We were lucky to catch up with Hiroshi Sosa-Nakata recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hiroshi, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Developing confidence or finding your voice takes time. I’m inspired by a deep appreciation of culture and diversity. I speak three languages, my mother was born in Japan, and my father was born in Mexico. I’ve been fortunate enough to have spent multiple summers abroad and been completely immersed in each culture. That type of experience changes the way you see the world. I remember soaking up every book I could about diverse settings, people, and places around the globe. I was especially drawn to stories about multicultural characters and unique authors. The only problem I encountered is that no matter how much time I spent at the local library or bookstore, I wasn’t able to find enough books about kids like me. I also struggled to find books written by actual kids as most children’s books are written by adults.
So, I figured I’d just create my own characters, stories, and books. That evolved into a book series, I Saved the World and I’m Only in 4th Grade!, which I am incredibly proud of and the need to create my own publishing company, Sosa-Nakata Publishing. Through my company I’ve published five books in the series so far, I’m currently working on the sixth, and I’ll keep going until I publish ten books in total!
I should say that writing and publishing my first book was the hardest. After achieving that milestone however, I knew I could achieve anything I put my mind to. There’s no stopping this teen author!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hi. I’m Hiroshi Sosa-Nakata, 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! You can easily find my book 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!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
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.
The three most important qualities I share with others relate to pride, passion, and determination. These are qualities everyone has, although some younger audiences need help embracing such qualities. 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’re seeing evidence that, maybe for the first time, it is possible. It makes a world of difference seeing and hearing 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, the determination. 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 choose to devote their time to. For me, that happens to be storytelling.
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.
Once you dream big, you’ll find there’s no going back to your former self. You’ll be proud of all that you’ve accomplished and proud of what remains to be accomplished. Take it from me, anything is possible!
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I’m lucky to have parents who celebrate the many ways that I’m unique. My mother is Japanese and my father is Mexican. Both being immigrants to this country, they have struggled in their own ways and have worked hard to ensure I’m proud of all aspects of my culture. They continue to teach me to value and appreciate those around me, regardless of where people come from, what language they speak, or the color of their skin. The result is that they have created someone who is confident, proud, and capable of accomplishing anything I put my mind to. For example, wanting to write a book series about diverse characters confronting any obstacle by working together. This is the same lesson they have taught me in my own life and I am forever grateful to them both. Their journey and their celebration and recognition of roots is something that has shaped the way I see the world and it’s made me…uniquely me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sosanakatapublishing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sosanakatafamily
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SosaNakataPublishing
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiroshi-sosa-nakata
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sosanakatafam
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/sosanakatafamily
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Hiroshi-Sosa-Nakata/author/B07TJF6B4F
