BRI EBERHART

Hey Strangers!

I’ve been trying to write this newsletter for days now, but lots of exciting things have been popping up, and subsequently gobbling up my time, so I’m pausing drafting Strangers # 3 to write this.

Here we go!

I’ve spent the past couple of weeks rereading what I’ve already written for Strangers # 3 and updating my outline, so now I need to go back and fix some things and finish drafting the rest.

I’m so, so excited to be back in this world. I took an appropriate amount of time off because the energy and excitement are back, and it’s such a relief. Burnout is a very real thing, and it’s so hard to overcome. 

In other writing-related news, I received an R&R (revise and resubmit) from an editor from a small press. Now, this doesn’t mean I’ll get a book deal from it. All it means is that an editor is pretty interested in my (unrelated to Strangers) adult romantic fantasy, and if I can finish polishing it based on their feedback, they’ll go ahead and pass it along to acquisitions, where it’d need to be approved by a whole slew of people before a contract is even considered. Not to mention whether or not I’ll even move forward with them if there is an offer. We shall see! 

A lot is going on over here! But all that to say is that this is the closest I’ve come to a book deal, and knowing someone out there is just as excited about my book as I am is a huge boost. I’ve been querying agents and submitting to smaller publishers directly since 2020. I have received hundreds of rejections across four books (and plenty of rejections from magazines for my short stories).

This is a brutal industry, and you need thick skin to brush it off and keep writing. So, for that glimmer of hope to come from an R&R? So necessary for the mind. Whether it goes anywhere remains to be seen, but either way, onwards and upwards.

To go off of that R&R, what the editor suggested can also be applied to my (also unrelated to Strangers) adult paranormal thriller that I’m currently querying agents with, so that’s officially on hold until I can clean up that manuscript too, and then I’ll be back to querying it. Just another thing to add back to the to-do list!

And on a totally different note, pre-orders went live for the anthology I’m in. 🙂 If you’re new around here, you might not know that I write short stories too (mentioned above. They haven’t ALL been rejected, haha). I currently have five short stories published online that you can read for free. All of them are listed on my short story page, with links included.

This one, however, is my first acceptance in a printed anthology. My short story, “An Email Never Sent,” will be published within Kaleidoscopic Quill: An Inspiring Butterfly Anthology. Releasing on March 24th, 2026, you can pre-order your copy here.

My story explores young love, heartbreak, and what it means to grow from it, along with other amazing stories and poems with one thing in common: butterflies! Not to mention, 50% of proceeds will be donated to Foundation Fighting Blindness!

I’m gearing up for a book event this weekend at Em and Em’s Books on Hertel Ave in Buffalo, and then I have three more lined up between April and May. There will be a limited quantity available this Sunday, so make sure you come early (12-3 pm) if you want to snag a copy of Strangers in Our Heads or Strangers in Our Hearts!

Okay, local friends, I need help!

I mentioned last month that I was working on a cool, non-writing project, and I can finally share it. But it’s in its early stages, so that’s why I need your help!

You might have noticed I have a new tab on my website called “WNY Book Events.” Ideally, once more businesses submit their events, it’ll be a calendar full of book-related events all across WNY! (It is not just specific to me as an author.)

So far, we only have two events on there, so we need more businesses to utilize this! I’ve reached out to so many bookstores, libraries, and businesses that do writing-related things, and received such good feedback, but that hasn’t translated to them using the Google Form I provided to add their events—yet.

I totally understand everyone is busy, so I’m hoping it’s just something that will grow over time, but if you’re a local reader, and are friendly with any bookstores & company, I ask that you gently remind them of this free service. 🙂

The Google Form is linked right on the WNY Book Events page, so all they need to do is go here and fill out the information once they open the form. Once the form is completed, it automatically adds the event right to the calendar.

Easy peasy!

I fully believe this can be AMAZING. Once more businesses have their events on the schedule, do you know how easy it’ll be to just pull it up when you’re looking for something fun to do? Perfection. So excited. Definitely want this to work, so if you’re local to WNY and can spread the word, I’ll love you forever.

Since last month’s newsletter, I’ve read A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James, The Light Between Us by Kristie Price, Adolfo Kaminsky: A Forger’s Life by Sarah Kaminsky, and Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger.

I’m currently reading The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James and A Tale of Flight and Flame: A Realm Apart by Kristie Price.

I’ve had my Strangers # 3 playlist on repeat lately as I immerse myself back into that world. I’ve also been listening to Andrew Bird since we’re seeing him with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra next month!

I went to my first-ever watch party this past weekend to watch the last four episodes of Bridgerton with some friends, and oh my god. What an experience. I never want to watch Bridgerton again without a room full of women yelling at the TV, cutouts of our favorite Bridgerton men, and drinking frozen margaritas out of teacups. And the candles! Our host outdid herself, and I loved every second of it.

I also caught up on Wednesday, and I’m up to date on The Rookie, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Pitt. (Notice how when I catch up on TV, my reading drastically drops? I can’t have it all!)

Please take note that this is a system to spotlight other indie authors per their request. These titles have not been vetted and readers are encouraged to do their due diligence beforehand.

Until next time friends!
Stay strange,
Bri