Fall Author Boutique Spotlight: Meet Cindi Handley Goodeaux
An Author Q&A
Some people write stories simply to entertain. Others write stories that leave the world just a little kinder than they found it.
Children's author Cindi Handley Goodeaux has built her career around helping young readers discover empathy, embrace differences, and believe in the power of kindness—all while making them laugh along the way. Whether she's introducing children to a rainbow-colored cat, a lovable monster who's afraid of kids, or grandparents who break every stereotype, Cindi's books celebrate the idea that everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and included.
Before becoming an award-winning children's author, Cindi wore many hats—including professional clown, disability advocate, and even plus-size model. Each chapter of her life has found its way into her writing, giving her stories a unique blend of humor, heart, and authenticity that has resonated with families across the country.
At this year's Fall Author Boutique, Cindi will be sharing a live reading of Ishkabibble Unafraid during our Magic Hour Family Storytime, introducing young readers to a delightfully silly story with an important message about looking beyond appearances and overcoming fear of the unknown.
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Cindi and ask her a few questions about her writing journey, the inspiration behind her books, and why she believes every child deserves stories that make them feel understood.
Tell us a little about yourself and what first inspired you to become a writer.
I have always loved words. As a child growing up in rural Alabama, there wasn’t a lot to do, so I read everything I could get my hands on. For fun, I even read the dictionary, a nursing manual my mom owned, and every label and bottle in the house. It was as if I was trying to satisfy an endless hunger for words.
Today, I’m the author of ten children’s books, a mother of two adult children, a proud Gigi, rescue dog mom, a former professional clown, and even a former plus-size model. But my writing journey began much earlier.
When I was in fifth grade, I discovered poems my dad had written to my mom. They inspired me to write one of my own about staying in school, which I entered in a competition and read before a panel of judges. Then, at age twelve, one of my poems was published in an anthology. Seeing my name in print lit a fire in me. I loved being part of that collection, but it also planted a dream that one day I would hold a book with my name on the cover.
What made you decide to write books for young readers?
In 2011, I read about a contest for aspiring children’s book authors. A few years earlier, I had written a poem about a rainbow-hued cat who loved to travel. My original idea was to write poems about her adventures and mail them to my two nieces, who were both six years old at the time, one living in Alabama and the other in Louisiana. I even sent the first poem with a stuffed cat so we could stay connected despite the distance.
When I saw the contest, I thought, “I already have a character. Now she just needs a story.”
By then, I had already spent several years as a disability advocate, so I knew exactly what I wanted that story to be about. My first book, Princess Jellibean, introduces children with and without disabilities playing together. Through simple, child-friendly language like “singing out loud or signing with happy hands” and “dancing on feet or dancing on wheels,” I wanted to show that disabilities are simply a normal part of life.
My hope has always been that understanding leads to kindness. If one child chooses friendship instead of fear, or if one act of bullying is prevented because a child sees a classmate with a disability as someone they could play with, then I’ve accomplished exactly what I set out to do.
You choose to focus on kindness and acceptance in your books. Of all the topics you could address, what made you choose those?
During my years as a professional clown, I realized something important. There were moments when I had a child’s complete attention while the adults were busy. I decided to use those moments for something meaningful. I talked with children about reading, asked about their favorite subjects, encouraged them about school, and asked what they dreamed of becoming. I wanted every child to walk away believing they mattered and that their future was full of possibilities.
When I became an author, I realized books gave me another way to have those conversations. While children are immersed in a story, they are listening. That gave me the opportunity to weave messages of kindness, acceptance, inclusion, and empathy into stories that also make them laugh and smile.
As a child, my own emotions were often dismissed. Because of that, it’s important to me that children know every feeling is valid. We may not get to choose our feelings, but we do get to choose how we respond to them. Through my characters, I explore emotions like anger, grief, fear, and loneliness, giving young readers examples of healthy ways to navigate difficult feelings.
If my books help a child feel understood, choose kindness, or make a new friend they might not have approached before, then I’ve accomplished what I hoped to do.
Where did the idea for your latest book come from?
Grandmas Rock! wasn't in my plans. After my father passed away in August 2023, I decided not to write that year so I could grieve.
Then, at a children's author event in September, the phrase "Some grandmas bake cookies..." suddenly popped into my head. I jotted it in the margin of my notes, but the idea wouldn't let go. Over the next two weeks, I wrote every chance I had. My husband, who is blind, would notice when I got unusually quiet and ask, “You’re writing, aren’t you?” He was always right.
Grandmas Rock! became one of the few rhyming books I've written. I wanted to show children that grandmothers are as unique as anyone else. Some bake cookies, but others are artists, athletes, scientists, travelers, or even skydivers. There is no single way to be a grandma.
The book also celebrates the diversity of grandmothers in every culture, appearance, ability, and lifestyle. The one thing they all share is love. My illustrator suggested every grandmother to have something visually the same. I came up with the idea of giving every grandma an American Sign Language "I love you" necklace, an idea I loved so much that I now wear one to my book signings as both a grandmother and disability advocate.
At the Fall Author Boutique, you'll be sharing your story Ishkabibble Unafraid with our young readers. Of your books, what made you choose to share that one, and what do you hope readers take away from the story?
Ishkabibble Unafraid is one of my favorite books to share with groups because it’s simply so much fun to read aloud. The playful rhyming style has often been compared to Dr. Seuss, and the story is filled with humor, surprising twists, and visual puns that children love discovering in the illustrations.
Beneath all the fun is a message that’s very important to me. The story is about a monster who is afraid of children until he meets a little boy who is afraid of monsters. Together they discover they have far more in common than they ever imagined. It’s a story about looking beyond appearances, overcoming fear of the unknown, and standing up for those who may not look like us.
There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, too. Kids love shouting “Eww!” when they find out the monster eats socks with toe jam, and parents always laugh when the little boy suggests the monster take his sister instead! Those shared moments make the story memorable.
I don’t just read my books, I perform them. That comes from my years as a professional clown. I use different voices, expressions, and dramatic pauses to bring the story to life. Watching children laugh, participate, and become completely immersed in the story is one of my favorite parts of being an author.
I know you've also enjoyed performing as a clown. What aspects of that experience have found their way into your writing?
I absolutely loved being a clown because it gave me a glimpse back into a world I had left behind as an adult. It reminded me of the wonder, delight, silliness, and pure joy that children experience every day. My clown character, Giggle Blossom, was about seven years old, so every time I put on the costume, I stepped into a child’s perspective. That changed the way I saw the world.
Before I performed professionally, I attended clown school and earned my clown certification. I was an active clown for six years, from 2010 through 2016. During that time, I performed at birthday parties, festivals, charity events, and community programs. I also created family-friendly videos on YouTube as The Virtual Party Clown, and two of my videos were featured on Comedy Central, which was exciting and unexpected.
While clowning certainly influenced my writing, my love of storytelling began long before I ever put on a red nose. Even when my son was little, I read every character with a different voice because that’s how the stories played out in my imagination. He loved story time so much that he wouldn’t let anyone else read to him. He wanted me because every character had their own personality and voice. That’s still how I experience stories today.
Like many clowns, I twisted balloons, painted faces, performed skits, and even wrote some of my own performances. But my favorite moments weren’t on stage. They were the quiet, one-on-one conversations with children. Those were the moments when I could encourage them, ask about their dreams, and talk about the importance of reading. I’ve always believed books are one of the greatest gifts we can give a child because reading unlocks imagination, knowledge, and opportunity.
As a clown, I encouraged children to read. As an author, I realized I could create the very books I hoped they would discover.
After reading Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success by Steve Harvey, I spent a lot of time reflecting on my purpose. That’s when I realized writing was where I was meant to invest my heart. I eventually hung up my clown shoes and devoted myself to writing. In my first year, I wrote seven books, and I knew I had found what I was created to do.
Even today, my years as a clown continue to influence every story I write. They remind me to embrace wonder, find humor in unexpected places, and see the world through a child’s eyes. I don’t just read my books during school visits. I perform them because that’s how I’ve always experienced stories. Whether I’m reading to one child or a room full of hundreds, my goal is the same: to make children laugh, spark their imaginations, and leave them with a story they’ll remember long after the last page is turned.
Paint a picture for us—what does a typical writing session look like? (Favorite drink, music, distractions... anything that helps you create!)
I’m a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to writing! Every book seems to have its own process. Sometimes I sit down for a focused writing session with theta binaural music playing in the background, and the words flow. Other times, a book unfolds over months as life, research, and inspiration all take their turns.
Ideas come from everywhere. I’ve dreamed entire story concepts, overheard a single sentence that sparked a character, or found inspiration in something I witnessed during an ordinary day. I keep lists of character names, chapter ideas, story concepts, and random bits of dialogue in the Notes app on my phone because I’ve learned that inspiration rarely arrives when it’s convenient.
One thing that never changes is my curiosity. I tell children all the time that curiosity is a wonderful thing. It certainly has been for me! While people say curiosity killed the cat, I’d argue it has led me down some wonderful rabbit holes. Research is one of my favorite parts of writing.
Before writing Fish Patty, I spent six months researching fish biology and careers connected with fish because I wanted every detail to be as authentic as possible. I’ll even stop what I’m doing to look up something like, “Do possums have eyelashes?” because I want the little details in my stories and illustrations to be accurate. I believe authenticity keeps readers immersed in a story, while inaccurate details can quietly pull them out of it. Children deserve stories that are both imaginative and thoughtfully researched.
You never know when one question, one conversation, or one curious thought will become your next book.
Sometimes I’m sitting at my computer page after page. Other times, I’m furiously typing into my phone because a story idea refuses to wait until I get home. That’s exactly what happened with Grandmas Rock!. Once that idea arrived, it simply would not leave me alone until I had written it.
I’ve learned not to force creativity. Some stories whisper. Others demand my attention. My job is to stay curious, pay attention, and trust the journey wherever it leads.
What is your favorite part of being a professional writer and published author?
Without question, it’s the connection.
I love when children connect with my stories, but I also treasure connecting with readers and their families at book signings, school visits, and community events. There is something so special about introducing children to my characters, watching them laugh during a story, and then welcoming returning readers who come back looking for another adventure. Knowing they want to spend more time in the worlds I’ve created is an incredible gift.
I’ve always loved words. I think words are sacred. They have the power to comfort, encourage, teach, heal, and delight. Being able to use them to create stories that make children laugh while helping them see themselves and others with greater kindness is an extraordinary privilege.
More than anything, though, I’m writing for the little girl I once was. The little girl growing up in rural Alabama who read everything she could get her hands on because books were her friends. If there’s another child somewhere who feels a little lonely, a little different, or simply needs a story that helps them feel seen, I hope one of my books becomes a friend to them, too. That’s why I write.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to aspiring authors?
The first thing I tell aspiring authors is that I truly believe everyone has at least one book inside them. If you’ve ever felt called to tell a story, listen to that feeling.
My biggest piece of advice is simply to write. Give yourself permission to write without worrying about publishing, marketing, or whether anyone else will ever read it. Don't worry if there are already ten books on the same topic. No one else has your voice, your perspective, or your way of telling the story. Just tell the story that’s on your heart. You can edit words that exist on a page. You can’t edit a blank page.
I also want writers to know that writing doesn’t have to be linear. We read books from beginning to end, but we don’t have to write them that way. If the ending comes to you first, write the ending. If you know a scene from the middle, write that scene. I call it “Frankensteining” a book together because you’re building it one piece at a time. That realization completely changed my writing process and gave me the freedom to create without feeling stuck.
I also encourage aspiring authors to educate themselves about publishing. There are wonderful paths to publication, whether you choose traditional publishing or self-publishing, but there are also predatory companies that take advantage of new authors. Learn about the industry before investing your money, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Finally, find your writing community. Organizations like the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Facebook writer groups, and local writers’ groups are filled with generous people who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences. Writing can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be.
Check out StoryStorm each January. It's a free challenge that helps you discover inspiration in the everyday world and trains you to see story ideas everywhere. Most of all, stay curious and keep writing. Every published author started with a blank page and a story they simply couldn’t keep inside anymore.
What are you working on next?
Years ago, I had a dream that I was standing in a dark room while books flew all around me. As each one passed in front of me, I could see my name on the cover. I’ve always believed those are the books I’m meant to write.
The challenge for me isn’t finding ideas. It’s deciding which one to write next! I have notebooks and pages of notes in my phone filled with story ideas, and there are characters who have lived in my imagination for years.
One project that’s especially close to my heart is How to Be My Friend, a children’s book that gently teaches disability etiquette through friendship and fun rather than rules. That idea has been waiting patiently for nearly ten years.
I’m also working on my first middle-grade novel about a young orphan who is adopted by two ghosts, and I’m collaborating with my sister on both a dystopian novel and a murder mystery. Exploring different genres has been an exciting new adventure for me.
Although I haven’t completed a new manuscript since last fall, the stories certainly haven’t stopped. They’re still filling my notebooks, my Notes app, and my imagination. I’m excited to see which one insists on being written next.
Like many authors, I’ve learned there are seasons for collecting stories and seasons for writing them. Right now, I’m carrying around more story ideas than ever, and I’m excited to discover which one insists on being written next.
You are one of eight local indie authors participating in the Fall Author Boutique in St. Augustine on September 26. What are you most looking forward to about this event?
One of my favorite things about author events is that they bring together people who love stories. I’m excited to meet new readers and families, but I’m just as excited to meet the other authors. I love hearing about their books, learning about their creative process, and celebrating their successes. There’s something special about being surrounded by people who are all chasing the same dream.
I also enjoy introducing my readers to other authors. Whenever I attend an event, I love sharing photos and highlights on social media because I want people to discover books and writers they might not have found otherwise. There’s room for all of us, and I think we become stronger when we support one another.
Of course, I’m also looking forward to discovering a few new books myself! I’ve always loved words, so spending a day surrounded by books, stories, and fellow book lovers sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day.
I’m honored to have been selected as one of the featured authors, and I can’t wait to connect with readers, families, and fellow writers at the Fall Author Boutique. I have a feeling it’s going to be a day filled with great conversations, new friendships, and plenty of stories.
Where can readers connect with you online?
Stories have brought so many wonderful people into my life, and I’d love to connect with you, too. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and on my website, where I share new books, upcoming events, and the occasional glimpse behind the scenes of my creative process. If we’ve met at an event, please don’t be a stranger. I always enjoy hearing from readers, fellow writers, teachers, and families. After all, every great story begins with a connection.
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One of the things I've loved most about putting together the Fall Author Boutique has been discovering the incredible people behind the books. Cindi Handley Goodeaux is a wonderful reminder that stories can do more than entertain—they can help children feel seen, encourage kindness, and spark conversations that last long after the final page.
If you'd like to meet Cindi in person, be sure to join us at The Fall Author Boutique: A Cozy Literary Pop-Up Experience on Saturday, September 26, from 3:00–6:00 PM at The Shanty & Co. in St. Augustine. During our Magic Hour Family Storytime, she'll be bringing Ishkabibble Unafraid to life with the same energy and enthusiasm that has delighted children for years.
After the reading, you'll have the opportunity to meet Cindi, have your books signed, and explore the work of seven other talented Florida authors representing everything from children's literature and romance to fantasy, nonfiction, and true crime.
Admission is free, so bring the whole family and come celebrate a cozy afternoon filled with stories, laughter, and the people who create them. I hope to see you there!
Author H.R. Burkett writes fiction about messy people, complicated relationships, and beautifully imperfect lives.
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