BryonySeries: scholarships

Denise M. Baran-Unland

Good morning!

If you can believe it, I have four news and feature stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post (all written before surgery three weeks ago). More stories may go live this weekend.

So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

I hope to have more to share next week, as I'm scheduled to return part-time on Monday and gradually increase the hours as I continue my recovery. Yes, I'm super happy about it!

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)

BryonySeries books will be among more the three hundred and fifty locally authored books that members of WriteOn Joliet gave away from its booth at Kidz Fest tomorrow (Aug. 2) in downtown Joliet.

BryonySeries will also appear at two other Joliet events this month: New Orleans North (Aug. 15) and Porch and Park Festival (Aug. 16).

When I say "BryonySeries" that could mean me or any combination of our team members. That depends on my recovery from surgery, which has certainly been an adventure. Stay tuned!

I'm also hoping to schedule Bertrand's Back-To-School bash in late August (or September, most likely September) in honor of Bertrand's birthday and his mission to bring the joys of reading to children. But that, too, depends on my recovery.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

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 having surgery July 17, so I'm hoping we can make that happen before then, just to get the process moving and give Sue Midlock ideas for art (she illustrates all the Cornell books).

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 to finish the book this year, fingers crossed.

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

Lincoln-Way business group awards scholarships to young women

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/07/31/lincoln-way-business-group-awards-scholarships-to-young-women/

Rehab/physical therapy facility opens in New Lenox

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/02/rehabphysical-therapy-facility-opens-in-new-lenox/

Will County Pets of the Week: Aug. 4, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/04/will-county-pets-of-the-week-aug-4-2025/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Denise M. Baran-Unland

Good morning!

I have just eight feature stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post, since I was in the hospital for a few days, last week, and I'm still catching up.

But I did write more than eight stories this week - and some will go live this weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

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

Inkwells and Espresso: I'm planning to hang out with local writers and work on copyediting tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow at Critical Grind Board Game Cafe in Shorewood.

National Poetry Month: I've been invited to read and display BryonySeries and WriteOn books at the second National Poetry Month Open Mic & Festival: 6 to 10 p.m. April 12 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet. Admission is free, so stop out if you can.

We Can Be Heroes: WriteOn Joliet's third original radio-style theatre performance will take place at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet. I'll be sharing more details about this event in the coming weeks.

Plus, BryonySeries has a new display up at The Book Market in Crest Hill (complete with Cindy's Easter ribbits - more on this next week). And I plan to hang out and sign books one day in April and one in early May (dates to be announced). I'm having surgery in mid-May, so additional events will be scheduled after that.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: Barring any further emergencies in our life, I am working on a special Bertrand the Mouse book this weekend that I'm hoping to give away at a special event. Yes, I'm being mysterious about it...for now.

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 (three more this week - our life is like a novel!).

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. But I'm hoping to finish the book in 2025.

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."

Bertrand the Mouse: I have tons of Bertrand photos and books in progress. The goal is to release at least two new ones this year.

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 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

‘I’m not going to be broke’: Former homeless mom shares strategies in Joliet

Diane Nilan and Melissa Agunloye shared their experiences, knowledge at Daybreak Center

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/25/joliet-shelter-founder-former-homeless-mom-shared-strategies-for-families-at-daybreak-center/

Where to catch a fish fry in Will County during Lent

Some also offer chicken meals

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/05/will-county-fish-fries-to-try-this-lent/

Joliet Junior College music teacher to be honored with new scholarship program

The goal is to raise $15,000

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/22/joliet-junior-college-music-teacher-to-be-honored-with-new-scholarship-program/

Romeoville getting new hotel on Normantown Road

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/local/2025/03/26/romeoville-getting-new-hotel-on-normantown-road/

Joliet Chamber announces Councilman Cardenas as recipient of community leadership award

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/local/2025/03/25/joliet-chamber-announces-councilman-cardenas-as-recipient-of-community-leadership-award/

Joliet toy drive nets 1,000 toys for local children

Joliet Junior Woman’s Club led effort

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/23/joliet-toy-drive-nets-1000-toys-for-local-children/

Will County Pets of the Week: March 24, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/24/will-county-pets-of-the-week-march-24-2025/

5 Things to Do in Will County: Hoo Haven Owl Program

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2025/03/27/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-hoo-haven-owl-program/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Denise M. Baran-Unland

Good morning!

I have eighteen feature stories to share with you this morning - with another eleven that haven't posted to The Herald-News website yet, so watch for them over the weekend.

I'm working on a couple big features projects today and Sunday, so the rainy weather in my part of the world is perfect for getting the words out.

Here's a quick summary of where I'm at, fiction-wise.

The next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer chapter book series: Cornell Dyer and the Whispering Wardrobe is now live in print and Kindle. Buy it here on Amazon and buy it here from the BryonySeries store.

Timothy's been busy, too, so while I'm waiting to schedule a time to meet to outline Cornell Dyer and the Calcium-Deficient Bones, I have two other Cornell Dyer projects in the very early works.

One is a Cornell Dyer book I'm "sort of" co-writing with Rebekah. Many, many years ago, this dyslexic daughter of mine started her own Cornell Dyer and actually had about 4,000 words down. We read through it last weekend, and she laughed a lot at her choice of word spellings, etc.

That said, she's got some great stuff there, and we're even incorporating some of those spellings and turns of phrases into the book. It's called Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being, and I've got the first four chapters written.

Also, Sarah had a crazy dream that sounded perfect for An Adventure of Cornell Dyer mystery. This one may take a while, but I've added it my list of projects for this year. And she is working on a couple drawings, the rules, and a map to go with it and help me out. It's called Cornell Dyer and the House of Broken Portals.

Bertrand the Mouse still has not come home. Sarah reached out to his "real mom" this past week to see if she can possible remake him. She has a lot of health issues, but she is going to try to make two - in case he runs off again.

The first book in the new BryonySeries Limbo trilogy The Phoenix is now available in the BryonySeries store and also on Amazon in print and Kindle.

I'm hoping to get some work done on the second book of the Limbo trilogy - Call of the Siren - but because of the abundance of new characters and situations, I am pretty much starting from scratch, so progress is still very, very slow. But I made some phenomenal progress this past weekend, a few more notes this past week, and am super excited to peck at it some more this weekend.

I scratched the surface of a new series in the BryonySeries this past weekend. It's an idea Sarah suggested to me over a decade ago. It's aimed at tween girls, so if you have a tween, are a tween, or will have a tween someday, this might interest you. I already have an artist for this project, and she is already working on the first cover. More on this as it develops.

And if you missed it, I had a really nice review on Bryony recently and also one on Visage. Both are from the same reader, which is now also reading Staked!

Now back to the eighteen feature 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 Sunday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks or will be featured in an upcoming cookbook.

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. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year, well, except this 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 support in your writing, I highly recommend this Twitter group: #5amwritersclub. I joined it last year. Writers support each other on Twitter and meet every three weeks at 5 a.m. (4 a.m. CST - needless to say, I am often late!) on Zoom.

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 Will County Go Guide and Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story and Book Review Newsletter at https://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/

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 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.

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-1.

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

Troy 6th, 7th and 8th-graders recognized for effort, citizenship, positive attitude and class participation: Shorewood Lions Club names Troy students of the month

Mobile Museum of Tolerance visits Joliet: Professional Development Alliance in Joliet invited local students to experience its messages

Here’s a twist on the little free libraries: seeds instead of books: Life scout creates native seed swap box in Channahon for Eagle project

AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center Joliet has new chief medical officer: Position took effect for board-certified pathologist Dr. Kalisha Hill on June 13

Joliet students recognized by District 86: D. 86 in Joliet names students of the month for April

D. 86 in Joliet seeking community input for new federal funds: Parent and employee feedback due July 13

LocalLit book preview: 43 ways one can show care for others: ‘Heroic Care’ anthology will be reviewed in newsletter on Tuesday

LocalLit summer reading suggestions: Here are 5 books you should read soon

Morris Hospital now manages Rezin Orthopedics due to new affiliation agreement: Locations and phone numbers for Joliet, Morris, Ottawa offices remain the same

Pets of the Week: June 21: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

9 local students receive scholarships from the Morris Hospital Foundation: All nine are pursuing studies in a health care-related field

An Extraordinary Life: Bolingbrook teen was an athlete, artist, activist and all-around caring person: But Dykota Morgan’s promising future was short by COVID-19

Lockport Township awards $1,000 scholarships to 4 area high school graduates: This is the 18th year that the township has made this ‘an investment in the future’

12 D. 202 graduates each receive $2,000 scholarships through new program: Students had 3 important criteria to meet

5 Things to do in Will County: carnival, quilt, art, wolves and Pride celebration: Have fun in the sun, enjoy art in the shade

‘The play’s the thing’ - but if you’re vaccinated, you can leave your ‘codpiece’ at home: ‘Something Rotten’ is happening at a #Joliet park and theater this weekend

Falling COVID numbers and rising vaccination rates inspire hospitals to update their visitor policies: Some restrictions, like facemasks in most instances, still apply

Troy School District 30C now has opening on its school board: Deadline to submit résumés is June 30

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Denise M. Baran-Unland

A baker's dozen of story links (all features) for you to scroll through and enjoy this morning.

The sound of rain is the backdrop to my morning, a serene contrast to the theme of yesterday. As "they" say, "If it could go wrong, it did!"

And if anyone has ever been frustrated by how the health care system can take a simple procedure and turn it into a complicated maze of missteps, please raise your coffee mug with me.

(Wow - that's a lot of coffee mugs).

On the other hand, it might make an amusing blog for next week.

Still, I'm hoping the only beast showing up on my horizon this weekend is a werewolf and even then, only in my computer.

Enjoy your Friday and beyond.

And happy reading!

Non-bylined features:

Search by topic (people, pets, A and E, faith, health, and food) at theherald-news.com.

Once a week, I do combine a week's worth into a single blog post.

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 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 join 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.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer with each year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

Upcoming BryonySeries events:

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Books and Such

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

Newsletters:

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

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.