Sidetracked grew from the real-life relocation of Cincinnati, Ohio’s holiday train display. I have happy memories of my parents taking me to the display when I was in single digits and how exciting and magical it was when the train rounded the corner and came into view. Years later, my husband and I shared that experience with my eldest. When the train came around the bend, I noticed everyone, adults and children, sported the same look of wonder.
I went to a lot of model train displays.
They are terrific places to people watch. Time and time again, whether winter or summer, indoors or outdoors, that moment of joy and wonder repeated itself as the train came into view. On larger displays, the expression moved across the crowd like sports fans doing the wave.
Even though we no longer live close enough to go, the family and I wax nostalgic over our many visits to Portsmouth, VA’s “Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Collection.” The mix of animatronics and model trains in various scales is absolutely enchanting, even if some of the carolers are a little creepy. It was the one place the whole family would be so entranced, we’d forget to eat lunch.
I don’t know what it is exactly, but something about these train displays washes away the cynicism and stresses of adulthood and for a brief moment, the world seems right. A good book gives me that same feeling. I hope that this season, you find that moment of joy.
AUTHORS SPEND A LOT of time alone with their keyboard, but producing a book is hardly a solitary effort. Sidetracked has spent a decade in formation and in that time a lot of people have helped bring this story from a scrap of an idea to a fully realized book.
My research for this book involved visiting a lot of miniature train displays. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the engineers and artists who answered my questions – usually shouted out from the middle of the crowd – and to my fellow guests at the displays.
A lot of people have seen parts or all of this work prior to publication. Karen, Stacey, Ellen, Sherri, and Katie have all helped with their input either directly on the page or by bouncing ideas around with me. It has gone from short story to full length novel and become funnier in the processes. In addition, more agents and editors than I care to count have had a look at this manuscript. During my query period, eight agents and editors contacted me that they were taking the book to the next pitch session. Even though the book was not picked up for contract, these eight stood out for the personalized notes of encouragement they sent. Their enthusiasm for my little train story has given me the confidence to share it a wider audience.
Thanks to all my Crimson Romance Sisters. You are fonts of useful information and the best support squad any author could hope to have in this crazy industry. My peeps at Midwest Fiction Writers are so knowledgeable and talented it has been my joy to get to know all of you. If I manage to create an advertising campaign, it is solely because Dylann Crush shared her wisdom. Lizbeth Selvig helped me with the back-cover copy. If you haven’t read a book by either of them, you should.
I could not pursue the path of a professional writer without the support of my husband and my family. I appreciate how my cats assisted in keeping me on task by sitting on my lap, yet also made me get up to feed them. Although my kids prefer more PG reading materiel, they’ve tolerated read alouds and improved some word choices. Kids, when you both snorted milk out the nose at that one particular paragraph, you gave me one of the best complements I’ve received. As for the Hubs – life looks different than how we imagined it, but after twenty-five years, you’re the reason I believe in happily ever afters.
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Also by Lola Karns
Winter Fairy
Sidetracked: A Small Town Contemporary Rom-Com (Coming Soon)
Watch for more at Lola Karns’s site.
About the Author
After she ran out of fingers to count all the times she moved (and all the times she restarted careers) Lola Karns decided to pursue her passion for words and storytelling. Her full length contemporary romances include Sidetracked, Winter Fairy, and Bad Traveler. Lola currently resides in Minneapolis with her husband, two children, one hairless cats, and two fluffy rescue cats.
A believer in giving back to the community, where ever that may be, Lola serves on the board of the local PTA and of Midwest Fiction Writers. When not writing or volunteering, she enjoys baking, reading, espresso drinks, attempting to garden, and playing board games. To find out more about new releases visit www.lolakarns.com, follow her on Bookbub, or sign up for her occasional newsletter (with recipes).
Read more at Lola Karns’s site.
