The FIT Foundation Donated 30 WriteOn Joliet Holiday Anthologies. Here's How You Can Get One

In 2023, Angie Aegerter donated thirty 2022 WriteOn Joliet anthologies to The Timbers of Shorewood's book club.

Angie is the founder of the FIT Foundation in Crest Hill, a meal prep company. And she approached me this summer, asking if I had any additional upcoming donation opportunities.

Well, it just so happens that WriteOn Joliet created its first holiday anthology this fall. So Angie offered to sponsor thirty copies, as a Christmas gift for the community.

The anthology has ninety-three pages of locally written poems, short stories, and essays that are perfect for the holiday season.

WriteOn Joliet Holiday Anthology Contributors: Denise M. Baran-­Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Pat Camalliere, Holly Coop, Steven James Cordin, Tom Hernandez, Cean Magosky, Sue Midlock, Colleen H. Robbins, Jennifer Russ, Stephen Saporta, and Duanne Walton.

Here are two ways you can get a free copy (while supplies last) of "Write Where We Are: Holiday Edition: Stories, poems, and essays for the holiday season."

Ten copies will be at the counter of The Book Market in Crest Hill sometime in early December to be given away however the owner Janet Staley decides. Could be just free, could be free with purchase. 

The other twenty copies will go inside the mini bookbags that Jasmine made for my birthday this year. We will distribute these bags from the BryonySeries table at Friday's North Pole Christmas Market in Joliet.

This is the same event where I will be reading Christmas stories and giving away ten free copies of "Bertrand and the Christmas Surprise."

But these swag bags will have a few "extras," too.

Nineteen of those bags will include a copy of the BryonySeries holiday edition of "Visage," which is out of print and not available for purchase.

This holiday edition has a unique cover, slightly different editing, an introduction by moi (the only time I've written one for any of my books), and some fun appendixes (for instance, it's the only place you'll see me dressed as a kangaroo).

The other six bags will include a copy of "Cornell Dyer and the Flu," a parody of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," which is geared towards children age eight (depending on reading level and parental guidance) through adult.

The swag bags will also contain one of more "mystery quotes," which are suitable for slipping into greeting cards, your purse or wallet, or any place someone might find a spark of imagination or inspiration.

But wait! That's not all!

The swag bags will also contain a "sweet treat" in BryonySeries colors, some special offers, and information about upcoming (and local) holiday events.

Now, depending on the book combinations, this BryonySeries swag bag (bag and contents) has a retail value of thirty to thirty-five dollars. And these are FREE to the first twenty-five North Pole Christmas Market attendees that stop at our table.

And don't forget, the BryonySeries table will also have FREE purple music roses with select book purchases, as well as crocheted mice for adoption with select book purchases, all while supplies last.

WriteOn Joliet will also have copies of both its holiday anthology and the 2024 edition of its "regular" anthology for sale at its 8th annual anthology release party on Dec. 5 at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library.

Here are ten reasons why you should attend WriteOn Joliet's 8th Annual Anthology Release Party.

Does hearing the word FREE put you into the holiday spirit? It should - and not just because of "free."

"Free" is possible because of big-hearted people in the community who just want to be a blessing.

The anthologies are free because Angie Aegerter has (TWICE) donated copies for people's reading pleasure. Angie runs a small business, not a large corporation. And if you follow her business on Facebook, you will see the other ways she blesses the community all year round.

The "swag" is free because Jasmine made it herself and then gifted it to me.

The purple music roses are free (with select purchases) because Jan Stack, the youth services clerk at the Joliet Public Library, made them and gifted them to me.

The adoptable crocheted mice (with select purchases) are free because Cindy made the mice. An every one is hoping for loving home this holiday season.

The chef-created heavy appetizers at WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party are free because Timothy buys all the ingredients and makes all the food as his way of elevating the celebratory spirit as we connect local writers with local readers.

The photos with Santa at the release party are free because Santa is loving and giving.

And the rest if free because we at the BryonySeries want you to start the holiday season with a smile.

Many of us (including us) have struggled this past year (past few years for us) and might be coming in to the season feeling not quite so merry and bright.

And every now and again, it's nice to band together and bring a little of joy and generosity to our little portion of the world.

Happy Wednesday!

Editor's note: This post was updated to correct the amount of books going to each location.