Backseat What?

*** I am currently seeking representation ***

What the hell are Backseat Cities?

They're places you should probably visit but haven’t. I live in one - Columbus, Ohio - and that's how this project started.

There are almost never crowds.

Backseat Cities aren't the big, well-known destinations such as Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago. Nor are they the smaller towns and villages like Stowe, VT, Holland, MI, or Charleston, SC (which the industry has mercilessly beaten to death) that travel writers lazily call charming, cozy, quaint, or hidden gems.

Backseat Cities are medium-sized places that don't generate significant tourist traffic. They could be anywhere in the world - there are plenty in central and eastern Europe, for example - but right now I'm concentrating on America.

Garfield Memorial, Cleveland, OH. Sep 2018

Susan B. Anthony's office, Rochester, NY. Aug 2018

Cities like:

• Indianapolis
• Providence
• Wichita
• Des Moines
• Pittsburgh
• Spokane
• Milwaukee
• Richmond

In 2017, the Washington Post did a service series called You're Going Where?, and most of their destinations were Backseat Cities. In some cases, they chose places I've targeted for my books.

I still can't figure out why more people don't go to Rochester for vacation. Seriously.

The title of the Post series communicates an idea fundamental to a Backseat City: Where? Huh? Why? Tell people you're going to Boise for vacation and see how they react. (If they knew anything about Boise, of course, they'd be jealous.)

I ignored the strange looks and the questions and I went. Backseat Cities is the story of my travels.

The benefits

Why go to Cleveland instead of New York City or Boston? It's a fair question. Since I live in a Backseat City and have visited several more, I've become an evangelist.

An alligator on a swamp tour outside Lafayette, LA. Oct 2018

• Backseat Cities can be as interesting as the bigger cities
• They have excellent hotels and restaurants
• They have plenty of attractions
• They're less expensive
• There are almost never crowds

In other words, Backseat Cities have a lot of the upside of traditional tourist destinations, but almost none of the downside. I still can't figure out why more people don't go to Rochester for vacation. Seriously.

Leg lamps for sale at the Christmas Story House gift shop. Sep 2018

Read more

• About Backseat Cities
• The Selection Process