Good morning!
I have nine stories to share with you today, but more stories will post over the weekend, especially since I'm working through Monday. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
I also wrote two more stories just for print. The main one is called "Eye on Enterprise" and it runs on Wednesdays. The other is a print version of "5 Things to do," which is slightly different from the online version.
"Eye on Enterprise" is a roundup of local business development, as wells as businesses that are opening or closing. I am enjoying the project so far as it's giving me a deeper look at local enterprise.
As I started researching the topic, I found many new businesses (and many new small businesses) that I might have known had actually "opened shop" in Will County - and I'm enjoying the process of discovering them.
People outside our coverage area and those who don't subscribe to a physical newspaper should know The Herald-News also has an e-edition. This is an online version of the print publication with virtual pages that actually turn.
You can access The Herald-News e-edition here: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/enewspaper.
It's been a busy couple of BryonySeries weeks.
First, we have a special BryonySeries Summer Book Sale at The Book Market. So if you live in the area, do check it out.
Second, BryonySeries is one of the sponsors for Bicentennial Park's Independence Celebration on July 3. Since Blogger is not letting me consistently linking to past blogs, here are the details. I'll share more next week on why this is so important to us.
Plus, we've released TWO new books!
Bertrand the Mouse has a new book, just in time for summer.
And we also released "A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods," which is, well, interesting. The story is part journey, part lyrical novelette. Here is its back cover summary:
"A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods" is currently available on Amazon.
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, with nearly two-thirds that are ready for final edits. I've done some minor editing since the at-home writing retreat, but June has been a super packed month, which I anticipated. July will be much better. I will get a little time off and hope to make substantial progress with it. We are estimating a late 2024 release date for this book.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: No updates here in a very long time, mostly because Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). However, I outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.
Timothy said his concept for the next book in the actual series 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 is hoping 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, LONG, LONG overdue.
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 in April, has already started working on the cover portrait. I've neglected this book for a few months and hope to revisit it soon. We'd like to release it in late 2024.
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.
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.
And finally...
Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, has sent me twenty chapters to edit for his third book in his Ruthless trilogy. His first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."
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
Four Joliet churches that are closing plan final
celebrations
Lockport Catholic women’s group helps premature babies with
care packages
St. Dennis CCW works with Channahon mom’s project
USF Joliet art professor receives grant to photograph China
USF Joliet’s recovery support program gets state $1.14
million grant
Student applications for the fall 2024 cohort are due Aug. 2
Plainfield to host Bike with the Mayor this weekend
The biking event with John Argoudelis is part of Plainfield
Fest
Plainfield Fest opens Friday, runs through Sunday
Features include carnival, live music, kids activities,
craft show, business vendors, food
Will-Grundy Medical Clinic lobby dedicated to Jay and Lori
Bergman
‘Lori and Jay Bergman have supported the WGMC mission over
the years’
Pets of the Week: June 24, 2024
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/06/24/pets-of-the-week-june-24-2024/
Things to do in Will County: Concerts on the Hill at Joliet
Bicentennial Park
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
