Forsake Reading Nevermore!

If you are out and about on this Halloween day, pop into The Book Market in Crest Hill (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)  and ask to see the fun "nevermore" Halloween prop with the blinking eyes.

Janet Staley brought it out to show Rebekah and me when we hung out there last week. And it's sure to delight any bookworm, not just "Poe" fans.

You can also check out our BryonySeries Halloween display before that goes away and pick up some last minute treats for people who might enjoy them.

Haunted house, anyone?

And if not a haunted house...

...maybe you'll discover some new authors and titles tucked away, here and there, just lurking...

...where you least expect them.

Happy Halloween!

Alan Hines: Winner of 2024 Calkins Day Painting

Good morning! 

In between assignments last Saturday, I popped into The Book Market in Crest Hill where Chicago poet Alan Hines was having a book signing.

Alan is super supportive of the BryonySeries ever since we first met him at our 2023 Calkins Day celebration. 

Calkins Day (Feb. 13) is the BryonySeries' official holiday. It's a day to celebrate laughter, imagination, and generosity, and it just so happens to land on the birthday of Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, BryonySeries author and character. 

Ed is a ruthless dictator/Irish vampire in this book, this book, and this book in the BryonySeries, is also an author in the series. After he published his first novel, he joined WriteOn Joliet. So on Calkins Day 2024, we were celebrating the release of "The Fifth" (Ed's latest book).

I was thrilled to learn Alan had won a beautiful painting that painter and retired art teacher Nancy Calkins (Ed's wife) created and gave away just for Calkins Day.

Alan found out when he was setting up for his book signing. So, of course, I had to get a photo of him holding it.

To check out his many, many titles, here is the Alan Hines Amazon author page.

And for those who don't know (yet), here is why we celebrate Calkins Day.

Here is how to celebrate Calkins Day.

And here is a twenty-question interview with the real Ed Calkins.

Quick Monday Gratitude: The Book Market in Crest Hill

Local readers and writers already know what a terrific resource The Book Market Sales and Trading Center in Crest Hill is for the community.

Not only is the owner, Janet Staley, friendly to local authors by hosting author signings and carrying locally written books on consignment, she stocks (or can find) a wide variety of new, used, and rare books, so many your mind will spin.

But this year, eight members of WriteOn Joliet discovered just how deeply Janet Staley's commitment to locally written words runs.

Starting in January, Janet opened her space after-hours for we eight to rehearsed for a “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” which we will present this Saturday April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

For tickets (just $5) and more information about Saturday's, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

Below are half a dozen photos from one rehearsal that feature Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Duanne Walton...and me!

Actually, Timothy's girlfriend Jasmine stood in for Steve Cordin in some of these photos since he was running late from work.

And my niece Rachel Veres (purple jacket), who has a theater background, drove more than an hour away, one way, to guide us into a better performance.

While we rehearsed, Janet worked on inventory.

We hope you can make it out to the theater this Saturday. We promise you an entertaining evening.

"Reflections of Love" by Alan Hines

I'm currently reading an poem (or two or three a day, depending on size) from a poetry book that was gifted to me on Calkins Day.

You could say I'm reading it like a devotional, to better focus on and appreciate each poem - and to focus on the topic of love for a few weeks.

The poet, Alan Hines of Chicago, drove down from Chicago to gift TWO copies of his book (one Ed and one to me), after learning about Calkins Day from the owner of The Book Market in Crest Hill.

Alan Hines doesn't have a website that I could find. But he does have a Facebook page. And I know it's the right page because my photo is on it and because he recently accepted my friend request.

I also found his few dozen poetry books on Amazon. If you like poetry, please check them out.

Ed's first writing love is poetry. So I'm guessing he's already read his copy.

The Book Market Sales And Trading Center Crest Hill, IL