Good morning!
I have just eleven feature stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post - and more will go live this weekend. 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
National Poetry Month: I've been invited to read and display BryonySeries and WriteOn books at the second National Poetry Month Open Mic & Festival: 6 to 10 p.m. April 12 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet. Admission is free, so stop out if you can.
The Book Market in Crest Hill: I'll be hanging out at The Book Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 15 . Pop in, check out our "spring into reading" display complete with Cindy's Easter Ribbit-Ribbits - and let's chat!
We Can Be Heroes: WriteOn Joliet's third original radio-style theatre performance will take place at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet. I'll be sharing more details about this event in the coming weeks.
BryonySeries books-in-progress
Bertrand the Mouse: Last weekend, Rebekah and I created a very special Bertrand the Mouse book that I'm hoping to give away at a special event - and the proof copy is on its way, hip, hip, hooray! Yes, I'm being mysterious about it...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 (three more this week - our life is like a novel!).
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 slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping to finish the book in 2025.
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."
Bertrand the Mouse: I have tons of Bertrand photos and books in progress. The goal is to release at least two new ones this year.
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'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.
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
Joliet’s former fire chaplain Brother Ed ‘created community’
everywhere
Gas leak at Crest Hill home may have been caused by animals
living there
20-30 cats and dogs found alone at residence
“I Heart Downtown Joliet Video Premier Party
Special event is Friday
Joliet bank hosting gold coin sale
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/local/2025/04/03/joliet-bank-hosting-gold-coin-sale/
Joliet American Legion Band to host fundraising concert
Spring performance at Old Central Church
New Lenox’s Uniquely You mental health practice serves
neurodivergent community
Brooke Garren: ‘We are the specialists’
Will County voter turnout on Tuesday at just over 15%
Early voting is increasing in Will County
Joliet Township Animal Control discounts pet adoptions in
April
Special Saturday hours added
Northern Illinois Food Bank leader joins Global FoodBanking
board
Will County Pets of the Week: March 31, 2025
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/31/will-county-pets-of-the-week-march-31-2025/
5 Things to Do in Will County: Gliding Through Space Ice
Show
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
