We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alliah L. Agostini a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alliah L., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?

I published my first book when I was 39. I didn’t give writing books a serious thought until about a couple of years prior, because I didn’t identify myself as a writer, and I knew nothing about the process of getting published. But I enjoyed writing, and it came naturally to me, I had ideas for books, and I finally had one book idea that wouldn’t leave me alone. So I decided to fumble in the dark and start doing research about how to bring this book, and some others to life.

I came to this point a bit before the pandemic, after a point in time where our family had experienced a few significant losses. Shortly after, the pandemic began. There was nothing like being faced with epic loss to remind me I have one life to live, and I should spend as much of that time doing what truly counts and brings me fulfillment and joy.

However romantic this notion, publishing is not for the faint of heart. You face a *lot* of no’s before (or IF) you get to yes, and it requires a pretty thick skin. Frankly, I didn’t have that earlier in my life. I didn’t respond well to perceived failure and rejection. But I was so compelled to figure out this publishing journey that I persisted- I’ve learned that a no isn’t a dead-end. I’ve developed a stronger sense of confidence and resilience. I’ve also been much more receptive to feedback- whether I implement it or not (that too, is a choice!). I also have a clearer sense of what I want out of this journey.

So, no- I don’t wish I started at a different time. I started exactly when I needed to.

Alliah L., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the author of a dozen books for children. As of this interview, four are out in the world, six are releasing over the next nine months, and two others are under contract! My work focuses on elevating the stories of Black children and families, and is a mixture of fiction, non-fiction, rhyming verse, and prose. I am a mother of young children, and of both African-American and Caribbean (Guyanese) descent, so many of my books focus on modern families (hopefully with some relatable insights!) and center both truth and joy.

My best known books are likely my non-fiction books about Juneteenth – The Juneteenth Story and The Juneteenth Cookbook, written to tell the story about the Juneteenth holiday and to share a resource of activities for families and educators to share to learn and celebrate the holiday. These books were featured in Oprah Daily (Unrelated, I also wrote a Little Golden Book about Ms. Winfrey!), Essence.com, the Washington Post, on TODAY with Hoda + Jenna, and more.

However, much of my work is fiction, and I especially love telling rhythmic, relatable stories about children being children. As a mom, a Black mom, I believe it is vital that people see Black children as *children*- not threats. Whether they are shy but talented like Shane, the Jamaican-American protagonist of Junior Library Guild Selection book, BIG TUNE, ambitious with slightly misplaced energy, like Malia, the sparkling protagonist of Great Idea Malia!, or filled with mixed emotions and quiet courage like Afua, of one of my Spring ‘25 books, Scarecited on the First Day of School, my heart and intention is directed at humanizing and elevating our children’s experiences so they see themselves and so others truly see them, too.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I often tell people who follow me on social media that they are only seeing the highlight reel of my journey. While they may see I have a slew of books coming out now, or may know that I had a two-book deal as my first deal, they don’t realize that it took several manuscript submissions and a year and a half to finally approve the second book in that deal. It was difficult – and I was filled with imposter syndrome – was that first book just a flash in the pan?

I kept writing and submitting because I knew something would eventually hit – besides, contractually I needed it to! But it was during this point that I felt the value of being a prolific writer, something which had occasionally felt distracting. I have dozens of manuscripts floating around in the cloud.

Recently I heard someone say ‘creativity is not a finite resource’ – and it’s true. It’s like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. When we settled on the second book, I knew it was special – it integrates elements of the manuscript that nagged me to pursue kidlit (but I never put on submission- it wasn’t ready) and speaks to something that my inner child and so many others will (hopefully) relate to.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love creating art that imitates life – it heals and it fortifies people. It’s powerful. There’s nothing like going from that a-ha moment, when I think of a relatable concept or insight or character, and evolving it from a rough few sentences into a beautifully illustrated book that makes kids nod in recognition and has parents, teachers, and grandparents say – I wish I had that book growing up, but I’m glad this generation has it now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alliahagostini.com
• Instagram: @alliago

Image Credits

Paul Chinnery Photography