Friday, October 6, 2023

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 30 to Oct. 6

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.

The fun and good will of Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash, which happened in August at The Book Market in Crest Hill, will continue this fall at The Book Market in Crest Hill with a special display to help Santa distribute books to children and special needs adults this holiday season.

If you don't live near The Book Market and wish to donate one or more Bertrand the Mouse books to Santa, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Those in Joliet can get their BryonySeries reads all lined up for Halloween and beyond. Just pop into the BryonySeries tent from 5 to 11 p.m. Oct,. 7 at Panic in the Plaza, Van Buren Plaza, downtown Joliet.

And this Thursday, come out to the Book and Bean Cafe inside the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library. WriteOn Joliet is hosting a poetry open mic. Be entertained by local talent! And if you are a poet, sign up to read. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m.

No updates (yet) 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.

One section didn't save and needs to be re-edited. So I'm hoping to sneak back in then.

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: Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville is now available for purchase on Amazon. Or buy a signed copy at BryonySeries events this fall. Stay tuned!

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: Production on the fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is nearly completed. Hopefully we will receive a proof copy this week. Jennifer Wainwright did a terrific job with her portrait, to - and the cover Rebekah really showcases Karla's personality.

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 and hope to finish it during this year's writers' retreat in mid-October. 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’s Palmer Florist celebrates 100 years of a familybusiness

Joliet Boys & Girls Club welcomes new director, hosting open house: Chantel Gamboa eager to serve Joliet’s youth

Joliet girl wins ride to school on fire truck: The Joliet City Center Partnership offered the contest atits Kidz Fest

Sample brews at Joliet Cathedral neighborhood Beer Walk: Tickets available now for the 4th annual event

Plainfield Central High School to hold job fair on Thursday

Joliet District 86 celebrates school principals: It’s an opportunity to thank school principals for theirdedication

Plainfield celebrates community homecoming with 71st annualparade: The parade’s theme for 2023 was Toyland

Illinois State Police investigating death of Bolingbrook man

No injuries in 2-vehicle crash on I-80 Saturday night

Pets of the Week: Oct. 2, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

5 Things to do in Will County: Joliet’s ‘Panic at the Plaza’Halloween party: Plus 4 more suggestions for enjoying your weekend





Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

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