After 10 years of yapping on a weekly basis, we’re wrapping up the podcast on May 19. Thank you to everybody who has listened, loved, laughed with us. We don’t take it even the tiniest bit for granted—we’re just tired is all. (Don’t worry, the newsletter will live on. We wouldn’t know where to source our Sunday Scaries without it.)
Since its launch last September, @831storieshq has published three romance novellas, with three more to come before it turns one and starts publishing new books every month. Though the business is young and still small—founders Erica Cerulo and Claire Mazur declined to share exact sales figures—its color-blocked covers have taken over social feeds and store displays. Slim volumes that fit in a purse and can be read in a single sitting, the books appeal to both longstanding romance fans and readers who may have previously stuck their noses up at the genre.
In these novellas, romantic fantasies play out in the lives of independent, professional women.
The authors 831 has courted aren’t all veterans of the genre. Some are first-time romance authors. Some are even rookie novelists. Where traditional publishers typically seek a completed manuscript, Mazur and Cerulo ask for only an outline and a sample chapter. They pair novice authors with developmental editors—“true romance-heads,” Cerulo said—who work with authors to craft their drafts. 831 refers to the pager code for “I love you.”
The romance genre is sometimes criticized for being formulaic, but the 831 founders see formula as the key to romance’s success. Readers trust that the plot will follow certain tropes (831 sells hats that correspond to popular ones such as “second chance romance” and “enemies to lovers”) and that they will get a happy ending.
💘 Speaking of endings, read the rest of this story at the link bio. (🖋️: @laneflorsheim )
Thank you to @upasnabarath for writing this wonderfully funny, moving, messy, and ROMANTIC @831storieshq book and for giving us the opportunity to hound @wienerscircle until they said “fine, jfc, you can sell our T-shirts!” Love is real; dreams really do come true.
Hardly Strangers by @alanacloudrobinson , who is almost too charming for this world. What an honor and DELIGHT it is to get to publish her debut with @831storieshq . If you need escapism, a trip to LA, and a good color story right now…
You know what’s crazy? Having the first book from @831storieshq on my desk. BIG FAN by the wonderful @zanopticon is a true romance for people who’ve read hundreds (thousands?) and those who are just getting started. There is both sex and UBI on the page. I can’t believe my luck that I have gotten to spend the last 14 years making things with @clairemazur , and, god, are we excited for all the joy and pleasure that’s to come with this one.
In 2020, we urge our friends to vote. (In 2005, we—ahem, @clairemazur —probably should have urged them not to wear silk scarves as bandeaus over tanks.) It’s 100 days before Election Day, so go on and text FRIENDS to 26797 to make sure you’re registered, pals! @iamavoter #registerafriendday
A few fun facts about @alexmillny for you: 1) I wore this black linen dress from the brand three of the last seven days. OOPS. 2) The creative director Somsack Sikhounmuong (👋🏻 @blinxy ) is also responsible for peak Madewell 3) Three—THREE!!—former Of a Kind team members work for the co., so clearly they have excellent taste. 📸 @thomashauner . We had but one fight during this photo session!
