Today, we’d like to introduce you to Hiroshi Sosa-Nakata.
Hi Hiroshi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hi. I’m Hiroshi Sosa-Nakata, a young author and owner of Sosa-Nakata Publishing. I started writing in elementary school and published my first book at age eleven. My series, I Saved the World and I’m Only in 4th Grade, currently has five published books, and I plan to write ten books in total. You can easily find my series on Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Rakuten Kobo. That’s not bad for a kid author.
When I speak to others about entrepreneurship, storytelling, or publishing, they seem amazed that I’ve fully committed to this journey and that I don’t intend to stop until I reach my goal of ten books in the series. I just want other kids like me to dream big and embrace what they are most passionate about. I believe anything is possible with hard work, determination, and a support system to encourage you along the way. If I, a kid author, can start my own company and publish a global book series, then truly anyone can follow their dreams. Who knows where your dreams might take you?
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Believe me, I didn’t always have the confidence I do today. If you were to tell me in second grade that my drawings and short stories would turn into an epic, out-of-this-world book series, I’m not sure I would have believed you. I remember when I first moved to Texas and felt incredibly isolated. I didn’t have any friends, and I spent lunch breaks dreaming up stories in my head. These short stories, usually a page or two, would eventually turn into my first manuscript. That process, for the first book in my series, took me three years to formulate into a rich story with diverse characters, all working together to save the world.
My books all focus on themes of friendship and diversity, something incredibly important to me. Moving to Texas at a young age, I quickly observed that everyone is proud to be Texan. That made me thoroughly consider what I was most proud of, which was my cultural background. I speak three languages, and I’ve spent multiple summers abroad with my grandparents in Japan and Mexico. These experiences have helped shape the way I see the world and created an individual who celebrates culture every chance I get. My stories include multicultural characters who work together to well…save the world. I want kids who read my book series to be proud of everything that makes them unique and read about characters that empower each other.
Lastly, I’m a huge fan of reading, but was not able to find many series actually written by kids, for kids. Most of the books I found were written by adults, and I thought there was an opportunity to create stories that I would love to read. As it turns out, kids easily relate to multicultural characters, and I’m extremely proud to contribute to this field, ultimately inspiring others to embrace their creativity as well.
These are just some of the challenges I’ve faced along the way. The truth is that we each have our own struggles to overcome, and being willing to face those challenges head-on will produce results you will forever be proud of. Challenges help shape who we are, and we wouldn’t be uniquely us without them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I tell others that I’m an award-winning children’s book author, they look at me with shock, awe, and curiosity. They usually ask questions centered around drive and determination, what it’s like to be a kid author or detailed questions about the writing and publishing process. I admit I don’t see many teen authors myself, but I’m determined to help others along the way.
Drive and determination are things that everyone has. We’re all passionate about something, or at least we start out that way. Over time, we may come to realize that our passions require a ton of effort, that there are many obstacles we must face, and that, at times, others may not believe in us. When I speak to kids about following their passion, they are inspired because they see evidence that, maybe for the first time, it is possible. It makes a world of difference to see and hear from someone like you, another kid who also had the courage to dream big.
The truth about being an award-winning teen author is that I spend ninety-nine percent of my time wrapped up in my own thoughts, journals, sketches, and countless novels. That’s the part no one sees. Only one percent of my time is spent speaking on a stage to audiences or promoting my book series. I would still be doing this even if no one was reading or buying my books. The beautiful thing is that everyone has something they are passionate about and something they devote their time to.
The last thing I hear is that they’ve never seen a kid author. That’s okay, though. It means that I’m doing something different, something worthwhile and that my effort is being recognized. I highly encourage other kids to not limit what they can achieve. You can accomplish anything you put your mind to. My series, I Saved the World, and I’m Only in 4th Grade, is proof that anything is possible if you’re willing to dream big. I can’t wait to share my story and inspire others!
What are your plans for the future?
At this stage in my life, being a sophomore in high school, I’m finding that the most important decisions I will ever make are literally right around the corner. What college will I apply to? What field will I study? What career path will I follow? The truth is that I’m not sure I have all the answers to what’s next in my life. I do have, however, confidence in my own ability and a proven track record of following my passions wherever they may take me.
In my case, my passions might include a bit of all of the things I’ve mentioned. I’m sure I’ll continue my studies, obtain professional degrees and certifications, and explore creative pursuits like the path that brought me here today. To finish my book series, I’ll have to continue to devote multiple years to the process. Stay tuned because you haven’t heard the latest part of my story yet. In fact, I’m just getting started!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sosanakatapublishing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sosanakatafamily/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SosaNakataPublishing/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sosanakatapublishing
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sosanakatafam
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/sosanakatafamily
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Hiroshi-Sosa-Nakata/author/B07TJF6B4F
