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/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Birthday Blog with Cindy Williams Schrauben

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.

 

Congratulations to Cindy Williams Schrauben on the release of Hank's Change of Heart

 

 

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART was inspired by a campaign in my home town in which kids painted rocks and hid them around town. It was both fun and inspiring to see kids sharing their art. I am also a big fan of social-emotional learning books and felt that this type of activity would lend itself well to a book about kindness.   

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book? 

I hope that kids are inspired to share hearts in their own communities and to see how their passions can be used to help others.  

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it? 

I have lots of fun planned for Hank fans. There will be online contests, tons of heart activities, and Reader’s Guides. The biggie is a Kid’s World Record that I will be helping a local elementary school to achieve. Over 500 kids will make and share hearts with one another. I can’t wait!

What's next for you? Will we be seeing your own illustrated book soon?

I am working on a number of projects including a joke book about getting old, a graphic novel (yes, I hope to illustrate it), and a chapter book series. Stay tuned. 

More about the book . . . 

Hank is obsessed with hearts. He wears them, finds them, adores and hoards them. Hank finds hearts in animals, rocks, and many unlikely treasures. And when he can't find hearts to hoard, Hank makes them himself. But just when Hank’s passion begins to take a problematic turn, he discovers that his collection may hold a more valuable purpose. 

Published by: The Little Press

Illustrator: Sasha Richards 

More about the author . . . 

Cindy Williams Schrauben lives in west Michigan where she writes books for children that range from the truly serious to the seriously silly. When not writing or sharing her books, this award-winning author might be found dissecting her grandsons’ shenanigans for story ideas, reading in a bookstore, or eating ice cream… ideally all at once. Her books, THIS COULD BE YOU (starred review from Kirkus) and HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART inspire kids to live their best lives.
You can connect with Cindy at https://cindyschrauben.com/ or https://direct.me/cindywilliamsschrauben 

 

 

Writing is a Team Sport By Cindy Williams Schrauben

In my mind, writing is a team sport. You might say, "No, authors are introverts. We work alone." While it’s true that writing can be a lonely profession, it doesn’t have to be. The kidlit community, and SCBWI in particular, is made up of giving individuals. Let them guide you, comfort you, teach you, and cheer you on. The options are endless.

Even athletes who participate in individual sports depend on support systems. Take Michael Phelps, for instance. He swam alone and his goal, in the end, was to stand atop the podium. As writers, our gold medal is that published book (ok, it’s a best-seller or Caldecott, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves). Do you think Phelps would have won 28 Olympic medals without reinforcements? No way. The necessary resources are available to us, as well. Seeking them out is the key.

How about Simone Biles? She has coaches who teach her techniques, help her to overcome fears, and push her day after day. We have coaches too, in the form of more experienced authors and other educators who teach classes, speak at conferences, and share tips online. If you are reading this, you are already benefitting from said coaches under the umbrella of SCBWI. Do athletes say… "I’m the one competing, I don’t need anyone else?" Of course not, and neither should we.

Instead of quitting when things get tough, athletes look up to mentors, soaking in the inspiration, acknowledging their weaknesses, and identifying their strengths. Do you have writing mentors? If not, seek them out. SCBWI is a global community with unlimited resources, both virtual and in-person. One such event that I will be taking advantage of next week is The Graphic Novel and Picture Book webinar with Jonathan Roth (see it and other options HERE). I met one of my mentors, Marcie Colleen at my first SCBWI event.

More often than not, Michael swam in solo races and Simone was alone on the mat. Still, they turned to teammates to lift him up. Who are your writing teammates? Do you have critique partners? If not, SCBWI-Mi offers a critique group connection service HERE to get you started. There are hundreds of online writing groups - find them. You can even lurk and learn without putting yourself out there. When you are more comfortable, participate in social media chats or go to an in-person SCBWI-Mi Shoptalk (see more HERE). 

When I embarked on this journey I didn’t have a clue how difficult it would be. Or how rewarding. Before my first book, This Could Be You was even an idea, I jumped right in and attended the SCBWI Annual Conference in New York City. To feel less alone, I started a newbie group. We met up and faced the overwhelming event together. 

While daring steps like this might not be for everyone, I still count those people as teammates, coaches and advocates twelve years later. I found my people and leaned on them! Learned from them! Commiserated with them! Knowing that you are not alone in an endeavor like this is priceless. SCBWI has taught me how to write, query, and submit to publishers. They have helped me learn how to do school visits and market myself. They have even provided opportunities like book festivals and their online showcase of school presenters HERE. 

I’ve lost count of the number of events I have attended, blogs I have read, and sessions I’ve watched, but I can tell you with all confidence that my books would not exist without the guidance of SCBWI.

Cindy Williams Schrauben is excited to give back to the writing community that has been so instrumental in her own publishing journey. Cindy lives in central Michigan where she writes empowering books for kids that range from the truly serious to the seriously silly. When not writing or honing her craft, this award-winning author might be found dissecting her grandsons’ shenanigans for story ideas, reading on the floor in the bookstore, or eating ice cream… ideally all at once. Her first book, THIS COULD BE YOU, received various awards including a starred review from Kirkus. Her upcoming picture book entitled HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART is due out later this year. Cindy is also the host of Author Pep Talk on YouTube where she encourages other authors to realize their publishing dreams.

You can connect with Cindy at www.cindyschrauben.com or www.direct.me/cindywilliamsschrauben

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Reminders about Upcoming SCBWI-MI Events

• Fall webinar with Sheela Chari- Oct. 22nd at 7:00 pm Registration period: Oct 1-22
• Fall webinar with Cate Berry- Nov. 12th at 7:00 pm Registration period: Oct 22-Nov 12

Dreams Do Not Have an Expiration Date by Cindy Williams Schrauben

Sitting down to write this post, the old adage, shoulda, woulda, coulda, came to mind. We’ve heard it all before… “I could never do that,” “I should have done that ten years ago,” or “It’s too late now.” Regret and unanswered dreams seem to go together, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Sometimes, time is your best friend.

First is the obvious fact that dreaming alone isn’t enough. The bottom line is this… a dream without action is just fantasy. Realizing a dream requires risk, gumption, and perseverance. But, there’s more. I certainly don’t have all the answers, but am happy to share a few insights from my own journey.

Recently, I was a guest on the NOT YOUR AVERAGE GRANDMA podcast with Laurie Wright (listen HERE). Laurie is a coach who inspires people (especially those over 50) to find their SPARK. Talking with her gave me some valuable insight. The key to finally realizing a dream is the WHY. WHY do you want to write children’s books? How important is it? If the intrinsic motivation isn’t there, it simply won’t happen. My WHY? Sharing my passion with children (after all, being rich and famous will never pan out). Finding your own WHY can take a bit of introspection, but will definitely move the process along.

Laurie’s wisdom also helped me discover that the WHEN was a crucial component in my journey. I have always had the desire to write books for kids, but for years it was a dream without action. Combining that crucial WHY with the appropriate WHEN was the answer for me. As soon as my WHEN was right, everything clicked. The correct timing included my life position (empty nest), enough time and mental bandwidth, confidence, and the wisdom that can only come from age. It was important for me to realize that not achieving my dreams earlier was not a failure – I was gaining valuable experience and wisdom that would be beneficial when the time came to write. As I look back, I can see that every step along the way afforded me what I needed to achieve this goal.

In addition to the WHY and the WHEN, there is also the HOW.

 

One of my biggest hurdles early in life was the fear of failure, feeling unworthy, or looking silly (imposter syndrome). It wasn’t until after my picture book, THIS COULD BE YOU, was published that I started seeing the stark connection between its message for children and my own growth mindset as an author. THIS COULD BE YOU encourages children to shoot for the stars, to go for their dreams, to learn from their struggles, and bounce back.

Authors need those same growth mindset qualities to succeed.

●      Negative critiques are an opportunity to learn and improve.

●      I’m not published YET means you’re still trying.

●      Rejection proves that you are submitting your work and without that you will never get published.

I asked the amazing children’s author, Vivian Kirkfield, for some inspiration. Vivian wrote her first book in her mid-60’s, has several more under her belt, and isn’t stopping any time soon. She said, "It's never too late to follow your dreams because nothing is impossible if you can imagine it," and "The only failure is the failure to keep trying."

That brings me to the WHO. I am positive that I would not have persevered in this business without the support and guidance of the kidlit community – find your people!

So, if you aren’t there YET, don’t despair. As my book says, “Believe. It could be you.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Cindy Williams Schrauben lives in central Michigan where she writes books for kids that range from the truly serious to the seriously silly. Before embarking on this path, she held positions as a preschool administrator, teacher, and assistant director of a children’s museum -- always striving to empower kids. When not writing or honing her craft, Cindy might be found dissecting her grandsons’ shenanigans for story ideas, reading on the floor in the bookstore, or eating ice cream… ideally all at once. Her debut picture book was published in 2022 by Cardinal Rule Press and she is a speaker for their Bucket Fillers series of books.

You can connect with Cindy at www.cindyschrauben.com or www.direct.me/cindywilliamsschrauben.

Book Birthday Blog with Cindy Williams Schrauben

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors and illustrators.

 

Congratulations to Cindy Williams Schrauben on the release of This Could Be You

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

 

As is the case with many of my manuscripts, the idea for This Could Be You came while interacting with my grandsons – I wanted to empower them and other kids with a growth mindset. Though it morphed from early drafts, the intention was always to use a poem format, no storyline, and universal experiences that would resonate with every child. 

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?

 

As I mentioned in question #1, I hope to inspire kids AND adults to use a growth mindset to tackle challenges. It was also important for me to include a guide to equip adults with the tools needed to cultivate this process. That is one reason why Cardinal Rule Press was the perfect publisher for This Could Be You. My book aligns closely with their mission to produce high-quality children’s literature that empowers children through timeless messages of hope, courage and the Golden Rule and they are extremely passionate about providing resources.

One of my dreams for this book is to share it with children’s hospitals, counseling practices, and other support services.

 

What inspires you to write?

 

Kids! I have always marveled at their wonder, their acceptance of others, and their open minds. I wish we could all hold on to these perspectives as we age – maybe books can help.  

On your website, you share what’s next for you is illustrating your own picture book. How has having a ‘growth mindset’ help you become an author and stretch yourself to become an illustrator too?

 

It’s funny because writing this book made me realize that I didn’t always embrace a growth mindset in my own life – I have been known to give up too easily. The message in This Could Be You has helped me to be more intentional, to consciously talk myself through uncertainties, and to keep pushing. A key growth mindset principle is… ‘I can do hard things.’ This has become one of my mantras. Attempting to publish my first book at 60+ drudged up thoughts such as ‘I am too old’, ‘it’s too late’, and ‘no one will take me seriously’. Now, I remind myself that anyone at any age can have similar doubts and to view them as ‘excuses’. So, upward and onward. 

 

What are your marketing plans for the book?

 

Educating and developing relationships. I am using social media and my own website to establish the importance of having a growth mindset and to share other picture books as well as activities, and actionable content for parents and educators.  

https://cindyschrauben.com/ 

 

I am a member of two debut groups, partnering with other authors to market our work. You can find them here:

https://www.picturebookpals.com/ and https://pb22peekaboo.weebly.com/

 

I am having a Launch Party at Impression 5 Science Center (https://impression5.org/) in Lansing on April 2, 2022 with a reading, activities, treats, and more. I am also scheduling events at bookstores and other kid-friendly locations.

I will be appearing on numerous podcasts and blogs before and after my release date - April 1, 2022. 

I am also planning a series of interviews with kids who have exhibited a healthy growth mindset. These interviews will be featured on my site and on social media. I would love to hear your ideas. 

 

A little bit about the book . . .

 

Will you be an astronaut? Farmer? An Artist? A Nurse? No matter where your dreams take you, your own unique flair will get you there. Keep pushing...it could be you!

Mistakes help me learn vs. I’m a failure! A growth mindset -- believing that drive can outshine natural talent -- helps us envision endless dreams and possibilities. The diverse characters in This Could Be You, empower readers to believe in themselves, identify their own valuable traits, and persevere.

Who applies a try mind,
an engineer’s but-why mind,
an always-aiming-high mind?
Invent. It could be you! 

 

A little bit about the author . . .

 

Cindy Williams Schrauben lives in Michigan where she writes books for kids that range from truly serious to seriously silly. As a life-long educator, inspiring kids has always been her passion. Using the growth mindset principles she writes about, Cindy now encourages other adults (especially writers) to follow their dreams, as well. Learn more at:

https://direct.me/cindywilliamsschrauben  

 

 

 

 

You think the vocabulary in my picture book is challenging? Thanks for the compliment. By Cindy Williams Schrauben

I recently received a review of my new book, This Could Be You, that stated, in part, “... the vocabulary is advanced for a typical read-aloud picture book audience. 7-8 year olds may enjoy.” After initially scoffing at the 3 out of 5 rating, I smiled and thought, “Perfect! I am stretching little minds. I’m okay with that.” 

As a former educator and growth mindset fanatic, I love to challenge kids – both in their educational endeavors and their everyday lives. I want kids to know that it is important to dive into the unknown, to make mistakes, and to try again. Do we, as adults, only read novels that contain words we are familiar with? That would be a short reading list – for me, anyway. Do we only speak words to a baby or toddler that they already understand? I hope not. Growth mindset principles teach us to replace an “I can’t” attitude with a “not YET, but I’m still trying” outlook  – in other words, to strive and persevere. Bravely facing the unfamiliar, experiencing failure, and learning from our errors are valuable assets. 

I agree that Easy Readers and Chapter Books shouldn’t be packed full of difficult words – we don’t want to discourage children when they are just beginning to read independently. However, picture books are different in a number of ways.

• Illustrations help with context. One of the first comprehension skills we teach is to ‘read the pictures’. To use them as clues to unknown words and to assist in decoding. 

• In most cases picture books are read to the child first, or at least in the presence of an adult. The adult can guide, encourage observation, and define unknown words when necessary. 

• Picture books are often read multiple times, which makes them the perfect tool for building vocabulary. Recollection and retention of new language is supported through repetition, and with each subsequent reading, the adult can decrease their involvement and encourage the child’s own memory and decoding skills.

Though the word ‘persist’ may be difficult, seeing it in the following context makes all the difference:

Empowering children to tackle challenging vocabulary will also help them to be more comfortable doing so in the future. There is no question that they will encounter newspapers, directions, and other informational text that requires extra effort – they need to know that’s OK. 

I am surprised every day by the moxie and curiosity that kids possess – so don’t underestimate them. Go ahead and use challenging vocabulary in your picture books. A teacher will thank you.

Cindy Williams Schrauben lives in Michigan where she writes books for kids that range from the truly serious to the seriously silly and is currently working on a Partners in Literacy Program to get books in the hands of kids - especially in low-income areas. Before embarking on this path, Cindy held positions as a preschool administrator, teacher, and assistant director of a children’s museum -- always striving to empower kids. When not writing or honing her craft, she might be found dissecting her grandsons’ shenanigans for story ideas, reading on the floor in the bookstore, or eating ice cream… ideally all at once. 

You can connect with Cindy at www.cindyschrauben.com  

For more information see www.direct.me/cindywilliamsschrauben