Friday, October 27, 2023

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Oct. 14 to Oct. 27

 Good morning!

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

We have recently published two new BryonySeries books: "Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville" and "Karla Joins In." We don't have copies yet, but you can order them from Amazon. And we should have copies available at the Local Author Fair at the Downers Grove Library on November 4.

The fun and good will of Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash, which happened in August at The Book Market in Crest Hill, is continuing 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.\

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 this month.

Here is a quick recap of BryonySeries projects in progress:

The Fifth: This is the second novel by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, author of the BryonySeries novel Ruthless. He has sent me all chapters except one, which I hope to start editing the beginning of November. He is hoping we can release the book in time for Calkins Day on February 13, so I have my work cut out for me.

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 the 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 have a "Cornell breakfast" scheduled for Halloween morning.

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

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. Jennifer Wainwright has already started working on the cover portrait.

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

BryonySeries reference/guide book: "Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries." This book is more than two-thirds ready for formatting. I didn't finish it at this year's writers' retreat in mid-October. But if I can't release it in time for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Dec. 7 at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library, I'm hoping to have the proof copy to display.

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 in favor of completing the BryonySeries guidebook. We are estimating a late 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

Haunted Folklore: Growing up in Joliet’s haunted Allen House: The house ‘has its charms and it has its activities’

Witches or ghosts? ‘Hauntings’ in historic Lockport Runyon cemetery: Mary Lou Wohlstrom, paranormal expert: ‘It was the weirdest sensation’

Joliet Catholic school to host haunted house Friday and Saturday: Families can choose their ‘level of scare’ before they begin

These Will County haunted houses give you a real fright

Joliet boy with leukemia gets extreme room makeover: Jorgie Espinoza has battled leukemia since 2021

Joliet Central grad in elite group with perfect score in AP art exam: Janet Medina created very ‘personal’ artwork for the exam

Crest Hill yoga studio offering classes in American Sign Language: Monthly classes held

Will County’s Men Who Cook returns to aid Children’s Advocacy Center: Tickets now available

What’s cooking at Will County’s ‘Men Who Cook’ fundraiser?: All proceeds benefit the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center

Silver Cross NICU’s success story: Family thrives with triplets: More than 70 babies have received care at the unit

Joliet Junior College hosts 30-year celebration at Romeoville branch: The event includes drawings, giveaways, refreshments and trick-or-treating

Pets of the Week: October 16, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Pets of the Week: Oct. 23, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

The Local Scene: Friends of the Joliet Public Library book sale: Plus 4 more suggestions for enjoying your weekend

The Local Scene: Ready Set Ride’s Fall Festival in Plainfield: Plus 4 more suggestions for enjoying your weekend





Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

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