Good morning!
I have eight stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post, which is not bad for having two days off work this week (and much of last week off): Old Calendar Christmas, which is our family Christmas, and a day off to address various "life" things.
And I accomplished it while still dragging from this wicked virus (I feel a bit "normal" today).
Also, more stories will go live this weekend, too. 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.
Also, if you live in the Will County, Illinois area, consider checking out WriteOn Joliet's anthology display at The Book Market in Crest Hill - and purchasing one (or two) to add to your winter reading list.
And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
Event Updates
Calkins Day 2025 will take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at The Book Market in Crest Hill.
I am currently working on the copy edits for Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his Ruthless trilogy: "Recovering Ruthless.
Ed's first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."
The goal is to have books for our Calkins Day celebration on February 13.
Stay tuned for details!
BryonySeries books-in-progress
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, and the book is now live on Amazon and already has its first organic review. Copies are also available at The Book Market. And check out this first review on Amazon.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). But Sue Midlock is already hard at work with the cover for the next book that involves a toymaker: "Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur."). Timothy and I have tentatively agreed to a "Cornell" breakfast when he's off school and work during the holidays. Here's hoping! (we are looooong over due). But it was postponed AGAIN because I got sick (grumble). So...soon?
I also outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.
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 in April, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But I'll return to this book in early 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."
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
More than 20 downtown Joliet businesses participating in
Winter Rewards program
Joliet Central to host open house on new culinary arts
addition
The addition includes 2 state-of-the-art culinary labs
Volunteers needed for Joliet’s annual MLK Day of Service
Even families can volunteer to work side by side
Crest Hill’s Jitterhead Brunch & Coffee Co. serves up
fresh take on breakfast, lunch
Jitterhead also has a full-service bar
Plainfield Maple Butter Cafe owner serves up decades of experience
Joliet Noon Lions thankful for business partnership on
winter clothing collection
Will County Pets of the Week: Jan. 6, 2025
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/01/06/will-county-pets-of-the-week-jan-6-2025/
5 Things to Do in Will County: Eagle Watch
https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2025/01/09/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-eagle-watch/
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
