Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, Receives a Birthday Limerick

Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, BryonySeries author and Irish vampire character, reads the birthday limerick WriteOn Joliet member Recapper Jenny presented to Ed on Calkins Day (Feb. 13) 2026 at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

BryonySeries Pre-Halloween Party is Saturday

Come out to the the BryonySeries "Pre-Halloween Party" at The Book Market in Crest Hill on Saturday.

Several of us will be there from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. telling spooky stories, distributing Halloween treat bags (while supplies last) with fun Halloween "stuff" inside, and drawing the winner of our pumpkin decorating contest (four pumpkins remain as of this writing - pop in and decorate yours!)

Here's how it works.

Simply select one of our Bertrand the Mouse-approved, Cindy-created Ribbit-Ribbit pumpkins.

And then decorate it in the store with sticky back felt shapes and designs, which are divided by shape and design and placed in the plastic Jack-o-lanterns next to the pumpkins.

Leave your pumpkin on the table, so customers can vote "by number." (The pumpkins are numbered).

Write the number of your favorite pumpkin on a sticky note, fold the note in half, and drop it in to the bucket.

Voting ends shortly before 1:30 p.m. October 25 (a the conclusion of the BryonySeries pre-Halloween Book Party), upon which time the notes will be counted and a suprise bookish "prize" will be awarded and all pumpkins may go home.

All pumpkins are free to choose, free to decorate, while supplies last. Decorated pumpkins have an approximate retail value of $25, so this is a free fun way to bring personalized autumn decor into your home.

Questions?

Email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. Or pop into The Book Market and ask owner Janet Staley before Saturday.

Happy decorating!

Ever Decorate a Crocheted Pumpkin?

Seriously: HAVE you ever decorated a crocheted pumpkin?

Well, here's your chance!

BryonySeries is hosting a lowkey "Jump Into Fall" Book Party from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, September 27, at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

BUT - in the days leading up to the event, we are hosting a pumpkin decorating contest.

EXCEPT - those pumpkins are crocheted (in honor of Bertrand the Mouse) by Cindy as part of her Ribbit-Ribbits line.

We will offer these FREE crocheted pumpkins and decorating supplies for you to accessorie and personalize your pumpkin in the store on a first-come, first serve, basis (while pumpkins are available; supply will be limited).

Our soft little "pumpkin patch" should be ready to go this weekend.

HOWEVER - you must leave your decorated pumpkin on display at The Book Market until after the Sept. 27 party.

During the week, patrons may vote for their favorite pumpkins.

The person with the pumpkin with the most votes (as counted by us during the party) will receive a BryonySeries prize.

Afterwards, all decorators may take their pumpkins home to enjoy during the autumn season.

Keep scrolling for the rest of the details.

Patrons may also pull a BryonySeries "leaf deal" from our leaf pile all next week and during the event.

We will have autumn crocheted mice for purchase.

During the party, we will also have free chef-created werewolf bark (while supplies last) and "turn the leaves" author readings.

We hope this helps you line up your cooler weather reads!

Calkins Day 2023: A Limerick for Ed Calkins

Ed Calkins Day 2023 at The Book Market