of view.

And then on Sunday, I will finish the first round of edits for a client.

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 twelve 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

Silver Cross invites community to ‘celebrate new beginnings’ at its baby shower April 28: Proceeds will benefit its proposed neonatal intensive care unit 

Pets of the Week: April 4: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption.

Joliet university offering summer program for students interested in teaching careers: High school students who have completed their sophomore year may apply.

Troy teacher receives marriage proposal while reading online to her students: Ryan’s students wondered when Ryan’s boyfriend would propose. They soon found out.

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

Providence Catholic H.S. to host Hall of Fame Dinner on Friday: The New Lenox high school will induct 8 honorees into its Green & White Hall of Fame 

Mystery Diner: East-side Knights serve up some of the best fish in Joliet: Don’t like fish? Then try one of the Knights’ chicken dinners 

Lockport gallery seeks entries for 2022 photography competition: Entries for Gallery Seven’s Open Lens XII due by April 30

CITGO donates $5,000 to Silver Cross Hospital’s new NICU: The New Lenox hospital plans to open the level 3 neonatal intensive care unit this spring 

5 Things to do in Will County: Easter egg hunts for kids and adults, STEM Fest 2022: Plus, enjoy a British romantic farce at Joliet West H.S. and comedy and Dave Landau and Peppa Pig Live! at the Rialto in Joliet

Bolingbrook principal named 2022 Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year: Keith Wood: ‘I consistently promote a culture of high expectations where students are expected to learn and grow’ 

Registration open for NAMI’s BeActive 5K and Yoga Cool-down event on June 11: Main focus is to raise awareness of the importance of mental health





Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"



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