Friday, May 31, 2024

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 25 to May 31

Good morning!

Today I start the last three days of first at-home writing retreat of 2024 - and I have six stories to share with you today. More stories will post over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

It's been a busy BryonySeries week: we've released TWO new books.

Bertrand the Mouse has a new book, just in time for summer.

And we also released "A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods," which is, well, interesting. The story is part journey, part lyrical novelette. Here is its back cover summary:

You place the snowy candle in the center of your palm and hold it high.
You gaze across the bubbly foam over the azure lake.
And you take the first step to
Who you are
What you lost
And why all your magic can’t bring it back

"A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods" is currently available on Amazon.

Next week will be a "recap week."

I will share some post-event thoughts about "Fragments of Time," WriteOn Joliet's second annual radio-style performance, which was held at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in April 21 and April 22.

I will recap "Ye Olde Mayfest," , also held at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre May 18 and May 19.

Finally, I will share my thoughts about the Joliet Public Library's first Local Author Fair in more than a decade, which was held April 27.

The Herald-News published its "Thank You, First Responders" at the beginning of May, where most of the publication was dedicated to stories about first responders in our community. I was very honored to be part of this project and have seven stories to share.

Finally, here is an update on my BryonySeries book projects:

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book, with nearly half that are ready for final edits. I hope to get through chapter fifteen on next week's writing retreat. Wish me luck! We are estimating a late 2024 release date for this book.

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 are also working on the last book in the series (but it's not the final book, if that makes sense). Timothy is actually writing that one. In order to make progress on any of this, Timothy and I need to schedule a "Cornell breakfast." But Timothy and Daniel are very busy with work and school right now. We've scheduled and broke several Cornell breakfasts in 2023 and 2024. Our last one was July 2022. So we are LONG overdue.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. The first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, has already started working on the cover portrait. The fifth book is called "Brainy Ann."

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 the frontispiece for Lycanthropic Summer.

Congratulations, Jennifer, on the new addition to your family!

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.

And finally...

Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, has sent me more than a dozen chapters to edit for his third book in his Ruthless trilogy. His first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."

Now back to The Herald-News stories 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 haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeriesyoutube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

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

Morris veteran wants to inspire patriotism in next generation: James McElroy: ‘I’m proud of my service’

Cicadas fly into Will County outdoor summertime programming: Cicada themes are everywhere, from crafts to T-shirts

Plainfield observance honored ‘fallen heroes’ on Memorial Day: Plainfield just one of many Will County communities to honor those who served

Civil engineers bring competitive activity to Gompers Junior High in Joliet: Students need to learn ‘they are capable of great things’

Pets of the Week: May 27, 2024: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Local Scene: Star Wars Day in Joliet: Here are 5 things to do this weekend

THANK YOU, FIRST RESPONDERS

Joliet Dr. Adnan Hussain stresses ‘care’ for patients and providers

Morris Hospital’s Dr. Sean Atchison cares about people

Joliet EMS coordinator Leslie Livett keeps humanity inpatient care: Livett: ‘We do great things for the community’

ER team at Silver Cross New Lenox puts patients first in often chaotic environment: Jill Pateros, Silver Cross: ‘Their dedication to patientcare is just incredible’

Morris Hospital ER nurse cares about patient outcomes: Vanessa Read: ‘It’s the best feeling to know you’re part of saving someone’s life’


Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

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