BryonySeries: Lewis University

Showing posts with label Lewis University. Show all posts

Friday, April 26, 2024

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 20 to April 26

Good morning!

I have just six news and features stories to share with you this week, since I took two days off for a colonoscopy. But more stories will post over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

If you live in the Joliet/Will County area, consider popping into the Joliet Public Library's Local Author Fair tomorrow. You will meet local authors of many genres, including quite a few who are part of WriteOn Joliet (including moi).

Next week, I hope to share some post-event thoughts about "Fragments of Time," WriteOn Joliet's second annual radio-style performance, which was held last weekend at the Billie Limacher Bicetennial Park Theatre.

Here is an update on my BryonySeries book projects:

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 seven chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. I hope to flesh out chapter eight this weekend. We are estimating a late 2024 release date for this book.

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 are also working on the last book in the series (but it's not the final book, if that makes sense). Timothy is actually writing that one. In order to make progress on any of this, Timothy and I need to schedule a "Cornell breakfast." But Timothy and Daniel are very busy with work and school right now. We've scheduled and broke several Cornell breakfasts in 2023 and 2024. Our last one was July 2022. So we are LONG overdue.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. The first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world earlier this month, has already started working on the cover portrait. The fifth book is called "Brainy Ann."

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.

Congratulations, Jennifer, on the new addition to your family!

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novelette in the second person is completed and just needs final copyediting. Rebekah is still experimenting with cover art for this and made good progress this past weekend. We are estimating a mid-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 Herald-News stories 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 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.

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

Lewis University honors Keith White for life dedicated to theater, education: White, on average, oversaw five ‘high quality’ productions a year

Joliet’s ‘Jojo the Boxer’ wins Chicago Golden Glove in his class: Joseph Awinongya Jr. said next big goal is the 2028 Olympics

Joliet cafe is new gathering spot for local artists: Features include paint nights, networking, exhibits

Joliet hospice offering grief workshop series in May: Register by May 1

Pets of the Week: April 22, 2024: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

The Local Scene: Rock Circus Featuring Hairbangers Ball: Here are 5 things to do this weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Friday, February 23, 2024

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Feb. 17 to Feb. 23

Good morning!

I have nine news and features stories to share with you this week. But more will be posted over this weekend, especially with me working this weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Despite a steady flow of health challenges this year, I finally finished the novelette I started about eighteen months ago earlier this week and dabbled a bit with the third novel in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy (see updates below).

And on Wednesday evening, the local authors of WriteOn Joliet (which includes the BryonySeries) experienced a huge victory (for us) in terms of recognition and future plans to connect readers with their books.

I'll share more about that triumph in future posts. For now, we're basking in the recognition as we make plans to move forward.

Here are the BryonySeries book updates:

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 four chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. We are estimating a late 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 are also working on the last book in the series (but it's not the final book, if that makes sense). Timothy is actually writing that one. We had a tentative "Cornell breakfast" scheduled for last weekend, which didn't happen. We are trying again for this weekend. We've scheduled and broke several in 2023. Our last one was July 2022. So we are LONG overdue.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. The first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright has already started working on the cover portrait. That one is called "Brainy Ann."

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 novelette in the second person is completed and just needs final copyediting. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. We are estimating a mid-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 Herald-News stories 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 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

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 East alum creates ‘coming-of-age’ song with Joliet nostalgia: Dave McBride: ‘I’ve had that longing to get reconnected with Joliet for some time’

Morris Hospital offers concussion management program: A concussion is a brain injury that happens acutely

Lewis University hosts ‘Fulfilling the Dream’ Conference in Romeoville: Workshops provided information on the admission process financial aid and possible career paths

Will County State’s Attorney’s Office donates $5,000 to heroin relief program: HERO now has a physical home in the community

Family of Silver Cross CEO files complaint against University of Chicago Hospital: The complaint included a letter from an expert dated Feb. 12

Joliet hospice announces 2 new leadership members: Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is currently‘ poised for large growth’

2 killed in crash Sunday morning in Joliet

Pets of the Week: Feb. 19, 2024: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

The Local Scene: Night hike at Joliet’s Pilcher Park: Here are 5 things to do this weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Friday, May 14, 2021

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 8 through May 14

Good morning!

I have fourteen stories to share with you this morning - with a whopping eighteen that haven't posted to The Herald-News website yet.

Here's a quick summary of where I'm at, fiction-wise.

Rebekah is finishing up a Kindle for a client and then she will format the next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series (Cornell Dyer and the Whispering Wardrobe). Because, yes, I did finish it last weekend, hurray.

This means Timothy and I just might be starting the next book in the series: Cornell Dyer and the Calcium-Deficient Bones

A new proof copy of the first book in the new BryonySeries Limbo trilogy (The Phoenix) is on its way. If I don't to make any substantial changes to it, we could have a release by June.

Last night, I did spend some time on the second book if the Limbo trilogy - Call of the Siren - but I am far, far, far away from having more than a very loose-ish outline done. I don't even have a good working draft.

Now, I'm not unmotivated and my muse has not dried up. But the book is a substantial change from the other books in the series, so I have a lot of back end work to get done.

Now back to the fourteen feature 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 Sunday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks or will be featured in an upcoming cookbook.

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

If you need support in your writing, I highly recommend this Twitter group: #5amwritersclub. I joined it last year. Writers support each other on Twitter and meet every three weeks at 5 a.m. (4 a.m. CST - needless to say, I am often late!) on Zoom.

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 Will County Go Guide and Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story and Book Review Newsletter at https://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/

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 do post the briefs 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.

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-1.

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

‘Behind those walls of the NICU lies the tiniest fighters’: Joliet Junior College student finishes nursing degree after crisis pregnancy, aspires to work in labor or delivery or a NICU

'A life is given in the midst of tragic deaths in COVID’: Silver Cross health care experts discuss labor, delivery in COVID-19-positive mothers

LocalLit book preview: #Minooka author works through the death of her youngest son: ‘If I have learned anything, it’s to trust my instincts’

'My worst fear was coming true: labor and the virus’: New mom learned she had #COVID-19 right before labor, honors nurse at Silver Cross Hospital who supported her

Pets of the Week: May 10: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

United Way of Will County names new president & CEO: Kamala Martinez ‘will step into the role’ on May 17

An Extraordinary Life: 'He lived the life most people don’t get to live’: Retired music director from #Joliet Central was a friend and mentor to many

Ashley Pilon of Minooka served as guest weather forecaster on WGN TV: This 4th-grader at Trinity Christian School in Shorewood was chosen due to her exemplary effort in the classroom

New hearing clinic comes to Will County

Nursing students from Lewis University in Romeoville help vaccinate people with special needs: Students worked in conjunction with the Will County Health Department

Music, theater and outside fun - if the rain holds offWill County Inside/Outside Guide offers suggestions for enjoying your weekend

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie celebrates 25 years with time capsule: Endangered prairie clover seeds and call-to-action letter just 2 of the items Midewin preserved

Northern Illinois Food Bank honors 2 Channahon volunteers: Carol Ferguson and Amy Winters both serve at the Joliet site

Frankfort students raise more than $35,900 for American Heart Association

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Friday, May 7, 2021

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 1 through May 7

Good morning!

I have sixten stories to share with you this morning - with just three that haven't posted to The Herald-News website yet.

But I'm working tomorrow, so that will quick change, I'm certain.

Here's a quick summary of where I'm at, fiction-wise.

I'm still wrapping up the next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series (Cornell Dyer and the Whispering Wardrobe), but that should be ready for formatting within a week.

I'm finished editing the first proof copy of the first book in the new BryonySeries Limbo trilogy (The Phoenix). But I made so many changes that I'm sending for a second proof copy. Hopefully it's good to go this time.

I've done nothing substantial in the second book if the Limbo trilogy - Call of the Siren - but I'm planning to work on that book tonight and tomorrow night.

Now back to the fifteen feature (and one news) 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 Sunday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks or will be featured in an upcoming cookbook.

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

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 Will County Go Guide and Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story and Book Review Newsletter at https://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/

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 do post the briefs 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.

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-1.

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

No injuries in fire at commercial building in Plainfield: Plainfield Fire Protection District dispatched to 2-alarm fire Sunday night

An Extraordinary Life : ‘She knew how to light up a room’: HomerGlen woman exhibited great strength and love, in sickness and in health

Shorewood Lions honor Troy students for effort and attitude: Troy Community School District 30-C school board recognized the students at board meetings in February and March

Joliet, Plainfield students celebrate Arbor Day, Earth Day: Students planted, cleaned, and spread mulch and messages

An outdoor, user-friendly, digitally-connected gym is coming to New Lenox: Park District hopes the Fitness Court will be ready for use by end of May

Joliet Central announces runners-up, finalists for its 2021 Mr. J and Miss J: 2 seniors selected to represent high school each year since 1958

Pets of the Week: May 3: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Lewis University in #Romeoville is offering a community conversation with students of color today

LocalLit preview: ‘Come to the well like the Samaritan woman and encounter Jesus’: Channahon woman writes book to help readers grow closer to God

And the actual review:

'If Dr. Fauci is getting it, then I’m getting it, too’: Plainfield woman said she had reaction to Pfizer shot - and encourages people to get vaccinated

Disabled Joliet woman with breast cancer needs help with transportation expenses

Lockport Township HS Junior ROTC cadets clean debris from Fairmont senior’s yard: 'She would not have been able to clean this property without the support of these cadets’

Trinity Services, Valley View are offering mental health resources: Register now for a virtual tour of a virtual living room on Tuesday

'I am grateful for the opportunity to be serving’: Silver Cross, St. Joe’s chaplains discuss their ministry during COVID-19

When the weather fails, let music speak: Will County Inside/Outside Guide offers suggestions for enjoying your rainy weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Community News: March 10, 2020

Friday, February 7, 2020

Community News: Feb. 6 and Feb. 7, 2020

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

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!" Follow him at artworkbytopher.com.

Saturday, February 1, 2020

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

Last night got a little busy (test driving cars, an impromptu family party), so here is the promised story round-up now.

If you're new to my blog, what you'll find here today is a list of where else to find me on social media and waaaay below that, a list, with links, of the features stories I've written this week for The Herald-News, in case you've missed one, two, or all of them.

And now, I'm off to work on a couple novels before the day gets busy. Have a great weekend 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. 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.