We recently connected with Andrew Garcia and have shared our conversation below.

Andrew, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

You know, it actually started way back in 6th grade. We had this project where we had to create a book about anything we wanted, and for some reason, I decided to write poetry. I didn’t even really know how to write poetry back then—just thought rhyming words was the whole deal. But that was the first spark. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that project planted a seed.

Over the years, I kept finding myself coming back to writing. It wasn’t always intentional, though. Ideas would just pop into my head—lines, concepts, little stories—and even if I tried to ignore them, they’d just linger. I think, in a way, I was being nudged toward writing without fully realizing it.

Then one day, it just clicked. I thought, “What if there’s even one person out there who might like this? Who might connect with it?” That’s when I started writing with more purpose—like, actually taking those ideas and shaping them into something. Eventually, I even learned how to write children’s books, which has been such a rewarding journey. Looking back, it’s wild to think that a 6th-grade poetry project kind of started it all.

Andrew, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

So, for anyone who hasn’t come across my work before, I’m Andrew Garcia—a dad, writer, actor, and storyteller at heart. My journey into the creative world started with writing poetry as a kid, which eventually grew into a passion for storytelling in all forms. Over the years, I’ve published children’s books, written screenplays, and even started my own publishing company called Amorina Publishing.

The name Amorina means “love” in Spanish, and that’s really the foundation of everything I do. I wanted to create a brand that inspires love—for storytelling, for books, and for the moments we create when we share them with others. Through Amorina Publishing, my goal is to cultivate a love for reading, especially for parents and children. My books are designed to bring families closer during storytime and to teach kids meaningful lessons in a way that sticks with them.

What sets me apart, I think, is that I bring a very personal touch to everything I create. Whether it’s writing a children’s book or writing a poem.
I’m always looking for the human connection—the story behind the story. I’m proud of my ability to take personal experiences and turn them into something that resonates with others.

One of the things I’m most proud of is starting Amorina Publishing. It was a leap of faith, but it allowed me to take control of my creative process and share stories that I believe in. For anyone following my work, I hope they see the care and heart I put into it. At the end of the day, my goal is to inspire, to connect, and to remind people of the power of storytelling—whether it’s through the pages of a book or the life lessons we pass down.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The mission driving my creative journey is to cultivate a love for reading and storytelling. Through my writing and publishing company, Amorina Publishing, my goal is to create meaningful stories that bring families closer, inspire imagination, and leave a lasting impact. I want to help parents and children build strong connections through the simple yet powerful act of sharing stories, while also encouraging readers to embrace the joy and lessons that books can bring.

At its heart, my mission is about fostering connection and showing people—of all ages—the magic that comes from turning a page and discovering something new. It’s about spreading love and inspiration one story at a time.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that rejection meant I wasn’t good enough or that my story didn’t matter. Early on, when I started putting my work out there, I experienced a great deal of rejection from publishing companies. They didn’t believe in the story or the idea the way I did. It was tough—hearing “no” over and over can make you start to question yourself and your craft.

At first, I internalized it. I let that self-doubt creep in, and for a while, it made me feel like maybe I wasn’t cut out for this. But deep down, I knew that my story mattered. I believed it had the power to connect with someone out there, even if it wasn’t for everybody. That belief kept me going, even when the rejection felt overwhelming.

I had to unlearn the idea that everyone has to believe in your work for it to be valid. That’s just not true. What I realized is that stories are like seeds—you plant them, nurture them, and trust that they’ll grow in the right soil. The right people—the ones your story is meant for—will find it and connect with it.

Looking back now, I’m so glad I trusted myself. It wasn’t easy, but pushing through the doubt and persistence paid off in ways I never imagined. And honestly, it made me appreciate the journey even more. That lesson—to let go of self-doubt and trust in my craft—has shaped me not just as a writer, but as a person.

So if there’s anything I’d pass on to someone else chasing a dream, it’s this: rejection doesn’t define your worth, and your work will reach the people it’s meant to. Keep going. You’ll be amazed at where that persistence can take you.

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