BryonySeries: NAMI Will-Grundy

Showing posts with label NAMI Will-Grundy. Show all posts

Friday, April 19, 2024

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 13 to April 19

Good morning!

I have just ten news and features stories to share with you this week. But more stories will post over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

What a year it's been so far! In addition to work and battling malady after another since January, I've also been involved with this event...and opening night is tonight!

So if you live reasonably close to the Will County, Illinois, area, consider attending on one of the two nights. You will not only be entertained, you can meet Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara in person! And you can browse books by some of WriteOn Joliet's authors as well WriteOn's anthologies.

Also, WriteOn Joliet is dedicating the event to our co-founder Tom Hernandez, who died from brain cancer on Monday. We will also have a limited amount of Tom's books for sale.

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 six chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. I scrapped most of chapter seven, restarted it a few times, and now finally have all but one scene ready for editing.. 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. We had a tentative "Cornell breakfast" scheduled for last weekend, which didn't happen...and we have no opportunity for another for at least a couple more weeks. 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 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

Joliet Junior College Repair Cafe brings new life to broken items: Repair Cafe events originated 15 years ago in Holland

Will County Old Timers baseball group goes to bat to support youth baseball, softball: The association raises money in three ways.

‘The Voice’ of Plainfield District 202 died Monday morning: Tom Hernandez’s legacy ‘is one of compassion and community’

Registration open for NAMI Will-Grundy’s BeActive 5KWalk/Run: Dressing up as a superhero strongly encouraged

Will County Animal Protection Services offers pet adoptions

Beatles tribute band coming to Joliet’s Rialto Theatre: 1964 – The Tribute was founded 40 years ago

Joliet man arrested after high-speed crash

Joliet police searching for missing man

Pets of the Week: April 15: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

The Local Scene: Explore ‘Fragments of Time’ at Joliet Bicentennial Park: Here are 5 things to do this weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Friday, March 15, 2024

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 9 to March 15

Good morning!

I have just 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.

Last weekend was filled with family time (Saturday), friends (Sunday), and an obituary I was asked to write. This weekend is filled with work and then I leap into a very busy work week, followed by a colonoscopy next week.

Oh, and I have three business proposals to write before said colonoscopy - and I'm editing a manuscript for a client.

It's also been a busy week with rehearsals for WriteOn Joliet's radio play in April at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theater in Joliet on April 19 and April 20. More on that next week.

Still, even with all these fun projects to keep me occupied, I'm hoping to carve out some time for my own BryonySeries writing projects. Maybe? We shall see.

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 six chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. I scrapped most of chapter seven last weekend and am now working on the current draft. We are estimating a late 2024 release date for this book.

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

Daughter says at-home care a ‘godsend’ for Lemont parents with dementia" The couple receives services from Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet

Joliet’s Cadence Premier Logistics tackles business and serves the community: Rocky Caylor, president and CEO: ‘We’ve just been quiet in the background’

Plainfield District 202 hosting car parade for Tom Hernandez: Hernandez is the former director of community relations for District 202 in Plainfield

NAMI Will-Grundy brings youth mental health program to schools: Cheryl Habeeb, NAMI Will-Grundy: ‘We want to end the silence and reduce the stigma’

Joliet Bunny Bash to benefit foster kids: Buy tickets to the family friendly event by March 19

Joliet West senior earns full scholarship to Northwestern: Jaedyn Jumper-Uwumarogie said she ‘cried a little bit’ when she learned the news

Free ‘Take Time for You’ event in New Lenox on Saturday: Event is open to any adult in the community

Pets of the Week: March 11, 2024: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

The Local Scene: A Shamrockin’ Good Time at Joliet Rialto: Here are 5 things to do this weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Friday, April 8, 2022

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

Good morning!

I have just twelve feature stories to share with you today and a few yet posted. So do check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news. Not only have I been sick this week 9not COVID), I'm also working on two big projects that are also taking up some time.

Here's what I wrote last week:

I can't recall the last time I welcomed Friday with such glee. I worked straight through last weekend and took Monday off because Sarah was in town for the weekend and leaving Monday afternoon. So I was thankful to spend some time with family.

And then midweek took a dive with a major family emergency.

So I am especially happy to spend some extended period of time with the last two chapters of "Call of the Siren" and then tackle some of the more nuanced aspects of its editing (most of has gone through hard edits).

Well, by Friday afternoon, Rebekah and I realized we were both sick. And so we spent the weekend curled up with blankets and watching "Hill House" and "Bly Manor" - both of which Daniel had already watched and loved and really wanted us to find time to see. And so...

However, I finished the drafts and initial edits of the remaining chapters of Call of the Siren on Sunday. They need more because I wasn't at the top of my focus, but I have all of tomorrow with no interruptions to work on those - or, at least, that's the goal from this morning's point of view.

And then on Sunday, I will finish the first round of edits for a client.

Call of the Siren is the second book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I'm anticipating a late spring publication date, with gorgeous cover art by Nancy Calkins.

We plan to release Cornell Dyer and the Calcium Deficient Bones and Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being very soon. Both Rebekah and our artist Sue Midlock have gone through health issues this past year, which has caused publication delays. But I'd rather have delays and healthy collaborators. Please send up good thoughts for them both.

Next up in the series: a Sherlock Holmes parody (the main character is Sherman Homes). Timothy is ready for a Cornell breakfast to share his ideas. He and I just need our time off schedules to sync. But that won't be this week as he is leaving this morning for a week-long business trip out of state.

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!

Rebekah Baran has completed cover art for two of "Girls of the BryonySeries" books. They are beautiful! One book in this series of eight books is completely written, a second is halfway written, and the rest are outlined.

Now back to the twelve 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 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.

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

Silver Cross invites community to ‘celebrate new beginnings’ at its baby shower April 28: Proceeds will benefit its proposed neonatal intensive care unit

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

Joliet university offering summer program for students interested in teaching careers: High school students who have completed their sophomore year may apply.

Troy teacher receives marriage proposal while reading online to her students: Ryan’s students wondered when Ryan’s boyfriend would propose. They soon found out.

D-86 in Joliet announces its students of the month for March: Students at 13 buildings were recognized

Providence Catholic H.S. to host Hall of Fame Dinner on Friday: The New Lenox high school will induct 8 honorees into its Green & White Hall of Fame

Mystery Diner: East-side Knights serve up some of the best fish in Joliet: Don’t like fish? Then try one of the Knights’ chicken dinners

Lockport gallery seeks entries for 2022 photography competition: Entries for Gallery Seven’s Open Lens XII due by April 30

CITGO donates $5,000 to Silver Cross Hospital’s new NICU: The New Lenox hospital plans to open the level 3 neonatal intensive care unit this spring

5 Things to do in Will County: Easter egg hunts for kids and adults, STEM Fest 2022: Plus, enjoy a British romantic farce at Joliet West H.S. and comedy and Dave Landau and Peppa Pig Live! at the Rialto in Joliet

Bolingbrook principal named 2022 Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year: Keith Wood: ‘I consistently promote a culture of high expectations where students are expected to learn and grow’