Norma Jean Ridley

About the Author: Norma Jean Ridley

(Yes, that’s her real name. No, she doesn't go by the name, Marilyn.)

Norma Jean Ridley is an unapologetically quirky, coffee-fueled, chaos-wrangling author who somehow manages to blend deep emotional truth, knee-slapping humor, and wild imagination into every single one of her books—even the ones with talking animals, malfunctioning tractors, or elderly couples arguing over thermostat settings.

A master of controlled mayhem and emotionally-rich storytelling, Norma’s work spans everything from children’s fantasy adventures (where unicorns bring Bible verses to life), to hilarious adult satire (where fashion fails and mental breakdowns are treated with sarcasm and a hot glue gun), to gut-punching grief memoirs written with such raw tenderness that readers end up laughing and crying in the same breath—and occasionally needing snacks to recover.

Her characters include chatty chickens, glitter-powered detectives, sassy grandmas, and spiritual roosters in questionable outfits. But behind the humor is a fierce heart—one that has weathered trauma, loss, and enough real-life plot twists to earn an honorary PhD in resilience. Norma writes not just to entertain, but to help others feel seen, heard, and a little less alone—even if they're currently sitting in their car wondering why they came to Target.

She was born along the banks of the Erie Canal in upstate New York and now resides in Florida, where the air is humid, the bugs are bold, and her creative ideas never stop arriving at 3:12 a.m. Her beloved Shorkie, Lucy, makes frequent appearances in her work (and also judges her fashion choices).

Norma believes in grace over guilt, laughter as medicine, and the sacred power of a perfectly timed punchline. She’s not afraid to tackle controversial topics, dig through emotional dust bunnies, or rewrite church culture with a pen dipped in truth and glitter.

So, whether you’re diving into a coloring page devotional led by a unicorn, a chapter on back seat Christians, or an illustrated ode to senior love that involves upside-down newspapers and remote control wars—know this: Norma Jean Ridley is right there with you. Laughing. Crying. Creating. And reminding you that even the messiest parts of life can become masterpieces when you give them to the right Author.