How We Published a Book

By Tamara and McKenzie Tuckson
The cover of a children's book titled McKenzie CAN Talk, written by McKenzie & Tamara Tuckson and illustrated by Katie Grayson. It features McKenzie smiling joyfully against a sparkly pink background. She wears a pink sweater, a green skirt, pink boots, and has her hair styled in afro pigtails with pink bows. Around her are various communication tools, including an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) device, symbol cards, a switch button, and a small board with "YES," "NO," "EAT," and "HEY."
Mother and daughter authors Tamara and McKenzie Tuckson shared with us about their experience publishing their first book together.

What inspired the two of you to write McKenzie CAN Talk?

Everywhere we go, people are curious about McKenzie’s journey. “Why can’t she talk?” is a question we’ve been asked countless times, and it’s one we welcome. Rather than shy away from these questions, we saw an opportunity to celebrate McKenzie’s unique voice. We wanted to create a story that answers the question and introduces the incredible world of assistive communication (AAC) devices, highlighting how they empower individuals like McKenzie. It’s a story about possibility, about finding your voice—even when it doesn’t come from vocal cords—and we hope it opens readers’ eyes to the diverse ways people communicate.

An illustrated portrait of McKenzie, a smiling little girl who has large puffy hair buns. She wears a blue shirt that says "Family" and waves at the viewer. Next to her are her parents—her father, a bearded man wearing a "Dad" shirt, and her mother, a woman with curly red hair wearing a "Mom" shirt. The text reads: “"A beautiful little African-American girl named McKenzie lives in a cozy house filled with laughter. McKenzie has a unique way of communicating, for she can't speak with words like others do."
Text reads: A beautiful little African-American girl named McKenzie lives in a cozy house filled with laughter. McKenzie has a unique way of communicating, for she can't speak with words like others do.

What do you hope comes out of the project?

McKenzie CAN Talk is more than a book—it’s a call to action. We hope it inspires a greater understanding of inclusion, resilience, and the transformative power of adapting to meet every child’s needs. When schools, teachers, and families try to truly include students like McKenzie—by embracing their differences, making small changes to accommodate their needs, and fostering empathy—the ripple effect is astounding. Inclusion doesn’t just benefit those with disabilities. It enriches everyone by teaching compassion, celebrating diversity, and reminding us that strength lies in our differences. Ultimately, we hope this book sparks conversations, builds awareness, and encourages communities to create spaces where every voice—no matter how it’s expressed—is valued.

What surprised you about the process?

Writing and publishing our first children’s book was both exhilarating and overwhelming. From choosing between traditional publishing and self-publishing to navigating the competitive world of children’s literature, we were constantly faced with new challenges. But those hurdles taught us resilience, teamwork, and a crash course in the world of publishing.

Everything shifted when we met Robbie Grayson of Traitmarker Media and his daughter, Katie, the book’s illustrator. Robbie’s guidance and Katie’s brilliant visual storytelling elevated our vision into something beyond what we could have imagined. One pivotal moment was when Robbie challenged us to reconsider the original title, Why McKenzie Can’t Talk. Katie, while working on the illustrations, pointed out that McKenzie’s story was one of empowerment, not limitation. That insight led to the title McKenzie CAN Talk, which better reflects the book's spirit. Robbie also proposed adding QR codes to each page, linking readers to real-world AAC resources—an innovation we’re incredibly proud of.

A colorful illustration of a group of children sitting at a table with plates of food and cups of juice. A girl named McKenzie, wearing a pink shirt with "Faith" on it, is using a Big Mack Switch to say a prayer. The children, with wide eyes and excited expressions, watch in awe. The text reads: “One sunny morning, McKenzie shows her cousins how she can say a prayer using a Big Mack Switch! It is a special switch that lets her speak with a tap of her finger. Her cousins are in awe, their eyes sparkling with wonder!"
Text reads: One sunny morning, McKenzie shows her cousins how she can say a prayer using a Big Mack Switch! It is a special switch that lets her speak with a tap of her finger. Her cousins are in awe, their eyes sparkling with wonder!

What did you learn about each other during the project?

The process of writing this book together deepened our bond in ways we didn’t expect. We discovered a shared love for storytelling, patience in the face of creative challenges, and a deep appreciation for each other’s strengths. McKenzie inspired me with her resilience and joy, while I learned to better advocate for her and other children with similar needs. Through this project, we both found a way to express ourselves, and that journey brought us closer together.

Katie Grayson is the book's illustrator. How did you connect with her? What was it like working with her?

Working with Katie Grayson was nothing short of magical. Each week, we eagerly anticipated her latest illustrations, and every single one exceeded our expectations. Katie’s talent lies in her ability to capture not just scenes, but emotions and nuances we didn’t even realize we wanted.

For example, Katie added details that made McKenzie’s world come alive. Without us mentioning it, she depicted McKenzie using a fan to blow out her birthday candles—something McKenzie actually does because she can’t blow them out herself. Katie also included a family karaoke session, which is a treasured tradition in our home. Every page was meticulously crafted to showcase the adaptive tools McKenzie uses, and Katie’s thoughtfulness in including these details brought so much authenticity to the story. Her creativity and dedication were pivotal in bringing McKenzie CAN Talk to life.

An illustration of McKenzie. She is wearing a white jacket with an "M" on it, light blue jeans, and purple sneakers. She holds up a picture card that says "HEY!" in bold letters. Next to her are various PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) cards with different messages like "NOT GONNA HAPPEN," "FEED ME," and "I'm Ready." The text reads: "McKenzie has a magical tool called PECS, which stands for 'Picture Exchange Communication System.' With PECS, she can choose pictures to tell stories and share her feelings. It is like painting with pictures!"
Text reads: McKenzie has a magical tool called PECS, which stands for 'Picture Exchange Communication System.' With PECS, she can choose pictures to tell stories and share her feelings. It is like painting with pictures!

What advice would you give to readers of this magazine who dream of publishing a book?

Before you begin, take the time to understand why you’re writing your book. Your “why” will carry you through the challenging moments when motivation wanes or obstacles arise. Equally important is knowing your audience—whether it’s children, educators, or parents—and tailoring your message to resonate with them.

From there, research the publishing process thoroughly. If self-publishing feels overwhelming, seek out a publisher or an expert who can guide you. We were incredibly fortunate to work with Traitmarker Media, whose experience and vision helped us realize our dream. Finally, be patient with yourself. Publishing a book is a marathon, not a sprint, but with persistence and passion, you’ll see your vision come to life.

What’s next—any new ideas or projects on the horizon for the two of you?

As McKenzie begins her school journey, we focus on inclusion in education. Our next book, McKenzie CAN Cheer, will spotlight how schools can foster an inclusive environment. We’ll dive into practical strategies—like peer mentoring, classroom adaptations, and teacher training—that create a sense of belonging for all students. The story will highlight McKenzie’s experiences, showing how inclusive education isn’t just a concept but a powerful, transformative reality.

McKenzie sits with her father, who has a beard and is wearing a dark blue shirt with "LOVE" written on it. She holds a Tobi device, which displays a message reading, "I love you! Happy Birthday!" Her father holds a cupcake and looks at her with warmth. The background is soft pink with three colorful balloons (yellow, blue, and red) floating on the right. The text reads: “McKenzie's joy knows no bounds when she uses her Tobi to wish her Papa a happy birthday and tell him she loves him. A Tobi is like a supercomputer that can read McKenzie's touch and eyes. Her heart dances happily, knowing she can share her love in many beautiful ways.”
Text reads: McKenzie's joy knows no bounds when she uses her Tobi to wish her Papa a happy birthday and tell him she loves him. A Tobi is like a supercomputer that can read McKenzie's touch and eyes. Her heart dances happily, knowing she can share her love in many beautiful ways.

Where can you purchase McKenzie CAN Talk?

McKenzie CAN Talk is available through major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and our publisher’s website at Traitmarker Media. For signed copies or bulk orders, contact Tamara at mission2advocate.com.

A photograph of Tamara Tuckson and McKenzie Tuckson, both African-American, standing together in a school hallway. Tamara, on the left, has medium brown skin, wears glasses, has shoulder-length wavy brown hair, and is dressed in a black pleated dress with decorative buttons on the sleeves. She holds a red communication button device called a Big Mack switch. McKenzie, on the right, has medium brown skin and curly black hair. She is dressed in a navy blue blazer with gold buttons, a white shirt, a red tie, and beige pants. She is smiling and holding her hands together in front of her. Both are smiling warmly at the camera.

Tamara Tuckson is a special education advocate and an IEP consultant. She is the founder and CEO of Mission2Advocate. She is also a graduate of Partners in Policymaking®. Since McKenzie's diagnosis, Tamara's purpose is to advocate for her daughter and others with exceptional needs and to ensure individuals with exceptional needs have a voice. 

McKenzie Tuckson is a fashion forward and intelligent 21-year-old. She cheered for seven years.
McKenzie is the first nonverbal Ambassador for Metro Nashville Public Schools, president of her junior and senior classes, and the co-author of "McKenzie Can Talk.