Good morning!
I have twenty-two features stories to share with you today and few more that will be posted over the weekend, so do watch for them.
Speaking of stories, I've had a bit of change in work duties this past week.
Four years ago, I was asked to write a weekly events newsletter for The Herald-News. Most likely unbeknownst to area libraries )unless they subscribed to this newsletter), I dedicated one newsletter each month to highlight upcoming free events at all libraries in Will County - one event per library.
And because I was receiving so many requests for feature stories from local authors (while Herald-News print space was simulaneously shrinking), I pitched a second newsletter so I could share short stories from authors and review their books.
That newsletter was called LocalLit, and I was especially proud of this newsletter. I felt it was a unique offering, especially for a daily community newspaper.
For me, it was also a wonderful opportunity to read one book each week from a local author I may not have otherwise read - and to share my thoughts about the book with readers in terms of, not just what I thought about it, but also the type of reader who might enjoy reading it.
A few days ago, I was asked to let both newsletters go in favor or writing more features stories, especially since I am known for in-depth, longform stories about people in the community.
So will I still read books by local authors? Of course.
In fact, I can finally tackle a very long series by this local author I've always wanted to read. I'm halfway through the first book and probably have thirty or more to go.
For all of you who subscribed to the newsletters, especially LocalLit, which was more robust in subscribers than I ever imagined it would/could be, thank you.
May you continue to seek out and read books by local authors, not because they're locally written, but to discover some really terrific stories that often get unnoticed.
And for those of you who subscribed to the Will County Go Guide (later named in 2020: the Will County Inside/Outside Guide), please continue to patronize your local library.
Now for a recap/update on my BryonySeries projects:
I am currently re-reading my scribbled first draft for Call of the Siren (the second book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy) and starting to color in the lines. I'm anticipating a late spring publication date, but progress is slow, so we shall see.
Barring the unforeseen, we do plan to publish the book in 2022.
Sue Midlock has completed the art for Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical Being" (cover looks great, by the way) and I'm hoping she can begin art soon for Cornell Dyer and the Calcium Deficient Bones.
Timothy has also scheduled (and canceled) a couple of "Cornell" breakfasts to start working on the next book, a Sherlock Holmes parody (the main character is Sherman Homes) as life has gotten in the way for us. But we will get to it soon.
Sarah also had a crazy dream that sounded perfect for An Adventure of Cornell Dyer mystery. But she wants time to draw some sketches, a map, and write the "rules." It's called Cornell Dyer and the House of Broken Portals.
Bertrand the Mouse has returned, and you can read about it here, here, and here.
Jennifer Wainright (frontispiece artist for Lycanthropic Summer) has completed two portraits for "Girls of the BryonySeries" series for tween girls and is currently working on a third. The portraits are beautiful and it shows that artist Jennifer Wainright can draw anything from werewolves to portraits!
I current have one book in the series completed, and I am working on the second, which I'll revisit this weekend when I'm off work. The goal is to have three of the eight done before I release any of them.
Now back to the twenty-two 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.
ARTISTS
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 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
After 55 years of steady service, Troy bus driver Barb Gray is ready to retire: Baumann: ‘That’s a lifetime of dedication. In a service industry, that’s pretty amazing.’
LocalLit book preview: In-depth, pictorial look at Ottawa’s tent colony for TB patients: The year was 1904 and antibiotics were not yet developed
And the very last LocalLit book review is here.
2021 YMCA Gala nets more than $205,000: Funds will benefit Y’s Mission Strong Fund
7 students in D-86 in Joliet perform in LMEA music festival: The festival takes place at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox
An Extraordinary Life: Virginia Fleming took a culinologist approach to life: Former New Lenox resident understood the components of a good life and applied them well
Pets of the Week: Nov. 8: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
Lockport man runs 11 5k races in 11 days: Virtual races were part of the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Harvest Hustle program
Grundy Bank donates $250,000 to Morris Community YMCA: Gift will fund the Y’s Capital Campaign and support the The GrundyBank/Ron Wohlwend Childhood Development Fund
New Habitat for Humanity home will honor memory of Romeoville veteran: The construction is one of several events for Veterans Build 2021
Frankfort farm that serves people with special needs receives $4,000 donation: On Nov. 4, 100+ Women Who Care of Will County donated $4,000 to Navarro Farm.
Morris Hospital nurse gives patient’s puppy a temporary home: Rambo: ‘She just offered to take him home and take care of him until I was able to get him’
Veterans: Get your seasonal flu shot this Wednesday in Channahon: The Edward Hines Jr. VAMC Outreach Team will be at village hall
Silver Cross Hospital earns 14th straight ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group: And that’s not the only patient safety recognition Silver Cross has earned in 2021
5 brothers from a single Joliet family served in World War II at the same time: A handful of laminated Herald-News clippings tell their story
New Lenox native to perform trumpet concerto with CYSO on Sunday – and it was written just for her: Mary Elizabeth Bowden will also recive CYSO 2021 Alumni Award at the concert
5 Things to do in Will County: Music, military history, craft shows, autumn walk: And ‘Haphazardly Ever After’ is a comedy about ‘four obnoxious, bratty, adult children who do not live up to their royal titles’
Silver Cross Foundation appoints 2 new members: Dr. Mark Danielson and Nick Tyrell join the foundation’s board of directors
Veterans Day observances in Will and Grundy counties: Here’s how to honor veterans in a formal way
Why all the breakthrough COVID cases at Edward Hospital?: Numbers don’t tell the entire story at Naperville hospital
Morris Hospital earns 7th straight ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also recognized Morris Hospital in 2021
Help a Joliet hospice by baking holiday cookies: Register for “Baking Memories” virtual cooking demo fundraiser by Nov. 22
And finally:
He was diagnosed 11 months ago, I wrote his story in June, and he died Monday.
Prayers/thoughts for his family.
He’s just 6 but he’s already an honorary police officer and a superhero: Supporters planning car show in honor of Channahon boy battling cancer
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."
