From the blackberry canes to book signings

Kentucky Author C.W. Shumate with his first book Gram’s Journey.

Growing up in rural Kentucky, Shumate was among agricultural pioneers exploring alternative crops for Kentucky’s farmers in the early 1980’s by planting the first cultivated blackberry canes in the state. The Shumate family has since been instrumental in commercially developing a market for blackberries, now the state fruit of Kentucky. Cliff and Kim currently market a gourmet blackberry BBQ sauce under their trademarked label C.W. SHUMATE®.

As a child growing up on a farm, C.W Shumate had no idea his life-experiences would someday become material for a collection of adventure stories.

After he retired from the corporate world, Clifford Wayne Shumate decided to put his love of writing to use and wrote his first children’s book.

Blackberry Tails is a whimsical collection of fictional adventure stories that center around rescue dogs and are beautifully illustrated through a collaboration with renowned artist Linda Clark Uhl.

First in the series is Gram’s Journey; a story about a lost puppy and his journey to find his home. Along the way he encounters a host of colorful characters including Stubbs, a sassy field mouse who guides Gram with streetwise savvy and sarcastic wit.

“Gram is a true rescue found by the roadside and is now a member of our family. When I sat down at my computer, his story just came to light, embellished a bit by my imagination,” Cliff said.

The second book, Raisin’s Odyssey, tells the story of a handsome poodle that was separated from his loving caretaker Mama K, when a scheming dognaper with ill intentions of making quick profit at Raisin’s expense.

Raisin was lucky to escape but finds himself lost in rural part of Kentucky until he meets a new friend named Grinch, a wily old tomcat.

His third story is finished and currently being illustrated by artist Linda Uhl. The title is Blackberry Tails: Elvis’ Dream.

Cliff said he “didn’t really think of ever publishing children’s books.” “I am learning as I go,” he added.

Born in the late 1950s, Shumate, grew up in rural Nicholas County and credits his love of adventure, animals, folklore and food as his inspiration for writing while his interest in storytelling grew from the locals who gathered to tell tall tells at a small country store.

“Cliff spent a great deal of his professional time writing formal business letters, and once retired, decided to change gears and write something fun starting with our daughter’s dog Gram,” his wife Kim said. “Growing up on a Nicholas County farm Cliff always enjoyed blackberries and stories from people who picked berries as a child, so he named his first book Blackberry Tails with the spelling Tails, verses Tales since the book was about a puppy. He subtitled the book Gram’s Journey in anticipation of possibly writing another story, which has happened with Blackberry Tails: Raisin’s Odyssey,” Kim said.

Cliff’s great-grandfather, Oney Theodore Shumate, married Maude BeBee and farmed in the Muses Mill area of Fleming County. C.W.’s grandfather, Clifford Theodor was born in 1914 in Muses Mill.

“There are Clifford T. Shumate siblings who died as children that are buried at Muses Mills Christian Church Cemetery. The tombstones were carved with surnames incorrectly spelled as Shoemate. There are also documents housed at the Muses Mills US Post Office pointing to Oney Shumate. The family migrated to Harrison County and bordering Bourbon County, where I was born, but it’s uncertain of an exact date or reason for the migration. I always heard it was to find work, but that was never clearly documented,” Cliff said.

Cliff and his wife Kim also market a gourmet Sweet & Sassy Blackberry BBQ Sauce that is available at fine food retailers and via internet sources like e-Bay or www.cwshumate.com.

C.W. Shumate is proud of his heritage, he still lives in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, where he continues writing new editions for the Blackberry Tails series and producing award-winning culinary products for consumption under his C.W. SHUMATE® label.

Since publication of Blackberry Tails, Shumate and Uhl have experienced a busy appearance schedule exhibiting their book series at public readings, signing events, book fairs, and festivals. “Linda and I embrace personal interaction with readers. Meeting kids entertained by our books is very rewarding for us,” Cliff said.

In addition to his children’s series Cliff also writes a series targeted toward adults entitled Rogue Reflections, Random Thoughts of a Random Thinker under the pseudonym C.W. Shumate. He jokingly says, “Rogue Reflections is so far out of the box, it requires a passport.” The segments are designed to leave readers thinking about overlooked life experiences, while Shumate states he intentionally avoids discussion regarding gender, race, politics, or religion. “Social media sources make these topics too volatile,” says Shumate, “I attempt to remain focused upon deeper, more meaningful reflections regarding human interaction.” Rogue Reflections is regularly featured in newspaper publication or by visiting RogueReflections.com.

To get more information about the book or purchase the book, visit the official website blackberrytails.com.

C.W. Shumate will also personalize books upon request when purchased from the website.