Holland’s Carolyn Stich Illuminates A Candle Factory Christmas

It’s a win-win for tiny publisher Steeple Ridge Publications and the Davisburg Candle Factory in Michigan. Locals love the book, and the factory is being rediscovered.

Clarkston, MI (PRWEB), November 1, 2006 -- Steeple Ridge Publications, a small children's book publisher from Michigan, is finding success by honing in on an unusual place. When the company released its first children's title, The Cat in the Candle Factory, illustrated by Holland’s Carolyn R. Stich, they knew it would be difficult to make an impact in the competitive world of children’s books. They believe Stich’s artistic talent combined with a unique setting can give them an advantage.

“Carolyn’s eye for detail and love for historic buildings gave our first story a lot of punch,” commented author-publisher Barbara L. Johns. “Her role as Holland’s Christmas card creator was also a big plus. She has been lovely to work with.”

The Johns-Stich team recently released Christmas at the Candle Factory, a holiday title that celebrates the joys of candles during a colorful and scent-filled time of year. Stich will sign copies on November 11 from 1-3  p.m. at Treehouse Books, 37 East Eighth Street, Holland, 616-494-5085.

Both candle factory titles surprised residents in the little town of Davisburg, Michigan. Johns once owned the Davisburg Candle Factory, which still makes tapers and pillars the old-fashioned way, hand-pouring and molding dozens of shapes, sizes and scents. It’s obvious she still loves the old place, which is housed in a quaint 19^th century building.

“I know the setting is unique in children’s literature,” commented Johns. “While running the business and taking care of the original cat, it always seemed to me that children might find it fascinating.”

It turns out that they do. Johns and Stich’s first title brought parents, grandparents, and children back to the candle factory and book sales were strong enough to support the new holiday book, which heralds the joys of candles during the holiday season. Appropriately, the publisher released the book during Downtown Davisburg Days at the candle factory, and Stich was present to autograph copies of the book.

Phoebe Bojanzyk, who has owned the factory along with her daughters for seven years, says the books have brought them quite a bit of new business.

“We just love them,” Bojanzyk said “And we’re really glad our store is the setting. Young readers come in and can’t believe they are standing in a place they just read about. Their eyes are as big as saucers.”

She recalled one girl walking into the building and saying to her grandmother, “We can’t visit a story.” Gram assured her “This one we can.”

The books have also brought success to publisher Steeple Ridge Publications, according to spokeswoman Pamela Dorsey. 

“Our first title, The Cat in the Candle Factory, introduced the setting and the main character, Midnight the cat,” said Dorsey. “The first printing did exceptionally well from our perspective, especially when you consider the comparatively small size of our promotional budget and the fact that we had no distributor to the book trade.” 

All that has changed. The inquiry of a major bookseller helped the small company find a book distributor and now both titles are easier for the consumer to find. As the holiday season approaches, the small firm is hoping the new development will translate into higher sales. 

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