Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Oct. 25 through Oct. 31

Good morning!

I have five stories online to share with you today (I was out of the office this week) - and more stories may go live over the weekend.

So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

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

Nov. 8: Local Author Panels: Tips and Tricks to Getting Your Book Published: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Downers Grove Public Library. This event is a series of panel discussions designed to help authors move forward. I will be part of the panel on book marketing, and we will have information about BryonySeries, WriteOn Joliet and B.L.O.C.K.S. This is strictly an information session. No one will be selling that day.

Nov. 22: BryonySeries "Day of Gratitude" at The Book Market: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill.

Nov. 28: Christmas Market: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Renaisssance Center, 214 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet. This event is part of the Joliet City Center Partnership's "Light Up the Holidays Festival and Parade."

Dec. 4: WriteOn Joliet Anthology Release party: 6 to 8 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet. Everything is free at this event unless you buy a book: free chef-created small bites, free photos with Santa, free opportunity to chat with local authors, who will also be selling their books and other products. WriteOn Joliet will also be selling its 2025 anthology, along with all other anthologies from 2017 onward, including its holiday anthology and "cheetah" anthology.

Dec. 20: BryonySeries "A Gift of Reading" Christmas Party, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill.

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 stalled until Timothy finished his master's degree, which he did. So now we just have to stop having family emergencies (they just keep coming) and carve some time for a Cornell breakfast (it's been three years since our last one, way, way too long). I'm had surgery July 17 and that further stalled the process. But I'd love to give Sue Midlock ideas for art (she illustrates all the Cornell books), especially since she's actually eager to get drawing.

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 (overall) slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping we release it early 2026.

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 I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

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 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 Noon Lions collecting items for group homes

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/24/joliet-noon-lions-collecting-items-for-group-homes/

Former Pops restaurant building in Joliet still for sale

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/26/former-pops-restaurant-building-in-joliet-still-for-sale/

Tickets on sale for Will County Habitat for Humanity holiday fundraiser

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/25/tickets-on-sale-for-will-county-habitat-for-humanities-holiday-fundraiser/

Three Rivers Association of REALTORS holding real estate investor program

Free event at Joliet Junior College

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/24/three-rivers-association-of-realtors-holding-real-estate-investor-program/

Will County Pets of the Week: Oct. 27, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/27/will-county-pets-of-the-week-oct-27-2025/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan 4. to Jan. 10

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'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 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

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/business/2025/01/09/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

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/01/03/joliet-central-to-host-open-house-on-new-culinary-arts-addition/

Volunteers needed for Joliet’s annual MLK Day of Service

Even families can volunteer to work side by side

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/01/05/volunteers-needed-for-joliets-annual-mlk-day-of-service/

Crest Hill’s Jitterhead Brunch & Coffee Co. serves up fresh take on breakfast, lunch

Jitterhead also has a full-service bar

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/12/20/crest-hills-jitterhead-brunch-coffee-co-serves-unique-options/

Plainfield Maple Butter Cafe owner serves up decades of experience

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/01/03/plainfield-maple-butter-cafe-owner-serves-up-decades-of-experience/

Joliet Noon Lions thankful for business partnership on winter clothing collection

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/will-county/2025/01/08/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"

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 30 to Jan. 5

Good morning!

Today, with another short work week due to the new year, I am sharing just six news and feature stories. But more will be posted over weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, received the proof copy of his second novel, "The Fifth," yesterday, and mine is due to arrive today. I'm hoping to start reading through it tonight (and maybe a little bit tomorrow) before switching into our family's Christmas weekend and Rebekah's thirtieth birthday.

Other than that, I have no further BryonySeries updates to report since most of my attention these past couple weeks was on the holidays and finishing the edits for "The Fifth.

For a list of BryonySeries projects in progress, check this story roundup from two weeks ago.

Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.

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

And have a great Friday!

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'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 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.

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.

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 Noon Lions donate winter supplies to Daybreak Center: The total value of the donations was more than $600

Joliet nonprofits, volunteers provide ‘extras’ to Silver Cross patients: The Silver Service Cart provides ‘convenience and comfort items’

Auction raises funds for scholarships to New Lenox-area women: LWABWO was founded in 1970 and raises money for scholarships

Hospitals in Will, Grundy counties welcome 1st babies of 2024: Babies were born in Bolingbrook, New Lenox and Morris

Pets of the Week: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

The Local Scene: Play exhibit at Plainfield library" Here are 5 things to do this weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 2 to Dec. 8

 Good morning!

Today I am sharing just eight news and feature stories. But more will be posted over weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Next week FOR SURE, I plan to (finally) share a recap Local Author Fair at the Downers Grover Public Library next week and the second The Timbers of Shorewood held a second "Meet The Author" night. It was a busy family (but also under the weather) week for me AGAIN. So please stay tuned!

What a wonderful turnout for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on December 7 (last night at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library). The even included free chef-created appetizers, free photos with Santa, and quite a few anthologies sold (and books by individual authors, too).

The anthology release party is WriteOn's main open-to-the community event of the year. And each year, we try to make it more festive and more joyful, a way to connect with people who support us year after year and to meet new friends who might be interested in learning more about what we do. I'll share more next week.

We have recently published three new BryonySeries books: "Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville," "Karla Joins In," and "Welcome to Munsonville: The People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries."

The fun and good will of Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash, which happened in August at The Book Market in Crest Hill, is continuing this fall at The Book Market in Crest Hill with a special display to help Santa distribute books to children and special needs adults this holiday season.

So please consider a gift for Santa this year. For bulk rates (or if you live out of the area), message us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

No updates (yet) on the WriteOn Joliet radio play recording, which we recorded at digital media center at the downtown branch of the Joliet Public Library in the beginning of August.

WriteOn Joliet almost finished editing the radio play that eight members (including me) presented at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet on April 22.and at the Joliet Public Library on Sept. 9.

One section didn't save and needs to be re-edited. So if the emergencies would just settle down, please and thank you, I will get back to the downtown branch very soon and finish the project.

Speaking of radio plays, Bicentennial Park actually scheduled WriteOn Joliet's radio play for TWO days in 2024: April 19 and April 20 (mark your calendars).

We also have more exciting news in the works. Stay tuned!

Here is a quick recap of BryonySeries projects in progress:

The Fifth: This is the second novel by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, author of the BryonySeries novel Ruthless. He has sent me all chapters except one, which I hope to start editing the beginning of November. He is hoping we can release the book in time for Calkins Day on February 13, so I have my work cut out for me.

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and two chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. Writing on this book is paused until I finish editing "The Fifth.". We are estimating a 2024 release date.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We had scheduled a "Cornell breakfast" for Halloween morning, but...well, you know. We do plan to schedule one over the Christmas holidays.

You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon. 

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. Jennifer Wainwright has already started working on the cover portrait.

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.

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. Half of it is written and edited and another half is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. We are estimating a late 2024 release date.

Rebekah is also 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.

Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.

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

And have a great Friday!

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'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 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.

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.

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 pageant for Black girls returns after 15-year hiatus: LaTonya Warren, coordinator: ‘It was so rewarding to see their excitement’

Adults-only Joliet ‘Drunk’n Gnome’ show returns on Saturday: This live comedy show is for those 18 and older

Baran-Unland: Joliet cafe was community gathering space: I don’t know of another place like it in Joliet

Joliet Noon Lions collecting coats, hats and gloves forlocal charities: Donations accepted through Dec. 14

Lockport teen writes, publishes faith-based novel: Josiah Posey started writing the novel when he was 15

Will County horse group riding into New Lenox Walmart toring bells: Members of the Will County Trail Riders will collectdonations for the Salvation Army

Pets of the Week: Dec. 4, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

The Local Scene: Joliet American Legion Band Christmas concert: Here are 5 things to do this weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Nov. 25 to Dec. 1

Good morning and Happy December!

December is my most favorite month of the entire year. In addition to my mind "seeing" December as a deep blue (my favorite color), Christmas Eve is my favorite holiday, which happens this month.

Today I am sharing eleven news and feature stories. But more will be posted over weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

I plan to (finally) share a recap Local Author Fair at the Downers Grover Public Library next week and the second The Timbers of Shorewood held a second "Meet The Author" night. It was a busy family (but also under the weather) week for me AGAIN. So please stay tuned!

Be sure to stop out at WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on December 7. The event will include free chef-created appetizers, free photos with Santa, and an opportunity to meet some really outstanding local writers and (maybe) do a little holiday shopping for the readers in your life.

We have recently published three new BryonySeries books: "Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville," "Karla Joins In," and "Welcome to Munsonville: The People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries."

The fun and good will of Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash, which happened in August at The Book Market in Crest Hill, is continuing this fall at The Book Market in Crest Hill with a special display to help Santa distribute books to children and special needs adults this holiday season.

So please consider a gift for Santa during your Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shopping experiences.

No updates (yet) on the WriteOn Joliet radio play recording, which we recorded at digital media center at the downtown branch of the Joliet Public Library in the beginning of August.

WriteOn Joliet almost finished editing the radio play that eight members (including me) presented at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet on April 22.and at the Joliet Public Library on Sept. 9.

One section didn't save and needs to be re-edited. So if the emergencies would just settle down, please and thank you, I will get back to the downtown branch very soon and finish the project.

Speaking of radio plays, Bicentennial Park actually scheduled WriteOn Joliet's radio play for TWO days in 2024: April 19 and April 20 (mark your calendars).

We also have more exciting news in the works. Stay tuned!

Here is a quick recap of BryonySeries projects in progress:

The Fifth: This is the second novel by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, author of the BryonySeries novel Ruthless. He has sent me all chapters except one, which I hope to start editing the beginning of November. He is hoping we can release the book in time for Calkins Day on February 13, so I have my work cut out for me.

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and two chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. Writing on this book is paused until I finish editing "The Fifth.". We are estimating a 2024 release date.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We had scheduled a "Cornell breakfast" for Halloween morning, but...well, you know. We do plan to schedule one over the Christmas holidays.

You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon. 

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. Jennifer Wainwright has already started working on the cover portrait.

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.

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. Half of it is written and edited and another half is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. We are estimating a late 2024 release date.

Rebekah is also 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.

Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.

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

And have a great Friday!

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'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 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.

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.

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

Festive holiday gnomes return to Joliet’s Bicentennial Park: Jan Novotny: ‘I imagine they’ll be wheeling Tom and I out eventually’

Lockport’s Christmas in the Square was ‘like a Hallmark movie’: Annual event is city’s holiday kickoff

Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way help those in need: Sarah Oprzedek, United Way of Will County: ‘I don’t know anyone who is not experiencing need’

Morris woman’s last day at Walmart TikTok video goes viral: Gail Lewis: ‘Today was an end of an era for me’

Joliet students connect cultures by talking with Nez Perce tribal expert: A.O. Marshall principal: ‘This is giving the students something to really think about '

Joliet Noon Lions hosting winter clothing drive: Donations accepted through Dec. 14

Lockport High School reaching out to veterans for annual Veterans Night: Registration is open for the Dec. 1 event

Have a favorite holiday ornament or decoration? We’d love to hear about it

Homeless man arrested after attacking 3 employees at Joliet Jewel: A liquor bottle was shattered during the incident

Crest Hill police say man died after being shot multiple times: The Will/Grundy Major Crimes Task Force is assisting Crest Hill Police Department with the investigation

Pets of the Week: Nov. 27, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

The Local Scene: Enjoy model trains at free Joliet open house" Here are 5 things to do this weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"