Author Introduction
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I appreciate your support for me and the Valiente Series. As this is my first blog, I want to take a moment to share with you a piece of who I am and what inspired me to write.
I was born and raised in the Texas Panhandle and lived in a little farming community near Lubbock Texas until I graduated from high school. My parents were migrant workers from South Texas who taught my twelve siblings and me the value of hard work at an early age.
My father was a hard-working man, a stern disciplinarian, and an advocate for education. He was determined that all his children complete high school and attend college. My mother was the emotional backbone of our home. She was gentle and nurturing and kind. She was a strong woman who believed in family unity and the power of prayer.
Both of my parents are no longer on this Earth, but their unconditional love truly molded me in to the person I am now, and I hope that you will be able to see that in my writing.
My journey as an author began in elementary. I was an inquisitive child with a vast imagination and I was fortunate to have an instructional setting that fostered creativity and innovation. I remember being challenged by my teachers to have a creative mind and to be original. This type of environment inspired me to write the End of Year Play in 4th and 6th grade.
As I transitioned into high school, I remember a distinct shift in the curriculum for students. There was a lack of diversity in the novels I read, making it difficult to emotionally connect with the main characters as a closeted Hispanic athlete. As I evolved into a young man, and struggled to come to terms with my sexuality, there was a lack of positive gay role models in literature.
I wrote the Valiente Series in hopes of bridging gaps that I think still exist in literature for young people. I wanted to write characters that are identifiable and likable on different levels for all young adults. I wanted to explore the Hispanic culture and write about a strong Hispanic family who fights hard, but loves harder. I wanted a brave role model for all young readers and I hope that Chente Jimenez accomplishes that.
My congratulations go out to A G CASTILLO for two beautifully written books(cant wait for the next one)! I love how he incorporates hispanic culture with an alternative lifestlye which is so common nowadays whether we want to accept it or not! I believe Chente Jimenez and A G Castillo are great role models for many !
I just read the first book. LOVED IT!! As a Latina who grew up in the Westside of San Antonio, I could relate to Chente’s family unity. I endorse this series for anyone looking for value and appreciation in family, love, diversity, reality in racism, and how to move forward in life with confidence, value and affirmation. Congratulations Andres Castillo!
Coach Castillo definitely lives out his phrase work hard and love harder! I was blessed enough to personally experience this as he was a strong mentor and life supporter for me as my coach throughout high school. I cannot wait to read this book, and I send out an abundance of congratulations to him! Love you Coach! So proud of who you are and the passion you have for bridging the gap when you see it’s needed!
What a beautiful coming of age story set in small-town America. If the purpose of the author was to give young people in the LGBT community inspiration and courage to come out, then he has succeeded. I found Chente to be the perfect role model. This is a very well written novela, which incorporates a little bit of fantasy with a whole lot of reality. Being of Hispanic decent, and having grown up in a small town, myself, I was able to relate to much of the storyline. I appreciated the bond amongst the siblings an the deep connection they shared with their mother. I thoroughly enjoyed books, one and two, and look forward to reading the other books in this series. I only hope this will not be the last.
Congratulations A.G. Castillo…much continued success!