"Live" Readings Thursday Night at the Joliet Public Library

So today's big reveal must wait one more day because I don't have a complete "product" to reveal.

I had promised in yesterday's post to give a "sneak peek" of a special "thank you" gift BryonySeries is offering for select purchase of books in the BryonySeries on Thursday night at WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party.

I'm not trying to be mysterious; really I'm not.

The gifts were prepared yesterday. But they won't actually be assembled until today, so I don't have a final product to show.

Last year, we offered this gift. This year, we have something equally terrific.

But I can give you this teaser photo and teaser collage:

I know what you're thinking. And you're only a tiny percentage correct.

In the meantime, let me explain the "live readings" feature for Thursday night's anthology release party.

WriteOn Joliet founding member Duanne Walton calls himself the "intrepid videographer" because he and his video recorder are not far away.

Duanne has recorded every WriteOn Joliet open mic every since the writers group starting holding them in 2013 at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet.

But he also pops in to various events individual members are hosting. 

Here is Duanne (right) recording an interview with member Robert Hafey on the official release of his book Bumping and Snacking, which was held at the Will County Brewing in Shorewood.

The event featured a special Bumping and Snacking-inspired beer. Robert will be at the anthology release party selling his books, including this one. He will not have any beer.

Duanne plans to set up a table at WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Dec. 8 and play all those open mic videos. So be sure to stop by his table and listen for a bit.

The anthology release party will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Joliet Public Library, Black Road branch, 3395 Black Road in Joliet.

Admission to the anthology release party is free.

The celebration includes complimentary appetizers and desserts, an informal meet and greet with local authors who are members of the group, and the opportunity to purchase copies of the anthology as well as as individual works by individual authors.

The Book and Bean Cafe, which is located inside the library, will have a variety of heartier food as well as coffee, tea, and other beverages, available for purchase.

Janet Staley, owner of The Book Market in Crest Hill, will handle checkout. Everyone who buys a book, either the anthology or a book from the other tables, will receive a Book Market bookmark that features a ten percent discount on books at Staley's store through January 31, 2023.

The party is for all ages. So if your children and grandchildren have yet to visit Santa this year, bring them out. 

Photos with Santa are free. Santa, known as Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara the rest of the year, will also be signing and selling his own books.

He will also most likely sign any book in which he appears as a character.

Santa will also give away free candy canes as long as he has some left to give.

Bertrand the Mouse and his Uncle Barty will also be hanging out all night, greeting guests.

Here are they are from 2021, waiting to be loaded into the car for the party.

We're all looking forward to seeing you on Thursday night! 

Photos: Christmas, Uncle Barty and Bertrand the Mouse-Style

Although the people in my family don't open Christmas gifts until January 7, that custom doesn't apply to the crocheted mice.

Here is a quick photo recap of the fun Uncle Barty and his newly regenerated nephew Bertrand the Mouse had in opening their gifts.

I say "their gifts" because Uncle Barty really wasn't expecting any gifts as bringing Bertrand home was the best gift of them all for him.

But Santa Bob had a surprise for Uncle Barty.

Here we go.

Uncle Barty and Bertrand open their first gifts.

Uncle Barty poses with his gift from Santa Bob, a vintage collectible...

...nearly lifesize (well, Uncle Barty lifesize) windup mouse. Uncle Barty had lots of fun playing with it.

Santa was very good to Bertrand, too. He received a mouse sticker...

...a costume for pretend playtime from Santa Rebekah.

Wait! What's this? A box within a box?

Bertrand can't wait to open it!

But - what is it? Could it be the top item on Bertrand's wish list to Santa?

It is! 

Bertrand really wanted this little mouse doll. But his mistress (me) said $50 was too expensive for a mouse doll. So Santa Rebekah stepped in and made Bertrand's greatest wish come true.

Santa Rebekah also gifted Bertrand with two plastic toy bats. Bertrand loves bats because Bertrand thinks bats look like mice.

Santa also brought Bertrand a new book. Reading is Bertrand's favorite activity. He loves books.

Now that Bertrand had opened every gift, he was ready to spend the rest of the day playing.

Uncle Barty did the same. 

And when Christmas day was nearly done, and both mice were getting tired...

Uncle Barty and Bertrand snuggled into bed with Bertrand's new book. Bertrand liked it so much, Uncle Barty read it three times.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from everyone at the BryonySeries.

A House Full of Stories: Part One

Anyone who's ever had a conversation with me probably knws my penchant for telling stories. Ask me a question, and I will probably have a story to go with it.

Take the items in my house. Just about every one has a story behind it and warm memories of the people in my life. And this is very true when it comes to photographs and artwork. 

When we could save very few items from our house when we lost it in 2013, I'm glad we saved photographs and artwork, even though I have happily acquired a few more pieces over these past few years.

On Saturday, Jasmine and Rebekah spent some time sorting, separating, and even hanging some of said photos and artwork. 

Here is what they accomplished so far (Jasmine is coming back on Saturday to hang some more) and the stories behind each piece.

Before the era of smart cameras, framed photos were often given as gifts or placed on flat surfaces to keep loved ones close.

Jasmine arranged some of those photos on top of the bookshelves. If you ever visit me, I can tell you the story behind each one.

One tradition in our home that we missed during the nine months we lived with my parents and during the years we lived at The Birches in Joliet was our icon wall/prayer corner.

The reason we never created one there is because we only had one long, deep closet for storage. To go through pictures, icons, and photo books was an arduous process of removing everything from the closet into the living room and putting it all back.

We also have A LOT of icons (and they all have a story). I won't tell them all here. 

But Jasmine did ask if I had any that I especially wanted hung. I wanted the most unusual ones on the wall, and then she could pick from there.

This is what she created.

And then she arranged our "family icon tree." Each icon represents a patron or favorite saint of Ron, me, and all nine children (biological and step).

In Channahon, I displayed them over the archway between the living room and the dining room.

Jasmine arranged them here.

Now for the lake art.

When Rebekah, Daniel, and I had moved into the larger townhome in 2019 at The Birches, I had a long wall - so I put a nice lake painting on my wish list.

I wound up with three. 

The one below, an Old Calendar Christmas present on January 7, 2020, was too heavy to hang on the wall, so it hung out on my grandmother's dresser (another story). In fact, that wall above it was the "wish wall," and it stayed blank the entire time I had the room.

But that same painting now looks terrific on the wall between my bedroom and Rebekah's bedroom:

The second, also from Timothy and also an Old Calendar Christmas present on January 7, 2020, hungh above my closet door in the former bedroom.

It now hangs between the doors of my new walk-in closet and my bathroom.

The last painting was also an Old Calendar Christmas gift and also from Timothy, but for January 7, 2021, in a final attempt to find a lighter piece to hang on that wall (the wall had brick behind it, so it was difficult to hang a picture).

However, work grew busy for all of us. That painting stood between my grandmother's dresser and my closet until the day I moved.

And, yes, I had to move the painting every time I opened the closet door. The original Bertrand the Mouse is seen guarding it.

It now looks very nice over my pretend fireplace. The dresser to the right belonged to Ron's mother, who died the year before I met her. That dresser is one of my most treasured pieces.

See the pillow at the foot of the bed? That's for Faith, my calico, who wouldn't stay off my pillows. So now she has one of her own.

The fake fireplace was a gift from Timothy when Rebekah, Daniel, and I moved into that larger townhome in 2019.

I wanted a fireplace. They did not.

So Timothy bought one for my bedroom.

The leprechaun doll was made for me by a dollmaker I'd interviewed (I ordered and paid for one after the story ran in The Herald-News). This doll has a story all its own for another time.

The blue poncho was a gift from a beautiful lady (now in heaven). That has a special story behind it, too.

Even the gray sweatpants were a gift - from Rebekah.

Oh, and the cat print blanket? Jasmine and Rebekah made it for me - but Faith claimed it.

Onward to my bathroom art.

This first piece was a print I won at a Halloween event at the former middle school in Channahon (now Pioneer Path School). 

A local dentist turned magician for special events put on a spectacular production in the school gym. Ron insisted we all attend, because he wanted us to see how special Halloween was in Channahon. We had only lived there two weeks.

And then I got a nap and got up to deliver newspapers.

I bought this "cancer the crab art" from Spencer's Gifts either in high school or college. I framed it early in my marriage (1981 most likely), and I've hung it in the bathroom ever since.

And here is the art on context with each other and with the waterscape shower curtain (with seahorse and shell hooks), which Sarah sent me for my birthday.

On the opposite wall are the four waterscapes Jasmine painted for my birthday.

All the scented soap on the right (stacked on the middle shelf) were all gifts. I'm slowly using them.

Finally, Timothy bought this beautiful photograph of the Twelve Apostles that Robert Hafey shot when he was in Australia.

Bob's art show at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet was one of the last events I attended before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world.

It's the first piece anyone sees coming up the third step of stairs.

It goes very nicely with the boat art in the hall.

And that is all: for now.

So everywhere I look, I see reminders of the wonderful people in my life - and feel love.

Their love for me.

My love for them.

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 1 through March 6

Wow!

There's lot to read and view here, so I'll keep commentary short and simple.

I hope you're having a great start to your Friday and that it continues to go well.

I hope your weekend is even better.

And send up good thoughts for me that I'll get lots of writing down on my two novels in progress this weekend.

The muse has been a little slow to activate, and I find myself defaulting to reading good books instead of writing them.

Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works into one convenient file and posting them on Facebook in the evening, so readers can easily choose the ones they want to read.

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

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 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.

Upcoming events:

Once Timothy Baran is done updating this page, these will listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts. 

Books and Such

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

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.

'I wanted to leave a record of my 100 years'
New Lenox man and former Herald-News retiree celebrating milestone birthday on Sunday

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/25/i-wanted-to-leave-a-record-of-my-100-years/d7a1qi4/


VIDEO: Hopping on a boxcar
Lyle Wiggins of New Lenox, who turned 100 today, talks about the unusual way he found a summer job.

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/d81a837e-e07b-4bc3-ac90-825f378d2d4c.html


VIDEO: Transporting the wounded
Lyle Wiggins, a former Herald-News employee, discusses one of his jobs during World War II.

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/6fe7237d-4ade-4568-b549-a50e37390cce.html


A new way to get events published in The Herald-News

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/19/a-new-way-to-get-events-published-in-the-herald-news/a6c0njh/


Not quite ready for the wild life
Release of an owl in Plainfield on Friday runs into glitch

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/27/not-quite-ready-for-the-wild-life/d9hwlj2/


'His spirit was so strong and positive'
Mokena man was strong in music and ministry

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/24/his-spirit-was-so-strong-and-positive/dupvn9q/


'Prescription yoga' for your individual needs
Minooka studio offers yoga therapy to help address a wide range of wellness issues

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/25/prescription-yoga-for-your-individual-needs/d4mg6rz/


'I rap for the unchurched'
Joliet gospel artist spreading the good news through music

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2020/02/19/9b5ea1c7067b46b29006ef00a0131823/index.xml?page=1


These Minooka HS teens make thrifting cool
'Shop' for free at their next pop-up store on March 14

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/03/02/these-minooka-hs-teens-make-thrifting-cool/dorwc01/


Make this quick and easy sautéed salmon at home

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/03/03/make-this-quick-and-easy-sauteed-salmon-at-home/avyy2el/


Come out and try alligator, elk and venison nachos on March 14 in Plainfield

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/03/03/come-out-and-try-alligator-elk-and-venison-nachos-on-march-14-at-plainfield-church/a3pi76s/


LocalLit spotlight: Plainfield East High School student Nolan Hull

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/03/02/locallit-spotlight-plainfield-east-high-school-student-nolan-hull/acfbx1x/


This library's gone to the dark side 
White Oak Library district to offer 'Monsters and Myths of March' 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/03/03/this-librarys-gone-to-the-dark-side/ajjoro2/


'I see the world through a rectangular frame'
Homer Glen photographer exhibiting artwork at Joliet cafe

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/25/i-see-the-world-through-a-rectangular-frame/dvl55j1/


LocalLit book review: 'Mouse in the House' by J.L. Callison of Aurora

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/03/02/locallit-book-review-mouse-in-the-house-by-j-l-callison-of-aurora/aqzwawp/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Community News: Dec. 19 and Dec. 20, 2019

Check out upcoming events and the awesome things people are doing.

If you live within the Herald-News' coverage area (most of Will and Grundy counties in Illinois), and you'd like to share your organization's news or upcoming events, email the information to new@theherald-news.com.


Meal preparation annual tradition for Joliet Junior College students 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/18/meal-preparation-annual-tradition-for-joliet-junior-college-students/dqeneb9/


Joliet Drama Guild to present Dickens spoof

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/16/joliet-drama-guild-to-present-dickens-spoof/azbgg29/


Plainfield students celebrate the holidays 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/18/plainfield-students-celebrate-the-holidays/az33tux/


United Way of Will County receives generous donation
Amazon surprised United Way with $45,000 donation at Spirit of Giving, volunteered to provide 
winter essentials and gifts 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/18/united-way-of-will-county-receives-generous-donation/a82h3kj/


Joliet author to sign books at Crest Hill’s Book Market

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/18/joliet-author-to-sign-books-at-crest-hills-book-market/ahew3w6/


Indian Trail School in Frankfort hosted toy drive

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/19/indian-trail-school-in-frankfort-hosted-toy-drive/agdtpx2/


Check out these classroom crafts at this Frankfort school

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/19/check-out-these-classroom-crafts-at-this-frankfort-school/av78x9t/


Frankfort students create 'quilts' of thankfulness

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/19/frankfort-students-create-quilts-of-thankfulness/aijp3uh/


Celebrating holidays around the world at Frankfort school

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/19/celebrating-holidays-around-the-world-at-frankfort-school/dlw7q0a/


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 Matt Coundiff for "Visage." 

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Feb. 25 through March 1

Nothing much to share on this busy morning (besides the stories), except for these three things:

I received a shipment of books yesterday, which provided the information for a semi-humorous post I shall write for Monday, so watch for it if that interests you.

I am about three-fourths through proofreading the third book of Before the Blood and hope to finish it this weekend. 

I am also through with the first draft of Cornell Dyer and the Eerie Lake, except for the epilogue.

Now, here's where to find information and after that, the stories. 

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): Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

 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:

These are listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Books and Such

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

Bridging the new generation gap
Joliet support group helps grandparents who are raising grandchildren 

"We need to learn how to communicate effectively," White said. "And to do things differently than we've always known how to do them."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/06/bridging-the-new-generation-gap/aofklhv/


Baran-Unland: From story concept to respect and admiration

But my penny-pinching abilities had nothing on Hollis Ford's, and if the money wasn't flowing in her direction, she accepted it with almost unbelievable nonchalance.
"If we don't have coffee, then we'll have tea," is the way she shrugged off hardships.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/23/4c7af66048ef48b2847b3bc1fb384de7/index.xml

An Extraordinary Life: Forever Hollis Ford's boy and proud of it
Joliet man creates art because of promise to his mother 

“She raised me to be better than the people who hurt her,” Topher Gleason, Hollis' son, said. “She, as the survivor she was, refused to be a victim, she refused to be the person who made people hurt more.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/24/438c50e7e3e041c1b50e37f48037b078/index.xml?page=1


A gathering of prayer and action
Joliet unit of Church Women United to host World Day of Prayer March 1

 "[Change] takes more than prayer. It takes prayer and action," Mahone said. "You can't just sit in your little church and pray. You have to put some feet and hands to those prayers."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/25/660dca3e1e134bd7b543405c83060bb7/index.xml


Former Joliet Junior College culinary student offers 5 great drinks to try at home

Jasmine Rosenboom of Channahon wants to learn how to make "all the drinks in the world." Here's five she shared.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/27/dc369898e9354fc884b7a5a41f22a5b2/index.xml


Telling 'stories of struggle, loss, and redemption'
Performance in Romeoville to raise awareness of incarcerated women

"How do we turn around the demonizing or marginalizing of people," Christie Billups, peace studies adviser at Lewis University, said. "We bring the resources that can help them heal so they can go back to being productive mothers and productive workers and productive people in the community, in ways that help them thrive."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/26/telling-stories-of-struggle-loss-and-redemption/a52kxs1/

Artworks: Joliet artist discusses new photo book

Michael "Chester" Alamo-Costello said:  "Somewhere In-Between Chicago" is a document of the 25 years I have lived in Chicago. I moved here in 1993 from Indianapolis, Indiana. Initially, I photographed artists, musicians, and transients while living in a warehouse called the Spice Factory down near Chinatown. New to the city, I was broke, in graduate school, and made images of the people and places I encountered. I’ve continued to photograph art types and casual passersby since arrival. Eventually I expanded my scope to include the various experiences (traveling on the CTA) and places (music shows in dank poorly lit basements) encountered in the city. I’m fascinated with Chicago and see these activities fairly important to my relationship to the city."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/26/23cb7def85b9421fac92dd2d4493c074/index.xml

LocalLit book spotlight: 'Boomhood' by Robert Hafey of Homer Glen

"It's about growing up in the 50s and 60s and why I am the way I am," Hafey said in the 2017 Herald-News story. "I hope to cause others to reflect on their childhood and think about the way they are."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/28/3f985345e2ec44af98a47790195014a8/index.xml

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff 

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.

If You Missed Parts of the Blog Tour...

...you can catch up right here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/2018-bryonyseries-blog-tour.

Rebekah and I spent a day whittling down various BryonySeries chores we let slide in favor of more pressing obligations.

We probably need one more Sunday (yet to be scheduled) to catch up, but we made a huge dent. Going forward, we'll be more on top of it (now that we know basically what we're doing with some of them), but it did feel good to cross items off the list.

The first four books of Before the Blood are at the print shop, and my editor will have them this week. I am looking forward to hearing the first bits of real feedback, making the corrections, and then finally sharing them with those who'd like to read them.

Back in the office today. Sooooo glad I kept up with email while I was gone.

Have a great Monday, readers, writers, and vampire fans! :)

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Community News: July 26, 2018

Check out upcoming events in the Joliet area, as well as the awesome things people are doing.

Local faith events July 26 through Aug. 2 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/07/25/local-faith-events-july-26-through-aug-2/avtj9ow/

Joliet Catholic Academy announces May Students of the Month

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/07/25/1bded40046194cfcb5e79f6be3950004/index.xml

Videos:


"Boomhood" at Will County Brewing Company 

http://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/128f752f-b5db-4766-89fc-ba718cf176e1.html


Herald-News intern Sydney Czyzon reads the latest Letter to the Editor from longtime letter writer Raymond Stoiber

http://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/35ba12ef-34e0-41c5-b826-fc1c44441f53.html


An Extraordinary Life: 'We called him our king' video 

http://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/c17fc7bc-5013-4347-a473-af437b235559.html

"A prayer when the heart is heavy"

http://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/4a3dc3a3-90a8-4d2b-b2e9-51f9b7af8801.html

Check out the following 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 Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

TurnAboutTour: Robert Hafey

"Boomhood and BryonySeries" Tour Host: Robert Hafey

Open Mic Night 2018: Robert Hafey

Take a Virtual Road Trip with Me?

In May, I'm tackling one item on my marketing bucket list.

I'm going on tour with the BryonySeries. And I'm not leaving home.

You see, instead of moving from state to to state and bookstore to bookstore, I'm moving from blog to blog, each with its own theme and "flavor," if you will.

The tour will have eight stops. Seven will feature original content written by me (giving my gracious hosts a break from writing posts) that reflect themes of both the BryonySeries and the host blog.

One stop is actually a YouTube interview between my host and me. It's cross-marketing in its virtual finest.

And you're invited to travel with me.

On each day of the stop, I'll post a short summary of blog we're visiting along with a link to the content. You simply click on the link, and you're there! No waiting in lines. ;)

At the end of the tour, I'll recap the journey (but you won't have to sit through a slide show) and introduce you to June's TurnAbout Tour.

What's a TurnAbout Tour, you may ask? Well, it's spending an entire month featuring some of my favorite posts from the host sites and the reason why I like those posts. This gives you the opoortunity to enjoy them, too, and perhaps check back with those sites for new content.

I'll explain more about the TurnAbout Tour in June. The link to May's blog tour is HERE.

Happy traveling! :)

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."