Friday, September 22, 2023

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 16 to Sept. 22

Good morning!

Today I'm sharing eleven 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.

And on the BryonySeries side of writing, Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville is available for purchase on Amazon as of 5:42 a.m. this morning. Or buy a signed copy at BryonySeries events this fall. Stay tuned!

I don't have any updates on the WriteOn Joliet radio play recording, which we recorded at digital media center at the downtown branch of the Joliet Public Library in the beginning of August/

WriteOn Joliet almost finished editing the radio play that eight members (including me) presented at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet on April 22.and at the Joliet Public Library on Sept. 9.

But one reading needs re-editing, which I hope to schedule soon (if we can just stop have emergencies!).

I also hope to share good news relating to Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash, which happened in August at The Book Market in Crest Hill. I missed the fun because I was in the hospital. But we are extending the birthday celebration into the fall - and that should start this week. Stay tuned again!

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, two chapters that are ready for final edits, and a prologue that is taking an interesting turn. Writing on this book is paused until I finish Karla and the BryonySeries guidebook. We are estimating a 2024 release date.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: 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 nearly done with 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. Writing on this is also paused ibn favor of completing the BryonySeries guidebook. 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

Joliet couple exhibiting artwork at The Strange & Unusual Gallery: Christine Nordstrom, gallery owner: ‘It’s just a very juxtaposed show’

Power restored to Joliet’s Rialto, Kevin James show will goon Thursday

(I also wrote a story announcing the power outage. But that story seems to have disappeared from The Herald-News website)

Joliet Noon Lions announce student poster winners: Both winners attend Washington Junior High School in Joliet

John Mulaney, Pete Davidson coming to Joliet’s Rialto Square Theatre: Tickets go on sale Tuesday.

Joliet Schools District 86 students receive bags of books donation: Each student in preschool through sixth grade received eight books

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

Taste of Lockport spotlights local eateries, benefits District 205 programs: The event features 12 local food vendors

Joliet Rotary’s raffle tickets on sale, chance to win ‘generous prizes’

Silver Cross expanding Homer Glen emergency center

Pets of the Week: Sept. 18: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

5 Things to do in Will County: Joliet PrideFest is Saturday: Plus 4 more suggestions for enjoying your weekend



Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"


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