Good morning!
The Herald-News published its "Thank You, First Responders" on Thursday, where most of the publication was dedicated to stories about first responders in our community. I was very honored to be part of this project and have seven stories to share.
In addition, I have just six 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.
Next week, I hope to share some post-event thoughts about "Fragments of Time," WriteOn Joliet's second annual radio-style performance, which was held last weekend at the Billie Limacher Bicetennial Park Theatre.
I also hope to share my thoughts about the Joliet Public Library's first Local Author Fair in more than a decade, which was held April 27.
In the meantime, it's a busy next few days. This is our family's Holy Week and Easter, Timothy and Daniel are graduating withs their bachelor's degrees on Saturday (and I have family who came into town for the occasion), and a huge Easter/multiple birthday family picnic on Sunday.
Finally, 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 seven chapters (and three-fourths of an eighth) and a prologue that are ready for final edits. I hope to complete eight this weekend...but we shall see, since this weekend is sooooo full already. 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. In order to make progress on any of this, Timothy and I need to schedule a "Cornell breakfast." But Timothy and Daniel are very busy with work and school right now. We've scheduled and broke several Cornell breakfasts in 2023 and 2024. 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, who welcomed her first child into the world earlier this month, has already started working on the cover portrait. The fifth book 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.
Congratulations, Jennifer, on the new addition to your family!
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'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.
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
High school students ‘form connections’ by volunteering at Joliet Spanish Community Center
Pets of the Week: April 29, 2024: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
Local Scene: Spring Book Sale at Joliet Public Library: Here are 5 things to do this weekend
THANK YOU, FIRST RESPONDERS
Joliet Dr. Adnan Hussain stresses ‘care’ for patients and providers
Morris Hospital’s Dr. Sean Atchison cares about people
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
