BryonySeries: Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C

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Friday, December 19, 2025

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 13 through Dec. 19

Good morning!

I have eleven stories online to share with you today, including the three-part housing story I was asked to wrote.

More stories will go live over the weekend and next week (I'm off most of next week, except for half of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). 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.

During this holiday season, please consider becoming a "Herald Angel" in Will County or Grundy County. The need for your help is high and - in some cases - truly unprecedented.

We are also still collecting BryonySeries children's books for Santa Services and the Will County Children's Advocacy Center.

We have a collection box for books at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

Or you can order BryonySeries children's books from Amazon (our BryonySeries store is being renovated) and ship to and to Denise M. Unland, P.O. Box 2789, Joliet, IL, 60436.

For bulk rates and more information, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

We will be collecting books throughout the holiday season.

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!

BryonySeries/WriteOn Joliet Christmas/Holiday Books

Bertrand and the Christmas Surprise

Cornell Dyer and the Flu

Write Where We Are: Holiday Edition: Stories, poems, and essays for the holiday season

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

For December, all activities center around giving.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries this month) - so far:

We have no more events scheduled until 2026 (but lots of exciting plans are in the works for next year!).

But please consider popping into The Book Market and donating a BryonySeries children's book (or two) to kids in need.

For details, please read this post.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

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'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 and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it!

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way meet ‘unprecedented’ community need

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/11/26/be-a-herald-angel-help-will-county-united-way-meet-unprecedented-community-need/

Be a Herald Angel: Help Grundy County United Way meet high community need

https://www.shawlocal.com/morris-herald-news/2025/11/25/be-a-herald-angel-help-grundy-county-united-way-meet-high-community-need/

Can’t afford a house in Will County? You’re not alone.

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/11/cant-afford-your-house-in-will-county-youre-not-alone/

‘It’s not favorable’: Will County residents struggle to find diverse housing options

From recent college grads to retired people, residents met with affordability crunch

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/12/need-a-place-of-my-own-will-county-residents-struggle-to-find-diverse-housing-options/

Can Will County fix its housing affordability crisis? Leaders explore new solutions

Even when housing is available, funding resources are slim

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/13/exploring-solutions-to-will-countys-housing-affordability-crisis/

Illinois food pantries receive $100,000 in missing money through ICash

https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2025/12/18/illinois-food-pantries-receive-100000-in-missing-money-through-i-cash/

Troy 30-C School District honors bus driver for helping Santa with annual gift giving

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/18/troy-30-c-school-district-honors-bus-driver-for-helping-santa-with-annual-gift-giving/

Joliet restaurant Joy of Eating closes its doors for good

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/18/joliet-restaurant-joy-of-eating-closes-its-doors-for-good/

Crest Hill business collecting toys for Westyn’s Wish

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/15/crest-hill-business-collecting-toys-for-westyns-wish/

Joliet man arrested after robbery at auto parts store

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/17/joliet-man-arrested-following-robbery-at-auto-parts-store/

Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 15, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/15/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-15-2025/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Friday, July 30, 2021

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, July 24 through July 30

Good morning!

I have twenty-three feature stories to share with you today - with another six that haven't posted to The Herald-News website yet, so watch for them over the weekend.

Here's a quick summary of where I'm at, fiction-wise.

Rebekah has approved Cornell Dyer and the Mistical Being, and I'm waiting for Sue Midlock, the artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series, to feel well enough to work on art.

Sue had surgery a few weeks back, and she is still struggling with a lot of pain. Please send her good thoughts.

Timothy has Cornell Dyer and the Calcium-Deficient Bones mentally worked out. We had scheduled a very early morning breakfast meeting (he loves to discuss these over breakfast and coffee at local restaurants), but he may now have a work committment.

And then, for down the road, Sarah had a crazy dream that sounded perfect for An Adventure of Cornell Dyer mystery. Bur she wants time to draw some sketches, a map, and write the "rules." It's called Cornell Dyer and the House of Broken Portals.

Bertrand the Mouse is still missing, but Bertrand's Uncle Bartie is in town to help find his mischievous little nephew.

I'm currently working on tons of character outlines for all the new characters (and returning minor characters who now have secnodary or major role) in the second book of the Limbo trilogy: Call of the Siren. I also spent some time last weekend re-reading and doing some editing on the portions already written.

I have in my possession the first piece of completed cover art for the "Girls of the BryonySeries" series for tween girls. It's beautiful and it shows that artist Jennifer Wainright can draw anything from werewolves to portraits! She's working on art for the next two books (I have eight planned in all).

In fact, most of the books are outlined. One is nearly ready to go and a second is about a third of the way. Cool, huh?

Now back to the twenty-three feature 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 Sunday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks or will be featured in an upcoming cookbook.

Check out the recipe here.

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.

If you need support in your writing, I highly recommend this Twitter group: #5amwritersclub. I joined it last year. Writers support each other on Twitter and meet every three weeks at 5 a.m. (4 a.m. CST - needless to say, I am often late!) on Zoom.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide and Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story and Book Review Newsletter at https://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it!

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.

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-1.

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

An Extraordinary Life: 'Everyone became a better person for having known Sue’: Shorewood woman was a positive force in among family, friends and the Troy community

LocalLit book review: Think ‘moments’ not ‘programs’: 'Moments’ by Rosemary Dunne is more than a handbook for dementia care.

Treasured ring of Will County judge was lost for 14 years - but now is found: Raymond Nash credits Joliet-area metal detectors and God for its safe return

Joliet West class of 1981 to host 40th class reunion: RSVPS are appreciated but not required

USF student elected to the Illinois Certification board of directors: Monika Gomez began her term earlier in July

Pets of the Week: July 26: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Pick up a good book, take a photo with Santa: Crest Hill branch library to host ‘Christmas in July Book Nook Sale’

Joliet university opens invites the community to use its Challenge Center: USF invites organizations to explore teambuilding through ‘the power of play’

Joliet man receives 5-organ transplant, including 2nd liver: Phillip Hanks wants people to know know ‘anything is possible through God’

Grab a Big Wheel and let your ‘inner child’ out this Saturday: Joliet nonprofit to host The Great American Big Wheel Race at ATI Stadium

Blood donors urgently needed in Will County - especially type O: African American donors of all blood types are also needed