Writer Spotlight: Cindy Williams Schrauben

Pep Talk, illustrating, editor, THIS COULD BE YOU, Hank, and miniature horses: author Cindy Williams Schrauben

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI-MI. In this piece, meet author Cindy Williams Schrauben.

Author Pep Talk YouTube@Cindy-Williams-Schrauben. What kind of peptalk do authors need? What’s it like being on YouTube?

My YouTube channel, Author Pep Talk, is just a few weeks old, so right now I am in the learning/development stage. When I began my quest to become a traditionally published author, I promised myself that I would give back to the kidlit community once I was in a position to do so. That time is now. 

There are already a wealth of wonderful people offering webinars, classes, organizing conferences, etc. to help with writing craft. I decided that my focus would, instead, be encouraging writers to persevere. This is driven by my passion for growth mindset. 

Publishing is a tough business and we all need camaraderie, support, and reminders to keep pushing. That is where Author Pep Talk comes in. I provide daily inspirational posts as well as chats with others in the industry including authors, illustrators, agents, editors, publishers, etc. I hope this will become a thriving community of publishing folks supporting one another.

Diving into YouTube feels a lot like the early days of writing. I have a lot to learn and progress is slow, so it would be easy to give up. This is perfect though, because new writers are experiencing similar emotions and we can go through it together. Win-win. I hope readers will subscribe and tell me what they would like to hear on the channel. https://www.youtube.com/@Cindy-Williams-Schrauben

 I write books for kids ranging from truly serious to seriously silly. As a former teacher, administrator, and children’s museum developer, empowering kids has always been my thing. Tell us about being a children’s museum developer, please.

About ten years ago, I worked with a group of individuals to start a children’s museum in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. I was the assistant development director and worked to procure local support for the initiative as well as plan the new building, exhibits and programs. It was an exciting time and the museum is thriving.

I look forward to Illustrating my own picture book someday… so, come along and dream with me! Are you illustrating? Care to share any samples?

This is scary for me, because I definitely feel like an imposter when it comes to art (POV - me cringing). But, I always tell people they have to ‘put themselves out there’, so here goes. When I’m stuck on a manuscript I often turn to writing and drawing fun ridiculous poems about growing older. Here is a silly example.

Illustration by Cindy

Illustrating might never happen for me, but playing around with different creative forms helps to inspire me, especially when I get stuck.

 

CindyWilliams Schrauben is an educator and former magazine editor who is working tofulfill the lifelong dream of becoming a published author for children. What was your experience being a magazine editor?

I loved editing a magazine! It was my first “professional” writing experience. I launched the Central Michigan Edition of Healthy & Fit Magazine out of Lansing. 

These issues served the upper lower peninsula. I wrote articles, selected Health and Wellness topics, recruited other writers, secured advertising, etc. These were all new roles for me, but it was exciting and I learned a great deal. It’s funny how one step in our lives leads us to the next.

 

And for some reason, I always seem to get my best ideas while riding in the car. TIP: I keep a text message open and send myself voice recordings. By the end of the trip, I often have a full-blown idea ready to go. If I can decipher my ramblings, that is.
How has your car dictation changed with technology?

It has changed! I still get lots of ideas while I drive, but now I can just tell my phone to ‘take a memo’ as if I am talking to my real-life assistant.

 

Her latest book “This Could Be You” is her first picture book and features themes such as activism, diversity, andschool graduation throughout the book. Your first published book, after how long you’d been working on writing? What hoops did you have to jump through to get paid and published?

I ‘aspired’ to publish picture books for about 8 years before my offer from Cardinal Rule Press. As a retiree, I treated it like a full-time job. 

But, it took me a while to admit to anyone what I was doing. It was more of a silent goal (because I didn’t believe in myself). I took classes, went to conferences, and devoured everything I could find online. 

THIS COULD BE YOU was plucked out of the slush pile, so no hoops. Cardinal Rule Press was wonderful to work with and I think we changed one word from the initial submission.

 As an editor, can you answer me this? Which is the correct title format: Italic Name, or ITALIC SHOUT NAME, or PLAIN SHOUT NAME? With or without quote marks?

Do you mean for listing the title of the book? I have seen/heard differing opinions, For me it is THIS COULD BE YOU - no italics or quotes.

 

My journey has definitely been winding and sweet and I’d say… longish. All thecredit for my perseverance goes to the amazing kidlit community – what agenerous group of people. From websites and blogs like this, to contests,critique groups, twitter parties, etc. children’s book authors have lifted meup and propelled me forward.  When was this quote written?

That was an interview in Kidlit411 the year my first book came out.

Since then, you’ve published two books. What’s changed in the intervening years?

Not much has changed in the past few years with the kidlit community. The generosity and team attitude still amazes me. Changes in the publishing industry are a given, but having others to lean on makes all the difference.

 

From an interview:

Really??! That is so cool! *runs off to find that page*

Picking my favorite is tough, but I think it is this:

Who has keen-design flair,

an artist’s time-to-shine flair,

a sketch-and-then-refine flair?

Create. It could be you!

Why? It shows a character who tries and fails, but doesn’t give up.

Anything to add nowadays? 

This is the one illustration for which I offered input. I suggested that the illustrator, Julia Seal, add the crumpled up pieces of paper to emphasize the fact that the character’s drawings weren’t perfect the first time. Just like the writing process, right?

 

Hank’s Change of Heart! Hank’s Change of Heart! HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART! HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART! Tell us about Hank’s heart.

My new book HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART, was released November 4, 2025. The book features a boy who loves hearts of all kinds. He makes, collects, and hoards them until he discovers that they have a more important purpose.

I have lots of fun events planned including a big launch party and setting a Kid’s World Record with a local elementary school entitled “The Longest Chain of Children Sharing their Hearts”. It should be great fun.

Planning events reminds me of one of my favorite cheers for authors…’ If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no’. I have benefitted from many great opportunities because of that mindset.

(Read about Hank's Book Birthday HERE.)

 

What’s next for Cindy Williams Schrauben?

I always have a few manuscripts in the works. Right now I am also working on a chapter book series about my sister’s rescue farm for miniature horses. (Fanciful Farms in Eaton Rapids, Mi).  I hope I have many more opportunities to inspire kids with books and empower other writers to do the same.

 

List any social media you care to share:

https://www.youtube.com/@Cindy-Williams-Schrauben

https://www.facebook.com/cindy.w.schrauben

https://www.instagram.com/cindyschrauben/