Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Oct. 3 through Oct. 9

Good morning and happy Friday!

A baker's dozen worth of feature stories this morning.

And if that's not enough reading material for you, I have a few other suggestions.

One, The Herald-News is running a special series of coronavirus fiction - or our pandemic world reimagined in 2020.

The stories are free and sent weekly to subscribers of The Herald-News' LocalLit newsletter. For details and to subscribe, go here.

The BryonySeries has also recently released three books: Lycanthropic Summer, Cornell Dyer and the Old Folks Home, and a cookbook of a dozen werewolf-themed recipes that are easy and fun to make.

Have a great day!

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.

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


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.


FEATURE STORIES:

Will County's 'Take Back the Night’ goes virtual this year — but the impact is real

Joliet Firefighters Peer Support Group honors crisis hotline

Baran-Unland: All the world's a Zoom stage?: Joliet Junior College and Lewis University offering fall plays virtually

Here's why clients returned to Daybreak Center in Joliet 2 weeks ago

LocalLit book review: Project Sumer Snow

LocalLit book spotlight: 'Necessary Blood' by R. Michael Markley of Joliet

And the review

An Extraordinary Life: Crest Hill woman stitched her family together with love

'We don’t just give food only. We provide a touch point of hope:' Hundreds of people seek out Joliet #SalvationArmy each week to meet their food needs

Pets of the Week: Oct. 5

Breast cancer patient at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox participated in 2 clinical trials: 'If I had to go on this journey, I wanted to participate in as many research protocols as I could' 

Crest Hill man determined to raise money for teen's adaptive van 

Frankfort family opens smoothie bar in New Lenox: Family also owns Smoothie King franchises in Bolingbrook, Naperville

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

It's Not All About Me: Links to Other Blogs I've Read Lately

I think no blog about me and my writings is complete without sharing some of the other blogs that I follow on a regular basis.

First and foremost are the blogs of members of WriteOn Joliet. Here are a few I've read recently.

These are not the only blogs I follow, and I plan to be better about saving (and then sharing) links to other writings I've enjoyed, too.

Happy reading! :)

Good tips for effective participation in writing critique groups from a member of WriteOnJoliet and other groups.

http://www.writingandtheprocess.com/2020/07/writing-workshop-contributions.html?fbclid=IwAR17kM491ssiCrwBPAjAKZhJlhNZNphopUh_z_WFsTrwRcXHqaRmJ1z9zZY


A blog about the value of relationships by Allison Rios 

"Feeling wanted is something people need in a relationship. I know I do."

http://amijustmom.blogspot.com/2020/08/i-want-all-of-you.html?amp=1

"Good Vibrations" 

By Holly Coop 

https://hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com/2020/08/24/good-vibrations/?fbclid=IwAR2AnxFgqoHwL3R0FGsTxXRhKs8p-IrxNJwte9H_lRjAktsxMe1fkZr00-c

"Smile" 

By R. Michael Markley

https://rmichaelmarkley.com/2020/08/23/smile/

"The TV Westerns of My Youth"  

By Kenneth Lee McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/the-tv-westerns-of-my-youth/

"Forward is a Pace - dealing with 2020" 

By Marie Larsen

http://www.chicagonow.com/bug-coffee/2020/05/forward-is-a-pace-dealing-with-2020/

"Positively Reaping the Harvest" 

By Mauverneen Blevins 

https://maureenblevins.blogspot.com/2020/08/positively-reaping-harvest.html

"Quiet Time" 

By Allison Rios 

http://amijustmom.blogspot.com/2020/09/quiet-time.html

"The TV Westerns of My Youth, Part 2" 

By Ken McGee 

https://kennethleemcgee.com/the-tv-westerns-of-my-youth-part-2/

Tired of staying at home?
Then check out this travel blog, written and illustrated by a local author.

http://www.mauveonthemove.com/?fbclid=IwAR3NS-pDqzdXxhMtoVPwmqKhmzlmeRPQhckVnIUvqMm8lJZtn2ldmBFlC9o

"The Journey of Eniarrol Nosilla" 

By Ken McGee

https://kennethleemcgee.com/the-journey-of-eniarrol-nosilla/

I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me 

By Allison Rios

http://amijustmom.blogspot.com/2020/09/i-wish-someone-would-have-told-me.html

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 22 through Aug. 28 (and Retreat Update)

Story roundup? How can that be? Wasn't I on an at-home writing retreat all week?

Yes - but not all stories post the same day. The ones featured today ran over last week, when I was already mind-deep into the nineteenth century.

Not much has changed from yesterday's retreat update, except that I only have a chapter and a half to finish of an extremely rough draft of The Phoenix, which I really hope I get done today as I have a full list for Saturday and Sunday.

It probably doesn't sound like a lot, but I've been dancing around (i.e. avoiding and skipping over) one particularly troublesome chapter, hoping the muse would kick in eventually (It hasn't).

So...yeah.

Below, you will find all the places I currently hang out on social media.

Below that, are the stories. Pick and choose what interests you. Of course, I hope they all interest you.

Have a great Friday!

Non-bylined features:

Search by topic (people, pets, A and E, faith, health, and food) at theherald-news.com.

Once a week, I do combine a week's worth into a single blog post.

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.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join 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.

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 with each year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

Upcoming BryonySeries events:

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts. 

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at bryonyseries.com.

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

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.

LocalLit spotlight: 'Whispering Waves:' Poems for Everyday Grace
(Review comes out this Tuesday)

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/20/locallit-spotlight-whispering-waves-poems-for-everyday-grace/a919u03/


Coronavirus forces Joliet Job Corps to make changes

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/20/coronavirus-forces-joliet-job-corps-to-make-changes/am7flrl/


Annual mental health event in New Lenox moves online this year

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/21/annual-mental-health-event-moves-online-this-year/agnhakf/


A quick and easy way to help a Will County senior

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/21/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-help-a-will-county-senior/ab735e0/


Elwood students return to school with hybrid learning

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/21/elwood-students-return-to-school-with-hybrid-learning/dt0dsen/


Pets of the Week: Aug. 24

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/08/20/pets-of-the-week-aug-24/dal9hoz/


"Three Joliet area novelists share insights on crime fiction"
Val Bruech, Mike Markley and Sue Merrell discuss their crime novels

(The story is a couple years old, but the insights are the same and the books are still available).

https://www.theherald-news.com/2016/08/30/three-joliet-area-novelists-share-insights-on-crime-fiction/adjm263/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Community News: Oct. 11

Check out local community events and what some local writers are writing.



Local faith events Oct. 11 through Oct.18

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/10/10/local-faith-events-oct-11-through-oct-18/awex6ux/


Roundup of craft fairs for fall 2018 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/09/27/roundup-of-craft-fairs-for-fall-2018/a23gx8/


SOME WRITEON JOLIET AUTHORS


R. Michael Markley

For those who like crime stories (especially stories with a Christian twist).

"He had solid contacts in all the right places, loyalty from the underlings, and unity in the leadership. Or so he thought."

http://rmichaelmarkley.com/


Ken McGee

"Grandpa and the Lions" for kids. The Emmy series for young adults and beyond. And more.  Check out this prolific Joliet area writer.

https://kennethleemcgee.com/


Robert Hafey

Are you from Joliet? Are you a baby boomer? This book is for you.

http://boomhood.com/


Duanne Walton

A variety of videos by a creative up and coming novels, including all the #WriteOnJoliet open mic readings since the group began them in 2013.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDHYqoo9Fgvf95CkGFpf7Sg


Mauverneen

"Positively" the best place to get a weekly dose of inspiration.

https://maureenblevins.blogspot.com/


Holly Coop

Poetry that draws the mind to the simplicity of everyday blessings or expresses the many colors of life's emotions or experiences.

https://hollycoopbooks.com/


Allison Rios

Fiction and non-fiction books about healing. Blogging about, well, life. And all that it contains. Check out this site.

http://amijustmom.blogspot.com/


Tom Hernandez

Essays about a suburban husband and father about marriage, parenting and middle age.  Poetry exploring the human condition. Blogs about social justice. Check this out!

https://tomhernandezbooks.com/

No Throwback, Just Some Shout Outs

Do you like art? Or books? Or both?

Then this is the post for you.

Tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet, I'm hosting a reception for four Joliet area artists who have created artwork for my BryonySeries.

The artists are Matt Coundiff, Terri Ellinger, Topher Gleason, and Sue Midlock.

All four are exhibiting and selling their art. All four are taking commissions, so be sure to meet them, chat a bit, and take home their cards. 

And if you'd rather read (or know someone looking for a good book), check out these titles from members of WriteOn Joliet.

Like crime novels with a Christian bent? Check out "Necessary Death" by R. Michael Markley

http://rmichaelmarkley.com/

Ken McGee writes books for the entire family. "Grandpa and the Lions" is great for kids.  And they can grow with the coming of age "Emmy" series.

https://kennethleemcgee.com/

Are you a Baby Boomer? Do you have a connection to Joliet? Robert Hafey's book, "Boomhood" is a memoir about both.

http://boomhood.com/

Essays, poetry, and short stories to entertain, inspire and raise your social justice consciousness: Tom Hernandez writes them all. Check out his books here.

https://tomhernandezbooks.com/

For good, locally written books about love, life and everyday inspiration, check out these books by Holly Coop.

https://hollycoopbooks.com/

Here's versatility rolled into one local author: children's books, "southern shorts (humorous short stories), and vampire novels.

https://suemydliak.wordpress.com

Real life and fictional books with one topic in common: healing. Check out the writings of Allison Rios.

http://amijustmom.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html

These same writers also contributed to WriteOn Joliet's second anthology. Save the date for the release party on Nov. 16 at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

And if you're also a writer, well, we have something special for you that night.

Open Mike Night 2016: Mike Markley