Jump to her short fiction piece for the holidays –Santa’s Surprise Smooch! A Classic Christmas Melody Reimagined
An abundance of ideas led local entrepreneur and published author Angelina Agasi to put pen to paper at the tender age of 12. The hard work and perserverance paid off. After publishing her first book on Amazon at age 14 she is now on her fifth book.
“I’ve always been excited about new things happening in my life,” said Agasi, who shares her works on her Facebook page ARA Creations and Instagram. “One of those ideas was to start a whole business dedicated to my paintings and then for my books.”
Her books include “Paws of Love: Dogs,” “Paws of Love: Cats,” “Paws of Love: Rabbits.” and “Paws of Love: Tortoises.” Her fifth and final book of the “Paws of Love: Children’s Series” is in the editing stage and will be available soon.
The idea came to her as her bedroom walls and that of her family’s home in Henderson were running out of room for her fresh creations.
“I had so many paintings, and people had complimented on them, I realized I could try to sell them,” she said of her animal and nature paintings.
Sell they did. Her family packed up her 100+ paintings and set up booths at local craft and young entrepreneur fairs, such as the VKZ Kidpreneur Monthly Market.
“My first market was a sad case of ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again’,” she said. “I didn’t sell any paintings and I only sold one book. I was so discouraged but another vendor told me, ‘You have to take risks in business’, so I decided to try again. Sure enough, at my next market, I sold around six books and six paintings, and I call that success!”
From Artist to Author
Her books began as lists to quell her imagination that ran wild with possibilities.
“It turns out I’ve been writing outlines all along,” she said of her first foray into putting a book together with a solid story arch, start to finish. “I used one of the outlines that I had written to start writing a book. I’ve always done a lot of research for animals, so I had an idea to write about how to take care of them. I started writing the educational portions of the books.”
She was inspired by the traditional outline of a YA-friendly how-to book. But her entrepreneurial side took her writing process in a different direction.
“I had always thought it’s kind of boring reading about educational stuff,” Angelina said. “I love fiction, and I feel I’m best at writing fictional stories. So, I decided to put a fictional twist into the educational book so that it would be about kids getting the pet that the book is about. That way it’s more relatable for children.”
Honing Her Craft
The first book was a quick trip and took only five days to write! However, she learned that being an author isn’t just about putting the idea out into the world. It’s about fine-tuning the details and flushing out characters.
“It took much longer to edit,” she said, with the sigh of a seasoned published author. “It’s the writing that seems simple. It’s the editing that’s hard.”
Despite the rapid flow of words for each book, Angelina has struggled with putting pen to paper.
“Writer’s block has always been a challenge for me,” she said. “I’m constantly thinking about book ideas, including character details or simply good dialogue. So, thinking of ideas has always come easy, but the problem is having the motivation to keep writing that (particular) book.”
As she’s humming along, steering one book from rough draft to final edit, the other ideas are filling the backseat, bursting over the backseat to helm the wheel.
“To overcome that challenge, I take a break, because my mind is going to keep on running whether I like it or not,” she said. “I might as well step back, let all the ideas come through. Then I can go back to the story that I’m writing and finish it.”
How This Las Vegas Teen Got Published
Once the first book was to her liking, with much help from her professional copyeditor mom, and the second one already started, she set out to do what she does best – research. They looked into self-publishing in print and digital mediums.
“Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing was the best option for us,” she said. “To market it, I am using Facebook, and at the markets that I go to.”
The local markets have helped her overcome any anxious feelings about talking to strangers about her beloved characters and books. She has also become a bit of a marketing pro. Guests to her inviting and elaborate display at markets are handed a bookmark with a QR code on the back that takes them to her Amazon link.
“So, if they don’t buy there, they might buy later,” she said.
She is contemplating her future with care, considering her options. She knows now that with research and hard work, she can accomplish anything she dreams up.
“I would love to teach online painting classes in the future,” she said. “As for my books, I have a dream of becoming a bestselling author by the age of 20. I believe that dream can come true if I keep on working hard and I keep on doing what I love. I also have a goal of writing 30 books before I turn 30.”
Advice from a Successful Kidpreneur
People ask, can a 14-year-old be an author? Can an elementary-school aged child start a business based on their interests? Her answer? Yes! Kids with a little ambition and drive can learn a lot by starting their own business.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Don’t stop at the first sign of boredom or let frustration impede your progress, both of which are bound to be a part of the process.
“You absolutely will face some difficult times and obstacles,” she said. “But you just must keep your head up. Never give up when you face something difficult. Then try again until your dreams come true. Because you truly can do anything you set your mind to.”
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Santa’s Surprise Smooch! A Classic Christmas Melody Reimagined
by Angelina Agasi
Young Suzie was bursting with excitement on Christmas Eve, unable to sleep as she imagined the presents waiting for her under the tree. Her entire body shook with joy and anticipation. She couldn’t stop thinking of what she would find under the tree in the morning. As Suzie’s parents walked into her bedroom, she looked up at them and squealed as she threw her hands up above her head, “Eek! I’m so excited!”
“We know you are,” Daddy said, smiling. His mouth was so wide, most of his teeth were visible.
Mommy pinched Suzie’s cheeks, then kissed her on one side. “Goodnight, Sweetheart. I love you.”
“And so do I.” Daddy gave her a kiss.
“I love you, too.” Suzie wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. Mommy flipped the light switch and Suzie’s bedroom lights flickered until the entire space became dim. At least her reindeer night light was turned on.
Now that her parents were gone, Suzie could finally put her plan into action. She waited a few minutes, then heard a thump from outside. It’s time! Every year, Suzie heard a thump outside that had to have been from Santa’s reindeer landing on the roof. She would always try to see Santa flying away from the view of her bedroom window, but she never saw him. This year, Suzie was going to catch Santa in the act.
Suzie got out of bed, then quietly tiptoed out of her door into the hallway. She could hear the gentle sound of Christmas music. Baby, It’s Cold Outside was playing. Then Suzie heard a quiet “Ho Ho Ho” in the living room. She gasped in disbelief and covered her mouth, trying to keep the noise from coming out. Santa’s in my house?! Suzie was astonished at the thought. She knew Santa was inside and now she had to catch him. Maybe then he would let her ask him about the North Pole.
Suzie snuck down the stairs, as quietly as a mouse. She smelled gingerbread from Mommy’s favorite Christmas candle. The further she got, the richer the scent became.
Santa was putting presents under the tree – she could hear the screeching sound of wrapping paper scraping against the tree branches. To her, it sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard.
Suzie took a few deep breaths, ready to take a peek at Santa Claus. Just as she was about to turn the corner, Suzie heard a woman chanting, “Ho Ho Ho.” Mommy? Suzie peeked her head around the wall and saw Mommy hugging Santa Claus. Did Mommy know Santa and not tell her? If Santa was Mommy’s friend, Suzie would have already met him, wouldn’t she? Mommy pulled Santa’s beard down slightly. Suzie couldn’t believe her eyes. Santa’s beard is fake?
Suzie’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened as she watched Mommy – kiss Santa! She gasped and this time the sound definitely came out. How could Mommy have done that? Daddy would be so mad. Mommy and Santa turned around. “Suzanne, what are you doing down here?” Mommy scolded.
“I saw you,” Suzie exclaimed, still in disbelief.
“Yes, obviously. You’re down here, aren’t you?”
“No, I saw you,” Suzie stressed.
“Saw what?” Mommy had her hands on her hips.
“You and Santa. You were…” Suzie leaned forward and whispered in Mommy’s ear, “kissing.”
Mommy’s jaw dropped, and she rubbed her forehead in frustration. Santa laughed. What kind of joy could Santa possibly have gotten from this?
“I think we should tell her.” Mommy looked back at Santa.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice sounding awfully familiar. He wore the classic red and white suit. He was definitely Santa Claus.
“Yes,” Mommy insisted. Santa nodded and removed his beard. Daddy smiled at Suzie and shrugged.
Suzie’s jaw dropped. “Daddy? You’re Santa? Why didn’t you tell me? I’ve gotta tell all my friends that my daddy is Santa Claus!”
Her parents looked at each other and sighed. “Sweetie, we have something to tell you.”
Suzie looked at them with utter confusion. “Okay…”
“Well, Sweetie… Santa… and the elves… and the flying reindeer… and the North Pole…”
For the next twenty minutes, Mommy and Daddy explained everything. She didn’t fully understand all that was being said, but she tried her best to listen intently and follow along. She was overwhelmed with emotions. Her heart hurt in some ways and fluttered in others. She was consumed with curiosity and questions. How could her parents lie to her? Why didn’t they tell her sooner? How would she be able to keep this secret from her friends?
Now, they sat in dead silence in the living room as Suzie kept trying to wrap her head around the secret she had just learned. All of it was so… unbelievable. Her body was encompassed with goosebumps. She still had questions, but it was late, and tomorrow was Christmas. Her questions would have to wait…