Collaboration

So Kids Fest on Aug. 1 in downtown Joliet was postponed to September 19 due to weather.

So might you be interested in helping WriteOn Joliet's literacy efforts at this event?

The absolutely final, final deadline to help out is noon Monday, September 14.

Because that's my deadline for getting the remaining logos to the printer for the second sign for Saturday.

Since 2024, WriteOn Joliet has distributed books authored by WriteOn Joliet authors at the annual Kidz Fest in Joliet.

In 2024, we gave away nearly 100 books in the event’s first 90 minutes. In 2025, we gave away 300 books, mostly in the first half of the event.

The books were funded by WriteOn Joliet’s leader and co-founder along with members of the B.L.O.C.K.S creative team in 2024 and 2025.

I currently have more than 500 books with titles for all ages packed up and ready for distribution in my bastment. (And we are not just giving away books at our booth!)

And the title of this post is more than you collaborating with us.

One of our sponsors made this really awesome graphic for us on Friday afternoon.

And Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, and his wife Nancy Calkins sponsored 100 copies of WriteOn Joliet's special "shoe" anthology, that we've been gifting in the community (including Kids Fest) and also as a "thank you" gift to our sponsors.

But sponsorship helps YOU, too!

Reach out this weekend to find out how!

 

RECAP: WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players at the ROXY Lockport

On Aug. 28, eight members of WriteOn Joliet present “Page to Stage,” original radio theater-style performance at ROXY Lockport as a fundraiser for Trinity Services.

Authors and performers were Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Cean Magosky, Jenny Russ and Duanne Walton

Unfortunately, we have no photos of our performance that night. But we do have some fun "before" and "after" photos.

Timothy, who took photos at "Shades of Noir" for us in April, went with Daniel to the wake our senior pastor, who died unexpectedly earlier in the week (we all went to the funeral the next day).

But Maureen's daughter did capture this lovely candid of us before the show began.

"Page to Stage" featured original and curated stories and poems from four years of WriteOn Joliet radio theater programs. 

The first 10 attendees at the performance received a free copy of WriteOn Joliet’s anthology "Write Where We Are: Tales Our Soles Tell,” courtesy of Edward and Nancy Calkins.

And the first ten attendees at the BryonySeries table also received a FREE booklet called "Angel or Demon" (source material for one of the show's pieces), courtesy of The Raven's House.

WriteOn Joliet anthologies – along with books and other merchandise by individual author/performers – will be available for purchase before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

Before we left ROXY Lockport, we gathered under the marquis for a photo.

Did you miss the show? Don't fret!

The overwhelmingly positive response has led to new and expanded opportunities we could never have envisioned when Tom Hernandez scheduled WriteOn Joliet' first open mic in 2013.

As those opportunities gel into firm plans, we will keep you posted!

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com, roxylockport.com, and trinityservices.org.

Lace Up! Steps to Move Your Writing Journey Forward

To help celebrate the Joliet Public Library's 150th anniversary, WriteOn Joliet (a library partner) is offering a program on Sept. 24 for writers, would-be-writers, writers with writers block, writers who need encouragment to take the first (or next step) in their writing...really just anyone who writes, wants to write, or is thinking about writing.

Here is our event description:

For 150 years, Joliet Public Library has been a place where stories begin. 

WriteOn Joliet invites you to take the first (or next) step of your writing journey, too. 

Any writer (or would-be writer) of any genre or experience is welcome to attend. 

The evening will consist of panel-style encouragement from WriteOn writers, an opportunity to engage and ask questions, and gifts of WriteOn’s special “shoe” anthology and shoebox filled with inspiration to keep moving your story forward. 

Walk-ins welcome, but registration is encouraged to guarantee gifts for all. 

Be sure to wear your favorite shoes! (this last is very important, but you must attend to find out).

"Lace Up! Steps to Move Your Writing Journey Forward" will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by half an hour of refreshments and mingling.

The event will be held at the Joliet Publilc Library, 3395 Black Road in Joliet.

Register here.

An Impromptu Rehearsal for "Page to Stage"

During WriteOn Joliet's normal" "radio play season" (January through April), writers/performers know the fourth Thursday of every month is dedicated to in-person rehearsals (not counting tech week, when in-person ramps up).

But scheduling those in-person rehearsals became trickier when the WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players received an unexpected opportunity to present a compilation show to benefit Trinity Services.

We only had one day when everyone's schedules synced up - and that was Aug. 1 - and we were already committed to a booth at Kids Fest in downtown Joliet.

But two days before the event, Kids Fest was postponed (it's now September 19), leaving the day open, if everyone still had the time available (they did).

That left us with a second problem: where would we find a large, free, available space to rehearse in at the last minute...and on a Saturday, too?

No one had any ideas...and then I had a light bulb moment.

My place!

We've been in the process of condensing two townhomes into one all summer. And most of the furniture in the living room/dining room area of my townhome was empty. It was the perfect size!

So that's what we did.

Now for show details.

Eight members of WriteOn Joliet present “Page to Stage,” original radio theater-style performance at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at ROXY Lockport as a fundraiser for Trinity Services.

Admission is free.

The first 10 attendees at the performance will receive a free copy of WriteOn Joliet’s anthology "Write Where We Are: Tales Our Soles Tell,” courtesy of Edward and Nancy Calkins.

And the first ten attendees at the BryonySeries table will receive a FREE booklet called "Angel or Demon" (source material for one of the show's pieces), courtesy of The Raven's House.

What is "Page to Stage?"

"Page to Stage" features curated stories and poems from four years of WriteOn Joliet live programs. All creations came from the minds of WriteOn members, who also became the actors, bringing their stories and poems to life in exciting, inspiring, and dramatic ways.

Who are the authors and performers?

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

How does this benefit Trinity Services?

A full bar and snacks are available for purchase and benefit Trinity Services, owner of ROXY Lockport.

Donations to Trinity Services welcome.

What else should I know?

WriteOn Joliet anthologies – along with books and other merchandise by individual author/performers – will be available for purchase before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com, roxylockport.com, and trinityservices.org.

Will You Be One of the Ten on Aug. 28?

Eight members of WriteOn Joliet present “Page to Stage,” original radio theater-style performance at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at ROXY Lockport as a fundraiser for Trinity Services.

Admission is free.

The first 10 attendees at the performance will receive a free copy of WriteOn Joliet’s anthology "Write Where We Are: Tales Our Soles Tell,” courtesy of Edward and Nancy Calkins.

And the first ten attendees at the BryonySeries table will receive a FREE booklet called "Angel or Demon" (source material for one of the show's pieces), courtesy of The Raven's House.

What is "Page to Stage?"

"Page to Stage" features curated stories and poems from four years of WriteOn Joliet live programs. All creations came from the minds of WriteOn members, who also became the actors, bringing their stories and poems to life in exciting, inspiring, and dramatic ways.

Who are the authors and performers?

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

How does this benefit Trinity Services?

A full bar and snacks are available for purchase and benefit Trinity Services, owner of ROXY Lockport.

Donations to Trinity Services welcome.

What else should I know?

WriteOn Joliet anthologies – along with books and other merchandise by individual author/performers – will be available for purchase before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com, roxylockport.com, and trinityservices.org.

A Personal Invitation from Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara

Eight members of WriteOn Joliet present “Page to Stage,” original radio theater-style performance at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at ROXY Lockport.

During an in-person rehearsal on August 1, Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, showed he was ready to perform by "hamming up" a piece by WriteOn Joliet member and poet Holly Coop.

Can You Help This Literacy Effort?

So Kids Fest on Aug. 1 in downtown Joliet was postponed due to weather - and the Joliet City Center Partnership, which hosts the event, said it will announce the new date this week.

So might you be interested in helping WriteOn Joliet's literacy efforts at this event?

Since 2024, WriteOn Joliet has distributed books authored by WriteOn Joliet authors at the annual Kidz Fest in Joliet.

In 2024, we gave away nearly 100 books in the event’s first 90 minutes. In 2025, we gave away 300 books, mostly in the first half of the event.

The books were funded by WriteOn Joliet’s leader and co-founder along with members of the B.L.O.C.K.S creative team in 2024 and 2025.

I currently have more than 500 books with titles for all ages packed up and ready for distribution in my bastment. (And we are not just giving away books at our booth!)

And (so far) 18 people,businesses, and organizations have helped fund this literacy effort.

According to the World Literacy Foundation, home libraries “are fabulous tools for improving academic performance, sparking a love for education, and equipping children for success.”

Books are also  “wonderful tools for fostering empathy and promoting positive mental health,” the foundation said.

Your sponsorship of any dollar amount will help provide locally written books to local readers for the 2026-2027 school year.

In return, we will distribute up to 200 pieces of your information with the books to increase your brand exposure. 

We will also display sponsor’s names at our booth and on the main page of WriteOn Joliet’s for the remainder of 2026 (actually, we're providing a link, since all the names didn't fit!).

Speaking of displays, here is our current sign, designed by Fast Printing of Joliet, and I'm taking that sign with me to every event (currently that's seven) I'm participating in for the remainder of 2026.

More sponsors means I'll need another two-foot by three-foot sign.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, email writeonjolietgroup@gmail.com.

For more information about WriteOn Joliet, visit writeonjoliet.com.

Meet the Sponsors for WriteOn Joliet's Book Giveaway

On Aug. 1, WriteOn Joliet will host a booth for the third year in a row at Kids Fest in downtown Joliet.

For the third year in a row, attendees may pick up new, free, WriteOn Joliet authored books for all ages at our booth.

The following people and organizations have contribued to our efforts to support literacy in Will County this past year.

This is an amazing and very diverse group of people, businesses, and organizations.

But they all have two things in common.

They are passionate about supporting literacy.

And I know firsthand of their missions.

Please take a moment to check them out.'

And the photo at the bottom of this post?

This is our handmade, storymaking game that anyone can play for free at our booth.

Hope to see you Saturday!

 

B.L.O.C.K.S

bryonyseries.com/blocks

Ribbit-Ribbits

Visit Ribbit Ribbits on Facebook

New Covenant Worship Center

newcovncwc.com

Shorewood HUGS

shorewoodhugs.org

Brian Bessler, Karges Realty

brianbessler.kargesrealty.com

Harvest Deli at Fit Foundation

facebook.com/fitfoundation4u

Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet

huujoliet.org

Blue Heron Bagels

blueheronbagels.shop

Porch & Park Music Fest

porchandparkmusicfest.com

Will County Audubon Society

willcountyaudubon.illinoisaudubon.org

Greg DuBois

illinoisaudubon.org/speaker/greg-dubois

White Stag Wares

whitestagwares.com

Dr. Daniele De Girolami

doctors.silvercross.org/provider/daniele-paolo-de-girolami/2120379

Greg’s Auto Body

815-741-4244

Saporta Law Offices

saportalawoffices.com

Holly Coop Books

hollycoopbooks.com

Coops Bowsmith

coopsbowsmith.com

Edward and Nancy Calkins

Donors of 100 special "shoe" anthologies

Visit the WriteOn Joliet Booth at Kidz Fest on Aug. 1

Can you believe it's August already? 

And it's a packed month in my world: moving, work, events, doctors appointments (and likely more medical tests), family birthdays, a radio play...and debating if I should use more of my vacation days in August or wait until September.

Hmmm...

We will kick off the festivities this Saturday when WriteOn Joliet participates in Kidz Fest (sometimes seen as Kids Fest) for the third time this year - and we are excited!

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the City Square in Downtown Joliet

Activities include magic shows, magic show, pony rides, touch-a-truck, inflatable slide, and free entertainment by vendors, including WriteOn Joliet.

So please stop by the WriteOn Joliet booth where we are all about the words and sharing wonderful stories!

Here's what you'll find:

1. We will give way approximately 500-plus (I've lost count) locally authored books for children and adults (all ready to go in my new basement).

2. We will have FREE bookmarks to color on site or at home.

3. We will distribute copies of our FREE shoe anthology (while supplies last)

4. We will distribute information on our sponsors (more on these next week).

But the main event is...

Our word blocks!

Kids and adults alike can manipulate our double-sided blocks to create fun sentences and simple short stories.

Here are three examples.

Where did we buy them? We didn't. We invented them!

We took child-safe wood blocks, curated a list of words, and then added white backgrounds and each letter one at a time.

We've tried them out at home, and they are lots of fun. You might not want to stop at just one sentence.

WriteOn Joliet will also have information about the group as a whole and individual authors separately.

We hope you will leave our table more excited about reading and writing then before you arrived.

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com, bryonyseries.com, and jolietccp.com/kidz-fest.

SAVE THE DATE: WriteOn Joliet Live: From Page To Stage on Aug. 28

Eight members of WriteOn Joliet present “Page to Stage,” original radio theater-style performance at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at ROXY Lockport.

Admission is free.

"Page to Stage" features curated stories and poems from four years of WriteOn Joliet live programs. All creations came from the minds of WriteOn members, who also became the actors, bringing their stories and poems to life in exciting, inspiring, and dramatic ways.

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

A full bar and snacks are available for purchase and benefit Trinity Services, owner of ROXY Lockport.

Donations to Trinity Services welcome.

WriteOn Joliet anthologies – along with books and other merchandise by individual author/performers – will be available for purchase before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The first 10 attendees at each performance will receive a free copy of WriteOn Joliet’s anthology "Write Where We Are: Tales Our Soles Tell,” courtesy of Edward and Nancy Calkins.

And the first ten attendees at the BryonySeries table will receive a FREE booklet called "Angel or Demon" (source material for one of the show's pieces), courtesy of The Raven's House

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com, roxylockport.com, and trinityservices.org.

The Book Market's Two-Sided Movable Shelves

This post is a long time in the making.

Last year, Jan Staley, owner of The Book Market in Crest Hill, told me about some shelving another organization in town was planning to donate to her at some point.

Jan was super excited about the shelves because of their weight, their amount of space, and their versatility - the shelves are double-sided and moveable.

She promised one shelf for BryonySeries books (one side) and books by WriteOn Joliet authors (one side).

Earlier this year, Rebekah and I came into the store after work to help reorganize the entire local author section and move all BryonySeries and WriteOn Joliet books to the shelves.

Timothy created all the signage templates for both sides - and for future use at other places and events. 

Rebekah and I looked for the right cardholders and finished the setup in mid-June, right before yet another bout of diverticulitis for me.

The top of the shelves are reserved for WriteOn Joliet's "Author of the Month," whenever we're able to re-launch that program, either late 2026 or January 2027.

For now, the top has a bin for books, along with a sign asking patrons to purchase and donate any book by a WriteOn Joliet author (which includes books in the BryonySeries, since I have dual membership).

These books will be given away from the WriteOn Joliet booth at Kids Fest on Aug. 1, at he City Square in Downtown Joliet.

And when you're done checking out the books on this moveable shelf, be sure to browse the rest of the local author section and the other books The Book Market has to offer.

Founded in 1977, The Book Market offers used books, novels, children's literature, graphic novels, audiobooks, religious texts, sports books, and much, much more, all at very reasonable prices.

What can be more heavenly on a hot and humid July than a leisurely browse through a bookstore?

Vampire Dinosaur

Jenny Russ, a charter member of WriteOn Joliet, gifted me with this dinosaur vampire back in the fall.

It's a slippery little sticker, not in texture but in the way it keeps disappearing - and then reappearing at the most random times and in the most random places.

I love this sticker because I think of so many fun "writerly" things when I look at it.

Obviously, the BryonySeries features vampires in many of its stories.

And the third installment of "Before The Blood" features the origin story of the jack-o-lantern.

Finally, some veteran WriteOn Joliet members will see this dinosaur and think "dinosaur porn."

And who can blame them? (If you know, you know).

The Awkward, Awkward Ask

Well, I am glad I pre-wrote this post as I'm currently experiencing the worst bout of diverticulitis yet.

That's not to play the sympathy card (cliche, I know), but can you help an author out?

Side note: If you're a member of WriteOn Joliet, you can stop reading here. The ask if not for you.

UPDATE: All books are ordered, packed, and ready to go. But we do still need sponsors. Deadline is Thursday, July 23.

Interested? Email writeonjolietgroup@gmail.com. We do have a sponsorship letter, too.

And now - the details!

Here goes.

In 2024, WriteOn Joliet participated in Kidz Fest in downtown Joliet for the first time.

We gave away nearly 90 locally authored books for kids and adults, which I purchased with my manuscript editing funds.

In fact. those 90 books were gone in the first 90 minutes of a five-hour event.

We also gave away approximately one hundred bookmarks people could color at home.

We distributed eighty-five special subscription offers to The Herald-News in Joliet.

We gave away word finds and crossword puzzles based on some of the books.

In 2025, WriteOn Joliet gave away 300 books, as well as bookmarks and handmade "write-your-own poetry books from Holly Coop. Only 50 books remained three hours into the five-hour event.

Both years, our word blocks were hugely successful, especially after the books disappeared. Kids and adults enjoyed manipulating our 48 double-sided blocks (so 96 words in all) to create fun sentences and simple short stories.

On Aug. 1, WriteOn Joliet will participate in Kidz Fest again this year with the same activities.

So this year, WriteOn Joliet is planning to give away 500 books.

And this year, I have the books of nearly every WriteOn Joliet author sponsored (a few are still pending).

This is the "awkward ask" part.

Because of my role in the community, I'm not comfortable seeking sponsorships for my BryonySeries books, which we will also give away on Aug. 1.

In addition, the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team will provide free kids games with prizes and free  BryonySeries books at the Independence Day celebration on  July 3 at Bicentennial Park in Joliet, for the fourth year in a row.

The first year, we gave away 33 books, the second year we gave away 82, and last year we gave away 135 BryonySeries books at the July 3 event.

Now, I'm not completely self-funding the books this year as one of my B.L.O.C.K.S. team members has actively solicited her contacts to help us out.

But we still have some BryonySeries books to go. Please see "How to help" below 

Why are we doing this?

Because reading scores are low at both the high school and the grade school level.

Because not all families can afford new books.

Because even when families can afford new books, a free book is a no-risk way to explore the works of unfamiliar authors and books.

Because families should read together.

Because when kids see adults enthused about books, they will often naturally follow.

Because the level of our excitement at our table as familes scooped up the books was off the charts, and we wish to create that experience again, both for the families and the WriteOn Joliet authors.

How to help

1. Browse my list of BryonySeries books.

2. Purchase the book(s) you'd like to gift for the giveaway at Bicentennial Park on July 3 and Kidz Fest on Aug. 1.

 We especially need more books in the Bertrand the Mouse and The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series. If you can believe it, ALL of the Girls of the BryonySeries books have been sponsored.

3. Mail to: Denise M. Unland, P.O. Box 2789, Joliet, IL, 60436.

4. My one non-BryonySeries book "Nine Months of Kindness" is also available for purchase or sponsorship.

Can I deduct my purchase at tax time?

Unfortunately, since neither WriteOn Joliet nor BryonySeries is a nonprofit, you will not be able to write off your purchase at tax time as a donation.

But that isn't necessarily true if you are sponsoring books. If you are interested in a true sponsorship, email me at dunland@bryonyseries.com. 

Please know your purchases place locally authored books into the hands of readers and nonreaders alike.

For kids who struggle with reading or who aren't enthused about reading, simply taking home a book written by someone in their community can help strip the mystique sway from books.

Perhaps it may spark their own creativity, knowing writing a book is really, really possible.

And it can't hurt when reading and writing are presented in such a fun way.

Take a Reading Journey with WriteOn Joliet this Summer

Several years ago, a member of WriteOn Joliet brought a photograph of a black pump in ditch to the meeting as a writing prompt.

That inspired shoe-themed stories of all kinds and many sugggestions that we compile a special WriteOn Joliet anthology based on "shoes" and "journey."

Well, we finally did it, and we had a good reason to pick this year, too.

"Write Where We Are: Tales Our Soles Tell" is now available for purchase on Amazon.

And Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara (BryonySeries author and character and WriteOn Joliet member) and his wife Nancy Calkins (an artist who designed this cover) generously offered to sponsor 100 copies of this book as their gift to the community.

We plan to offer limited copies of this book for free at the following events:

June 27: "Presentation 101: An Overview for Authors Entering the Industry" 1 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. Joliet. 

July 3: Joliet Eve of Independence: America 250 Fireworks and Celebration: 6 to 10 p.m., Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet. Live music, food vendors, and children’s activities by B.L.O.CK.S., the BryonySeries umbrella brand. B.L.O.C.K.S. will also have limited giveaways of BryonySeries books for all ages and WriteOn Joliet's upcoming "Shoe" anthology. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Aug. 1: Kid Fest: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., City Square, Downtown Joliet. For the third year in a row, WriteOn Joliet will have a tent at the annual Kidz Fest celebration. Write your own story with our unique, one-of-a-kind, made-just-for-us story manipulable story blocks. And be sure to pick up one (or more) WriteOn Joliet-authored books (titles for all ages), which we will distribute for free. This event has been rescheduled for September 19.

WriteOn Joliet will also offer copies at a special "shoe" event for writers on Sept. 24 at the Joliet Public Library. Details to come later!

We also have a few events this summer where a few copies MAY be spontaneously gifted (depending on available supplies, of course).

Here is the book's synopsis:

For 150 years, Joliet Public Library has been a place where stories begin. For the last 14 years, the Joliet Public Library has given space to WriteOn Joliet, for writers to begin and refine their stories, too.

In that spirit, WriteOn Joliet presents this special shoe and journey-themed anthology to entertain, inspire, and connect with readers on their journeys.

As Judy Quilty Smith wrote in this anthology, we hope readers “remember their Shoes and Journey stories because we all have them. I hope they remember the shoes that hurt and the shoes that felt beautiful, the shoes that looked lovely, and the shoes they received as a gift from one of their loved ones.”

Enjoy!

Few Will Read This Post (And That's The Point of This Post)

There is a part in the 2019 South Korena drama "Hotel de Luna" that has stuck with me in the six years since I watched the drama with Rebekah during COVID in early 2020.

In fact, I went down a rabbit hole looking for the exact passage online when I recently wrote this blog post and then decided it should be its own separate post.

"Hotel de Luna" is a hotel that caters to ghosts, a place for them to stay on their way to heaven or hell while they address unfinished business.

But the hotel must have one human manager - and young Goo Chang-Sung (for reasons of the plot) is recruited for the job by the owner Man-wol, who is also stuck between heavena and hell and has her own unfinished business.

Man-wol pursues Goo Chang-Sung for a while and gives him the ability to see ghosts, which terrifies him, enough for him to dodge her and the summons for as long as he's able.

My favorite scene in the entire drama is when he's standing in the lobby and wondering why he should stay. And he's told he will see things few will ever see.

And then his lights go on, and he's sees the lavishness of the venue, and the hundreds of souls milling around.

One can find posts galore on the internet about stepping outside of one's comfort zone. And I even added to the noise with this Faith-inspired post.

And it's true the view is often breathtaking outside of that zone.

That brings me to local authors. 

And I am not talking about my BryonySeries books (although we could be). I'm talking about the many self-published novels I've read over the years (and the one I'm currently reading).

The products of local, independent, and/or self-published authors are often dismissed as amateurly-produced slush (at best).

But most of us will admit (even if only to ourselves) that plenty of badly crafted material is commerically published, too.

And yet...

By taking a chance on an unknown book and author, you will see (and read) something few will ever see and read and experience.

True, the road is uncharted.

You won't find thousands of starred reviews, social media reels, and buzz around town to guide you.

Rather, you will step off the noisy crowded reading road onto a quieter, dustier, perhaps lonelier path that leads into,,,where?

Could be a field of weeds and insects, which sends you scuttling back to the familiar, vowing never to pick up any book that isn't influencer-approved ever again.

But you might miss the rare wildflower beckoning you in the breeze.

Or you might embark on a reading adventure the likes of which you've never experienced.

Fortunately, you don't need to look far to find your first out-of-the-ordinary read.

Many libraries (including the Joliet Public Library) have local author sections.

Many independent bookstores (including The Book Market in Crest Hill) have local author sections, 

In fact, The Book Market has one moving set of shelves dedicated to published authors belonging to WriteOn Joliet. Ask owner Janet Staley if you can't find it. She can also help you find just the right book to read, too.

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe in Shorewood is having a local author fair on Saturday.

So, again...

By taking a chance on an unknown book and author, you will see (and read) something few will ever see and read and experience.

Ever.

WriteOn Joliet at The Timbers of Shorewood 2026 Part 2

 On January 17, The Timbers of Shorewood retirement community held its fourth "Meet the Authors" event for the members of WriteOn Joliet who contributed to its 2024 and 2025 anthologies.

Amy Odell, activities director, created light bulb ornaments for each participant.

For details about the event, our sponsors, and some really nice photos, read "Seniors meet local authors at ‘WriteOn Joliet’ annual event at Timbers of Shorewood."

Please enjoy the second part of the video.

WriteOn Joliet at The Timbers of Shorewood 2026 Part 1

On January 17, The Timbers of Shorewood retirement community held its fourth "Meet the Authors" event for the members of WriteOn Joliet who contributed to its 2024 and 2025 anthologies.

Amy Odell, activities director, created their light bulb ornaments for each participant.

For details about the event, our sponsors, and some really nice photos, read "Seniors meet local authors at ‘WriteOn Joliet’ annual event at Timbers of Shorewood."

And then watch part one of the event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pabKhtEB5d0&t=562s

PHOTOS: Detective Ed and Denny in WriteOn Joliet's "Shades of Noir"

WriteOn Joliet presented “Shades of Noir,” an original radio theater production, on April 18 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St. Joliet.

"Shades of Noir" authors and performers were Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Cean Magosky, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director was Jake Thomas.

Production assistant was Rebekah Baran.

The story revolved an aging detective (Ed Calkins, aka Detective Ed) preparing to turn his business over to his replacement (Denise M. Baran-Unland, aka "Denny."). 

During the transition, the two detectives debated and argued over how cases should be approached, and they reviewed past, present, and future cases in the form of various original poems and stories written by the author/performers.

Janet Staley, owner of The Book Market in Crest Hill, thinks Ed and I should do some books signings and events together. Ed wants us to to a podcast. Cean writing an interstitial script for us certainly gave us a chance to see if either of those suggestions should be pursued.

For the entire "Ed Calkins" backstory of how he fits in my life and the BryonySeries, read Twenty Questions with Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara.

I said this about Ed in post-show comments: You not only go the extra miles by memorizing your pieces, you took a few trips to local shops and spend a few dollars to make sure key production  people are recognized at both performances. You and Nancy (Ed's wife) are the heart and soul of this production.

Jenny said this about me: Ed has a big voice and stage presence and you managed to match and even sometimes surpass his energy as Denny. You made your character three dimensional and strong. Also, you were the perfect balance and support for Ed both in rehearsal and on stage. Not bad for an introvert. 😉

And now, enjoy these photos by Timothy!