May 20, 2025: Adventures in Publishing by Erica Reilly
Moments after self-publishing her first novel The Swells of Stone Harbor, Erica Reilly
learned that one of her many query letters was finally answered in the affirmative. Too
late to take advantage of the opportunity, the agent at the coveted literary agency,
Writer’s House, remains interested and will look at Erica’s second novel.
This debut author will share insights into her publishing journey including why she made
the choices she did, finding an editor, querying agents, marketing strategies, bookstore
placements, and more. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
Erica is the founder of Reilly Creative, a marketing and communications firm based in
West Chester. Her previous experience includes marketing writing roles at the New York
Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), Lilly Pulitzer, the Commodity Futures Brokers & Traders
Association (CFBTA), Guardian Life Insurance, Amercanex International Exchange, and
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.
You can follow Erica at erica.reilly.writes on Facebook and Instagram. Her novel, The
Swells of Stone Harbor, is available for purchase here.
Moments after self-publishing her first novel The Swells of Stone Harbor, Erica Reilly
learned that one of her many query letters was finally answered in the affirmative. Too
late to take advantage of the opportunity, the agent at the coveted literary agency,
Writer’s House, remains interested and will look at Erica’s second novel.
This debut author will share insights into her publishing journey including why she made
the choices she did, finding an editor, querying agents, marketing strategies, bookstore
placements, and more. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
Erica is the founder of Reilly Creative, a marketing and communications firm based in
West Chester. Her previous experience includes marketing writing roles at the New York
Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), Lilly Pulitzer, the Commodity Futures Brokers & Traders
Association (CFBTA), Guardian Life Insurance, Amercanex International Exchange, and
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.
You can follow Erica at erica.reilly.writes on Facebook and Instagram. Her novel, The
Swells of Stone Harbor, is available for purchase here.
Local Booksellers to Visit BVWG March 18th!
Bookmarks is a new independent bookstore at 100 East Gay Street in West Chester and owners Lisa and Ty Strohl are excited to be a part of the West Chester community. With their twin daughters grown, Lisa was ready to explore new opportunities and spent a year researching and planning the business. Most of her career was focused on graphic design and marketing for Pennsylvania newspapers. Now she spends her time running the day-to-day activities of Bookmarks. Ty works in corporate sales during his days and can be found in the store helping customers on evenings and weekends.
What inspired them to open a bookstore? Come out to hear their story and learn how they select the books they sell, what connections they have made with local authors, and how the community has embraced them and their new retail establishment.
Writers, join us at Ryan’s Pub on Tuesday, March 18 at 7pm, and get an inside look at opening and operating an independent bookstore. With hard work, diligence, and a little luck, maybe one day, your book will be on their shelves for sale!
When and Where?
The usual time (7pm) and in the usual place. (Some of us come at 6:30 to order dinner, drinks, and hang out.)
Ryan's Pub (2nd Floor)
124 West Gay Street
West Chester, PA 19380
Where to park? Gay Street is still open to traffic and parking, but remember that the meters are active till 10pm. Click here for free parking options in W.C.
Feeling insufficiently informed? Make sure you've joined our meetup.com mailing list
to receive updates about upcoming meetings!
The usual time (7pm) and in the usual place. (Some of us come at 6:30 to order dinner, drinks, and hang out.)
Ryan's Pub (2nd Floor)
124 West Gay Street
West Chester, PA 19380
Where to park? Gay Street is still open to traffic and parking, but remember that the meters are active till 10pm. Click here for free parking options in W.C.
Feeling insufficiently informed? Make sure you've joined our meetup.com mailing list
to receive updates about upcoming meetings!
