Cindy Williams, Chase McKay Didn't Get Up Today

In a year-round effort to promote literacy, and in order to make the world aware of all the excellent authors out there who haven't yet made million-dollar movie deals--every Monday will be author interview week. Remember, every time you purchase a book or give a book as a gift, you are promoting literacy and helping to make a difference in our world.

This week, I've interviewed Cindy Williams. She is one fun gal. Her picture book, Chase McKay Didn't Get Up Today, is fun and the illustrations are cute.

What is your book’s name?
“Chase McKay Didn’t Get Up Today”

What kind of book is it?
It’s a snuggle, giggle children’s picture book that is considered reality/fiction because much of it happened and all the characters are real.

What was your inspiration?
Early one morning, my kindergartner, Chase, played possum. I tried to get him up for school, but he just snuggled into his pillow, eyes closed and a sweet smile on his face. I made his bed with him in it, and the little rhyming, sing-songy story pretty much wrote itself by the time he hopped on the bus.

Who are your main characters?
Chase, his dog named Copper, cat named Tazz, two gold fish with attitude and the mom.

What is your favorite scene in the book?
When Chase peaks out from under the covers with a bright smile and mischief sparkling in his eyes.

What is your favorite part of being an author?
I visit lots of elementary schools with my book. I love to read it to the children and hear them giggle and see the look of awe and wonder in their face. I don’t mind the book sales either. They really help with the economy the way it is right now.

After you wrote the book, how long did it take you to get it published?
About a year.

Have you been published before?
Only in newspapers as a journalist. Oh, and I have had many press releases published for various companies and events.

How did the publisher let you know your book was being considered for publication?
My publisher is local. Dr. Goodfellow is the owner of Goodfellow Publishing Services. She also teaches a three year college course on Creative Writing, which I completed last year. Each week we read scenes from our WIP, and one week had been crazy busy, so I didn’t have a scene ready. At the last minute, I grabbed my little children’s story, and read it instead. Dr. Goodfellow loved it, and decided to publish it on the spot.


I will never forget that night. I read the story to Dr. Goodfellow and two other writers, Flo, and Gretchen. After I finished, the room was quiet. The kind of uncomfortable silence like you just walked into a room having forgotten to put on your pants or something. I couldn’t even look at my fellow writers or Dr. Goodfellow. I thought they must have absolutely hated it. And for those horrible minutes, I burned with humiliation deep inside for sharing the part of me, a part I felt was going to be laughed at or rejected. After what seemed like forever, Gretchen slammed her hand on the table and said, “I want that book right now for my five year old daughter.”


I took a huge breath of relief, then Dr. Goodfellow quietly added, “I want to publish that book. Are you ready?”


I was stunned and choked out a “Yes.”

Please share a brief description of your book.
I will give you the first couple of lines.
Chase McKay would not get up,
So Mamma made his bed.
She straightened the covers and pulled them
Right over his head.
Chase McKay cannot play.
He didn’t get out of bed today.

Where can we purchase a copy of your book?
It is available at books stores all over. Some you do have to ask the desk to order it. It is also available at Barnesandnoble.com, Amazon.com, and on my website http://www.cindrywilliams.com


Thanks Tina for the interview. I appreciate it. Cindy

Thank you Cindy for taking the time out of your crazy schedule to do an interview.