Author’s name: Dan McCauley
Illustrator’s name: Jo Loring Fisher
Other book titles: The Thank You, World series (Thank You, Night, Thank You, Rain, Thank You, Sun)
What is your upcoming book title? Thank You, Snow
Date of release: Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
Preorder or Order link: https://bookshop.org/p/books/thank-you-snow-dan-mccauley/56998cc655e23f9c?ean=9798885544894&next=t&
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Agent: No Agent!
Agency: N/A
Hometown: The Bronx
Social links: https://www.instagram.com/danmccauleywrites/
1. What is the premise/pitch for your book?
When we say yes to going outside, we find so many reasons to smile and say, “Thank You.” We find so many reasons to feel better, especially with people we love! Thank You, Snow follows a young girl as she enjoys the magic of a snowy day. Overcoming her reluctance to leave the cozy warmth of home, she ventures with her family into the neighborhood.
2. What are 5 things you want people to know about your book?
- In a fast-moving world where kids and adults may spend a large portion of time indoors or on screens, Thank You, Snow (and the series as a whole) really focuses on the positive feelings we can get from the world outdoors. There is so much to notice and appreciate out there!
- The illustrations in the book are stunning. Jo did such a wonderful job capturing how lovely nature and family joy can be.
- The story isn’t didactic, nor does it deliberately tell a child to be mindful or grateful. Instead, it serves as an invitation. The main character is her own agent in the story, who notices things and finds laughter through the experience, not by any lecture on gratitude.
- There are discussion questions and activities to continue the conversation for parents and educators reading at home.
- It’s a great book!
3. What helpful hints or tips can you offer fellow writers about writing, publishing, and promoting a book?
- Believe in what you’re writing about. Belief will give you the endurance that’s needed in an industry that requires a lot of persevering!
- Always be learning. Through conferences, reading about others’ journeys, working on craft, understanding what agents and editors are looking for, and understanding the medium you are writing in. There will also be lessons in some of the rejections you get, so take what you can from those!
- Find your writer/artist community and get out there. Find your critique group. Other people who are on a similar journey to you.
- Promoting a book is really about the value it brings to a specific audience. Your book is not for everyone, and that’s empowering. This is Marketing by Seth Godin is a book I go back to all the time.
- Librarians and bookstore employees will be some of your best people to give you ideas on how to read your book aloud!
4. What are 5 fun/quirky facts about yourself as an adult or child?
I’ll give you two! 🙂
- The original premise of the book was inspired by when I was five and didn’t want to go to school, so I faked being sick on the couch. Then, my Dad opened the door to a world of white winter snow. I suddenly felt better!
- My wife and I love taking walks. When we lived in Harlem, we would walk past the brownstones to the northern part of Central Park. Fresh snow on the brownstones and throughout Central Park was one of the most wonderful things.
5. What did you learn about yourself while on the journey to publishing this book?
Being that this is my first series I’ve published, it’s been such an incredible time learning more about myself and the publishing process. I have really high expectations of myself in all things I do, so I’ve had to learn patience and find joy in the process. There’s joy in finding book festivals, in building relationships with bookstores and your local library. There’s joy in meeting the people your book is meant for who share the same awesome values as you. Relationships and success don’t happen overnight, but when you are in it for the long run, seeing those things slowly grow is such a wonderful thing.
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