Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Oct. 18 through Oct. 24

Good morning!

I have fifteen stories online to share with you today - and more stories will go live over the weekend.

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.

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!

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

Oct. 25: Spirits with the Spirits: 5 to 9 p.m. at Black Cat Curiosities, 118 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet and other locations in downtown Joliet. For BryonySeries details, please read Join Us at "Spirits with the Spirits" on Friday.

Oct. 25: BryonySeries Pre-Halloween Book Party: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill. Pop in anytine before October 25 to decorate one of our crocheted pumpkins (while supplies last, all free, no purchase necessary) and stay to listen to spooky stories, grab a Halloween treat bag (while supplies last), and hear our random winner.

Nov. 8: Local Author Panels: Tips and Tricks to Getting Your Book Published: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Downers Grove Public Library. This event is a series of panel discussions designed to help authors move forward. I will be part of the panel on book marketing, and we will have information about BryonySeries, WriteOn Joliet and B.L.O.C.K.S. This is strictly an information session. No one will be selling that day.

Nov. 22: BryonySeries "Day of Gratitude" at The Book Market: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill.

Nov. 28: Christmas Market: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Renaisssance Center, 214 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet. This event is part of the Joliet City Center Partnership's "Light Up the Holidays Festival and Parade."

Dec. 4: WriteOn Joliet Anthology Release party: 6 to 8 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet. Everything is free at this event unless you buy a book: free chef-created small bites, free photos with Santa, free opportunity to chat with local authors, who will also be selling their books and other products. WriteOn Joliet will also be selling its 2025 anthology, along with all other anthologies from 2017 onward, including its holiday anthology and "cheetah" anthology.

Dec. 20: BryonySeries "A Gift of Reading" Christmas Party, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill.

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

Channahon couple creates app for neurodivergent families to connect

‘We wanted to create a safe place for these families, and I really think we did that,’ father and app developer said

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/23/channahon-couple-creates-app-for-neurodivergent-families-to-connect/

Juvenile killed after being struck by semi truck along I-80 near Morris

https://www.shawlocal.com/morris-herald-news/2025/10/20/i-80-near-morris-closed-for-illinois-state-police-investigation/

‘What is Joliet to you?’: Artist engaging with residents for involvement on downtown sculpture design

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/19/shaping-the-final-design-dome-of-unity-artist-shares-artistic-process-at-saturday-workshop/

Joliet Chamber seeking Great Teacher Award nominees

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/19/joliet-chamber-seeking-great-teacher-award-nominees/

Permanent make-up company opens in Shorewood

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/18/permanent-make-up-company-opens-in-shorewood/

Joliet entrepreneurs can enter the ‘Big Pitch’ competition

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/17/joliet-entrepreneurs-can-enter-the-big-pitch-competition/

Joliet restaurant group honors Will County nonprofits

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/18/joliet-restaurant-group-honors-will-county-nonprofits/

Joliet Catholic church hosting ‘handling grief’ program

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/24/joliet-catholic-church-hosting-handling-grief-program/

Joliet thrift store closes

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/22/joliet-thrift-store-closes/

Joliet Chamber to host ‘Spirits with the Spirits’ on Friday

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/22/joliet-chamber-to-host-spirits-with-the-spirits-on-friday/

Hall of Famer Frank Thomas greets fans at Joliet cigar lounge grand opening

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/17/hall-of-famer-frank-thomas-greets-fans-at-joliet-cigar-lounge-grand-opening/

Joliet event raises awareness for breast cancer, mental health through art

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/19/joliet-event-raises-awareness-for-breast-cancer-mental-health-through-art/

Joliet hospice guild to host 36th annual holiday fundraiser

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/20/joliet-hospice-guild-to-host-36th-annual-holiday-fundraiser/

Silver Cross Hospital breaks ground on Lemont health center

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/16/silver-cross-hospital-breaks-ground-on-lemont-health-center/

Will County Pets of the Week: Oct. 20, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/20/will-county-pets-of-the-week-oct-20-2025/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Lovely Notecards from Barbara Eberhard

I've told my daughter that when I retire, I want to be like Lockport artist Barbara Eberhard.

Not only is Barbara a very talented photographer, artist, and storyteller in her own right, she supports just about every art-related event in the Will County area and beyond. Some day, I hope to immerse myself in local art events the way she does.

Barbara attends (and often brings a few friends) to WriteOn Joliet's annual anthology release party, a good many of WriteOn Joliet's mic nights, and nearly every book signing I myself have held.

Last year, Barbara even saw WriteOn Joliet's radio play TWICE. 

Twice, Barbara has invited me to tell a story at her monthly storytelling event at Nik & Ivy's in Lockport. (and I had to take the day off work to make sure I'd get there on time!)

On Saturday, Barbara came out to the Joliet Public Library's Local Author Fair, bought three Bertrand the Mouse books for a gift and then gifted me with a lovely set of her original notecards.

Maybe you could like some of your own. Her email is on the bookmark in the photo.

For more information about Barbara Eberhard. visit barbaraeberhard.com and storiesrus.fun.

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 6 to May 12

Good morning!

Today I have thirteen features and news stories to share with you today, which includes eight "Thank You, Teacher" I wrote in the background over the last few weeks.

More stories will be posted over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

On April 22, WriteOn Joliet presented its first presentation of original readings in a radio-style format at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theater. In June, we will record an audio version of that show.

And if you missed it the first time around, you may get another opportunity. I will keep you posted.

I am very happy to see Friday today. Except for taking Rebekah to a very well-deserved "thank you" breakfast for all her hard BryonySeries work, I have no plans for this weekend, except to relax and write fiction, something I haven't done for several months - much needed since I'm scheduled to work next week again.

Here is a recap of my BryonySeries projects so far.

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and hope to spend some deep time on just one chapter this weekend.

Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville: The next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries. Timothy and I drafted it months ago, and I currently have nearly six solid chapters ready to go and hoping for a seventh by the end of this weekend. Sue Midlock has already sent all the interior and cover. As always, the art is amazing and perfect for the series.

You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon. 

Karla Joins In: The fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series. Six chapters are completed and a hope to make progress on a seventh.

BryonySeries reference/guide book: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries. I'd love to have this one ready by the end of the year. Pecking slowly at it.

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. A fourth of it is written and edited, another third on top of that is loosely written, and pieces are in "homework" shape. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. This is typically a Friday night project - so hoping to play with it tonight.

Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those.

Now back to the 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'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 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 on Twitter at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.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.

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

Longtime Joliet glass artist closes retail location, but hopeful for the future: Sue Regis: ‘I’m very blessed and grateful for the support in the community.’

The 815 gives Joliet area youth musicians a monthly concert experience: Youth ages 5 to 21 can sign up to perform at The Forge

Baran-Unland: 10 reasons why you should eat dinner with turtles on May 23: The Forest Preserve District of Will County will also hold a live turtle presentation on May 21.

Bring documents to shred on Saturday at #Romeoville village hall: This event is free and open to the public

Romeoville university site for 3rd annual Summer STEAM Camp: After The Peanut is hosting the camp at Lewis University

Will County Beer and Bourbon Fest scheduled for May 20 benefits veterans: Will County Habitat for Humanity is ‘only as strong as the community that supports us’ 

Joliet Public School Districts 86 teacher receives Golden Apple award in surprise celebration Wednesday: Chelsea Young: ‘The crowd came busting through the door with joyful cheers.’ 

New Lenox hospital foundation, Old National Bank announce corporate partnership: The donation will help fund programs and facilities 

Register now for a Mother’s Day event at the Will County forest preserve: Register by Friday for ‘Hike with Mother Nature at Keepataw Preserve

Plainfield Park District Foundation to host ‘Float and Fundraise’ event: Reserve your tube time now for the July 3 day of giving.

Get tips for saving money and energy at Troy Township event May 18: Registration is required for this free event  

Pets of the Week: May 8, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

5 Things to do in Will County: Get Mom a free ticket to a Joliet Slammers game on Sunday: Plus 4 more suggestions for enjoying your weekend

THANK YOU, TEACHERS

Joliet Central special needs teacher visits and raises money for orphans in Uganda: Assistant vice principal: ‘She’s remarkable, so full of love’

Plainfield’s District 202 director of student services committed to students’ social emotional health: ‘He has really been a leader and he will continue to keep it at the forefront for all of us’ 

Associate professor at Lewis University in Romeoville is a role model for future special education teachers: Jennifer Buss: ‘My goal was just to provide more doors being opened’  

Joliet’s District 86 hires its first French bilingual English language resource specialist: Kira Cloonan: ‘Once I found out this job was available, I just had to try for it’

Lincoln-Way West social worker ‘just lifts everyone’: Chrissy Hack promotes social-emotional health wherever she can

District 86 teacher shares her Colombian culture in Joliet classroom: Teacher Jenny Cuesta Hernandez said her Sator Sanchez students love learning new songs and games

Valley View special education teacher has taught every grade in 30-year career: Jennifer Foster ‘helps to build the whole child’  

Troy ELA teacher brings language to life for her students: Jennifer Lowe: ‘I so love getting kids up on their feet and getting them to engage’

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Yes, the Photos Are Staged...

 ...but the enjoyment is not.

And that (in additon to money, sometimes) is what most artists want.

The painter wants his work to be hung and admired.

The chef wants his work to be tasted and savored.

The musician wants his work to be heard and appreciated.

The writer wants his work to be read - and he hopes the reader (depending on the material) is informed, inspired, or transported to another world that only exists somewhere in the space between the mind of the writer and the mind of tbe reader.

There's nothing wrong with creativity for creativity's sake.

But creativity that finds a home in the heart of the receiver completes the journey, I think.

When Nancy texted me last week, she had read all but four of the currently published books in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series. I think of all the books in the series, she likes these the best.

She loves the charactrer. She told me some of her own encounters with ghosts.

And she said Cornell Dyer and the Necklace of Forgetfulness is her favorite (so far) because it has a love story in its background.

Ed Calkins shared his thoughts (so far) on Before The Blood last week.

Artists: It's Normal Not to Sell A Lot (and a plug for a great cafe)

I found this gem of a post a few weeks ago. I'm including the link so you can read it for yourself.

Despite the flood of posts online about people who used this or that method and made millions, the truth is that most people don't, which is why people flock to them. If it was commonplace to make millions (or any other amount of money that is significant), the topic would be commonplace and no one would care.

OK. So we know that.

Yet what was lovely about this post, for me, was its comparison to an indie coffee shop. And that's why I reserved this post. I waited until the Book and Bean Cafe inside the Joliet Public Library reopened - which it did yesterday.

Because that cafe instantly came to mind when I read the post.

A few key points for you to consider today, whether you are a seller or a consumer.

1) Selling a lot of anything doesn't equal customer satisfaction.

2) Some people will be super stoked to take your artwork or book home with them. 

3) The Book and Bean Cafe serves up friendly community spirit as it tenaciously survives during these tough times and showcases local art. The photo below is from 2018, when four of my BryonySeries artists set up for a two-month long exhibit in that cafe. That is connection is exactly the cafe's owner strives to create in her space.

Obviously some of you reading this today don't live in Joliet.

But most of you will know a place like the cafe.

And you will understand.

Here's the post: Read the first two blocks.

Be encouraged. Be supportive.

https://www.kboards.com/threads/its-normal-not-to-sell-a-lot.177159/

Photo by Timothy Baran

Brodnicki says Goodbye to Mrs. Calkins

The Boring Side of Creativity

I'm not certain why, but we tend to romanticize the making of art.

But making art is not the same as enjoying the finished project.

Making art takes time, more time than even accomplished and experienced artists sometimes estimate for a project, and that time is often laborious and tedious.

Now there's definitely an indescribable delight in the finished product, no doubt.

But that's brief and fleeting. For even the person who climbs a mountaintop must climb back down. The way up and the way down is challenging and the outcome isn't certain.

To return to a mountaintop high, one must start a new project, a new climb, a new goal with no reassurance of reaching the top.

To create art means risking failure, over and over and over again - while taking those repetitive steps that may come with some boredom. That's not easy to do on a daily basis.

Fortunately, I save most artistic projects for the weekend. Journalism, for all its twenty-first uncertainties, comes with one certainty.

I must meet those deadlines if I want to stick around in the industry.

Here's a good article on the boring life of an artist.

https://www.dumbofeather.com/articles/the-gently-boring-life-of-an-artist/

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!" Follow him at artworkbytopher.com.

The Magic Apple

"Support indie" are buzzwords often heard today, and people live that out in ways ranging from not at all to promoting their friends' work or their favorite artists on social media.

But this isn't a post of how you should support indie, or how I support indie (except as an aside) or that you should support me (although I'd be thrilled if you did).

Instead, it is a story about Celtic mythology, my imagination, homemade tropes, and how I use those in a small way to promote indie artists I do not know, and how they're work has enriched my life, although they will never know it, either.

In concise terms, this means that, ever since I have figured out Twitter basics, few years ago (I've had the BryonySeries account over a decade; I just didn't know how to use it), I post a combination of my own content and curated content, all underscoring BryonySeries themes.

One of those posts is always for product on Etsy.

It's a fun, creative exercise of searching the platform by a BryonySeries theme (or item or trope) and then sharing a description and photo of the item on Twitter, along with a link, so anyone who is interested can buy it.

Has it led to sales? I have no idea because, with the except of Holly Coop's greeting cards, I don't know any of the vendors; I find them and their products through searching by topic.

But I stick with Etsy almost exclusively because most of the vendors are indie artists from all over the world.

Now recently, this has led to some gifts from my children to me.

The latest is this golden apple, which I am wearing for the first time. The reason why it's important is slightly because of Ed Calkins, whom I was supposed to meet for lunch today to discuss his progress on Ruthless (hoping "lunch" still happens via phone call).

Without going into too much backstory, I've legally fictionalized the "real" Ed Calkins, which led to the subtle incorporation of Celtic mythology into parts of the BryonySeries, especially in Staked!.

In this third book of the young adult "drop of blood" vampire trilogy are frequent allusions to a magic apple. These allusions refer back to a story Ed Calkins supposedly tell the protagonist, John-Peter, which John-Peter tells his young nieces one Thanksgiving Day as they prepare apples for a pie.

           “How come you like apples so much, John-Peter?”

            He reached for another. “Hoping for a magic one.”

            Deanna lifted her chin in disdain and shook her head. “There’s no such thing as magic, and you know it.”

            Fawn ran back into the room, waving her dripping hands. John-Peter handed her a napkin, tossed the cores into the garbage, and began working on another apple.

            “Surely you’ve heard what happened to Connla the Fair. Ellie, watch your nose.”

            Ellie moved her face away from the apple. “What 'fair?'”

             “'Fair' means he had a light complexion and was very handsome. He was the son of Conn, the Hundred-Fighter.”

             “He’s making it up,” Deanna said.

             Ellie stuck her tongue out at Deanna. “Well, I want to hear John-Peter’s story.”

            John-Peter handed Deanna the peeled apple.

            “One day, when Connla the Fair was sitting with his father on the Hill of Uisneach.”

            “A pretend place,” Deanna scooped the slices into her hands and set them before Ellie.

            “Tell that to the ancient Druids. They considered it to be the very center of Ireland, the ancient seat of the Kings of Meath.”

             “What’s a doo-rid?” Ellie said.

            “A very wise man.”

            “I still think you’re making it up,” Deanna said.

             “There is a huge limestone there that resembles a cat watching a mouse. Someday, I’ll show you the picture.”

            Fawn looked at John-Peter with large, round eyes. “Tell the story, John-Peter.”

            John-Peter watched as Fawn laid the slices onto the pie crust. She began to pop her fingers into her mouth, looked at Deanna, and grabbed a napkin instead.

            “While Connla the Fair was sitting with his father and his father’s druid, a beautiful woman appeared and said, "I belong to a race of people called the Sidhe…'"

             “What’s shee?”

            “Fairies, Ellie.”

            “Oh.” She stuck her face close to the paring knife.   

             “Ellie!”

            “Sorry.” She edged away.

             “The woman said to Connla, ‘We dwell in a land of peace where death does not exist. Connla, if you follow me, you will always remain young and fair.’”

             Ellie scooted closer to John-Peter as he cored another apple, and he nudged her away with his elbow.

            “Now Conn could not hear the woman’s voice, but the druid did. He noticed how she bewitched Connla so he uttered magical words--yes, Deanna, real magical words-- against the power of her voice. She vanished, but not before tossing an apple to Connla.”

             “Where'd she get the apple?” Fawn asked.

            “Be quiet, Fawn,” Deanna said, curiosity overtaking her superiority, as she sliced her apple.

             John-Peter set down his knife, smiled, and continued.

            “For the next month, Connla refused all nourishment except the woman’s apple, yet the apple never diminished in size or in its ability to satisfy him. At the end of the month, the woman returned in a crystal boat and once again extended her invitation for him. Although Connla loved his people, he loved the enchanting woman more.

            “Did he go with her?” An apple slice slipped from Ellie’s hand and splashed lemon juice onto the table.

            “He did,” John-Peter said and bit into the last apple. “No one ever saw him again.”

Buy this golden apple HERE.

And then check out these stunning vintage earrings very "Bryony," which I will share on Twitter on Monday. These earrings are from the same vendor. They make me wish I wore earrings.

Timothy also bought me this wonderful piece of changeling art, which is almost exactly the way I picture the changeling in that trilogy. The post has a link where you can buy that one, too.

Of course, this all started because Timothy is helping with the BryonySeries website, and he had no idea all this was happening on Twitter. And he decided to gift me with some of these items.

Yet Rebekah really gets to claim "firstie" with this one. She bought me a great Nosferatu coffee mug a couple years ago, after I shared it on the BryonySeries Twitter account.

However, if this item is still available on Etsy (or anythere), I can't find it, not even with a deep search.

Nevertheless, I've gotten some great comments when I've shared it on Twitter.

Glorna

An odd title for a blog post? Not really, once I explain why I've titled it this way.

Let me start here.

Like many people, I have different social media accounts, some for me, some for the BryonySeries. But unlike many people, I try not to replicate what followers might find there - with the exception of this blog, which is posted to several different platforms.

So my personal/work/journalism/author/editor Twitter is very different from my BryonySeries Twitter, although it may, occasionally, have a slight overlap of posts.

And my BryonySeries Facebook is very different from my BryonySeries Twitter, both in the types of content I post and its frequency, although I do post a great deal of new material that "feels" like the series on both platforms.

Instagram is completely devoted to Bertrand the Mouse, with no new content since March. He's been sheltering in place since the pandemic began and refuses to come out. That's really cute, a rodent afraid of the plague.

Anyway.

On the BryonySeries Twitter, two types of people tend to follow it: those who like the themes in the series and other writers. 

I've been added to different writing groups, and I take some time each morning to check in and see how their writing is going.

But I also support independent artists. I do this by tweeting product from an indie seller on Etsy - and the product always, somehow, ties back to the theme of the series.

Last weekend, I was showing Timothy some Twitter basics. He has an account but he really doesn't use it or understand Twitter. I showed him the consistency of all the posts on my BryonySeries Twitter and how they tie back to the series or writing in general.

As I scrolled back, I showed him this gorgeous piece of watercolor changeling art. I shared it on Twitter because it was not only a gorgeous piece of watercolor changeling art, it absolutely reminded me of one of my characters in the BryonySeries, his changeling essence, so to speak.

And the name of that changeling essence is Glorna.

My fascination for this piece must have shone through my comments. Because unbeknownst to me, Timothy wound up ordering it.

It showed up yesterday evening, and he brought it over in the rain (perfect for watercolor).

He knocked on my back door and held out the stiff white cardboard envelope, saying, "This came today."

I was very excited because it looked like he'd received a certificate of some kind. 

Instead, I was quite stunned when I beheld this piece, even more exquisite in person.

I really hope my tweets have helped bring customers to these indie artists. 

And as it turns out, sometimes, I am the happy and satisfied customer.

What Artists Have Always Known

This morning I read this article in The Atlantic: "The Perks of Being a Weirdo  How not fitting in can lead to creative thinking."

I think two types of people will benefit from reading it.

Those who will sagely nod and think, "Yep. That's me!"

Or those who will now have insight in that friend or relative that just won't conform.

This is not about non-conformity for non-conformity's sake.

And unpaved roads are not comfortable.

But fresh perspectives and new ideas often come from lifting the flaps of the box and seeing what's beyond it.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/04/the-perks-of-being-a-weirdo/606778/?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!" Follow him at artworkbytopher.com.

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: What Every Artist Hates to Admit

Sunday, November 4, 2012

What Every Artist Hates to Admit

Yesterday, I spent seven hours at a craft fair and didn't sell anything. Not one book. Not one cookbook. Not one candle.

It's not that I didn't have plenty of traffic. People looked through the books, walked away with cards, filled out their contact information on recycled Vamp Fest tickets and folded them into my "music box." A few fans stopped by just to be friendly and supportive. A crowd gathered around the woman who won my Bryony basket, "ooohing and ahhing" over its contents.

But sales? None, the very first event I worked all year that did not result in a sale.

I did, however, sell two books today out of the blue. So go figure.

So why am I publicly admitting my failure? Because artists rarely admit it.

Actually, I've only met two artists ever that were humble enough to share the hard truth about how well they do at certain events. One was a discouragaed vendor I'd met at Witches Night Out. She was working her second show and had sold nothing at her initial one. Maybe the first venue was not right for her product, or maybe it was just the luck of the evening, but at Witches Night Out, she sold hand over foot. The second artist is a fantastic illlustrator. He had recently returned from a Wisconsin show without selling a single piece of artwork and didn't mind telling that to me.

I've sold copies of Bryony at some unusual venues, places where my only intention was to hand out cards to passersby and create awareness of the product. Yesterday, though, was not my day.

Do I care? Sort of. Enough to make me quit? Absolutely not.

I am publicly announcing it, however, because I want artists to know that, whatever successful sales figures they might read online about OTHER independent artists, (which we always seem to seek out when we hit our low), the hard truth is this.

Sometimes people want what you're selling and sometimes they won't. It's not personal because past sales, no matter how slim, prove you have a market for your art. Unfortunately, when you're just beginning to place your works (and admit it, your ego, for all true artists leave parts of themselves behind in their art), you need to experiment with many opportunities until you discover the best places to find your audience.

And that means taking some hits.

So what?

It Takes a Village...

...or maybe a "Board of Trustees."

Anyway, when Sarah first began designing the BryonySeries website, she wanted to dedicate an entire page to me (gack!).

Obviously my contribution as author was an important one, but it wasn't the only one in terms of the series' "feel."

And I also felt the other creative contributions should be recognized, too. And not in a "me" and "everybody else" way either.

Moreover, since the website concept was to mirror the series, a page that included everyone (Board of Trustees; if you've read the first book Bryony, you'll understand) was the best way to go.

The page is not nearly complete (for instance, the artist for our landing page art, the beautiful pen and ink aerial view of "Munsonville," is not yet added), but it gives you a great idea of the talent behind the concept.

Check out the team here.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Unwinding Some Fun

A couple weeks ago, BryonySeries artist Sue Midlock pitched an intriguing idea.

She sent me some pictures of giant wooden spools where artists had wound long paper around it (like a giant scroll), and then wrote on the scroll and decorated it.

Sue was planning to make one of these giant scrolls as a companion piece of art to one of her books and asked if I'd like to make one with a BryonySeries theme. Naturally, I agreed, even though I don't have a clue how this works.

I'm also not very creative. So this should be interesting.

Fortunately, Sue also invited Rebekah to join is. So now I can play artist understudy to Rebekah and Sue simply follow their directions. We are planning to make the scrolls this weekend.

This is the spool Sue's husband, a woodworker, made for her. His making one for me, too, she said.

Next week, I'll update with the completed projects. I'm sure with Sue's guidance and Rebekah's talent, mine will turn out all right.

Mystic Ireland: Art by Alice McMahon White

The Businesss Brains Behind the Bryony Brand, Part 2

The second part of the interview with Dulcinea Hawksworth, Bryony's director of marketing.

4) In what types of outreach projects have you participated?

“I created and designed a CD of original music by local artists, Voices, to benefit victims of domestic violence and their children. I developed an outreach program for teens and went into the high schools and talked about the warning signs of domestic violence. A lot of teens start dating at fourteen and fifteen, so it’s too late if we wait until their twenties to start talking about things like dating/domestic violence; the cycle is already established. I’ve organized events and produced plays for V-day. I’ve also been involved with the Y-Me national breast cancer organization.”

5) How do you decide when to provide marketing services for an artist?

“Artists are typically not very good at marketing, but people who are willing to keep art alive hold a very special place in my heart. I like projects that have creative integrity, and I like working with open-minded individuals who are willing to think creatively when it comes to their business and are willing to actually pay attention when I answer their questions. Learning Marketing 101 the first time around is very cost effective. It only gets out of hand [for clients] when I have to repeat myself."

6) Please tell us about your own artistic ventures.

“I love anything tactile; I love the texture of art, which is why I like sculpting. I can sit down and watch a movie with a big glob of clay in front of me and when I’m done it’s a tree or something else I love. I make jewelry; I keep a journal and jot down things as they come; and I like to paint, although I don’t think I’m a very good painter- I get a lot in my hair and other random places.

The Business Brains Behind the Bryony Brand, Part 1

Meet Dulcinea Hawksworth, Bryony's director of marketing.
In this first of a three-part interview, Dulcinea discusses her love for public relations and her marketing style.

1) When did you realize public relations and marketing was the field for you?

“By accident, while working in non-profit. I really liked the fundraising aspect, of being able to help people and work with the community. Ever since I was a small child, my family has always given back. It makes me happy to make enough money to get the bills paid and be able to have that aspect in my life. I’m not a high roller—I don’t live the extreme life—but I get to do what I want to do, and I enjoy the clients I work with.”

2) What unique traits do you bring your clients?

“People have accused me of “Creative Activism”, stirring the pot and rainmaking. Growing a brand is like growing a plant or raising a child… It takes a village, (aka marketing team). You have a seed of an idea, and it’s my job to take that idea and run with it. All of my clients want the same thing: they want me to make them shine. I’ve worked in many facets of the community, which brings us to my little black book. If I can’t do something for a client, I know someone who can.”

3) Why did you gravitate toward community outreach and social justice?

“You’ve got to do what you love. Once I got a taste of it, I wanted to feel good about helping people in the community where I work and live. I’m also an artist, but it’s very, very hard to make a living sculpting in the desert.”

Waiting

An artist friend once showed me a piece he called, “Waiting.” It was a series of overlapping, elongated images that stretched from one end of the canvas to the other.

The painting fascinated me, and I couldn’t stop looking at it. “Oh, that’s just how it feels,” I had said.

With six kids, you’d think I’d be used to waiting. It takes nine months for a baby to be born, a couple years (give or take) to wean, potty train, etc. I’m still waiting for some of them to clean their rooms (I’m not naming names).

Publishing a book, if you’re going to do it right, is an awful lot of waiting.

Yes, I know some vanity presses guarantee a published book in eight weeks or less, but I think skipping a comprehensive editing cheapens any story. In Bryony’s case, significant molding and shaping of a six hundred page manuscript doesn’t happen overnight.

Each round of editing has taken approximately sixteen weeks: eight weeks on my editor’s end and eight weeks on mine. In between, we wait. We are busy with other projects, but nevertheless, we wait.

And wait.

And wait.

And wait.

One day the wait will end, and I’ll be holding the official, published book. Further changes will not be possible. Haste makes waste, they say. It also makes a ruined story.

So, Im okay with waiting. Sort of.

From Whimsical to Gothic

Why would a children's illustrator take on a vampire story? Read the last of a three-part interview with Bryony's illustrator Kathleen Rose Van Pelt (http://www.imaginarylinesstudio.com/) and find out.

7) So, why did you accept an assignment about vampires?

"The author! Denise is very convincing, and a wonderful writer! I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Bryony story."

8) What did you particularly enjoy about the novel?

"I liked the way it jumps between time periods and intermingles the characters within them. The Bryony story stays true to vampire legend, yet it feels fresh and current, too. I actually thought I needed a vampire in my life when I was reading it! It's not to get swept up in Denise's enthusiasm about Bryony, and I believe justifiability so!"

9) Where did you find your inspiration for the illustrations?

"A lot of the images are symbolic of what is going on in the chapter. I mixed up different images to help people visualize where they are visiting. Being a visual person, I like having images in a book. I hope I'm not the only one that still likes picture books.

Mr. C.J. Mouse

Mr. C.J. Mouse was the inspiration for many of Kathleen Rose Van Pelt's art pieces (http://www.imaginarylinesstudio.com/). In this second of a three-part interview with Bryony's illustrator, Van Pelt shares the story behind the creature she immortalized with her fantasy lines.

1) Many of your drawings feature an adorable little mouse. Who is he?

"Oh, Sweet little Mr. Mouse. Guess mouse and little is rather redundant. Mr. C. J. Mouse has gone on to mouse heaven now, but well remembered and loved.

"I found Mr. Mouse one fall afternoon when I was raking up the fall leaves in the back of the house. I found a mouse that was dead and stopped to bury the mouse. When I came back, I found another very tiny mouse, and thought I would be digging another little hole, but the tiny mouse stirred when I placed him in my hand. My hand must have warmed him up enough to move a bit. He had himself tightly wrapped around a small white oak acorn.

"Wasn't sure what to do with him; at first I placed him in the garage, so he would be out of the wind, put some birdseed and water next to him. Checked on him a few time, then realized he was not a tiny field mouse, but a baby that had not even opened his eyes yet.

"Having a house full of cats, bringing the mouse inside was not my first thought, but went looking for and old aquarium I know I had put away from when my husband had a pet garter snake. Well, to make a long story short. The baby mouse did very well being nursed back to good health. He lived a long and happy deer mouse life. Since he thought I was his mom, we enjoyed each other's company. C. J. Mouse was a very sweet cute brave little mouse."

The Drawing Board

Magical things happens with Kathleen Rose Van Pelt of Imaginary Lines Studio (http://www.imaginarylinesstudio.com/) picks up a pen. She created gorgeous cover and interior art for Bryony with the extraordinary talent she developed many years ago. Below is the first of a three-part interview with this gifted artist.

1) How did you start drawing?

"I don't remember ever not drawing! I was one of those kids that doodled all the time. One of the first things I remember drawing was in first grade, we were given a plain piece of white paper and told we could draw anything!!! That didn't happen very often, normally it was just a run off sheet from a coloring book with a religious image on it to color in......I was always corrected by the nun that I colored too lightly.. Sorry I wandered.....(but I do have nun stories). The first image I remember drawing was Snoopy on top of his dog house, laying on his back with one long ear hanging over the side, and drawing his round belly and filling in his black nose. I also added his food bowl next to his house. Classic Snoopy! I like to think I did Charles Schultz proud. I was very much a Snoopy fan back then. Still like Snoopy."

2) What inspired you to draw?

"I really don't remember ever not liking or not wanting to draw. If there was paper and pencil, I was drawing something. In the third grade it got me a nice space in the corner. I was drawing a big owl and a little owl on a branch at the time and the nun wasn't into the art I guess, so I was told to go to the corner and stand..... that was only time I was ever told to go stand in the corner....Maybe the nun wasn't into art, can please every critic."

3) Why pen and ink?

"I started with pen and ink for a few reasons. It's very direct to work with, and unlike painting medium, no real dry time is needed. Plus, if you don't have a lot of work space or can't paint in a space because size or other reasons, ink is very quick, convenient, and cost efficient. If you are on a tight budget, ink is very affordable and goes a long way. For me, working with the ink just kept me drawing, especially during times I may not have because of lack of space or money or time, when working what many call a "real job". It is just a very portable way to keep working. My first love (medium) is oil, but because of some of the above fore mentioned, I started to work mostly with ink then adding spot color with water colors. Working with oils and ink are so different and I really enjoy both for what they are."