The Side Project Virtual Book Tour

Is it possible to fall in love with someone again—even after you’ve rewritten them in your mind a hundred times? The Side Project dares to ask that question in a thoughtful, emotionally rich narrative that blends romance with creative self-discovery.

Rylee’s life hasn’t gone the way she envisioned it. Caught between mourning her father and caring for her brother, she’s set aside her dreams of becoming a writer. Carson was the boy who left, the one who chose responsibility over passion. Now, they’re both enrolled in a graduate fiction course, and fate decides to stir the ashes of what once was. When a classroom assignment leads to an intense writing partnership—and eventually a clandestine affair masked as a “side project”—Rylee and Carson must face the reality they’ve each constructed and decide whether it’s still possible to build something new from their past.

Laurel Osterkamp excels at writing emotionally intelligent fiction where the heart and mind are in constant conversation. Her stories resonate with readers who appreciate slow-burn romance, character complexity, and real-life dilemmas that unfold with grace and nuance. Based in Minneapolis, Laurel balances her love of writing with teaching, parenting, and indulging in cultural throwbacks. She’s known for her warmth, wit, and characters that feel like close friends. Visit laurellit.com or follow her at @laurel_osterkamp.

The Side Project

by: Laurel Osterkamp

Rylee dreams of moving to California, writing literary fiction, and pursuing her late father’s dreams. But until her younger brother fully recovers from cancer, she’ll stay in Bemidji, MN. It’s all good, except for when she runs into her BFF’s older brother, Carson. Back in high school, Carson rejected Rylee and she’s still humiliated.

Ten years ago, Carson’s Harvard plans were dashed by his girlfriend’s unexpected pregnancy. So he stayed in Bemidji. Now he’s a single dad/high school teacher. He loves his son–yet, he wants more.

Rylee is shocked when Carson enrolls in her graduate fiction course. Despite their unresolved past, they become writing partners and take on a secret side project – a passionate-no-strings fling that must end with the class. Otherwise, hearts will be broken and secrets revealed. Yet, as their feelings grow, Rylee and Carson are faced with a difficult decision:

Should they risk everything for a chance at happily-ever-after?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218561154-the-side-project

Author Interview:

How did you research your book?

There wasn’t a huge amount of research involved, but I did need to read up on the type of brain tumors teenagers are most likely to get. I’d already spent a lot of time in Bemidji, but I convinced my family that I should take a road trip up to Bemidji on my own, just for the night, so I could walk around taking pictures and imagining my characters’ lives there.

 

What’s the hardest scene or character you wrote—and why?

The last scene between Rylee and her mother, Summer, was difficult to write because finally, they were being honest with each other and dealing with their grief. It was a challenge to find the right level of emotion and to give each of them their own unique voice.

 

What’s your favorite compliment you’ve received as a writer?

That’s so hard, because I often forget the compliments I receive, unlike the criticism, which is always tattooed on my brain. But last night I received this message from a huge BookTok influencer, after she finished reading The Side Project: “I just finished!  Man, I’m crying happy tears. This was so different… and it was SO good.”  I can’t overstate how happy that compliment made me!

 

Do you write every day? What’s your schedule?

Sometimes, if there’s a lot of laundry or grocery shopping to do, I skip writing on Sundays. Otherwise, I write every day, in the afternoon and/or early evening.

 

Any quirky writing rituals or must-have snacks?

My favorite writing quirk is when my cat, Toffee, snuggles up next to me while I sit on the couch with my laptop. When I get stuck, I’ll pet her and ask for her advice. She always has great ideas!

 

Why did you choose this setting/topic?

I’ve always felt that northern settings where they wear a lot of flannel are romantic. When I began writing The Side Project, I’d just finished an MFA program in Creative Writing. I liked the idea of exploring how writers can be sort of snobby toward each other when it comes to writing genre fiction, especially romance. And there’s definitely a stigma when it comes to self-publishing. The Side Project is not self-published, but Rylee is a secret self-published romance author and afraid to let the people in her life know this. So The Side Project is a combination of several topics and settings that are close to my heart.

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