A.G. Castillo’s Story

“Trust that little voice in your head that says, “Wouldn’t it be interesting if…”; And then do it.
-Duane Michals

I grew up part of a large Hispanic family in a small, rural town in the Texas Panhandle – I am number twelve of thirteen siblings. I have six brothers and six sisters and my parents taught us at an early age the value of hard work and education. My wholesome small-town upbringing is something that I carry close to my heart.

I was a precocious child with a curious imagination and often, I would try my wonderful mother’s patience with my inquisitive nature. At an early age, asking questions, challenging parameters and thinking outside the box was something that was very innate to me. I enjoyed defying the odds and being an over-achiever.

I loved going to school. I enjoyed being around friends and learning about new things. I thrived on making good grades, being the smartest in my class and impressing the teachers. When I was ten years old, I wrote my first play called “The Bullies Who Didn’t Believe in The Easter Bunny” for my fourth-grade class. This is when my love for writing was born.

In 1991, I took a creative writing class in college and the final exam was to submit an original short story. The short story I submitted was called “Masks”. The feedback I received from my college professor was … “this would be a great first chapter to a novel…”

But I was living my best life. I was twenty years old, making new friends and enjoying the excitement and independence that college affords a young man. Writing a novel seemed impossible – so, I took the A in the class and the nice compliment and went on my way.

In 1994, I graduated with an English degree from Texas Tech University and began my career in public education. The first six years I was an English teacher and a girls basketball coach before transitioning into campus administration. I served as a high school principal before becoming a superintendent of schools for a small school district outside of San Antonio.

In 2017, I embarked in a career change and I found myself moving to a different home. As I rummaged through boxes, I came across my college short story and the note from my college professor. As I finished unpacking, a little voice in my head continued to beckon me to complete what I had started so many years ago.

Once I had settled in to my new home, I pulled out my laptop and began to outline and write the first book in the Valiente Book Series.

I have recently retired from public education and am enjoying more free time to write about the crazy stories I have in my head. When I am not traveling with my life partner, Tim, or playing with my two incorrigible dachshunds, Puppy and Penny, I am probably in front of my laptop tapping into my imagination.

I am the author of a six-book series and winner of the Firebird Award, London Book Fest Award, and International Book Award.

The Valiente Book Series:

Valiente: Courage and Consequences
Valiente: Tattoos and Temptations
Valiente: Flames and Fury
Valiente: Sins and Secrets
Valiente: Hearts and Heroes
Valiente: Embers and Echoes