Four Locally Authored Christmas Books You Can Buy Now

The days leading up to Christmas and beyond are perfect to snuggle into a warm blanket with a warm drink in one hand and a good Christmas story in the other.

Here are four locally authored Christmas book you can enjoy now.

All four are available on Amazon.

The first three are also available at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

The first two are also available for immediate reading on Kindle.

The last is only available in print on Amazon.

So although that fourth book may not arrive in time for Christmas, it's still sweet reading for the holiday season.

And if you'd like more local author suggestions, check out this list I assembled in late 2019.

And remember, even if you don't want to read the books yourself, you can make the holidays brighter for a child who does.

Happy reading!

Bertrand and the Christmas Surprise

It's Bertrand's first Christmas, and he can't wait to meet Santa. But instead of the man in the red suit, Bertrand comes face to face with a bit of Christmas magic.

Cornell Dyer and the Flu

It’s Christmas Eve and a very sick Cornell Dyer is stuck in the hospital, frustrated because he can’t find the vending machine and because he’s too sick to solve his latest supernatural mystery. Another patient tries to help Cornell, not with food and medicine, but with a journey into realms Cornell doesn’t want to go.

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

Nearly everyone has traditions. For the last eight years, Write On Joliet has assembled an anthology of our members’ works, published and offered to the public as a way to share our passion with the community.

This year, we are offering a special holiday edition of Write Where We Are. We hope this collection of stories, essays, and poems that touch on many aspects of the holiday season, will become a new tradition for your family: a chance to lose yourself in a memory, take a break from the holiday hustle, and enjoy something a little different and home-grown.

Write On Joliet is comprised of writers from across the southern suburbs who share a passion for creative writing. In addition to publishing an annual anthology,

WriteOn Joliet produces a live theatrical reading performance each spring, and its members participate in other community arts events throughout the year.

Sarah's Christmas Wish

A heartwarming Christmas story about a seven year old girl living in an orphanage with her two best friends. Her dream is to find a home with parents for herself and her friends. The orphanage is not one of warmth or compassion but it doesn't stop Sarah's dreaming and good nature.

WriteOn Joliet Presents "We Can Be Heroes"

Two years ago, WriteOn Joliet did something very unusual for a writer's group.

Eight WriteOn Joliet members presented original readings in a radio theater style performance at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet, which you can watch here and here.

The response was so positive, Bicentennial Park invited us back with a new show in 2024 for two performances instead of one. 

Each member of the original cast returned. A ninth WriteOn Joliet member joined us.

And sooooooo...

In 2024, WriteOn Joliet presented “Fragments of Time,” another original radio theater production, at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre in Joliet, which you can watch here and here.

Well, we're back in 2025 - and we've added a THIRD show.

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will explore various aspects of heroism in original radio-style stories and poems at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 26  at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre.

Admission to “We Can Be Heroes” is $5.

Authors and performers are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, Jenny Russ and Duanne Walton.

Director is Anne Magosky.

Production Assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open one hour before performances. Concessions and drinks are available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The first 15 attendees at each performance will receive a free copy of WriteOn Joliet’s 2024 anthology “Write Where We Are,” courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761/ bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet is a welcoming, diverse group of writers of varied skills, interests and experience. The group includes professional journalists, fiction novelists, bloggers, screenwriters, musicians and poets. We promise a safe, comfortable and supportive atmosphere to share your work, and constructive feedback so that everyone can benefit from our shared knowledge.

WriteOn Joliet is a proud partner of the Joliet Public Library and The Book Market in Crest Hill.

 For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.

Stop out if you can! We strive to entertain and inspire you!

Cheesy Promotional Post: Five Ways to Make Readers Happy This Christmas

 Do you have friends or family who like to read?

Then buy them a WriteOn Joliet anthology (you thought I was going to recommend the BryonySeries books, didn't you)?

WriteOn Joliet is a welcoming, diverse group of writers of varied skills, interests and experience. The group includes professional journalists, fiction novelists, bloggers, screenwriters, musicians and poets.

A local writer approached me in 2011 and asked me to start this group with her. After telling her "non," multiple times, she found a core group of half a dozen writers and reapproached me with all of them.

She has since moved on (married, children, single mom, and now a nurse, yes during COVID - she's awesome), but Tom Hernandez stepped up, and we've continued to grow, although WriteOn has met on Zoom for most of the year.

Because of Tom's suggestion, WriteOn Joliet has published an anthology every years. This is the first year we were not able to host a release party (complete with free chef-created food), so I'm pushing a little harder to let people know about us.

The anthology is a fundraiser for WriteOn Joliet, and all proceeds stay within the group. We've used the money for speakers, workshops, and marketing our writers.

Except for the "baby cheetah" special edition anthology, all of our anthologies are called "Write Where We Are." That means all the pieces are where we, as writers, currently find ourselves in our respective writing journeys.

Readers will find poems, essays, short stories, novellas, novel excerpts of varying styles. Any reader should be able to find at least one piece to enjoy. Those who purchase the book can have the satisfaction of knowing they've helped writers become more effective in communication, whether they seek to inform, inspire or entertain.

And, yes, you will find excerpts from some of my books, too. 

The only anthology not yet on our website is the newest one, released in the last couple weeks. You can find it here.

For the other WriteOn Joliet anthologies, go here.

And if you want to buy all of them, message us writeonjolietgroup@gmail.com, and I'll work out a discount with you.

Better Each Year

That's my assessment of WriteOn Joliet's third anthology release party, which the adult critique group (of which I co-lead) held last Friday night at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

I say this because we are gradually becoming better at planning, organizing, and marketing the event as well as the free, chef-created food we serve.

Each year sales have increased, which is good for us individually, as a group (anthology proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet programs; get this year's HERE), and for The Book Market's owner, who stays open after hours each year for this event and receives a portion of all sales.

Most importantly, each year we see an increase in attendance, which gives the public an opportunity to discover this treasure of an independent bookstore and the writings of authors who live right in their community.

I mean this last with all my heart.

When I was a child, I longed to meet my favorite authors, but beyond the biographies on the book jacket, little information was known about them.

In fact, one benefit of the internet is that I can learn more about their lives, as well as their deaths, because most of the authors whose books I enjoyed in childhood have passed.

Now despite what some indie authors might proclaim, their books are not for everyone, just like the books I enjoy from well-known authors won't appeal to every person who reads.

But for those who revel in the printed word, what joy can compare to finding a book that sparks interest and then accepting it, signed, straight from the hands of the author who wrote it?

A Good Time Really Was Had By All

This past Friday night, WriteOn Joliet held its second anthology release party at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

Between writers, guests, and patrons who took advantage of the store's later hours due to the event, we had a steady stream of people from 6 to 8:30 p.m. - with the owner, Janet Staley still ringing up purchases long after 8:30 had passed.

People had fun and many left with a stack of books. These were combinations of WriteOn Joliet's first and second anthologies, titles by individual authors, and books from the store.

And the food...

The food was phenomenal, thanks to our chefs who created it: Timothy Baran, Jasmine Rosenboom, and Rebekah Baran. They are already planning next year's menu for next year's event, which will be held Nov. 15, 2019.

Even Bertrand had a great time!

The glorious weekend continued (for me) the next morning when I met with my editor for Before The Blood.

But that's a post for tomorrow.

Do You Want to Publish a Book in 2018?

Then come to Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet on Jan. 11.

Over a cup of coffee and through an informal presentation and concise informational handout, I'll explain how you can publish a book for free or very nearly free

I'll also explain the differences between traditional, pay-to-publish (otherwise known as "vanity" publishing) and self-publishing, along with the pros and cons of both, especially in terms of editing, marketing and distribution.

The cost is $10 at the door, all of which benefits WriteOn Joliet writers.

There will also be copies of self-published books for you to peruse (and buy, if you like), including copies of WriteOn Joliet's recently release inaugural anthology, and information on WriteOn Joliet.

There's no pressure or sales hype to buy anything (although I encourage you to at least buy a nice cup of coffee from the cafe. The owner is most gracious in opening her doors to this event).

The Book and Bean Cafe is located at 3395 Black Road in Joliet, right inside the Joliet Public Library. The event itself is from 6 to 8 p.m. and allows time for questions, which I'll my best to answer.

Hope to see you there! :)

Book Signing, Anthology Release Party, Writing Vacation: It's Crunch Week

With leftover vacation time I'm required to use, I'm taking next week off.

During that time I will catch up on a couple marketing projects and spend a little time with loved ones. Mostly, I will be immersed in Before the Blood, a sort of week-long writing retreat, if you will. I'm truly looking forward to this as a busy couple of months meant little actual writing time.

Except for a bit of email, I won't be working my "real job."

Except to post a Bible verse and wave good morning in some groups I maintain, I will be off social media. Including this blog. But there's LOTS of old posts to check out. So you're welcome to visit this site in my absence.

But before that happens, I have to meet all work deadlines for this week and put together an extra week's worth of event calendars and several stories that will run in my absence! (Wish me luck - gonna need it)!

Also this week, in lieu of WriteOn Joliet's regular meeting, my group's co-leader Tom Hernandez will be hosting An Evening with Tom Hernandez, where Tom will read from and sign copies of his latest book, The Edge of Middle - thoughts from the top of the hill. 

I am attending and so are many of WriteOn Joliet's members. Registration is required. Visit the library's online calendar at www.plainfieldpubliclibrary.org or call 815-327-2515.

Last, but certainly not least, is WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party. Details below. Hope to see you there!

WriteOn Joliet Anthology Release Party

When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17

Where: The Book Market, 2365 Plainfield Road, Crest Hill

Etc.: Copies of "Write Where We Are" (WriteOn Joliet's first anthology) will be for sale. Information about WriteOn Joliet. A chance to meet and talk to some of WriteOn Joliet's members, as well as purchase books written by individual WriteOn Joliet authors as well as browse the store and purchase others books. Chef-created refreshments. BryonySeries raffles. Free admission.

Contact: bryonyseries@gmail.com

Visit: writeonJoliet.com or www.bryonyseries.com

Write Where We Are

Write Where We Are is the name of WriteOn Joliet's first anthology.

It is currently available on Amazon. And then come out to our anthology release party, meet the authors, and have them autograph it. Or pick up your copy there. If you're a writer, we will also have information about our group: its history, what we do, and how to join WriteOn Joliet.

Write Where We Are is a collection of original poems, essays, and short stories, as well as one novella and one excerpt from my BryonySeries prequel in progress, Before the Blood. The writing style are varied as is the content. There truly is something for everyone, whether you want to be inspired, informed, or even scared (with Halloween around the corner).

The following authors contributed: Maureen Blevins,Holly Butler Coop, Emily Duncan, Diana Estell, Joshua Henderson, Tom Hernandez, Beth Higgins, Sharon Houk, Mike Markley, Sue Midlock (writing as Sue Mydliak), Colleen Robbins, Jenny McCue(Russ), Stephen T. Saporta, and Duanne Walton.

And me.

In addition to the anthology release party, we have our semi-annual open mic event coming up. Details for both events are below. If you're in the area, stop in. We'd love to meet you. :)

WriteOn Joliet Open Night Mic

When: 6 p.m. Nov. 2

Where: Book and Bean Cafe, 3395 Black Road, Joliet (inside the Joliet Public Library)

Etc: WriteOn Joliet will read excerpts from their works and share information about the upcoming anthology and Nov. 17's anthology release party.

Contact: bryonyseries@gmail.com 

Visit: writeonJoliet.com or www.bryonyseries.com

WriteOn Joliet Anthology Release Party

When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17

Where: The Book Market, 2365 Plainfield Road, Crest Hill

Etc.: Copies of "Write Where We Are" (WriteOn Joliet's first anthology) will be for sale. Information about WriteOn Joliet. A chance to meet and talk to some of WriteOn Joliet's members, as well as purchase books written by individual WriteOn Joliet authors as well as browse the store and purchase others books. Chef-created refreshments. BryonySeries raffles. Free admission.

Contact: bryonyseries@gmail.com

Visit: writeonJoliet.com or www.bryonyseries.com

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Oct. 22 through Oct. 27

Best news today is below, a copy and paste from my WriteOn Joliet highly esteemed co-leader Tom Hernandez:

"The inaugural WriteOn Joliet Anthology, "Write Where We Are" is now available on Amazon.

"This collection includes pieces by Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins,Holly Butler Coop, Emily Duncan, Diana Estell, Joshua Henderson, Tom Hernandez, Beth Higgins, Sharon Houk, Mike Markley, Sue Midlock (writing as Sue Mydliak), Colleen Robbins, Jenny McCue (Russ), Stephen T. Saporta, and Duanne Walton.

"Help us celebrate this achievement at our Anthology Release Party at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17th at the Book Market in Crest Hill."

Hope to see you there! We'd love to meet you and talk to you about our group.

And now, onward to features.

Where to find my non-bylined works? Why, on this blog, of course.

I recently began assembling my 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.

Now if you don't want to wait that long, you can find 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 in web on other days as I have the time: Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

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.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. Your support is greatly appreciated.


Joliet man is clean, employed and helping others in their recovery

“I was there to get a fresh start,” Roosevelt Burton said. “I listened more and I had a chance to speak more. I realized I could decide to change my life. All the things they [Stepping Stones] had in place – the rules, the homework, the paper work – all played a part.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/10/19/joliet-man-is-clean-employed-and-helping-others-in-their-recovery/aw1fdfj/

An Extraordinary Life: Joliet man was a hero in his own way

Salim attended the Terra Sancta School in Jerusalem, where he even assisted the teachers, Kahlil added. Education, for Salim, would be his ticket to a better life. 

“He knew his mind could end up working for him,” Kahlil Diab, Salim's son, said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/10/21/57b1835ba34541f4aeacb361b1dbec33/index.xml

New Lenox couple goes to bat for these critters

The Dan and Sharon Peterson, owners of Incredible Bats, will bring some of their live 14 Egyptian fruit bats and three African straw-colored bats, as well as a skunk and a tarantula to the Joliet Public Library's Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 30.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/10/20/c03332497059402d9ea52219a18bf2ca/index.xml

Joliet treatment center celebrates life-changing partnerships

“It’s something like a halfway house,” Paul Lauridsen, executive director of Stepping Stones, said of the treatment center. “When guys come in, they have time to get readjusted in the community, get IDs, get jobs and get reacquainted with their families. It’s not like the old days when you took them to the prison gates, opened the doors and gave them $50 to get somewhere.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/10/20/joliet-treatment-center-celebrates-life-changing-partnerships/a4znj2o/

Mystery Diner: Dancing Marlin in Frankfort offers upscale brunch experience

For those bringing children (we didn't), there was also a reasonably priced kids menu featuring French toast, waffles, pancakes, scrambled egg slider, fresh fruit, burger and fries and cheese flatbrad piece, all for $5 each.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/10/21/8eee33ff3c0647eb9042cde054032693/index.xml

Joliet church transformed from west to east

"Icons lift up our minds from the earthly to the heavenly," Reverend Stephen Bithos wrote.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/10/24/9b153e8534a64cf183d7c9803c62296c/index.xml


Joliet Junior College culinary grad is scary in the kitchen

Johanna Wyss, 24, of Orland Park, competed in the 2017 Halloween Wars on the Food Network Channel. She's baked for Robert Englund and Alice Cooper. And she owns her own company, Battycakes, where Wyss whips up wonderfully gruesome pastry creations.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/10/24/afc3ebff6deb490083ef5dacb6ced4fe/index.xml

Artworks: Local residents share favorite frightful foods

Foods include "Witches Brooms" appetizers by Dee Philiph of New Lenox; "Feet-Loaf," "Bat Wings," "Roasted Brains" and "Sauteed Inch Worms" and "Worms in Mud," by Nicole Puracchio; and "Severed Fingers" by Julie Blackburn of Romeoville.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/10/24/b590a04a7f134b4eb27e5d3b29d7ba31/index.xml