Virtual Writing Retreat 2023

Five years ago, I took my first at-home writing retreat when airfare to North Carolina skyrocketed and Rebekah and I decide to forego a trip to visit Sarah.

Although I missed seeing family, I accomplished quite a bit of BryonySeries writing (I was finishing up a draft of the fifth installment of Before The Blood at the time). 

However, my at-home writing retreats are intense and hyper-focused almost to grueling. So the enjoyment is not in the moment but satisfying in the amount of words completed.

So now I try to take an at-home writing retreat once a year. 

This year's writing retreat starts Saturday morning and runs through next week and the following Sunday afternoon, whereupon, I will return to reality and tackle some homework.

Among the retreating, I will tell a story on October 18, lead a WriteOn Joliet Zoom meeting on October 19, and participate in a local author expo on October 21.

Otherwise, I will be less present to the world and respond to messages very slowly.

The goal is to complete (or come very, very close) to completing the BryonySeries guidebook by the end of the retreat.

But I am a long, long way from home right now (cue Foreigner).

Wish me luck!

Sue's Diner: Tomato Soup With Monster Sandwiches

This week's recipe is for tomato soup with monster sandwiches, a nice, healthy way to finally bid summer goodbye and get into the Halloween spirit.

This recipe does not appear in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

However, you will find this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Free Local Authors Expo

For those who aren't fond of nighttime events, here is another opportunity to connect in person: a Free Local Authors Expo on Saturday, Oct. 21. 

The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Prayer Towers Ministries Church of God in Christ, 500 Stryker Ave. in Joliet.

Rebekah and I will be there with BryonySeries books and special giveaways with select purchases.

If you're a writer as well as a reader, I was asked to provide a few suggestions for improving your writing.

The event also includes an optional prayer breakfast for $25. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

For tickets, call Lisa Moulton at 815-546-2941.

If you have a few minutes to pop in, please do. 

Have a great Tuesday!

Stories R Us 2023: Come Join Us

When Barbara Eberhard re-started her monthly storytelling event last year, she invited me to be part of the October lineup of storytellers.

Barbara also said I could read one of my fiction stories, as opposed to telling a personal life experience. I agreed and a had a great time.

A few months ago, Barbara invited me to return in October and tell an actual story this time, adding that she's certain I have plenty of stories I could tell. Well, this is true.

And then this nice thing happened Saturday night at Panic at the Plaza.

Someone actually came up to the booth and asked if I was still telling a story on Oct. 18, that she was looking forward to it. That was definitely a sweet bit of encouragement.

Again, I won't be reading a story this time. I will be telling a true story from my life. And so will the other four storytellers that evening, including our hostess Barbara Eberhard.

I will also have BryonySeries books (and a nice giveaway with select purchases) for sale before and after the event.

Admission to the event is free. Please come join us.

For more information about the storytelling event, visit storiesrus.fun.

For more information about BryonySeries books, visit bryonyseries.com.

Hallowe’en Dance (1908) ~ Hans Engelmann

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL | Many a Wild Night 👻 💀 Scary!

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 30 to Oct. 6

Good morning!

Today I'm sharing eleven features and news stories today with more stories being posted over weekend, So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

The fun and good will of Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash, which happened in August at The Book Market in Crest Hill, will continue this fall at The Book Market in Crest Hill with a special display to help Santa distribute books to children and special needs adults this holiday season.

If you don't live near The Book Market and wish to donate one or more Bertrand the Mouse books to Santa, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Those in Joliet can get their BryonySeries reads all lined up for Halloween and beyond. Just pop into the BryonySeries tent from 5 to 11 p.m. Oct,. 7 at Panic in the Plaza, Van Buren Plaza, downtown Joliet.

And this Thursday, come out to the Book and Bean Cafe inside the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library. WriteOn Joliet is hosting a poetry open mic. Be entertained by local talent! And if you are a poet, sign up to read. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m.

No updates (yet) on the WriteOn Joliet radio play recording, which we recorded at digital media center at the downtown branch of the Joliet Public Library in the beginning of August.

WriteOn Joliet almost finished editing the radio play that eight members (including me) presented at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet on April 22.and at the Joliet Public Library on Sept. 9.

One section didn't save and needs to be re-edited. So I'm hoping to sneak back in then.

Here is a quick recap of BryonySeries projects in progress:

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book, two chapters that are ready for final edits, and a prologue that is taking an interesting turn. Writing on this book is paused until I finish Karla and the BryonySeries guidebook. We are estimating a 2024 release date.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville is now available for purchase on Amazon. Or buy a signed copy at BryonySeries events this fall. Stay tuned!

Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We hope to schedule a "Cornell breakfast" soon.

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: Production on the fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is nearly completed. Hopefully we will receive a proof copy this week. Jennifer Wainwright did a terrific job with her portrait, to - and the cover Rebekah really showcases Karla's personality.

Jennifer designed the covers for Julie and the Too-Hard Homework, Katie and the Big Fear, and Summer Sisters, as well as frontispiece for Lycanthropic Summer. I can't wait to see her "Karla" illustration.

BryonySeries reference/guide book: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries. I'm slowly pecking at this and hope to finish it during this year's writers' retreat in mid-October. The goal is to release it in time for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Dec. 7 at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library.

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. Half of it is written and edited and another half is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. Writing on this is also paused ibn favor of completing the BryonySeries guidebook. We are estimating a 2024 release date.

Rebekah is also 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.

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/X 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

Joliet’s Palmer Florist celebrates 100 years of a familybusiness

Joliet Boys & Girls Club welcomes new director, hosting open house: Chantel Gamboa eager to serve Joliet’s youth

Joliet girl wins ride to school on fire truck: The Joliet City Center Partnership offered the contest atits Kidz Fest

Sample brews at Joliet Cathedral neighborhood Beer Walk: Tickets available now for the 4th annual event

Plainfield Central High School to hold job fair on Thursday

Joliet District 86 celebrates school principals: It’s an opportunity to thank school principals for theirdedication

Plainfield celebrates community homecoming with 71st annualparade: The parade’s theme for 2023 was Toyland

Illinois State Police investigating death of Bolingbrook man

No injuries in 2-vehicle crash on I-80 Saturday night

Pets of the Week: Oct. 2, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

5 Things to do in Will County: Joliet’s ‘Panic at the Plaza’Halloween party: Plus 4 more suggestions for enjoying your weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Which One "Screams" Simons Mansion to You?

While I was working on Sunday, Rebekah assembled these little haunted houses for this Saturday's Panic at the Plaza in downtown Joliet...and to add some Halloween atmosphere to our bookshelves the rest of October.

So which one screams Simons Mansion to you? (Scroll past this photo; the little houses are all numbered).

Email your choice to bryonyseries@gmail.com, and I'll send you a free chapter from any book of your choice. Tell me why your choice screams Simons Mansion, and I'll send you two chapters (chapters can be from different books).

Peruse titles at bryonyseries.com/copy-of-store-test.

NUMBER 1

NUMBER 2

NUMBER 3

NUMBER 4

NUMBER 5

NUMBER 6

NUMBER 7

NUMBER 8

Sue's Diner: Vampire Milkshakes

This week's recipe is for vampire milkshakes is perfect for a week that is both pre-Halloween and summer's last hurrah.

They are also quick and easy to make: mix, blend, and drink!

Try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Name This Bat

Rebekah and I found this beautiful bat puppet puppet sitting by itself on a shelf at a Barnes and Noble store a few weeks ago.

We'd spent a wonderfully lazy Saturday while our carpets were being cleaned, wandering from store to store (those we could reach on foot, since Rebekah had no car) and had circled back to Barnes and Noble for coffee and book browsing.

And there this bat was, just waiting for us to take it home.

Which we did.

And it's now waiting for YOU to name it.

So be sure to stop out at the BryonySeries table at Panic at the Plaza between 5 and 11 p.m. Saturday at Van Buren Plaza in Downtown Joliet.

The bat will be hanging out with us, in the vicinity of the suggestion box.

Just drop your suggestion into the box along with a way to contact you.

We (and the bat) will carefully consider all names and choose the one best suited to this no-name bat.

Can't make it to Panic in the Plaza?

The one who successfully names this best will receive a gift from us, as a thank you for giving this new BryonySeries prop a permanent name.

Send your suggestion to bryonyseries@gmail.com by 11 p.m. CST Saturday.

And if you're interested in winning a free BryonySeries book, check out the green grapes and red grapes.

BryonySeries and Panic at the Plaza

So the first Panic at the Plaza in October 2019 was rained out.

Then the pandemic paused the event.

And then I had to work on "Panic" weekend last year.,

But THIS year...

This year all is well (so far), and we are looking forward to pitching our BryonySeries tent and filling it with books (for sale) and decor (not for sale).

Actually, to be more precise, the tent is Timothy's, and I'll just be in the way if I help to set it up.  And Rebekah will oversee decorating and sales. I'll just be in costume, hanging out.

Panic at the Plaza will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday at he Van Buren Street Plaza in downtown Joliet.

So put on your spookiest costume (or not) and be sure to stop at the BryonySeries tent, where we will have your Halloween reads all lined up, along with a few fun etcs.

Like this display of green grapes and red grapes.

See ya there!

Peder B. Helland - Soothing Relaxation (Radio Edit)

Irish Celtic Music ~ Autumn Wanderer

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 23 to Sept. 29

Good morning!

Today I'm sharing nine features and news stories today with more stories being posted over weekend, especially since I am working this weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

The fun and good will of Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash, which happened in August at The Book Market in Crest Hill, will continue this fall at The Book Market in Crest Hill with a special display to help Santa distribute books to children and special needs adults this holiday season.

If you don't live near The Book Market and wish to donate one or more Bertrand the Mouse books to Santa, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Those in Joliet can get their BryonySeries reads all lined up for Halloween and beyond. Just pop into the BryonySeries tent from 5 to 11 p.m. Oct,. 7 at Panic in the Plaza, Van Buren Plaza, downtown Joliet.

Stay tuned for additional BryonySeries appearances this fall.

I still don't have any updates on the WriteOn Joliet radio play recording, which we recorded at digital media center at the downtown branch of the Joliet Public Library in the beginning of August.

WriteOn Joliet almost finished editing the radio play that eight members (including me) presented at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet on April 22.and at the Joliet Public Library on Sept. 9.

But one reading needs re-editing, which I hope to schedule soon (if we can just stop have emergencies!).

Here is a quick recap of BryonySeries projects in progress:

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book, two chapters that are ready for final edits, and a prologue that is taking an interesting turn. Writing on this book is paused until I finish Karla and the BryonySeries guidebook. We are estimating a 2024 release date.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville is now available for purchase on Amazon. Or buy a signed copy at BryonySeries events this fall. Stay tuned!

Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We hope to schedule a "Cornell breakfast" soon.

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 is now in production. Rebekah has created the cover and is handling the formatting. All that's left is Karla's "portrait," of which Jennifer Wainright is finishing up.

The goal is to release "Karla" in time for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Dec. 7 at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library.

Jennifer designed the covers for Julie and the Too-Hard Homework, Katie and the Big Fear, and Summer Sisters, as well as frontispiece for Lycanthropic Summer. I can't wait to see her "Karla" illustration.

BryonySeries reference/guide book: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries. I'm slowly pecking at this and hope to finish it during this year's writers' retreat in mid-October. The goal is to release it in time for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Dec. 7 at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library.

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. Half of it is written and edited and another half is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. Writing on this is also paused ibn favor of completing the BryonySeries guidebook. We are estimating a 2024 release date.

Rebekah is also 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.

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/X 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

Will County cafes serving up deals for National Coffee Day: Plus 3 suggestions for celebrating National Coffee Day

Plainfield ‘Stranger Things’ Halloween display back with even more fright: Audrey Appel: ‘We’re trying to build better things’

Lockport rescue has Siberian huskies that need good homes: Linda Gondek, founder, said adopters need to understand thebreed

Joliet mom donating kidney to teen son: Sandy King, mom: ‘He’s very respectful and just anall-around great kid’

Joliet Rotary raffle offers big prizes while giving back tocommunity

Joliet youth mariachi band seeks community support withfundraiser: Fundraiser raffle prize is a performance from Mariachi deJoliet

Craft Fairs in Will County: where to find them: Dates range from Saturday through December

Pets of the Week: Sept. 25, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

5 Things to do in Will County: Plainfield homecoming parade: Plus 4 more suggestions for enjoying your weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Sue's Diner: Steve's Spaghetti Sauce

This week's recipe is for a thick homemade spaghetti sauce that is perfect for cooler autumn days.

This recipe appears in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

Here is the "Bryony" reference:

Losing track of time is easy when Melissa is researching Bryony, but the timing is bad when Melissa is supposed to make garlic bread to accompany Steve’s delicious spaghetti, sauce, so different from the canned version Darlene made.

You can try our modified recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Give a Child the Gift of Reading

When plans go awry, people often say it's because God had a better plan for us.

The Bible actually has a verse that says it: "For God has something better in mind for us."

That is certainly true when I missed "Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash" in August in favor of hanging out in an emergency department, which resulted in being admitted overnight for the second time that month.

Not only did I meet some fantastic people who shared fantastic stories, a new opportunity emerged.

You see, when I called Janet Staley, owner of The Book Market, to let her know my kids would be running the event, she had a much better surprise: she had already pre-sold one copy of all Bertrand the Mouse titles to a single customer to give to Santa.

For that was the purpose of the event: to give customers the opportunity to buy a Bertrand the Mouse book for Santa to give away to children and special needs adults during the holidays.

I had given Santa nearly one hundred Bertrand books last fall, and Santa said the books were very highly received. In short, Bertrand was a hit, and I am not surprised. 

But the need for books is higher than what I can provide alone. But maybe a few others might want to contribute, too? So Jan was willing to hold a birthday party for Bertrand, where the only gifts he wanted were books for Santa.

Santa did leave that day with fifty Bertrand books. Jan even put together a box of overstock for Santa, too. And Santa brought free ice cream for attendees. So Santa is off to a good start as far as books for children go.

After I was released from the hospital, I called Jan to thank her profusely and see how the event went. And this is where the "opportunity" part came in.

Jan suggested I extend Bertrand's birthday celebration through the Santa season with a special display of Bertrand the Mouse books at her store.

However, among work conflicts, emergencies, and transportation woes, it took a month to get there. But I had a day off work yesterday, and the display finally went up. 

And now it's so easy for you to help Santa, too.

Simply pop into The Book Market during regular store hours, pick out the Bertrand the Mouse title(s) you want to give to Santa, pay for it/them at the counter, and leave the book(s) with Jan. She and I will make sure Santa gets the books.

I have another fifty (or so) books at my house for Santa ready to go, too. But Santa sees thousands of children and special needs adults during the holiday season. One hundred books aren't nearly enough.

The Book Market has limited amounts of Bertrand books, which we will replenish when necessary. So if you're interested in bulk rates, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

One last thought: Even kids who don't read seem to really like the Bertrand books. The books are simple and very approachable. When you put one of these books into a child's hands, you may increase the love for the printed word in an already eager reader and spark an interest in a reluctant reader to take a chance on another book.

And if that happens, you will have given a child a gift that will continue to pay dividends for the rest of his/her life.

Do You Know This BryonySeries Reference?

Do you the BryonySeries reference for this item?

Wait! Don't tell me now!

Tell me...

...sometime between 5 and 11 p.m. Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the BryonySeries tent during the Panic in the Plaza event at Van Buren Street Plaza in downtown Joliet.

If you are correct, you may take home any BryonySeries book of your choice (except for the giant Before the Blood book). No purchase necessary!

Offer begins 5 p.m. October 7, 2023, and ends 11 p.m. October 7, 2023.

Hope to see you there!

1st RECORDING OF: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - Fisk University Jubilee Quartet (1909)

Peder B. Helland - Yellow Flower

Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara: Chapter Seven of "The Fifth"

The other night Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara sent a new chapter seven for his upcoming sequel to "Ruthless."

He also sent the sequel's new title. It's no longer called "Tu Ruthless." It's now called "The Fifth" and it's a play on several "fifth" concepts (I'll task Ed with the explanation in another blog).

The readers gets a subtle introduction to one explanation in chapter seven, which is called "The Munsonville Five."

Munsonville is a fictional fishing village in Northern Michigan and a "hub" of the series.

In this chapter, Ed plays with the BryonySeries character supernatural super sleuth Cornell Dyer for the first time. Cornell meets with a vampire crime lord in a meeting reminiscent of Cornell's meeting with John Simons in "Visage" and Kellen Wechsler's meeting with Cornell in "The Phoenix."

The chapter shows some crossing, some double-crossing, and a really large pizza.

But I really love the first line. It really summarizes quite a lot why certain things happen the way they do in the books.

The first line is: "Munsonville just doesn't play by the rules."

Well done, Ed!

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 16 to Sept. 22

Good morning!

Today I'm sharing eleven features and news stories today with more stories being posted over weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

And on the BryonySeries side of writing, Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville is available for purchase on Amazon as of 5:42 a.m. this morning. Or buy a signed copy at BryonySeries events this fall. Stay tuned!

I don't have any updates on the WriteOn Joliet radio play recording, which we recorded at digital media center at the downtown branch of the Joliet Public Library in the beginning of August/

WriteOn Joliet almost finished editing the radio play that eight members (including me) presented at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet on April 22.and at the Joliet Public Library on Sept. 9.

But one reading needs re-editing, which I hope to schedule soon (if we can just stop have emergencies!).

I also hope to share good news relating to Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash, which happened in August at The Book Market in Crest Hill. I missed the fun because I was in the hospital. But we are extending the birthday celebration into the fall - and that should start this week. Stay tuned again!

Here is a quick recap of BryonySeries projects in progress:

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book, two chapters that are ready for final edits, and a prologue that is taking an interesting turn. Writing on this book is paused until I finish Karla and the BryonySeries guidebook. We are estimating a 2024 release date.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We hope to schedule a "Cornell breakfast" soon.

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. Eleven of the twelve chapters are completed and ready for final editing. Jennifer Wainright is nearly done with the cover. The goal is to release it in time for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Dec. 7 at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library.

Jennifer designed the covers for Julie and the Too-Hard Homework, Katie and the Big Fear, and Summer Sisters, as well as frontispiece for Lycanthropic Summer. I can't wait to see her "Karla" illustration.

BryonySeries reference/guide book: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries. I'm slowly pecking at this. The goal is to release it in time for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on Dec. 7 at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library.

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. Half of it is written and edited and another half is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. Writing on this is also paused ibn favor of completing the BryonySeries guidebook. We are estimating a 2024 release date.

Rebekah is also 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.

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/X 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

Joliet couple exhibiting artwork at The Strange & Unusual Gallery: Christine Nordstrom, gallery owner: ‘It’s just a very juxtaposed show’

Power restored to Joliet’s Rialto, Kevin James show will goon Thursday

(I also wrote a story announcing the power outage. But that story seems to have disappeared from The Herald-News website)

Joliet Noon Lions announce student poster winners: Both winners attend Washington Junior High School in Joliet

John Mulaney, Pete Davidson coming to Joliet’s Rialto Square Theatre: Tickets go on sale Tuesday.

Joliet Schools District 86 students receive bags of books donation: Each student in preschool through sixth grade received eight books

Get your Will County craft fair event in our Herald-News listing

Taste of Lockport spotlights local eateries, benefits District 205 programs: The event features 12 local food vendors

Joliet Rotary’s raffle tickets on sale, chance to win ‘generous prizes’

Silver Cross expanding Homer Glen emergency center

Pets of the Week: Sept. 18: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

5 Things to do in Will County: Joliet PrideFest is Saturday: Plus 4 more suggestions for enjoying your weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"