BryonySeries: Colleen Robbins

Showing posts with label Colleen Robbins. Show all posts

Thursday, July 10, 2025

The Daraga series (and other things!) by Colleen Robbins

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Colleen Robbins

On April 25 and April 26, ten members of WriteOn Joliet presented “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

One of the author/performers was Colleen H. Robbins, who rehearsed with us all the way until the final week and then had to miss the actual performances, which was especially disappointing since she had wanted to participate the last two years.

But Colleen's piece was still featured in the performances, a true story of how she'd saved a man's lfie when a shark attacked him.

Colleen has been writing since age 9 and had her first publication at age 12. She has published everything from poems and stories to essays and novels. She prefers to write science fiction, fantasy, and horror and loves to bring in real science and mythological research when she can. She holds a degree in English Language and Literature from Lewis University (2003), attended the Iowa Summer Writing Workshop in 2003, the Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop in 2007, and TNEO in 2009 and 2013.

Her high fantasy “Daraga” series features stand-alone novels that include problems that modern teenagers face, set in a medieval world with magic, dragons, and elves. The first four novels, “Daraga’s Quest,” “The Daraga’s Children,” “Dark Protector,” and “Ciara’s Island” are currently available on Amazon, with two more (“Perok’s Prophecy” and “The Wizard’s Daughter”) in various stages of editing. Three short story collections, “Stories of a Sheltered Suburbanite,” “Night Breeze and Moonbeams,” and “Invasive Species and Other Light Horror” are also available, with several more collections planned. She also co-authored the middle-grade fantasy “Return to Ganagar” with her daughter Tarina Jameson and has been included in numerous anthologies.

Colleen enjoys the fellowship of the other writers in WriteOn Joliet, and the occasional challenges to write short stories on a theme or through prompts (several of which have sold to anthologies). She currently lives in Joliet, IL with her husband, and stays in regular contact with her six grandchildren.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 were Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Jenny Russ, Cean Magosky, and Duanne Walton.

Our director this year was Anne Magosky.

Our production assistant was Rebekah Baran.

The first fifteen attendees at each performance received a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

And the first fifteen visitors at the BryonySeries booth received a BryonySeries superhero bag.

If you missed this year's show, the WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players will return next year (tentative dates are Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18) with a completely new show.

Maybe we'll see you there!

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Fifteen Minutes of AI Fame

When Timothy started revamping the BryonySeries website in 2018, he redesigned the calendar to be more than a listing of events.

Timothy turned the BryonySeries event calendar into an advent calendar-style of calendar, where I could place one activity per day that related to the BryonySeries: games, crafts, music, science experiments, and recipes.

It's a great idea...but that calendar takes an entire afternoon one weekend a month to create.

To add context to the activities, I always link back to the book that inspired it.

I typically link to the book on Amazon and do a quick Google search to find the link, since I'm creating twenty-eight to thirty-one unique posts each time.

Well, when I "googled" the book "Visage," this is what appeared (see image at bottom of post).

Naturally I screen-shotted it since that was unlikely to ever happen again.

What's especially fun about this is not that I appear "famous" - but that the shoutout is also given to those who contributed to this book.

Sarah and Rebekah did all the production work.

Matt created the cover and interior art.

Vicki and Colleen helped with the editing.

Recognizing this collaboration is why the BryonySeries website has never had (and never will have) an author page.

Instead, we have the BryonySeries "team" page (which we used to call the Board of Trustees, patterned after the series).

Yes, I wrote most of the BryonySeries books. But I haven't written all of the books. And I had help with some of the books I did write.

For instance, Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, has actually written four of the books.

And Timothy is the concept creator for all of the Cornell Dyer books - and has the final approval on how those stories are shaped.

Furthermore, all of the book art is original art by real artists.

We also have promotional products, helpers, volunteers, and tons of teamwork that takes the books and turns them into an experience for readers to enjoy.

That fifteen minutes of AI fame is not about ME.

It's about US.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Open Mic Night 2023: Colleen Robbins

Friday, November 20, 2020

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Nov. 7 through Nov. 20

So I overslept this morning (kept hitting "snooze") because I dreamed I was visiting my daughter and her family in Raleigh and kept wanting to go back. "Snooze" got me there.

It also got me running late - so no editorializing from me: just eighteen features for you to peruse and read, along with some general, miscellaneous recommendations.

What's new this week: I've separate the non-COVID stories from the COVI stories. So if you'd like to stick with the "nons," I've listed those first. And if you want to go right to the virus features, keep scrolling.

Stay safe, stay healthy, be blessed.

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. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year, well, except this year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

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.

NON-COVID FEATURES

Growing luffa distracts Plainfield family from 'the weird times we live in' 'When we found out about luffa, it made sense with our lifestyle'

Greater Joliet YMCA adapts longtime program to support families in remote learning

Know someone who needs a Thanksgiving dinner? These 2 churches can help

LocalLit book preview: 'The Daraga's Children' by Colleen H. Robbins of Joliet

And read the review here.

COVID Coping: A keepsake from their felled apple tree - Homer Glen father tackles special woodworking project for his 3 daughters

Pets of the Week: Nov. 16

An Extraordinary Life: 'I want him to be a voice for other people' - Ashley Searing of Joliet keeps her brother's legacy alive with hand-painted potted plants

Covid_19 couldn't stop this event - Plainfield church decided 'Make a Difference Day' was really needed this year

Channahon woman needs a liver transplant – can you help? - I’ve never been poked or prodded so much in my life'

Mystery Diner: Public Landing in #Lockport provides quality food and service – every time

Blood donations urgently needed – here’s how to donate in Will County

COVID FEATURES

COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise at St. Joe's in Joliet

COVID hospitalizations up 400% at Morris Hospital: Morris Hospital has already canceled 3 surgeries necessitating overnight stays

Another casualty of 2020: Crisis Line of Will and Grundy Counties is shutting down

Here’s why adding more hospital beds doesn’t equal more patient care - and why you should be concerned

COVID cases at Will County Hospitals continue to rise

COVID cases at Will County Hospitals still climbing

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Steward Setback Saturday: Calkins Nature Preserve

A fun post from last year. No one ever did call me back.

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Calkins Nature Preserve

Yesterday Colleen Robbins texted the following message to me:

I missed getting a picture as we drove past the Calkins Nature Preserve about 20 miles west of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Ed gets around.

I looked up the number so I could receive permission to use a photo of the preserve in this blog post, but I only reached the answering machine.

So here's a link to the Facebook page. It looks beautiful, doesn't it?

https://www.facebook.com/CalkinsNatureArea/

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Friday, May 29, 2020

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 23 through May 29

Good morning!

Today is the start of a very busy four work days, especially with the opening of Phase 3 here in Illinois.

So most of my writing will most likely consist of features writing (although I hope to take some tiny peeks at the novels in progress, too).

I did finish the "novel within a novel" with Lycanthropic Summer yesterday, although it needs quite a bit of editing.

And I played around with some ideas for a special short story project (more on this later).

However, a few pebbles in the road kept me away from The Phoenix. But more time will "arise" in a few days...

Stay safe, happy, and blessed!

Non-bylined features:

Search by topic (people, pets, A and E, faith, health, and food) at theherald-news.com.

Once a week, I do combine a week's worth into a single blog post.

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming BryonySeries events:

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at bryonyseries.com.

Newsletters:

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

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.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Friday, May 22, 2020

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 16 through May 22

Good morning! Everyone ready for a long weekend?

Please remember the reason why we have it - and since the weekend will feature no parades due to the COVID-19 pandemic, here's one from 1932 for you to enjoy:

http://bryonyseries.blogspot.com/2015/05/central-parkbethpage-memorial-day.html.

You'll find two sets of information here.

One is all the different places I hang out on social media.

The other is a list of where to find my feature stories and news releases I briefed from this past week.

I hope this information provides knowledge, entertainment, or inspiration.

Stay safe, happy, and blessed!

Non-bylined features:

Search by topic (people, pets, A and E, faith, health, and food) at theherald-news.com.

Once a week, I do combine a week's worth into a single blog post.

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

Upcoming BryonySeries events:

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Books and Such

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.

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

"So, a Funny Thing Happened on the way to The Open Mic..." Colleen Robbins

Friday, November 22, 2019

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Nov. 17 through Nov. 22

A couple of quick plugs and then I'm off to work!

If you're looking for Christmas gifts for children, seek no more! Here's two BryonySeries book recommendations:

Bertrand the Christmas Surprise is picture book about a crocheted mouse who decides to wait for Santa.

Cornell Dyer and the Flu (third grade and up) is a spoof on Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. It's Christmas Eve and Cornell dyer, supernatural super sleuth, is sick in the hospital with a mysterious flu that's causing some very strange symptoms. One of the patients takes him on an even stranger journey, leaving Cornell with a life-altering decision to make.

For the adults on your list, why not buy Before the Blood? It's rich world-building and character development tucked into 804 pages makes it great for a long winter's read.

Finally, if you're looking for some free Christmas stories to read, try this post. It contains eight excerpts from the BryonySeries, with a common theme of Christmas. I posted it last year, and it's received views every day ever since.

Have a great day, readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans! :)

Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works - brief posts and calendar listings - into one convenient file and posting them on Facebook in the evening, so readers can easily choose the ones they want to read.

One can also find those event listings, the Gotta Do It calendar, as well as the pets, health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars, under the sections tab on the left hand side of http://www.theherald-news.com/. Click on "features" and the topics drop down. Gotta Do It runs under "people."

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time):

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to jon WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming events:

Once Timothy Baran is done updating this page, these will listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Check out the progress he has made so far. Each square is hand-built. And be sure to "hover" your hand over the first square. Note: this only works (so far) with the desktop version.

But he's also made A LOT of changes to the website. So be sure to roam around a bit.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.com. Again, Timothy is in the process of updating the website, so all titles may not appear. If you have any 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.

Joliet auto body supply shop turns 50

Read about the foundation upon which this business was built and why it's still going strong five decades later.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/11/12/joliet-auto-body-supply-shop-turns-50/dgvp4gq/

An Extraordinary Life: Joliet couple knew the value of hard work

They founded Arnie's Auto Body & Supply Inc. in middle age and built up the business while raising nine children. Read about their values, tenacity, and frugal ways.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/11/12/an-extraordinary-life-joliet-couple-knew-the-value-of-hard-work/dr9dahl/

Joliet school using technology to keep students healthy

One smart thermometer plus a program for schools equal better communication and addressing of symptoms.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/11/06/joliet-school-using-technology-to-keep-students-healthy/anj03xb/

A taste of thanks

Joliet venue offers drinks for the season, hosts toy drive

Four adult drinks reminiscent of traditional Thanksgiving, as well as a chance to give back.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/11/20/a-taste-of-thanks/dc17pkh/

Gloria Jean's Coffees offering new holiday flavors at stores

I prefer plain and unembellished, but fans of the flavored varieties will find some great choices here.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/11/18/gloria-jeans-coffees-offering-new-holiday-flavors-at-stores/a67k4py/

'It’s really nice to impress them'
Meet 2 dedicated artists behind the production of 'The Nutcracker'

“Most people have never seen a ballet. It’s really nice to impress them,” Kenneth von Heidecke said.

“When I hear people walking out of the theater, especially husbands and teenage boys, saying to their wives or girlfriends, ‘Wow, I didn’t know it was going got be like that. You can take me to a ballet anytime,’ I think that is very rewarding.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/11/13/its-really-nice-to-impress-them/d6lswwd/

An art and hobby beyond #dollhouses
Manhattan museum hosting an exhibit of miniature displays through December

The exhibit includes handmade miniature houses, dioramas and creative miniature displays of detailed and, oftentimes, handmade items placed in small rooms and other settings, such as inside teacups and tobacco tins, according to a news release from the museum.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/11/10/29f209d5eb5b42ea9343241246a00593/index.xml?page=1

LocalLit author spotlight: Colleen Robbins of Joliet

Meet the editor for Before The Blood.and then sign up for the free newsletter and read her short story on Tuesday.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/11/04/locallit-author-spotlight-colleen-robbins-of-joliet/aiqzxid/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Open Mic Night 2019: Colleen Robbins

Friday, May 17, 2019

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 12 through May 17

This weekend is shaping up to be a BryonySeries weekend.

I am meeting with Colleen Robbins (who just released this book and this book and has a fourth in review), the editor for Before the Blood, to review her edits for the fifth and final installment.

And I have to finish the reading through the proof copy of the fourth installment of BTB so that can be ready for an early June release.

AND, if all goes well, Timothy and I still have half of Cornell Dyer and the Never Robbers to finish outlining (besides, I'm eager to find out what happens).

I'd also like to spend some time on Phyllis' memoir, too.

Have a great weekend readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans. :)

Non-bylined features:

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time):

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

Upcoming events:

Once Timothy Baran is done updating this page, these will listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Check out the progress he has made so far. Each square is hand-built.

Books and Such

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.

When mom-to-be has an opioid addiction

Dr. Jyoti Randhawa, chief medical officer, said “everyone’s alarms tend to go off” when a woman with an addiction becomes pregnant. People want to “strip away” “anything or everything” that can cause harm to the mother or baby.

“But the rule of thumb is you treat the patient in the best interest of their life quality, even if a woman is pregnant and is having substance abuse issues,” Randhawa said. “You still want to follow the general protocol.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/05/10/when-mom-to-be-has-an-opioid-addiction/apmbknw/

Building family legacy and heritage
New Lenox woman looks back at 10 decades

Part of Katherine Shanahan's birthday celebration included seeing Tony Bennett at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet and then meeting him after the show. She has no plans for the future, nor is she anxious about it.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/07/e1abf07974d848e4aa5261ba4b119492/index.xml

An Extraordinary Life: The art Clara Matay of Joliet left behind her

Not until after Clara Matay's death on Sept. 3, 1988, did Dee Philiph of New Lenox find her mother's find some of her mother's artwork while sorting through her Clara's belonging.

Those pieces now are displayed at The Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet, where they will remain through June.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/11/ab32b6cedbd94c57baa70effd9a37c09/index.xml

More than a table centerpiece

Flowers can safely be used as food if you know the do's and don'ts

The use of edible flowers is not limited to chefs. Home cooks can use them, too, if they use common sense and take the right precautions.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/15/9033ce9035f94e7da5618e5e588bf904/index.xml?page=1

Windows into the Rialto world
Joliet theater partners with student artists at JJC and Lewis University

"They look fantastic," Micah McDade said, marketing manager for the Rialto said. "With the community as close-knit as Joliet, it seemed a natural fit to include local artists and, even better, artists-in-training, these students. It gave them an outlet to present their work for the hundreds and thousands of people who walk past every year."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/15/358df8a926be4038942fe864b69509ac/index.xml

Artworks: Photographer Bob Campbell gets his start at Joliet Jam

"I was just getting into photography," Campbell, a Joliet Junior College student at the time of the concert, recalled. "I had gotten a telephoto lens, in addition to some other lenses. I was allowed back state so I got to talk to them."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/05/15/artworks-photographer-bob-campbell-gets-his-start-at-joliet-jam/aguqh8v/

LocalLit author spotlight: Carolyn Hill of New Lenox
Hill returns with another story with a #patriotic theme

Hill said: “Mademoiselle Liberty and Me" is the subject of a larger message magnified by a colossus as great as the country she represents.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/04/16/locallit-author-spotlight-carolyn-hill-of-new-lenox/aqjtmvz/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Instead...

...of the usual routine, I let some habits go this weekend to get whittle down a to-do list that was overtaking my time faster than Bryony grew on the Simons estate.

And while I do have some catching up to do on social media, I feel I made good of this past long weekend.

Some of it was work, but I feel, if not ahead, then at least not too far behind this morning.

Friday night I moderated a monthly fiction workshop a week early to help out the coordinator, who could not make next week.

I met with Colleen Robbins, my editor for the BryonySeries prequel Before the Blood for a couple of hours on Saturday morning and reviewed her notes and edits for the third installment.

Later that day, I incorporated many of her suggestions and did some rewriting to eliminate an overabundance (on some pages) of "was," were" and "had." This was not as easy as it sounded. The wording had to remain young and childish, as well as not change the meaning of the sentences (there is a grammatical reason for past participle as opposed to past tense).

I also began some of the formatting. This will take at least another weekend to finish since this book, and the two that will follow it, are significantly longer then the first two.

I also met with another member of WriteOn Joliet for my first calligraphy lesson.

I did some housework.

I caught up on personal phone calls.

I did some filing.

I did a little marketing.

I whittled down my AOL account "new mail" by nearly half. Three hundred more to go!

I saw a movie (Brave) that a friend had wanted me to watch with her for about six months.

The trade-off is I let some social media (limerick slam recap has been moved to this Saturday) and about half of my workout routine slide.

But I'm resuming all of that today with a renewed sense of accomplishment.

Here's to a successful week - for you and for me! (raising coffee mug).

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Open Mic Night 2018 2: Colleen Robbins

Sunday, January 6, 2019

New Book!

The first volume of the five-volume serialized BryonySeries prequel Before the Blood is now available for purchase.

A HUGE THANK YOU to WriteOn Joliet member Stephen T. Saporta for pointing out the typo in the Amazon description (the book has no back cover copy, so hence, no typos there). My editor Colleen Robbins never saw this description, FYI. The fault is all mine.

An update was sent to KDP last night, but it may take 72 hours for the update to appear.

In the meantime, you can still order the book by clicking https://www.amazon.com/dp/1949777014. In fact, I know of at least two people who will own copies of this book before I will, LOL!

The goal is to release a new volume every other month through the beginning of September.

Copy edits for the second book are nearly complete, so formatting (hopefully) can get done next weekend. Rebekah is currently vacationing out of state anyway, so we can't upload anything until she returns (she's my cover-assembler).

I've had many compliments on Sue Midlock's cover design and Christopher Gleason's frontispieces for the books, so please check those out, too.

Recipe's from Sue's Diner should resume in a week or so. For those who never tried any of the Thanksgiving recipes (all of which are good any time of the year), they are still posted and can be accessed at this link: https://www.bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner.

Blog posts should hopefully even back out by the end of the month. I have a couple new work-related projects this month and a few days off, so my brain is feeling a little scattered right now.

Thank you for your patience and your readership. Both are appreciated more than you could ever know.

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 23 through Jan. 4

It's been a catch-up week and next week will be more of the same.

Quick summary of fiction stuff and then onward to features!

Before the Blood: John Simons: The review team at KDP rejected the cover because it felt my name was misspelled. That took some back and forth communication for them to realize my name was correctly spelled; they just didn't understand the script of the medievial font Sue Midlock used.As frustrating as that was, I'm thankful for the review team's keen eyes. I received an email last night asking me to resubmit. Since the name issue was the only issue last time, I'm hoping the book will be live and ready for purchase in a couple days.

Before the Blood: Kellen Wechsler: I met with my editor before 2018 ended and have all the copyedits incorporated for the first eight chapters. Hoping to get the last two done this weekend and begin the formatting process. Rebekah leaves for vacation today. I'd love to a book ready for her cover magic and uploading when she returns!

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Once Timothy and I schedule a planning breakfast, work can commence on the third chapter book of this series.

Bertrand the Mouse: I have about five more books in pieces or process. In the meantime, follow him on Instagram.

Now, here's where to find information and after that, the stories.

Non-bylined features:

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time): Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

Upcoming events:

These are listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.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.

Mokena musician becoming 'an instrument of peace'

Multi-instrumentalist John Narcissi uses talents to bless others

Narcissi said, "There's no better way to share that music and further that goal than by bringing cheer through music."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/12/20/fb04a9807dbf4eb0a7c771e54bf419b8/index.xml

An Extraordinary Life Owner of The Boston Store in Joliet was a man of great love

Fifty years tonight, Joliet lost the owner/operator of a major downtown business and one of the original board members of the Joliet Housing Authority.

That man was Albert Felman.

An inscription in one of his high school books said, "Sure can fly as high as heaven." "I thought it was a wonderful description of his ambition," Barbara said, "and where he wanted to go in life."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/12/20/c4861bea0e994f4690e31be16384993c/index.xml

An Extraordinary Life Music always had this Joliet woman's heart

"Music always had her heart," Mandy Dwyer said of her mother Linda Paquette said. "She knew all the songs and spoke a little bit of Latin from the music she learned. She [also] joined the St. Francis Community Chorale, so she was part of that choir, as well. She even did the madrigals five or six years ago when they had that at Bicentennial Park."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/12/24/981387780bc54e959c3da7e5430d37a3/index.xml

Howl-O-Days

Or do you say 'Mewy Christmas?'

It's not just people who get into the festive spirit, as these photos posted on The Herald-News Facebook group page, Joliet Connect, prove.

Dozens and dozens of photos show that dogs, cats (and even one snake) don't mind posing with Santa Claus, wearing his red and white hat or even doing their part for the holiday ambiance by lying on, in or beside the tree (instead of barking up the wrong one) and other festive decorations.

Happy scrolling!

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/12/23/34735115cb75435eac4499b1ce92b351/index.xml

A Channahon dog's Christmas life

When I asked members of The Herald-News Facebook group page Joliet Connect to post holiday/Christmas photos of their pets, Victoria Leign of Channahon sent this message: "Hopefully my boy can be famous lol! All my friends always crack up at his photos because he loves posing!"

Here are the photos Leigh sent of Eli, a 2-year-old cattle dog mix. He definitely isn't camera-shy!

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/12/23/fd6590ed1db145e583c50dcf55de1400/index.xml

LocalLit author spotlight: Richard Wheeler of Joliet

Richard Wheeler said: "I mostly write non-fiction, although I occasionally dabble in fiction."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/02/locallit-author-spotlight-richard-wheeler-of-joliet/ajpj195/

Serbian Orthodox church in Joliet welcoming to all people

New pastor at Joliet Serbian Orthodox church wants to foster spiritual growth

“In my ministry I have learned a lot and do have a lot of experience with prayer,” Rev. Aleksander Bugarin said. “I would like to use my experience to help people grow spiritually, to help them see God better and to get to know Him better.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/12/24/8c810ae297fe4254a55e16a9661e5cf1/index.xml

There's nothing like a good book

District 86's Joliet Reads program seeks to foster literacy for all ages

"When parents are working or extremely busy, it's often difficult for them to find the time," said Carrie Busse, ELA program coordinator at Joliet Public Schools District 86 and coordinator of the district's Joliet Reads program."We're just trying to make sure reading is in the forefront at all times."

Read on for a list of recommended titles.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/12/24/8b9db29588124dadb49d75d33d6ce33e/index.xml

Artworks Mister Ed releases 3rd CD
Channahon rapper donating part of latest CD to help families in need

"This is more the style that was popular through the 90s,which is kind of referred to the golden era of hip hop," Mayer said. "It's very lyric-based, not so much like music that's become background-based. It's distinct; you pay attention to the words."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/24/artworks-mister-ed-releases-3rd-cd/agv582w/

LocalLit author spotlight: Colleen Robbins of Joliet returns

Robbins said, "I write because I have to. I have always written, even when my father forbade it and destroyed some of my stories. When I don't write enough, stories appear in my head and distract me (causing more than one crash with the wall while swimming backstroke)."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/08/locallit-author-spotlight-colleen-robbins-of-joliet-returns/awtozz7/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

One Nearly Done, Four More to Go

On Saturday I met with my editor Colleen Robbins to review her notes on the BryonySeries prequel Before the Blood.

The novel is unfinished on purpose and consists of five parts, also unfinished on purpose, that will be published in 2019 in five separate installments.

She had typed up her comments on each of the five parts, which we reviewed. She had also edited the first manuscript, which she felt only needed a light copyedit.

You know the meeting will go well when the open line is, "First of all: well done," and the last one is "an excellent read."

So I spent Saturday making the changes, formatting the manuscript,and then sending it Rebekah to scroll through my formatting.

Sue Midlock had already made and sent the covers.

Topher Gleason has created three of the five frontispieces.

Once Rebekah assembles the cover pieces, she can upload the manuscript to KDP and order a proof.

The goal is to release the volumes one every two months starting in January.

None of this will shake up the world, I know. Nor will these books have tremendous readership.

But to see the most complicated writing project I've undertaken finally come together after eight years of work is, well, satisfying.

And the books will always be there, just waiting for the right readers to discover them.

I hope they do.

Cover by Sue Mydliak. For more information, visit theunbeatenheart.blogspot.com.

Saturday, October 27, 2018

The Novels Are Written: Now What?

Earlier this year, I set, and met, some goals for writing and self-editing the fifth novel of the BryonySeries trilogy Before the Blood.

Although I'll certainly be busy with making the changes and getting each book ready for its 2019 release (where a couple of people can't wait to read them), the burning question now is: How am I filling that writing time until Colleen Robbins returns the manuscripts?

Catching up on neglected projects at home and work, that's what!

For instance, this I'm working straight through most of this weekend in order to spend part of Tuesday at Loyola and leave a little early on Wednesday to go trick or treating with grandkids.

Last weekend, I put together the albums of the four BryonySeries artists, tentatively scheduled a year's worth of signings for WriteOn Joliet members at a local bookstore and then visited that said bookstore to meet with the owner to handle some final details of a unique partnership that's happening in 2019 (details later, it's not launched yet).

Also last weekend, I put together a new Bertrand the Mouse Book and finished the copy editing of Cornell Dyer and the Necklace of Forgetfulness. A new proof has been ordered. Bertrand is stalled because the ISBN site is down for maintenance. I'll be calling on Monday.

And I caught up on correspondence with my grandkids! :)

This weekend and last weekend, I worked on some light editing on a novel for another WriteOn Joliet member. Ten chapters down, forty more to go!

(And I still need to practice my piece for this Thursday's open mic at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet. The topic is "fear." We have about twenty local authors reading. Hope to see you there!)

Next weekend, I'll be hanging out the bookstore, getting stuff reading for the launch. And giving Ed Calkins a call. True, he sent a telegram last week, but he's altogether too quiet. Time to shake him up.

Plus, I'll be attending the monthly meeting of the WriteOn Joliet Gothic Book Club between 12:30 and 2 p.m. at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet. Come join us! :)

By then I'm guessing Colleen might be ready with the edits. And in between those, I have more projects waiting. These are:

Five Bertrand books waiting to be assembled (photos are all done, except for one book and those are half done).

Getting the next two Adventures of Cornell Dyer books written: Cornell Dyer and the Eerie Lake and Cornell Dyer: In the Shadow of the Mountain.

Finally, finally, finally starting my standalone werewolf novel (and I am sooooooooooo tempted to start that now!).

Plus, I'm planning to spend 2019 catching up on reading books by WriteOn Joliet authors.

And now, back to work!

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Unusual Motivation

Most of us need an inner cattle prod from time to time, and I'm certainly no exception.

I love my job and work a lot of hours at it. I have a large family, and I love spending time for them.
Which leaves not huge amounts of time for working on my own version of War and Peace.

Here's my "inner cattle prod," summed up in a word you've probably never heard: pheochromocytoma.

This pesky thing nearly took me out back in 2002. Fortunately, I prevailed, and it did not. Mayo Clinic even sent me a surprise photo of the post-surgical enemy before it was chopped to bits, and I got the satisfaction of shaking my fist at it and exclaiming, "You lost, sucker!"

However, it can bite back. Meaning, it can return.

If it bites back, it bites harder because that generally means malignancy. The only way to keep pace with it is yearly screenings for life, and, trust me, I am compliant. And the screenings have always been normal.

Until this past spring, when the values came back slightly abnormal.

It was a sobering, sobering moment.

But not a horrible moment. My endocrinologist decided to redo the test in six months as opposed to 12, unless I had symptoms (which I have not). And I decided to delay panic until I had a solid reason for it.

However, knowing circumstances could be get interesting this fall, I decided to use vacation time this year to churn out the rest of Before the Blood, just in case, well, you know. In case life got busier dealing with "it."

And scheduled my annual physical to match that schedule.

I am happy to report this second screening was completely normal. However, I am officially prediabetic again (I was out of those woods for two years).

My yearly appointment with my endocrinologist is the day before Halloween (how appropriate). I have a list for her because I'm ferociously attacking the prediabtes.

But unlike many of the characters in my BryonySeries, I'll be hanging around on the life side of the grave for awhile. Or so it appears.

And the prequel is written and in editing. YAY!

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff