Santa and the Ho-Ho-Ho's

Every year my publicist asks me, Jerome Ebenezer Scrooge,

to write a new Christmas story, so we can tour the country

and sign the book when it hits the bookstores during

the holiday season.

When I started as a novelist, I debuted with a book called

The Angel's Thief that was targeted at young adults.

The book wasn't a big success, so I was afraid I'd be dropped

as an author for that publisher real fast.

Instead they asked me if I had something else that they could

release during the holidays.

I sent them my Christmas story The Elf that Saved Christmas.

They loved the story and asked me if I was open to have it

released as an illustrated children's book.

I was fine with that if I could choose my own illustrator.

They agreed to it and when I gave them the illustrations of

my good old friend Charlie Bob Cratchit they were impressed.

The book got released and was an instant success.

Every book tour my publicist and I did during the holidays,

always finishes in Garden Grove so after the tour is done

I can visit my sister for Christmas.

The first copy of every Christmas book Charlie and I have

made the last five years can be found in her bookcase.

Her two kids love the stories I have written and every year

I read the latest book to them before they go to sleep.

This year is no different. I walked into my sister's house

and I was greeted by her husband, their two kids and her

when I knocked on their door on Christmas Eve.

'Uncle Scrooge!' the little rascals shouted.

I smiled and hugged both of them, shook the hand of

my brother-in-law and gave my sister a kiss on her cheek.

'I got you a present again this year,' I said to her.

She smiled when I gave her my new Christmas book.

After a few hours of fun, the kids had to go to bed.

'Will you read your new story to us, Uncle Scrooge?'

'You know I will.' I said and followed them upstairs.

When they were laying in their beds I opened the book and

started reading it to them.

Once upon a Christmas Eve, many years ago Santa and

Ms. Clause had an argument about Santa's idea of having

a rock concert after Santa's job of bringing presents to all

the kids living all around the world.

'Why do you want to play a rock concert after flying around

the world and bringing presents for 24 hours?' Ms. Clause said.

'Because I need something to do to relax after that.' was