I have to say, I had NO idea that Reuben sandwiches were so popular.

A hearty THANKS to all those participated in my sandwich research! I’d still love to hear more, so feel free to add your sandwich ideas!

I know many of you are curious why in the world I’d be researching sandwiches.

The truth is, I was born in Sandwich, Illinois. I always thought it fun to have such a cool named town as my birthplace. We still go back to visit relatives on my dad’s side of the family, and the town holds a lot of memories for me. It’s the PERFECT setting for a story!

And it’s where my newest book is set.

Summerside Press has a line called “Love Finds You” that is geared towards towns with unique names, with stories that interact with the name of the town and bring out the history and uniqueness.

Obviously, I have no idea if they’ll be interested in a story about Sandwich, but I’m confident that even if they aren’t, it’s a story that could sell on it’s own merits to other traditional publishing houses. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be spending so much time on it lately! My goal is to have it finished sometime in August, in time to pitch it at the September ACFW conference. I’m at about 18k words, and just started mid June, so am well on track!

So, how am I going to incorporate the towns name into my story plot?

Well, I guess you’ll just have to wait to read the story won’t you. Suffice to say, I will be using many of your unique sandwich ideas, and appreciate the reminder of some of the well-known sandwiches that I’d forgotten about.

Oh, and did I mention? My hero’s name is Rueben!

Another fun Sandwich fact: My parents were married there. And my mother’s maiden name? *ahem* Crum.

And that, my friends, is a true story. The crums from Sandwich. GO figure!

Discussion: I’m all about discussing my fun new story idea, but let’s broaden it too. I think it’d be fun to talk about our hometowns! Do you still live in the same city you were born? Any fun stories you could tell? Any *weird* named cities you’ve lived in?

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9 Comments

  1. Ah! What an awesome idea, Krista!! I will be praying that you are able to get this done and pitch it at the conference. It sounds like a fun story!

  2. Love Finds You in Sandwich, Illinois. That's excellent! I love it! Question – those love find you in stories… are the town REAL towns? Or fictional? Just curious.

    I'm from Bettendorf, Iowa. Grew up there all 18 years of my life. Left to go live in Madison for seven years where I met hubby and got married. The moved back to B-town two years ago. I love it here. 🙂

  3. I've lived so many places! Born in Amarillo, lived in Fort Worth, Austin, Round Rock, and even a tiny little suburb called Jollyville! Good times….

    Your story sounds fabulous and with your quirky fun style, I am sure you will do great!

  4. That's hilarious! I saw your blurb on RG's blog and thought it was super cute. 🙂

  5. Jody, thanks! I need prayers for this very much!

    Sherrinda: Jollyville! OH MY GOODNESS that would be a GREAT city to use as a setting! How unique!

    Jessica: Yes, I debuted my idea on her blog… lol! BUT, there were SO many on there I couldn't read all of them. What a great group of writers though!

  6. Katie, I believe they all should be real towns. This is the blurb from their submission page:

    In the fall of 2008, Summerside Press™ launched the Love Finds You™ fiction series, which features inspirational romance novels set in actual cities and towns across the United States. Beginning in 2009, we will release 12 titles per year. These will be full-length novels, with a word count of around 80K words (or 320 pages). The stories may be historical or contemporary.

  7. Good luck with it! I've kinda poked at the LFY idea file but haven't made a move.

    I'm guessing the sandwich has to do with the sandwich generation–my sis, for example, is sandwiched between being chief caregiver for our mom (who is now in a nursing home) and has custody of her 7yo aspergers granddaughter. I think her sandwich filling is squished. 🙁

  8. Good guess Val! Not MY sandwich story…. but good guess:-)

  9. Ok I never realized that are grandparents last name was Crum, and lived in Sandwhich, IL. I mean I knew these things but never put two-and-two together! crazy stuff..

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