Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!
Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.
Congratulations to Cindy Schumerth on the release of When Night Comes Calling
Please share a little about this book's journey. How did you come up with the idea?
My book journey actually started in 2008. At that time the story was more of a mood piece, a nice poem, but no characters involved. It got good rejection letters, but still rejections. I put it away in a drawer for fourteen years. In 2022 I took it out (because I still really liked it) and began reworking it into what it is today. The rewritten version was inspired by a family campout annual tradition of a night vision hike with the whole family.
What was the most difficult part of writing the book?
The most difficult part in writing this book was having to let go of some of what I call, my little darlings, from the early version; words or phrases that I really loved. But that’s what revising is, and I believe if you can be heartless to yourself when you're revising, your book will ultimately be better.
What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?
If this book does anything, I hope it encourages readers to expand their natural world and learn that there are so many things they’ll miss if they never explore (with an adult of course) at night. It’s fun, scary, and fascinating all at once. The book has great backmatter that I hope will intrigue kids to learn more and love nature the way I do.
What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?
I’m traditionally published, so Sleeping Bear will do a lot of the marketing. As for me, I have a launch scheduled at my hometown library, already have some school visits lined up and I’m hoping to visit nature centers, and children’s gardens, and book centers. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com, and hopefully it will find its way to your local bookstores.
What's next for you?
As for what’s next. I’ve just sold a manuscript to Sleeping Bear Press scheduled for a 2027 release, I’m busy working on several different manuscripts, and always full of new ideas.
I wish everyone a successful 2025!
More about the book . . .
When two siblings head outdoors on a nighttime hike, they experience the awe-inspiring wonders that take place in the natural world when most people are sleeping. From the night sky with its glorious celestial displays to the nocturnal insects and animals that only venture out in the dark, there’s an abundance of activity going on once the sun goes down and the stars come out. Tree frogs chirp their throaty songs, bats soar after buzzing mosquitoes, and a Luna moth flutters on its angel-like wings. But finally, it’s time to head back home to a cozy bed, and dream of the next night’s outdoor adventure.
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
More about the author . . .
When Night Comes Calling is my 4th picture book. I’ve been an SCBWI member for over 20 years and belong to several different critique groups, each giving me a fresh look at my work, and theirs. I love the outdoors and a lot of my work brings nature into the story. While I never intended to work in rhyme, my first three books, this book, and my 5th book (just contracted) are all in rhyme. My books have won several awards which help with that dreaded imposter syndrome so many of us have. I signed with the agent Bridgette Kam, just last week, who I met through a SCBWI on-line webinar. Hopefully she’ll help me get some of my prose into print.
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