Podcast Summary:

New Books Network – Interview with Cindy Williams Schrauben, Author of "Hank's Change of Heart" (The Little Press, 2025)
Host: Mel Rosenberg
Date: December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and warm episode of the Children’s Literature Channel on New Books Network, host Mel Rosenberg welcomes back children’s author and educator Cindy Williams Schrauben. Together, they discuss Cindy’s new picture book Hank's Change of Heart (The Little Press, 2025), delving into its inspiration, the creative process, the power of quiet lessons in children’s literature, and Cindy’s wider work to support fellow authors. The conversation also explores the challenges of the writing and publishing journey, peppered with humor, candid advice, and memorable anecdotes.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction and Reconnection

• Reunion: Mel welcomes Cindy back after a three-year hiatus since her last appearance, praising her as both a talented author and generous mentor to other writers.
  • "I've been waiting over three years for your new book ... and it finally happened." (01:50, Mel Rosenberg)
• Author Profile: Cindy is noted for her deep involvement in education, sharing, and community-building among authors.

About "Hank's Change of Heart"

• Plot Summary:

  • Hank, a young boy obsessed with hearts (rocks, leaves, drawings, etc.), initially keeps his prized hearts to himself.
  • Upon seeing a sad friend, Hank secretly gives her a heart, witnessing her happiness and undergoing a silent transformation—his own “change of heart.”
  • The tale quietly encourages empathy, sharing, and social-emotional growth.

  “He hides his hearts and keeps them all hidden away, all for himself … when Hank finds a friend who seems a little sad, he decides to just slip one secretly to her to brighten her day… and when he sees how happy that little girl is, he has a change of heart.”
  (03:12–03:30, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

• Publisher: The Little Press, celebrating its fifth anniversary.

• Illustrator Praise: Sasha Richards—the creative collaboration and surprises (like the recurring opossum character).

Writing Books with Heart (and Subtle Morals)

• Mel observes a moral, even spiritual element in Cindy's stories, connecting them to a “Judeo Christian epic.”

  "There's kind of a moral undertone ... I try to keep them as general as far as that goes, so that hopefully they can speak to a lot of different people … instead of making them specific to … a certain religion."
  (09:13, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

• Cindy discusses her philosophy:

  • The challenge of embedding quiet lessons without being didactic.
  • Trusting the reader—especially children—to interpret the silent moments.
  • Value of "show, don’t tell": letting readers infer character motivation and growth.

  "I want them to figure it out for themselves. I don't want to come out and say, Hank changed his mind and decided that maybe … he needed to share … I wanted kids to see what happened and to say, aha."
  (11:16, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

Growth Mindset and Encouragement

• Previous Work: This Could Be You—celebrates perseverance and growth mindset, with unexpected resonance among adults as well as children.

  • Cindy’s “Author Pep Talk” YouTube series, encouraging writers and sharing industry insights.

• On Perseverance: Both Cindy and Mel discuss numerous rejections, the psychological toll of the publishing process, and the need for passion—sometimes bordering on obsession—to keep going.

"It takes a lot of perseverance and it takes that growth mindset for sure."
(04:59, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

"There is so much pain. You're right. There is."
(31:34, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

The Creative Process & Teamwork

• Traditional Publishing: The author usually has no control over the illustrator unless well-established, but the end result can offer unexpected and delightful new dimensions to the story.
  • Anecdote: The illustrator adding an opossum character unexpectedly, which grew on Cindy over time.

    “Sasha put in an opossum throughout the book in a few different spots…. I used to think they were so gross.... now he's endearing and I really think he's cute.”
    (17:04, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

Book Activities and School Engagement

• Interactive Reading: Cindy keeps children engaged with audience participation (e.g., making heart shapes whenever the word “heart” appears).
• World Record Event: Shared the achievement of organizing 409 children to make and pass paper hearts around the school (under review for “Most Children Sharing Their Hearts” by Kids World Records).

  “The kids had a great time … and the record will be called the Most Children Sharing Their Hearts.”
  (21:19, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

Industry Topics and Inside Glimpses

• Agents and Publishing Realities:

  • Cindy’s current agent, Michelle Jackson, negotiated Hank’s Change of Heart (a “Michelle Michelle” deal with publisher Michelle McAvoy).

    “Michelle Jackson hopped on board and negotiated the deal with Michelle McAvoy from Little Press. So, yes and no.”
    (23:10, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

  • Discussion of agent commissions, small advances, and the tough realities both authors and agents face.

  • Statistics: For every book deal, Cindy estimates writing 20 manuscripts and has about 50 ready-to-submit drafts.

• Middle Grade Writing:

  • Cindy is working on a middle grade novel (~80,000 words), finding the revision process far more demanding than for picture books.
  • Motivation includes personal challenge and the opportunity to expand her skillset and readership.

Motivational Reflections

• On Passion vs. Obsession:

  “For me, passion is a good word, but obsession might even be a better word for me.”
  (31:37, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

• Encourment for Writers:

  • Cindy cites the importance of giving back, supporting others, and finding community.
  • Joke segment: Inventing the “Five O’s” to complement Vivian Kirkfield’s “Five P’s”—including “Obsession” and “Obstinance.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Reader Engagement:

  “You're looking for the reader, the parent, the kid to get into Hank's shoes and say, well, what would cause me to give away something that I hold as precious to somebody who's in need of it?”
  (10:50, Mel Rosenberg)

• On Letting Go of Creative Control:

  “Their creative process is different than yours and they bring in things that I didn't even think about. Right? So it's a beautiful balance.”
  (13:58, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

• On the Writing Life:

  “Obsession might even be a better word for me.”
  (31:37, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

• On Community and Giving Back:

  “If I ever became published, I was going to give back and try to help other people out.”
  (06:04, Cindy Williams Schrauben)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:35: Show proper begins, introduction of Cindy
• 03:01: Cindy introduces Hank's Change of Heart and summarizes the plot
• 04:37: Reference to Cindy’s previous book and its growth mindset theme
• 08:11: On translation into Spanish and cultural nuances
• 09:08: Discussing the moral/judeo-Christian undertones
• 10:39: Mel probes on the subtlety of Hank’s transformation; Cindy explains her minimalist approach to “the moment”
• 12:35: The illustrator’s process and creative surprises
• 17:04: The recurring opossum character anecdote
• 18:18: Origin of the book’s title and real-life inspiration: “ER rocks” from her hometown
• 21:17: Kids World Record heart activity
• 23:06: Cindy’s agent and submission story (“Michelle Michelle” deal)
• 26:20: Discussion of rejection rates, prolific writing, and middle grade pursuits
• 29:17: Why pivot from picture books to middle grade novels
• 31:37: “Obsession” as a motivator
• 32:07: Inventing the “Five O’s” for writing success

Tone & Style

The dialogue is candid, warm, supportive, and often playful—full of mutual respect, encouragement, and inside jokes about the writing life. The tone mixes honest advice with joy, occasional frustration, and a sense of profound community among those who write for children.

Conclusion

This interview is an engaging, honest look at both the heart at the center of Cindy Williams Schrauben’s new picture book and the realities of a writer’s journey—marked by perseverance, community support, creative surprises, and the quiet hope that one’s stories will inspire kindness and courage in young readers.

Further Resources

• Cindy Williams Schrauben on YouTube: “Author Pep Talk”
• The Little Press: thelittlepress.com
• New Books Network, Children’s Literature Channel