BryonySeries: Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, June 28 through July 4

Friday, July 4, 2025

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, June 28 through July 4

Good morning - and Happy Independence Day!

I have eleven news and feature stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post, as well as six Thank You, Teachers stories from our special edition on May 8.

More stories will go live this weekend, especially since I worked at (and covered) the Independence Celebration at Bicentennial Park.

So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Before the stories I also 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!

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries)

Good news, everyone! BryonySeries was officially part of the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theater's Independence Day celebration on July 3.

For the past two years, we provided free children's games and book giveaways as a vendor. This year, we are part of the fabric of the actual event. And we could not be more thrilled.

Details to come on Monday,

Also, I hope to get back into The Book Market for a signing before surgery on July 17, just not sure when (althought, I have a couple of ideas to run past the owner Jan Staley tomorrow).

However, please read how WriteOn Joliet authors are supporting reading in Will County.

And if you prefer to help in person, please read Another Option for Helping Us Out.

And consider helping us in our efforts.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. That's all I'm saying for now.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is stalled until Timothy finished his master's degree, which he did. So now we just have to stop having family emergencies (they just keep coming) and carve some time for a Cornell breakfast (it's been three years since our last one, way, way too long). I'm having surgery July 17, so I'm hoping we can make that happen before then, just to get the process moving and give Sue Midlock ideas for art (she illustrates all the Cornell books).

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 last year, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects...and I'm still letting it (overall) slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping to finish the book this year, fingers crossed.

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."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

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.

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're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We'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/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

‘Life of an angel’: Plainfield monument dedicated to slain 6-year-old

Community honors Wadee Alfayoumi

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/28/the-life-of-an-angel-plainfield-monument-dedicated-to-slain-6-year-old/

Joliet’s PDM Plumbing marks 140 years of service: ‘We’re problem solvers’

Heating and cooling specialists along with plumbing service

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/30/pdm-plumbing-in-joliet-celebrates-140-years-of-excellence/

Mural captures flavors of new Joliet West African restaurant

Nigerian-born artist transforming building’s exterior ahead of opening

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/27/nigerian-born-artist-transforming-exterior-of-new-joliet-restaurant/

Craughwell Elementary in Joliet adds modular units for more space

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/07/03/craughwell-elementary-in-joliet-adds-modular-units-for-more-space/