Acknowledgements for Ghost Train

By: Natalie Jacobsen

This is reprinted from my debut novel, published by Select Books. It takes a village to write a book, and it was especially true for GHOST TRAIN. Over the years so many have been involved in its publishing process, and it is my pleasure to acknowledge and thank all for their support, insights, advice, and efforts that have helped GHOST TRAIN reach your bookshelf. Thank you.

This story is my love letter to Japan.

I feel I must state clearly that I am not Japanese in my ethnicity. This book is a true work of fiction, and my depictions of characters and perceptions of their voices are all fabrications of my imagination and cannot replace the voices of those who are born and die in Japan. Since high school, and continuing to the present, I have been learning from Japanese people and studying Japanese culture and history.

Around three thousand documents and excerpts from literature and academic works were referenced to enable me to capture the atmosphere and details of Japanese culture in the 19th Century. My years of living, working, and studying in Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Kyoto bolstered my firsthand experiences that brought this story to life. It was a joy to immortalize walking through the streets of Kyoto by way of Maru.

The folklore discussed in this story are real. Japan’s rapid societal shifts and the expansion of Japan’s infrastructure from the introduction of gas, electricity, trains, and foreign influences brought great economic growth in the first decade of the Meiji era. This also cultivated a landscape ripe with rumors. Some attempted to prove the validity of their myths by causing violence to spur rejection of the changes and inspired my interest in writing Ghost Train.

I had tremendous help from invaluable kind souls who made suggestions to keep the story in my novel as authentic and historically accurate as possible. It is with deep gratitude that I thank:

Alec Jordan, for sharing resources and direction. Scott Jackson, who gave me an introduction that changed my life.

Daisuke Miyao and J. Keith Vincent, who became instrumental sources of information pertaining to the late Edo and early Meiji eras, and who helped me to give voice to the characters displayed throughout the story. Their patience, kindness, and willingness to share their knowledge humbles me.

Sean Michael Wilson, a manga artist of samurai tales, for providing resources to learn about emotions and reactions during the Satsuma Rebellion.

“Rin” Satoshita of Mainichi Kimono, who graciously consulted with me about the terminology of wardrobe and geiko practices in Kyoto. Her historical and cultural notes gave me critical insight into life inside an ochaya.

Yumi Ninomiya, manager of the shop Talis in Tokyo, answered a multitude of questions surrounding Japanese astrology, fortune-telling, and other peculiarities rooted in the supernatural.

Mie Tanaka and Shintaro Suzuki, for sharing their family stories and superstitions in the Meiji era, and for their gentle suggestions and everlasting friendship.

Nick Edwards, Steve Moloney, and Matt Pernsteiner for assisting me with the strangest translations at the oddest hours. Cassi Brown and Candi Waller for their prayers. Lou Torchia for his grace.

Sarah Adams, for reading it first and urging me to finish it. Fellow authors Demri Redmond, Sara Shoemaker, Akiko Terai, BL Jasper, Waverly Knight, Rachel Kitch, and Astiya Batyr, who made me feel my story deserved to be read. There are hundreds more near-strangers who heard my pitch and have been by my side ever since; I’ll never forget their kindness.

Roxy, Kaitlyn, Elizabeth, and Jess, for reading something so wildly different than usual. Zahra, Kelsey, Caz, Tina, Marta, Saz, Kat, Rainer, Lorie, Daniela, Marek, Erik, Matt, Yu, Ashley, Saki, Kenston, Manami, Erica, Akane, and Olivia for cheering me on. Mike and Daniel for telling me to write the next one. My coven for their love and magic. The teachers who helped my writing flourish. Susan McCormac for her support. Sally Suzuki, my “Japanese half;” for riding this train with me.

The people who made it legible: my editors Nancy Sugihara, Kenzi Sugihara, Tess Massey, Nicole Arch, and Kyle Panas who willingly became immersed into a far-away world in a distant past, and took it upon themselves to research the language and history to help fact-check and clarify the story. They are sculptors who polished it for publication.

Janice Benight of Janice Benight Design for the beautiful exterior and interior design.

Kenichi Sugihara, for shouldering the immense task of managing this publication and guiding me step by patient step. His enthusiasm helped me to remain calm and confident through the process.

My parents, who fostered my love of writing early in my life and offered boundless encouragement by flying with me on all of my whims. They generously and selflessly gave me the opportunities that shaped the writer I am today. This book is a reflection of and dedication to the love they give to me and my sister Emma.

Thornton “Max” Hare, my loving husband, who patiently followed my every emotional ebb with the progress of this book and provided the space, peace, and unbridled encouragement I needed to complete it. The fruition of his unwavering support is in your hands.

And finally, to Japan: Thank you for giving my heart a home I return to again and again.

Ghost Train is Natalie Jacobsen's debut novel. The Historical Fantasy is set in 1877 Kyoto during the early years of the Meiji Restoration era, following a samurai daughter as she witnesses the rapid changes made within Japan. When "old Japan" comes crumbling down to make way for "new Japan," ghosts reach out to her, asking for help -- and demanding she meet her destiny. In bookstores everywhere.