Collaboration

So Kids Fest on Aug. 1 in downtown Joliet was postponed to September 19 due to weather.

So might you be interested in helping WriteOn Joliet's literacy efforts at this event?

The absolutely final, final deadline to help out is noon Monday, September 14.

Because that's my deadline for getting the remaining logos to the printer for the second sign for Saturday.

Since 2024, WriteOn Joliet has distributed books authored by WriteOn Joliet authors at the annual Kidz Fest in Joliet.

In 2024, we gave away nearly 100 books in the event’s first 90 minutes. In 2025, we gave away 300 books, mostly in the first half of the event.

The books were funded by WriteOn Joliet’s leader and co-founder along with members of the B.L.O.C.K.S creative team in 2024 and 2025.

I currently have more than 500 books with titles for all ages packed up and ready for distribution in my bastment. (And we are not just giving away books at our booth!)

And the title of this post is more than you collaborating with us.

One of our sponsors made this really awesome graphic for us on Friday afternoon.

And Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, and his wife Nancy Calkins sponsored 100 copies of WriteOn Joliet's special "shoe" anthology, that we've been gifting in the community (including Kids Fest) and also as a "thank you" gift to our sponsors.

But sponsorship helps YOU, too!

Reach out this weekend to find out how!

 

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 5 through Sept. 11

Good morning!

I have just three stories online to share with you today, since I worked on some longe-range projects last week for "Thank You, Veterans" edition in November, as well as stories for Shaw Media's 175th anniversary.

More stories will likely go live over the weekend. So please check back at 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 a recap of Bertrand's Back-to-School Birthday Bash!

And a recap (and update) of August 28th's "Page to Stage."

And a recap of Sept. 6's Plants, Paws, and Pages.

And if you'd like to help sponsor WriteOn Joliet's book giveaway on Sept. 19 at Kids Fest, please reach out to writeonjolietgroup@gmail.com. Deadline is Monday morning and YES, we still need sponsors.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and  recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries) - so far:

Sept. 12: FAME - Fandom Arts and Music Expo: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St., Joliet. A cross-fandom artist-market minicon. Features 50 local artists, live music, panels, games, and contests.

Sept. 19: Kids Fall Fest: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., City Square, Downtown Joliet. For the third year in a row, WriteOn Joliet will have a tent at the annual Kidz Fest celebration. Write your own story with our unique, one-of-a-kind, made-just-for-us story manipulable story blocks. And be sure to pick up one (or more) WriteOn Joliet-authored books (titles for all ages), which we will distribute for free.

Oct. 17: Halloween Night Market: 3 to 8 p.m.., Channahon Tractor Supply, Channahon

Nov. 12: WriteOn Joliet Annual Anthology Release Party: 6 to 8 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 3395 Black Road, Joliet. Anthologies as well as books by individual WriteOn Joliet authors for sale. Free chef-created refreshments and visits from Santa.

In addition, please check out our books by popping into The Book Market in Crest Hill (if you live in the area) or bookshop.org or Amazon if you don't. 

Also, many titles are available at the Joliet Public Library and the Downers Grove Public Library.

Please note: Bookshop and the libraries do not carry all of our books.

What is the BryonySeries?

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

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is finally begun, although albeit very slowly. I'd like to get enough done very soon to finally give Sue Midlock (our artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer) some ideas for the book's cover and chapter heading illustrations.Timothy's newest idea is to spend a couple of hours early on Saturday mornings, one chapter at a time, before his weekly breakfast with Daniel.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries has three remaining chapters in drafts; the rest of the book is edited. I hope to finish it over Labor Day weekend and have it available for sale at WriteOn Joliet's Anthology Release party on Nov. 12.

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 we plan to release a BryonySeries Christmas anthology around the holidays. This will be Christmas excerpts from existing BryonySeries novels along with a few bonus chapters (I hope) only available in this anthology.

We also have a prologue/first chapter sampler of all the BryonySeries novels and an novel excerpt (so far) that's only available at certain events and another sampler called "Angel or Demon" that is also only available at select events, including WriteOn Joliet's "Page to Stage" event on Aug. 28.

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 weekly 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'm gradually reviving BryonySeries on Twitter/X at x.com/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.

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

Northern Illinois hospitals struggle with patient boarding, long emergency room waits

When admitted patients can’t find beds, ERs back up — and care suffers

https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2026/09/05/why-are-illinois-er-waits-so-long-hospitals-say-its-more-than-too-many-patients/

Joliet Noon Lions hosting free screenings in September

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/09/05/joliet-noon-lions-hosting-free-screenings-in-september/

Will County Pets of the Week: Sept. 7, 2026

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/09/07/will-county-pets-of-the-week-sept-7-2026/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

RECAP: WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players at the ROXY Lockport

On Aug. 28, eight members of WriteOn Joliet present “Page to Stage,” original radio theater-style performance at ROXY Lockport as a fundraiser for Trinity Services.

Authors and performers were Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Cean Magosky, Jenny Russ and Duanne Walton

Unfortunately, we have no photos of our performance that night. But we do have some fun "before" and "after" photos.

Timothy, who took photos at "Shades of Noir" for us in April, went with Daniel to the wake our senior pastor, who died unexpectedly earlier in the week (we all went to the funeral the next day).

But Maureen's daughter did capture this lovely candid of us before the show began.

"Page to Stage" featured original and curated stories and poems from four years of WriteOn Joliet radio theater programs. 

The first 10 attendees at the performance received a free copy of WriteOn Joliet’s anthology "Write Where We Are: Tales Our Soles Tell,” courtesy of Edward and Nancy Calkins.

And the first ten attendees at the BryonySeries table also received a FREE booklet called "Angel or Demon" (source material for one of the show's pieces), courtesy of The Raven's House.

WriteOn Joliet anthologies – along with books and other merchandise by individual author/performers – will be available for purchase before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

Before we left ROXY Lockport, we gathered under the marquis for a photo.

Did you miss the show? Don't fret!

The overwhelmingly positive response has led to new and expanded opportunities we could never have envisioned when Tom Hernandez scheduled WriteOn Joliet' first open mic in 2013.

As those opportunities gel into firm plans, we will keep you posted!

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com, roxylockport.com, and trinityservices.org.

Sue's Diner: Turtle Steak

This week's recipe is for turtle, which is made with fresh turtle (although not as fresh as the one pictured).

When we lived in Channahon, the neighbor came to our house and asked if she could eat dinner with us. 

Her reasoning?

Her grandfather, with whom she lived, had a live turtle in the garage. He was planning to cook it for dinner that night (and he did). 

And she wasn't the only one who felt that way.

At one of the Rutherfords’ buffets in the young adult vampre novel "Bryony," the protragnoist Melissa, to her horror, tasted a morsel of turtle, a very unusual experience for a 1970s Midwestern teen who preferred hamburgers and pizza.

We’re not sure how the Rutherfords prepared it, but if you’re more adventurous than Melissa is, try the recipe at home.

This recipe for Bucottora does appear in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," and you can also view it on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.

But check out the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

If you have any questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

We have actually not tried this recipe, but some stores actually do carry turtle.

So please let us know your thoughts if you do try it.

Finally, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner.

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our bryonyseries.com/merchandise.

BryonySeries at FAME this Saturday

BryonySeries will be part of the Joliet Public Library's FAME (Fandom, Arts, and Music Expo) this Saturday - and I am super thrilled.

You can see Rebekah and I in the far left corner of this photo as proof we were there in 2025!

I don't know yet where my table will be set up or if I'll be participating in anything other than the table this year (last year, Cindy, Rebekah, and I did two, three-part readings,,,

...and I moderated a comic book panel of three talented and delightful comic book artists - Bret Juliano of Dust Bunny Mafia, Rafael Nieves, aka Unca Raffy, and Ashley Esper of Skulls & Sketches - who talked more about each other than they did themselves.

I'll know more about the lineup and expectations later this week.

The free, family-friendly mini-convention will feature nearly 50 Chicagoland artists, along with cosplay content, cosplay karaoke, artist panels, charactermeet-and-greets, games, contests and other pop culture fun.

And FAME will also feature some fun, exclusive-to-the-FAME event suprises at the BryonySeries table.

FAME will take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at downtown branch, 150 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet.

Parking is available in the Ottawa Street parking deck.

Registration for the event is not required.

For more information, call the library's digital media studio at 815-846-3116 or vist jolietlibrary.org.

Hope to see you there!

RECAP: Plants, Paws, and Pages (and how we added "plants" and"pets" to our "pages")

For several years, the owner of The Raven's House has encouraged me to participate in Chicago Street Markets, which hosts events in Joliet, Lockport, and New Lenox.

Unfortunately, the markets often take place on Thursday evenings (WriteOn Joliet nights) or Friday daytime (I work).

But then Michele, a busines acquaintance who runs the markets, invited BryonySeries to participate in her first "Plants, Paws & Pages" event on September 6 in Lockport.

So, despite our limited time to moving, several weeks of almost nonstop work, and three deaths in three weeks (including a tragic one we learned as we were preparing to leave for the event), we wanted to do more than just "show up."

So Rebekah, Cindy, and I brainstormed ways to add "pets and plants" to pages at our booth, too, from existing props.

Here are five ways we made that work.

1. Overall decor.

Rebekah chose earthy colors for tablecloths and shelves.

And she draped plastic bryony-ish vines from the back of the tent (the wind kept blowing them out of place, so she had to keep adjusting them).

2. Purple music roses

Rebekah tied ribbon and BryonySeries cards to our remaining purple music roses and surprised anyone who stopped to look at our books with one.

I also created a recipe for Polychromatic Soup from a hilarious scene featured in "Karla Joins In." 

We printed the recipes the last of the scroll paper Sarah had gifted me when we released "Bryony" in 2011 (no photo of the recipe because the recipe is a secret...unless you're gifted with one).

And then we rolled up the paper and held it in place with a bit of plant-themed decorative tape from Rebekah's tape bin and gave those away, too.

3. Plant grove.

We set up a "plant grove" quiz of five plants featured in the BryonySeries (you turned the "tree" stand around to read the answers).

And if this looks simple, those cards were a huge labor of love to print and create due to a series of unfortunate mishaps (oh, the stories Timothy could tell!)

4. Pet products.

Cindy surprised us with crocheted pet caps (two tomato and two lemons, each with ear holes) and four pet bandanas (she had a birthday party yesterday and couldn't hang out with us)

5. Adoptable mice.

Cindy also crocheted more friends of Bertrand for adoption.

Rebekah made bags of "crocheted mouse food" from leftover embroidery floss from childhood friendship bracelet-making days and attached them to the mice (zoom in to see the food).

We did not sell the mice; they were free with the purchase of one teen or adult book or two children's books.

So how did we do at the five-hour event?

We sold eight books, all four pet caps, and two of the four bandanas.

We also gave away twenty-five purple roses, fifty-five recipes, and probably another thirty cards.

We encouraged this author, who debuted her children's book at this event (a book I enjoyed so much that I purchased a hardcover, bookmark, and T-shirt for my grandson and a button for Rebekah), who sold really well.

We received an invitation to an event in early 2027 after the holidays.

And one pet owner came back to show how cute her dog looked in his hat.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow | Piano Solo Hymn

Anyone new to the BryonySeries blog might wonder why I post piano music on Sundays and how that fits into the BryonySeries world.

That's because one character - John Simons - was a nineteenth century world-renowned pianist and composer before he died and became a vampire.

And why this piece today?

Because with all the challenges our famly's experienced, we've experienced blessings great and small, sometimes alongside the challenges, as if God's reminding us we're where we're supposed to be, and He's there beside us.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLOVltZ6BQU

Celtic Piano - Land of the Free

 Since the beginning of this blog on August 1, 2010, Saturdays are days to celebrate BryonySeries author and Irish vampire character Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, and all things Irish (as he imagines them).

This Celtic-style piano piece is relaxing and poignant, a perfecct piece for easing into the next part of your day.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04Qr_tEdyeI&list=PLhzyHnxp9g7RNMGVOFAgllRYeGOTYLO32

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 29 through Sept. 4

Good morning!

I have seven stories online to share with you today, since I worked on some longe-range projects this week for "Thank You, Veterans" edition in November - and I completed a large regional story on long waits in the emergency department (watch for it next week).

More stories will likely go live over the weekend. So please check back at 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 a recap of Bertrand's Back-to-School Birthday Bash!

And next week I'll share a recap (and update) of August 28th's "Page to Stage."

And if you'd like to help sponsor WriteOn Joliet's book giveaway on Sept. 19 at Kids Fest, please reach out to writeonjolietgroup@gmail.com. Deadline is Sept. 10 and YES, we still need sponsors.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and  recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries) - so far:

Sept. 6: Plants, Paws, and Pages: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lockport Metra Station, 133 W. 13th St., Lockport. A diverse selection of curated handcrafted goods, artisan pets items, books and local authors with some fun "pet and plant" offerings from the BryonySeries

Sept. 12: FAME - Fandom Arts and Music Expo: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St., Joliet. A cross-fandom artist-market minicon. Features 50 local artists, live music, panels, games, and contests.

Sept. 19: Kids Fall Fest: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., City Square, Downtown Joliet. For the third year in a row, WriteOn Joliet will have a tent at the annual Kidz Fest celebration. Write your own story with our unique, one-of-a-kind, made-just-for-us story manipulable story blocks. And be sure to pick up one (or more) WriteOn Joliet-authored books (titles for all ages), which we will distribute for free.

Oct. 17: Halloween Night Market: 3 to 8 p.m.., Channahon Tractor Supply, Channahon

Nov. 12: WriteOn Joliet Annual Anthology Release Party: 6 to 8 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 3395 Black Road, Joliet. Anthologies as well as books by individual WriteOn Joliet authors for sale. Free chef-created refreshments and visits from Santa.

In addition, please check out our books by popping into The Book Market in Crest Hill (if you live in the area) or bookshop.org or Amazon if you don't. 

Also, many titles are available at the Joliet Public Library and the Downers Grove Public Library.

Please note: Bookshop and the libraries do not carry all of our books.

What is the BryonySeries?

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

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is finally begun, although albeit very slowly. I'd like to get enough done very soon to finally give Sue Midlock (our artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer) some ideas for the book's cover and chapter heading illustrations.Timothy's newest idea is to spend a couple of hours early on Saturday mornings, one chapter at a time, before his weekly breakfast with Daniel.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries has three remaining chapters in drafts; the rest of the book is edited. I hope to finish it over Labor Day weekend and have it available for sale at WriteOn Joliet's Anthology Release party on Nov. 12.

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 we plan to release a BryonySeries Christmas anthology around the holidays. This will be Christmas excerpts from existing BryonySeries novels along with a few bonus chapters (I hope) only available in this anthology.

We also have a prologue/first chapter sampler of all the BryonySeries novels and an novel excerpt (so far) that's only available at certain events and another sampler called "Angel or Demon" that is also only available at select events, including WriteOn Joliet's "Page to Stage" event on Aug. 28.

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 weekly 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'm gradually reviving BryonySeries on Twitter/X at x.com/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.

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

Family-owned Submarine City in Lockport serving up local favorites for nearly 50 years

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/28/family-owned-submarine-city-in-lockport-serving-up-local-favorites-for-nearly-50-years/

Joliet treatment center appoints new clinical director

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/29/joliet-treatment-center-appoints-new-clinical-director/

Joliet Junior College offers networking series for local entrepreneurs

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/29/joliet-junior-college-offers-networking-series-for-local-entrepreneurs/

Joliet Diocesan Council closes Morris St. Vincent de Paul thrift store

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/30/joliet-diocesan-council-closes-morris-st-vincent-de-paul-thrift-store/

Lemont-area native returns as family medicine physician at Silver Cross

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/30/lemont-area-native-returns-as-family-medicine-physician-at-silver-cross/

Authentic Harold’s Chicken opens in Joliet

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/29/authentic-harolds-chicken-opens-in-joliet/

Will County Pets of the Week: Aug. 31, 2026

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/31/will-county-pets-of-the-week-aug-31-2026/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Lace Up! Steps to Move Your Writing Journey Forward

To help celebrate the Joliet Public Library's 150th anniversary, WriteOn Joliet (a library partner) is offering a program on Sept. 24 for writers, would-be-writers, writers with writers block, writers who need encouragment to take the first (or next step) in their writing...really just anyone who writes, wants to write, or is thinking about writing.

Here is our event description:

For 150 years, Joliet Public Library has been a place where stories begin. 

WriteOn Joliet invites you to take the first (or next) step of your writing journey, too. 

Any writer (or would-be writer) of any genre or experience is welcome to attend. 

The evening will consist of panel-style encouragement from WriteOn writers, an opportunity to engage and ask questions, and gifts of WriteOn’s special “shoe” anthology and shoebox filled with inspiration to keep moving your story forward. 

Walk-ins welcome, but registration is encouraged to guarantee gifts for all. 

Be sure to wear your favorite shoes! (this last is very important, but you must attend to find out).

"Lace Up! Steps to Move Your Writing Journey Forward" will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by half an hour of refreshments and mingling.

The event will be held at the Joliet Publilc Library, 3395 Black Road in Joliet.

Register here.

Sue's Diner: Werewolf Parfait

This week's recipe is for Werewolf Parfait, which Rebekah created for the BryonySeries cookbook, GRRR: Twelve pawtastic werewolf-themed recipes, which is available on Amazon.

It's super easy to make and perfect for the current Midwest heat wave. The description in the cookbook says," A dessert so dreamy, they’ll be howling for more."

Just so you know, we took this photo in a real grassy field, no make-believe background or tweaking used at all.

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. 

Finally, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner.

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our bryonyseries.com/merchandise.

Plants, Paws and Pages

BryonySeries was invited to participate in this event on Sunday as one of us several authors among other plant and pet-related vendors.

So in addition to our books, we will offer a variety of free and "gifts with select purchases" items that highlight the unique plants and pets in the BryonySeries.

Curious?

Then pop into the event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 133 W. 13th St. in Lockport and is presented by Chicago Street Markets and the City of Lockport.

We look forward to meeting you!

Peder B. Helland - Majestic

Today I'm sharing another piece by Peder B. Helland, a Norwegian composer whom I "discovered" on January 7, 2022, when a song on YouTube played through to this song and quite spontaneously unlocked my year-long writer's block for this BryonySeries novel.

I check his YouTube page from time to time for new selections and I saw this one yesterday. The wildlife photography is not AI (he credits the photographer's with their work) and is breathtaking on its own to make watching this piece worth your 3:23 minutes.

It reminded me of two friends who have taken safaraisand saw some of this majesty up close.

May watching it remind you how large and vast our universe really is - far beyond our own experiences - and what a great and wonderful God we serve.

Enjoy!

"Therefore The Redeemed" by Piano Praise Ministry

Anyone new to the BryonySeries blog might wonder why I post piano music on Sundays and how that fits into the BryonySeries world.

That's because one character - John Simons - was a nineteenth century world-renowned pianist and composer before he died and became a vampire.

And why this piece today?

Because we laid our senior pastor Father Boris to rest yesterday - and this was his favorite piece during "Prayer and Praise," which his church Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homewood, offered in the late 1980s.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrTTEZ3mGZA

"The Last Good Bye" by The Cheeky Celt

Since the beginning of this blog on August 1, 2010, Saturdays are days to celebrate BryonySeries author and Irish vampire character Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, and all things Irish (as he imagines them).

This Celtic-inspired "The Last Good Bye" by the Cheeky Celt is perfect for Saturdays in the BryonySeries world...and for those saying their "last goodbye" to a person or beloved situation in their lives.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoEUfIueHFg

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 22 through Aug. 28

Good morning!

I have eleven stories online to share with you today, since I worked on some longerange projects this week and one week of Eyes on Enteprise have not made it online yet.

More stories will likely go live over the weekend. So please check back at 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 a recap of Bertrand's Back-to-School Birthday Bash!

And tonight is "Page to Stage." (details below).

And if you'd like to help sponsor WriteOn Joliet's book giveaway on Sept. 19 at Kids Fest, please reach out to writeonjolietgroup@gmail.com. Deadline is Sept. 10.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and  recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries) - so far:

Aug. 28: WriteOn Joliet Presents "Page to Stage:" 7 p.m., ROXY Lockport, 1017 S. State St., Lockport. Eight members of WriteOn Joliet will present a compilation show as a fundraiser for Trinity Services. For details, read this "save the date" post.

Sept. 6: Plants, Paws, and Pages: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lockport Metra Station, 133 W. 13th St., Lockport. A diverse selection of curated handcrafted goods, artisan pets items, books and local authors.

Sept. 12: FAME - Fandom Arts and Music Expo: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St., Joliet. A cross-fandom artist-market minicon. Features 50 local artists, live music, panels, games, and contests.

Sept. 19: Kids Fall Fest: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., City Square, Downtown Joliet. For the third year in a row, WriteOn Joliet will have a tent at the annual Kidz Fest celebration. Write your own story with our unique, one-of-a-kind, made-just-for-us story manipulable story blocks. And be sure to pick up one (or more) WriteOn Joliet-authored books (titles for all ages), which we will distribute for free.

Oct. 17: Halloween Night Market: 3 to 8 p.m.., Channahon Tractor Supply, Channahon

Nov. 12: WriteOn Joliet Annual Anthology Release Party: 6 to 8 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 3395 Black Road, Joliet. Anthologies as well as books by individual WriteOn Joliet authors for sale. Free chef-created refreshments and visits from Santa.

In addition, please check out our books by popping into The Book Market in Crest Hill (if you live in the area) or bookshop.org or Amazon if you don't. 

Also, many titles are available at the Joliet Public Library and the Downers Grove Public Library.

Please note: Bookshop and the libraries do not carry all of our books.

What is the BryonySeries?

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

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is finally begun, although albeit very slowly. I'd like to get enough done very soon to finally give Sue Midlock (our artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer) some ideas for the book's cover and chapter heading illustrations.Timothy's newest idea is to spend a couple of hours early on Saturday mornings, one chapter at a time, before his weekly breakfast with Daniel.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries has three remaining chapters in drafts; the rest of the book is edited. I hope to finish it over Labor Day weekend and have it available for sale at WriteOn Joliet's Anthology Release party on Nov. 12.

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 we plan to release a BryonySeries Christmas anthology around the holidays. This will be Christmas excerpts from existing BryonySeries novels along with a few bonus chapters (I hope) only available in this anthology.

We also have a prologue/first chapter sampler of all the BryonySeries novels and an novel excerpt (so far) that's only available at certain events and another sampler called "Angel or Demon" that is also only available at select events, including WriteOn Joliet's "Page to Stage" event on Aug. 28.

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 weekly 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'm gradually reviving BryonySeries on Twitter/X at x.com/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.

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 girl fighting rare cancer gets free dream room makeover

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/22/joliet-girl-fighting-cancer-gets-free-dream-room-makeover/

Head Start could see sweeping changes under proposed federal rule. Local leaders are worried

‘I could just scream,’ says Aurora Head Start director

https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2026/08/22/head-start-could-see-sweeping-changes-under-proposed-federal-rule-local-leaders-are-worried/

New ‘farmhouse’ restaurant coming to former Lock & Mule location in Lockport

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2026/08/27/new-farmhouse-restaurant-coming-to-former-lock-mule-location-in-lockport/

Popular Swig beverage venue opens in Crest Hill

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/22/popular-swig-beverage-venue-opens-in-crest-hill/

Joliet Chamber hosting program for community leadership school graduates

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/24/joliet-chamber-hosting-program-for-community-leadership-school-graduates/

Chicago Street Mexican restaurant in Joliet closes

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/23/chicago-street-mexican-restaurant-in-joliet-closes/

Sinister Apothecary in Minooka embraces the metaphysical

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/21/sinister-apothecary-in-minooka-hosting-grand-opening/

Romeoville approves new grant program to attract small businesses

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/27/romeoville-approves-new-grant-program-to-attract-small-businesses/

City Electric Supply opens new Joliet location

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/27/city-electric-supply-opens-new-joliet-location/

Joliet Latino economic group to offer food service certification class in Spanish

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/24/joliet-latino-economic-group-to-offer-food-service-certification-class-in-spanish/

Will County Pets of the Week: Aug. 24, 2026

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/24/will-county-pets-of-the-week-aug-24-2026/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"