Today we are celebrating Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo as our Entrepreneurs of the Day! Claire and Erica founded the publishing house 831 Stories.
In the world of modern media, few partnerships have balanced innovation and intimacy like Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo. Best friends since their days at the University of Chicago and creative collaborators since launching the beloved fashion-content hybrid Of a Kind in 2010, the duo has long been at the forefront of storytelling that connects deeply with women. Now, they’re harnessing that same magic for the romance genre with 831 Stories, a new-media publishing house and experiential brand that’s transforming the way we read, and live, love stories.
Claire and Erica aren’t strangers to building buzz from scratch. With Of a Kind, they turned a curated e-commerce platform into a tastemaking staple, eventually selling the company to Bed Bath & Beyond in 2015. After stepping away from startup life in 2019, they turned their attention inward: seeking joy, escapism, and connection during the pandemic. Romance novels offered all three, sparking not just personal passion but professional inspiration.
Launched in 2024, 831 Stories, a nod to ’90s pager code for “I love you” (8 letters, 3 words, 1 meaning), is more than a publisher. It’s a fan-first ecosystem where stories leap off the page and into every part of your life. Inspired by the viral fandom around Robinne Lee’s The Idea of You, Claire and Erica asked a simple question: What if romance fiction had the fandom infrastructure of Marvel or Bravo?
Unlike traditional publishers, 831 Stories is built from the ground up with readers’ desires in mind. The characters? Grown women, often navigating careers and complexities, whose romantic relationships enhance their lives—not define them. The stories? Bingeable and breezy, with the potential to bring new readers into the genre. Each novella can be read in a single sitting, perfect for plane rides, beach days, or cozy evenings. But the stories don’t end when the book does, 831 Stories live on past the page.
Titles like Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff and Set Piece by Lana Schwartz combine clever plots with emotionally satisfying narratives, resonating deeply with readers who crave stories of joy and passion told from a modern, feminist perspective.
Rather than focusing solely on publishing, 831 Stories treats each novella as the starting point for a fully immersive world. Through carefully curated content, themed merchandise, extended narratives, and fan-forward experiences, the brand caters to romance readers’ desire to stay connected to the stories—and each other.
831 Stories fills a gap in the romance genre by offering a more holistic fan experience. While many readers turn to TikTok, Instagram, or independent romance bookstores for community, Claire and Erica envisioned something even more immersive—where stories spark dialogue, creativity, and real-world connection.
Their website includes extras like epilogues and fictional spin-offs that extend the life of each book. Fan fiction, character deep-dives, and even items from within the stories are available for readers to enjoy as soon as they turn the final page.
Their web store reads like a love letter to fandom, featuring inside-joke apparel (like the “Just OK Gatsby” sweatshirt from Set Piece) and their now-iconic trope hats, each embroidered with a beloved romantic archetype: “Enemies to Lovers,” “Fake Relationship,” and more. The hats proved so popular that romance-focused bookstores like The Ripped Bodice couldn’t keep them in stock.
With momentum building fast, 831 Stories launched a membership program, The Ones, far earlier than anticipated. For $99 annually, fans receive five novellas, early event access, exclusive swag, and community-first experiences—from virtual panels to in-person pasta date nights inspired by their books.
Their ethos? Joy is sacred. And pleasure reading matters.
As 831 Stories grows, Claire and Erica aim to expand into new formats, including potential screen adaptations. With their deep understanding of branding and community engagement, they are positioning the company as a recognizable name in romance media—one that feels both niche and mainstream, playful and deeply meaningful.
They envision 831 Stories as a joyful counterpoint to outdated notions of what makes “good” literature. Their belief that pleasure reading matters and that romance has the power to shift cultural conversations around women’s sexuality and agency is central to their mission.
When asked what advice they had for women who wanted to start their own business, Claire and Erica said, “Ask for what you need: money, advice, introductions, favors—closed mouths don’t get fed!”
With 831 Stories, Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo are building more than a business; they’re crafting a movement rooted in pleasure, creativity, and connection. Their innovative approach to publishing and fandom is proving that sexy, smart, immersive romance stories can be both a cultural force and a source of pure delight.
By blending storytelling with community, merchandise, and a strong editorial voice, Claire and Erica are setting a new standard for what romance publishing can be. In a time when joy, connection, and emotional escape are more important than ever, 831 Stories offers readers a vibrant, empowering space to celebrate love in all its forms.
What more is there to say about them but, “831.”
