Tracie Richardson is a Christian, a wife, a mom of three, a registered nurse, the owner of Richly Made Fairhope cookie company, and the caregiver to her youngest child, who is on the spectrum. She has been blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who also feel a great love for creating a world where diversity and inclusion are vastly available to all children. Becoming a special needs parent opened her eyes to doors that she was unaware were closed. It is her greatest honor to be able to use her voice for children who may not have a voice themselves.
Q: What inspired the idea behind your book?
A: I own a cookie company, and for the past three years, we have taken the chance to fundraise annually for the special needs community. Last year, we used a book about inclusion written by a fellow Blue Balloon Books author, Kelly Gregory, as well as cookies to fundraise. Kelly inspired me to write a book. My youngest daughter is on the spectrum, and I have found that books are a great way to open communication with children about topics that may be challenging for them to understand. My hope is that my book helps to open the door for conversations regarding diversity and inclusion. At the end of the day, we are all perfectly imperfect.
Q: As an author, what tips would you give anyone who wants to get into writing?
A: Anyone can do it! Writing a book was never on my list of things I thought I would ever do with my life. However, I saw a need for conversation, even with my own children, regarding the differences in people we encounter every day. I just wanted to give parents a tool to help encourage these conversations so that a world where inclusion and diversity are celebrated can hopefully one day be the standard.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: The Bible. I feel that in my older years, I’m really finding the time and desire to dive deeper into the Bible. It’s so crazy to me that a book that was written thousands of years ago and the lessons we can learn within it still pertain to today’s world.
Q: Was your main character modeled after anyone in your life?
A: I think the main character is all of us. We are all different, and it’s so important to believe that our differences are what make the world such a beautiful place.
Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
A: My sister, Tana Steele, was the illustrator for this book. I truly believe my favorite part of this process was watching her bring the story to life with her drawings.
Q: Do you believe that being a “good writer” is a developed skill or a natural talent?
A: I think anyone can be a good writer as long as there is a passion behind the story being told.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote from a book, poem, TV, or movie?
A: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33.
Q: Would you write another book (or are you already writing another book)?
A: Never say never! However, at this current time, I am not actively writing another book.
Q: Is there an author you look up to, and why?
A: I do want to thank Kelly Gregory, the author of Blue Balloon Book’s Say Hello, for encouraging me to follow this path. I am grateful for her guidance and excitement.
Q: If there were an apocalypse and you could only take five books into your doomsday bunker, what would they be?
A: The Bible, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, and Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover. Perhaps The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, too, because it was my favorite as a child.
Learn more about Tracie Richardson and her new children's book, The Imperfect Cookie, here. Coming soon February 17, 2026!