Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 10 through March 15

Proof copy for the third installment of Before the Blood arrived last night!

Two typos found in chapter one with more I'm sure to weed out before the weekend is done.

Last night, I stopped into the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet for a reception for the two featured artists, both members of WriteOn Joliet. If you live in the area and have a chance to stop, please do!

The owner is cheery, the is coffee terrific, and the art (photography, mostly) is phenomenal.

Have a wonderful Friday, readers, writers, and vampire fans!

Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works - 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.

One can also find those event listings, 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 some only on web on other days as I have the time): Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

 Social media:

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.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to jon WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming events:

These are listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.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.

These boots were made for Woodie

Joliet Junior College students creating prosthetic paws for a dog who's missing two

During the meetings with Woodie and the Grelcks, Christina Bunde discussed with them their goals for Woodie's future and their expectations from the prosthesis. Once Bunde had that information, she began experimenting with designs and materials.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/03/07/3f0ae2687c1243fe9b3c8835b7b33f9f/index.xml

Plainfield doctor cared for the very poor
Dr. Imran Qureshi performed medical relief in Bangladesh

Qureshi said: "The Rohingya people, for all the losses that they’ve endured and deaths that they’ve suffered, are incredibly resilient people. It’s inspiring to see their strength, given what they’ve gone through, and its quite humbling. And, as I’ve mentioned before, this grounds us in our own reality. as well. It makes us incredibly thankful for what we have back home."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/03/05/b2efb9e165544055a356e9e657cb95e0/index.xml


Joliet Junior College chef achieves his lifetime dream
Timothy Bucci is now a certified master chef

Bucci said, "I felt the judges were all very supportive. They want you to do well. They want you to pass. But you have to take the information they're giving you and adopt it the next day. If you take something personally, it isn't going to end up well for you."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/03/12/2c7ca8a338e54ce6976d0c2620671874/index.xml


Bacon and Cheddar Irish soda bread? You bet! 

Bacon, cheddar cheese and green onion add a hearty taste to traditional soda bread.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/03/13/9f8e66ac84d34592b1e857021c69ce84/index.xml


Adding Guinness makes Irish soda bread even more Irish

This makes a dense loaf, similar to pumpernickel, but moister and sweeter.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/03/13/2a9f1d61cf8341969bbbce32eb71ac0e/index.xml


Make traditional Irish soda bread with or without raisins

We made our favorite recipe (without) and then changed it up.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/03/13/cb0c02ad89c34ce088b0bb9dfcdaf81a/index.xml


A community celebration of art
Artworks 2019 will include exhibits, demonstrations and performances 

This fine arts festival, which takes place at Lincoln-Way East High School, will include 900 pieces of student art, kindergarten through grade 12; performances by school choirs, youth strings and jazz combos; and art demonstrations and workshops.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/03/12/6b8f346579aa4632a8b612a164920378/index.xml


Artworks: From dog hair to paper filigree 
Lemont fiber artist will demonstrate the ancient art of quilling 

"I thought, 'What can't you buy at K-Mart? Well, you can't buy dog hair spun into yarn at K-mart,'" Betty Burian Kirk said.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/03/12/62c5738120a347a3abae15ea6db486e9/index.xml


LocalLit book spotlight: The Heart's Bone' by Jennifer Russ

Not many authors can tackle such an edgy topic and do it well.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/03/12/63ca53eb0c6d4270bcff1d7dafde748e/index.xml

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

The Promised "Art Gala" Recap (And Some Marketing Comments)

Okay, readers, this is a long post. So if you have something pressing to do, I advise returning later.


Last Thursday, BryonySeries illustrator Matt Coundiff and I participated in an art night/paint gala event.

http://bryonyseries.blogspot.com/2017/01/want-feedback-on-your-writing-this.html

http://bryonyseries.blogspot.com/2017/01/art-gala-paintt-night-and-writing.html

Through the years, I have participated in vendor events with mixed sales results. Overall, I have found them not to be very use for sales. So I stopped doing them for a few years.

But as I worked on my 2017 marketing plan, I revisited the idea and attended one on Thursday night. More on this in a minute.

Yes, vendor events often aren't terrific sales venues, but the right ones do play a role in marketing and keeping one's brand visible, which sets the foundation for future sales.

Why they suck for book sales (at least my book sales):

1) Vendor fees

Vendor fees make money for organizers, but they're one more hurdle for self-published fiction authors on a slim budget to scale. Meaning, in order to profit from the event, one must earn back the fee, too. Sometimes I did, sometimes I broke even. Mostly I didn't.

2) Unpredictable, broad spectrum of patrons

All one can do is hope some of the people strolling through the door will be intrigued with my books enough to buy. And that's even hoping some generally read the genre in which I write.

But don't pin hopes on that happening, at least not in any substantial way. Usually the organizers aren't doing any niche marketing for the vendors because

3) Organizers are hoping family and friends of vendors will be supportive

Meaning even if the general public doesn't attend in droves, family and friends will still buy stuff.

4) Finally, I always end up feeling I could be writing.

And when writing time is as scarce as gold on a sidewalk, a day standing behind my wares to sparse foot traffic underscores that sentiment as each minute ticks by.

Why I took another look at vendor events and when I feel authors should participate in one

1) Vendor fees

Unless we're talking a high-profile event related to your topic, an event tailored to your book topic, or an event where it's certain you'll generate great sales, pass on any event with a fee. They say a fool and his money are soon parted. Don't be that fool.

I'm not saying never spend money on marketing or vendor fees. But spend wisely. Be reasonably certain you'll either make that money back and then some or receive such great exposure the fees are well spent.

2) Unpredictable, broad spectrum of patrons

As I said, could be bad for sales, but great for meeting new people and promoting one's work. Consider the event an opportunity for  pleasant conversation and a chance to distribute book marks, business cards, or free samples of your writing. You never know who will leave with interest piqued or knows someone who might be.

Yes, you might sell. But consider the sales bonuses, not the main purpose.

3) Organizers are hoping family and friends of vendors will be supportive

That's awesome the first time around, but if you've been writing for five years, and this is your fiftieth event, odds are no one loves you that much.

But if organizers aren't making money from fees or your loved ones (and assuming you're not Stephen King or J.K. Rowling either), what benefit does your presence offer? I don't of anyone who sees my name attached to an event and starts thinking, "Oooooh, gotta make this one!" (Although it would be nice).

So the benefit?

Cross-marketing with other vendors and THEIR family and friends. The reach of ten or forty is greater than than the reach of one. Unless, again, you're Stephen King or J.K. Rowling.

4) I always end up feeling I could be writing.

That feeling might not go away. But here's what I used to tell my kids when we homeschooled and ran newspaper routes in the middle of the night.

Bring a book.

Yes, that's correct. Bring your laptop, Or a notebook. Or something. Plan ahead. If it's a dead day, write, visibly and in a way that may attract interest. Just don't become so immersed (as we writers do) that we miss opportunities to connect with passersby.

When my family ran those newspaper routes, nothing messed up our day more than late trucks. But if the kids brought books, they could jump-start their homework. I always brought my laptop and wrote stories for The Herald-News sitting cross-legged on work stations at 1:30 a.m. while waiting for trucks. It can be done.

Now the kids didn't always bring books. But when the trucks were late, they always wished they did.

Oh, and BTW, almost every time, someone was curious enough to ask what I was doing. And almost always, that person pitched a story. So I'd make my editorial deadlines AND had at least one new story idea. When one is paid by the piece, as I was back in the day, that's always a good deal.

As for the art gala.

Some might feel the night was not successful, especially since an ice storm equaled sparse attendance, but I felt otherwise, and here's why.

1) I didn't pay a vendor fee.

The event was invitation only. The request (not a mandate, a request) was to promote the event on social media. I did and blogged twice (but I would have done that anyway).

2) Matt Coundiff, the illustrator for Visage and Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony" was participating. 

I have a great working relationship with Matt and love his other work. Plus we ended up being table mates. This was a draw for me.

3) The atmosphere rocked. 

It was in a furniture store. Matt had a long table. I had a coffee table and comfortable chairs, perfect for showing off the fun of reading and chatting informally with those that stopped by.

4) The organizer was super-friendly and upbeat, had promoted the event through the story with some lovely plastic-coated flyers, extremely apologetic about the turnout, and invited us to return in April.

What's there not to like? And if I'm invited again, I'll definitely return.

5) I sold one pastel BryonySeries candle to one very unlikely customer: a middle age Hispanic man.

He'd cruised by earlier in the night. Toward the end, he came back, smelled them all trying to make up his mind, and then decided to buy a pink "purple rose" scented candle. He left happy with his purchase.

I messaged Valerie the good news, and she was thrilled.

6) I left with a story idea

'Nuff said.

7) As I was packing up, one of the vendors approached me to ask if he could contact me about self-publishing. 

And he left with a BryonySeries card and a WriteOn Joliet flyer.

8) I had a good time. 


It was a relaxing, low-key night. And the coffee was good.

Want Feedback on Your Writing? This Event is for You

From 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 12, I will be offering writing critiques for a donation $5 per fifteen minutes of time.

Bring any writing sample, and I'll assess its strengths and weaknesses. All writing assessment donations go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. Yes, you may write a check to the organization.

The writing assessments are part of the Paint night and Art Gala at Nelson’s Furniture, 209 Bridge St. in Wilmington.

In addition to the paint session by The Acrylic Zebra (which is $30 per person and must be preregistered),other artists will be displaying talents and selling their art. One artist, Matt Coundiff, illustrated two of the BryonySeries books: Visage and Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is the official BryonySeries cookbook and a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

I'll have all five published BryonySeries books for sale at the event. In addition to the two Matt illustrated, one may also purchase Bryony, Staked! Bertrand and the Lucky Clover and even flip through my marked-up proof copy of Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone, which we hope to release soon.

And, yes, Bertrand the Mouse will be there, too. And you can get your picture taken with him. For free, LOL. Follow him on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

For more information on registering for the paint night, visit visit https://www.facebook.com/events/357742544583421/

No registration is necessary to attend and browse.

For more information on the BryonySeries, visit www.bryonyseries.com.

Happy Monday, vampire fans! :)

Art Gala, Paint Night, and Writing Assessments

I was recently invited to join the following event:

"Join us for a Paint night and Art Gala at Nelson’s Furniture. This is a Free event to see local artists of all media outlets. Some artists will be offering art to purchase, others will be displaying their talents. We will also be offering a Painting session, that will be instructed by The Acrylic Zebra it will be $30.00 dollars per person. We do ask you pre-register with Nelson’s Furniture for the paint night."

The event will  be from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 12 at Nelson's furniture, 209 Bridge St. in Wilmington. Matt Coundiff, the illustrator for Visage and Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," will also be there selling his art.

At the event, I will have copies of all three books in the BryonySeries trilogy (Bryony, Visage, and Staked!), as well as the first book in the children's Bertrand the Mouse series. Alas, Cornell Dyer and Missing Tombstone won't be available for purchase, but I'll have the proof copy to flip through and, hopefully, an update on the release date,which should be this month.

Basically, I just need a few minutes to fix formatting errors, LOL.

Also for sale will be copies of Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from Bryony. All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

I will also be offering writing critiques at $5 per fifteen minutes of time. Bring any writing sample, and I'll assess its strengths and weaknesses. I don't keep any of the money, FYI; all is donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

For more information on registering for the paint night, visit visit https://www.facebook.com/events/357742544583421/

No registration is necessary to attend and browse.

For more information on the BryonySeries, visit www.bryonyseries.com.

Thank you and have a fantastic day! :)