Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 17 to Sept. 23

Good morning!

I have fifteen features and news stories to share with you today - and more not yet posted. So do check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news. 

This past spring, I also wrote an additional nineteen stories for a special "Thank You, Teachers," edition that will ran in print and online on May 5. You can check out all those stories at this link: https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/teachers/

I also wrote a three-part series on the impact of COVID on kids, which you will at the bottom of this blog.

We recently and unexpectedly euthanize our oldest cat. She had an amazing and somewhat mysterious life. You can read details here.

Also, please send up good thoughts/prayers etc. for Rebekah. She's had a challenging couple years, health-wise (especially the last twelve months). Her latest bloodwork was all over the place, more was ordered, and she now needs to see three specialists and have a stress test (as if she weren't stressed enough already). Of course, the insurance is taking its time approving some of these tests.

Rebekah is absolutely integral to the BryonySeries, not to mention our family. She oversees its all its financial aspects, handles all book production, manages two social media accounts, and is the go-to person at events. Plus, she's a wonderful person. We need her to feel much better soon.

We pulled back WriteOn Joliet's anthology from production to add a memorial page to one of our active members who died suddenly last week. We also lost two former members this year, one of whom was an original member. All three deaths were sudden. Please send up good thoughts/prayers for their families.

One the fiction side of things, I read through the first eighteen chapters of the second book in the BryonySeries "ruthless" trilogy by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara while Ed is working on the remaining chapters. 

Ed's feeling a bit discouraged because he wanted to release his second book by Calkins Day 2023 (Feb. 13). But as any creative person knows, good art doesn't always happen on our timetable. 

You can find Ed's first novel here.

Also, we recently released Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being. It's not available in the BryonySeries bookstore yet, or on Kindle yet,  but it is available on Amazon.

We also released Cornell Dyer and the Calcium Deficient Bones. It, too, is not available in the BryonySeries bookstore yet, or on Kindle yet,  but it is available on Amazon.

Next up in the series: a Sherlock Holmes parody (the main character is Sherman Homes), which has a solid outline. Sue Midlock is already working on the cover and the interior art: Sherman Homes and the Howls of Basketville.

And we also  released Call of the Siren (the second book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, with gorgeous cover art by Nancy Calkins). It, too, is not available in the BryonySeries bookstore yet, or on Kindle yet,  but it is available on Amazon.

I'm currently outlining the final book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy: House on Top of the Hill. 

And I'm also working on a guide book to the series called: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries.

And I'm also working on a novella. But I'm not sharing any details yet.

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

Rebekah has completed cover art for three of "Girls of the BryonySeries" books. They, too, are beautiful! One book in this series of eight books is completely written, a second should be ready for production this weekend, and the rest are outlined. 

We hope to release the first three books in this series at WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party in early December.

Rebekah is also working on updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those. 

Now back to the 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 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 on Twitter at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.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

Joliet senior hoping to beat brain cancer with an electrical field: Joan Quaresima: ‘If she stops wearing it, the cancer will most likely come back’

People of all ages celebrated pride at third Joliet PrideFest: The festival included nonprofits, live music, food and a variety of activities

Pets of the Week: Sept. 19, 2022; Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption.

Will County may see storms, damaging winds Sunday night: Summer-like conditions are forecasted for the remainder of the week.

3 men stabbed in Bolingbrook home Saturday night: The incident is being investigated.

2 houses struck by gunfire in Joliet on Saturday: No injuries were reported.

Multi-vehicle crash with injuries in Plainfield shut down part of Ridge Road on Friday: Everyone involved in the traffic crash refused medical treatment

Hundreds celebrate Latino music and food in downtown Joliet on Saturday.: The Latino Music and Food Fest was held the day after Mexican Independence Day.

Will County students may be without school bus service later this week due to strike threat: A possible bus driver walkout at First Student leaves some school districts, parents, figuring out how to transport students

Will County school buses will continue to roll following possible strike threat: Teamsters: ‘It’s a good contract, it’s a solid contract.’

Joliet school wins prestigious national award for the 2nd time: Eisenhower Academy was named a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School.

The Doug and Dave Show brings ‘Mass Confusion’ to Plainfield church: Doug Brummell: ‘I think it’s the most fun people will ever have learning about their faith’

Will County forest preserve to host live pelican presentation and exhibit grand opening on Saturday: Guided hikes include the pelican feeding and resting areas around the preserve.

5 Things to do in Will County: quilts, car shows, marching bands: Plus, a special presentation in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the 1957 disappearance of newspaperwoman Molly Zelko

Mystery Diner in Shorewood: Mark’s on 59 serves big flavor from small venueL Carryout wait times are short, too

Kids and COVID

COVID-19 didn’t leave kids unscathed: Aschinberg: ‘Like any negative social event, kids who are most at risk bear most of the brunt’

The pandemic was a lonely time for kids: Loss of in-school experiences, sports affected many youth on some level.

Facing the post-pandemic: ‘We know when something is off with our children’: Showing kids how to talk about feelings is a good first step toward protecting their mental health. 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"