Good morning!
For my second full-time back-to-work week, I have eighteen (yes, eighteen; I even did some of the photography) stories online to share with you today - and more stories will go live over the weekend, since I'm working 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:
Sept. 27: BryonySeries "Jump Into Fall" Book Party: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 27, The Book Market in Crest Hill.
Oct. 4: FAME: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet. This Fandom Arts and Music Expo will features local musicans, artists, authors, and events on all three levels of the library. I will be leading a panel of comic book artists, reading a couple excerpts from my books, and speaking briefly about B.L.O.C.K.S. and WriteOn Joliet. I will also have BryonySeries books, WriteOn Joliet anthologies, and books authored by my former co-leader Tom Hernandez, who died from brain cancer two years ago.
Oct. 11: Men Who Cook: 6 to 9 p.m., Joliet Junior College Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center, 17840 West Laraway Road, Joliet. Sample small portions of appetizers, side dishes, entrée and desserts at this all-you-can-eat event that benefits the Will County Children's Advocacy Center. While this is not a BryonySeries event per se, Timothy and Daniel are participating for the first time (and this is Daniel's birthday) since the event benefits a nonprofit close to our hearts and raises awareness of the second. That's because the boys will be preparing and serving something yummy from "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from 'Bryony,'" which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. The boys will also be distributing information about B.L.O.C.K.S. For tickets and more information, visit willcountycac.org/menwhocook.
Oct. 25: BryonySeries Pre-Halloween Book Party: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill.
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?
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'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
56 years after near fatal stabbing, Will County man meets
person who helped save his life
‘He’s a saint’
Chick-fil-A Leader Academy teaches life skills to Joliet’s
Lincoln School students
‘I think everybody has a leadership potential’ says owner of
both Joliet locations
‘The bond is unbelievable’- Silver Cross Hospital in New
Lenox celebrates NICU families, medical team
Joliet celebrates PrideFest 2025
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/09/21/joliet-celebrates-pridefest-2025/
DoorDash’s Project DASH partners with Northern Illinois Food
Bank
‘It’s not just people out there looking for freebies and
handouts’
Joliet Junior College’s 2 student-run restaurants offer
special fall menus
Joliet window company hosting celebratory 15-year-event
Joliet’s Jitters coffee shop wants your books for cafe library
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/09/14/joliets-jitters-coffee-shop-wants-your-books/
Joliet coffee shop Sought Out Grounds undergoes name change
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/09/15/new-joliet-coffee-shop-changes-name-branding/
The Dock on Front Street opens Mokena location
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/09/20/the-dock-on-front-street-opens-mokena-location/
Jitters coffee house in Joliet offering specials for
anniversary
New Lenox fall feast benefits preservation of historic
one-room school
Register now free estate-planning luncheon in New Lenox
‘Wadee Day’ Sunday in Plainfield tied to World Peace Day
Traffic stop in Will County leads to seizure of 15 kilos of
cocaine
Fire breaks out in Joliet commercial building Saturday
morning
Photos: Plainfield held 2025 homecoming parade
(I didn’t shoot the photos – but I created the gallery)
https://www.shawlocal.com/gallery/2025/09/20/photos-plainfield-held-2025-homecoming-parade/
Will County Pets of the Week: Sept. 22, 2025
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/09/22/will-county-pets-of-the-week-sept-22-2025/
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
