The official blog of Denise M. Baran-Unland, author. Discover her books for all ages at bryonyseries.com.
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Friday, October 4, 2024
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 28 to Oct. 4
Good morning!
I have thirteen stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post with more stories going live over the weekend.
So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
But before the stories, I have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.
And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
Event Updates
The BryonySeries Back-To-School display is up at The Book Market. But we are transitioning to a Halloween display soon. So please do check it out.
We are also participating in three events (so far) this month
Oct. 12: Panic at the Plaza in downtown Joliet.
Oct. 22: The Book Market in Crest Hill from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 30: Spirits with the Spirits at Black Cat Curiosities in Joliet with WriteOn member Cean Magosky as part of the Joliet City Center Partnership's "Spirits with the Spirits" event.
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 eleven chapters completely edited, and a heavy editing weekend ahead of me. The plan is to submit a proof to KDP by or slightly after next weekend. We are still estimating a late 2024 release date for this book, with copies available for sale at WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Dec. 5.
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 wanted to release it in late 2024, but 2024 has been a challenging year. I'm shooting for early 2025.
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...
The manuscript for Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his Ruthless trilogy is submitted and will be my next editing project once "House on Top of the Hill" is complete. Ed
s first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
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'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.
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/BryonySeries, youtube.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.
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 museum photo exhibit captures early 20th century in
Joliet area
Extensive collection of images were taken by resident more
than century ago
Minooka family loses all 4 pets to house fire
Family wasn’t home at time fire started
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/09/26/minooka-family-loses-all-4-pets-to-house-fire/
Why fall is the best time to plant trees
Experts: Tree roots get more time to settle in
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/09/15/this-is-why-you-should-plant-trees-in-the-fall/
Playnfield Players bringing live theater to Plainfield
Plainfield President John F. Argoudelis: ‘It’s right in
their own hometown’
Joliet Wish Upon a Star to host pumpkin derby fundraiser on
Saturday
Proceeds benefit children with life-threatening illnesses
New special events venue coming to Shorewood
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/09/30/new-special-events-venue-coming-to-shorewood/
Pesciolino Osteria in Channahon remodels, updates menu
New Lenox gets new Mexican restaurant
https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/10/03/new-lenox-gets-new-mexican-restaurant/
New pizza restaurant opens in downtown Plainfield
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/09/28/new-pizza-restaurant-opens-in-plainfield/
Bolingbrook pop-up store’s weekend special promotion helps
veterans
Store proceeds help fund K9s for Veterans programs
Plainfield road closures for Sunday’s Harvest 5K/10K
Run/Walk
Will County Pets of the Week: Sept. 30, 2024
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/09/30/will-county-pets-of-the-week-sept-30-2024/
5 Things to Do in Will County: CAPA Beer Walk
https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/10/03/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-capa-beer-walk/
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Sue's Diner: Vampire Milkshakes
Well, we are in that in-between time of year: getting ready for Halloween and stuck inside a summer that just won't quit.
That's why this recipe for Vampire Milkshakes is perfect for this week.
They are also quick and easy to make: mix, blend, and drink!
This recipe does not appear in any of the BryonySeries cookbooks.
However, you may try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).
For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Save the Date: WriteOn Joliet Anthology Release Party 2024
Good morning and Happy October!
It's not too early to be thinking about WriteOn Joliet's Anthology Release Party, which will arrive before you know it.
To be sure you don't miss the fun, here are ten reasons why should consider putting this event on your calendar right now.
1. FREE, fantastic, chef-prepared heavy appetizers and desserts.
2. FREE photos with Santa.
3. An opportunity to chat with a really great group of local authors and browse through their books with no pressure to buy.
4. One-stop Christmas shop for all the bookworms on your list, children through adult, with one-stop checkout, courtesy of Janet Staley, owner of The Book Market in Crest Hill.
5. A treasure trove of books with a wide variety of genres and storylines you haven't (yet) imagined, including copies of ALL WriteOn Joliet's anthologies, including our 2024 edition.
6. Each purchase supports The Book Market, a local business.
7, Each purchase supports local art, both the authors individually and as a group.
8. Really unique and gift-worthy giveaways at the BryonySeries table with book purchases (while supplies last).
9. Notecards, framed artwork, vintage postcards of downtown Joliet: these are some of the other items for sale, since many WriteOn authors are talented in other artistic ways.
10. An opportunity to stroll through the Joliet Public Library is you haven't done so lately. Staff is friendly and ready to assist you.
And did I mention FREE, fantastic, chef-prepared heavy appetizers and desserts? No rushing home to cook dinner on that night!
The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Joliet Public Library, 3395 Black Road in Joliet.
For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.
We look forward to meeting you!
