Friday, September 15, 2023

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 9 to Sept. 15

Good morning!

Today I'm sharing twelve features and news stories today with more stories being posted over weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Yesterday afternoon, the Joliet Public Library had a bomb threat, which I helped report on. But the police gave the all-clear, and WriteOn Joliet still held its first open mic in more than three years inside the Book and Bean Cafe, which is inside the library.

WriteOn Joliet also returned to the digital media center at the downtown branch of the Joliet Public Library in the beginning of August to (in theory) finish editing the radio play we presented at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet on April 22.

But when we did the final editing, we realized one reading didn't save and another part was missing. So we still need to finish that up.

Seven of us also presented the WriteOn Joliet radio play at the Joliet Public Library on Sept. 9.

With August being a "hospital month" for me, I missed Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash. If you missed it, too, please check out the recap on this blog.

And stay tuned! For we are extending the birthday celebration a bit. More on this later.

Here is a quick recap of BryonySeries projects in progress:

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and two chapters that are ready for final edits. We are estimating a 2024 release date.

Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville: This Sherlock Holmes parody just needs some some formatting adjustments. The goal is to release it in time for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Dec. 7 at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library.

Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We hope to schedule a "Cornell breakfast" soon.

You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon

Karla Joins In: The fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series. Eleven of the twelve chapters are completed and ready for final editing. Jennifer Wainright is working the cover. The goal is to release it in time for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Dec. 7 at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library.

Jennifer designed the covers for Julie and the Too-Hard Homework, Katie and the Big Fear, and Summer Sisters, as well as frontispiece for Lycanthropic Summer. I can't wait to see her "Karla" illustration.

BryonySeries reference/guide bookWelcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries. I'm slowly pecking at this. The goal is to release it in time for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Dec. 7 at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library.

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. Half of it is written and edited and another half is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. We are estimating a 2024 release date.

Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do 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 Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

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 and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every 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 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/X at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeriesyoutube.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

Police respond to bomb threats at Joliet, Bolingbrook libraries

 Channahon memorial for ‘forgotten warriors’ honoring those lost to PTSD: Michael Tellerino, founder: ‘We just want people to come out and honor these families’

UCP-Center for Disability Services in Joliet has new executive director: Brian Patel said his role is more calling than career

Joliet Junior College Foundation marks 50th year, names 4award winners: The recipients will be recognized at the foundation’s 50th anniversary celebration

Will County communities honor lives lost on 9/11

Get your Will County craft fair event in our Herald-News listing

Joliet university hosting Irish folk singer Aoife Scott in concert: Elizabeth McDermott, USF: ‘We’re all about music and we’re all about the arts’

Joliet church celebrating 150th year with songs, historic tour: Jake Bradley, pastor: ‘God has been faithful to us, We, in turn, want to be faithful to God’

2 Joliet parishes join together for procession, feast day celebrations: The event is open to the community

Historic Joliet Cathedral neighborhood to host wine walk Sunday: Tickets available up to event day.

Pets of the Week: Sept. 11, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

5 Things to do in Will County: Old Campground Flea Market inNew Lenox: Plus 4 more suggestions for enjoying your weekend


 

 




Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"


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