Friday, August 9, 2024

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 3 to Aug. 9

 Good morning!

I have thirteen stories to share with you today with stories posting over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Currently, I am also writing two more stories just for print. One is called "Eye on Enterprise" and it runs on Wednesdays. The other is a print version of "5 Things to do," which is slightly different from the online version.

"Eye on Enterprise" is a roundup of local business development, as wells as businesses that are opening or closing.

People outside our coverage area and those who don't subscribe to a physical newspaper should know The Herald-News also has an e-edition. This is an e-version of the print publication with virtual pages that actually turn.

You can access The Herald-News e-edition here: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/enewspaper.

In the BryonySeries world:

If you missed this week's recaps, be sure to read BryonySeries at Bicentennial Park and WriteOn Joliet at Kidz Fest.

Also, our BryonySeries hand-dyed tie dyed shirts are available for a limited time at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

Next week, BryonySeries will be part of the WriteOn Joliet quarter at New Orleans North in Joliet on Aug. 16 and Stuff on Bluff at Bicentennial Park on Aug. 7, also in Joliet. More information coming next week.

I had one day off this week (Tuesday), my first day off in a week and a half. I managed to edit one chapter in :House on Top of the Hill" and part of a second chapter before leaving for a wake, the second wake in under a week.

At the same time my twenty-month-old grandson was in the ER earlier that day for the second day in a row. So I did my best to relax and stay focused during the in-between times. The distraction was nice, too.

BryonySeries books-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, with all nine chapters that are ready for final edits. I've done some minor editing since the at-home writing retreat, I should be able to finish the nine at the next at-home writing retreat. We are estimating a late 2024 release date for this book.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: No updates here in a very long time, mostly because Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). However, I outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.

Timothy said his concept for the next book in the actual series 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 is hoping 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, LONG, LONG overdue.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and 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. I've neglected this book for a few months and hope to revisit it soon. We'd like to release it in late 2024, but 2024 has been a challenging year. We shall see.

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.

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very 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 twenty-one 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

Merichka’s in Crest Hill now selling its house dressing at Berkot’s grocery stores

Joe Zdralevich III, Merichka’s co-manager: ‘This was a long time coming’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/08/06/merichkas-in-crest-hill-now-selling-its-house-dressing-at-berkots-grocery-stores/

Joliet City Center Partnership: Here to help new businesses in downtown Joliet

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/08/07/joliet-city-center-partnership-here-to-help-new-businesses-in-downtown-joliet/

Joliet Public Library premieres its new outreach van

JPL On-the-Go will bring services to those without access to the library

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/08/02/see-joliet-public-librarys-new-outreach-van-at-saturdays-kidz-fest/

Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox hosts first NICU reunion

Dr. Corryn Greenwood, NICU medical director: ‘It’s so amazing to see how our babies are thriving’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/08/05/new-lenox-silver-cross-hospital-hosts-1st-nicu-reunion/

Owner of new Joliet vintage store says downtown an ideal location for business

Emily Brzycki of Black Cat Curiosities said downtown Joliet is experiencing a resurgence

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/08/05/downtown-joliet-ideal-location-for-new-vintage-store/

Lockport Fire Fest showcases some local history along with music, food and tours

Attendees will see ‘what a vibrant community looks like’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/08/08/lockport-fire-fest-showcases-some-local-history-along-with-music-food-and-tours/

Plainfield road closures coming Saturday as village hosts cycling race

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/07/31/plainfield-hosting-competitive-bike-race-on-saturday/

New pancake restaurant opens in Plainfield

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/08/03/new-pancake-restaurant-in-plainfield/

New Lenox Trinity Services seeking memorabilia for 75th anniversary

Trinity Services began as a small school for children with developmental disabilities

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/08/03/new-lenox-trinity-services-seeking-memorabilia-for-75th-anniversary/

Young woman seriously injured in ATV crash Sunday in Joliet

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/08/05/young-woman-seriously-injured-in-atv-crash-sunday-in-joliet/

2 people shot Saturday in Lockport Township

Police: Gunfire came from unknown vehicle that fled the area

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/08/05/2-people-shot-saturday-in-lockport-township/

Will County Pets of the Week: Aug. 5, 2024

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/08/05/will-county-pets-of-the-week-aug-5-2024/

5 Things to Do in Will County: Annual Joliet Blues Festival

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/08/08/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-6th-joliet-blues-festival/


 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

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