Meet Joshua Carranza, UAE teen who turned writer’s block into a published book at 14

Young UAE-based writer Joshua Carranza. SUPPLIED

At an age when most teens are figuring out their hobbies, Joshua Carranza was busy publishing his first book. Yep. He did it at just 14 years old. Now 18, Kris lives in Fujairah and is homeschooling under SRK Distance Education Middle East, where he has the flexibility to pursue his passion for storytelling. “To me, this book… it was more than just a hobby. It was a passion,” Joshua tells Expat Media with the thoughtful tone of someone who’s lived a few chapters ahead of the rest of us. His debut book, titled Securing Vol. 1, is a thrilling dive into the SCP universe—a community-driven world of sci-fi, mystery, and cryptids. “It’s basically a community of people writing stories and documents set in a world of monsters, cryptids and conspiracies,” he explains. His protagonist? The clever and kind Jennifer Gems, a junior researcher who may just sneak into a school one day to investigate a talking tarantula (yes, really). But Joshua journey to becoming a published author wasn’t all fantasy and flair. In fact, it started during one of the toughest moments of his life. “I was going through some ‘phase’,” he admits. “I couldn’t pull through with my projects… I felt unmotivated. I decided to drop out just after the first quarter.” It wasn’t easy, and Joshua describes it as “not a pleasant time seeing the rest of my family after that.” But instead of letting him drift, his mom stepped in like a true hero. “She hit the web and searched for an opportunity that matched my capabilities… and there she found it. Something about writing books.” And with nowhere else to go but forward, Joshua took the challenge head-on. He wrote and revised, poured months of creativity into every chapter, and when he finally held his book in his hands? “It was a lot smaller than I expected,” he laughs. “But I was proud… it felt like a weight was taken off my shoulders.” His work went on to win the Book of the Year Award at the International Authors' Summit. But his dreams stretch beyond writing. “Whether that was in books, comics, drawing artworks, animating absolute cinema or making peak music—this is just the beginning.” And to other kids in the UAE wondering if they’re too young to do something big? Joshua has one thing to say: “Just start.” PIA/Expat Media In his words: My book is Securing Vol. 1, and I published it in 2022 when I was 14 years old. To me, this book, this achievement, it was more than just a hobby, it was a passion. When I held the book, I was really proud of myself… Like a weight taken off my shoulders. I had worked myself for a year, pushing through many trials and tribulations in mind, body and soul. It was my 9th year of school when I was going through some ‘phase.’ I felt unmotivated and dropped out after the first quarter… My mom didn’t want to see me do nothing and stagnate. She searched the web and found something about writing books. Nowhere else to go, but forward after all. In my book, Jennifer Gems is the protagonist. She’s clever and kind… I can see her sneaking through vents looking for a talking tarantula or guiding lost students in school. As a teacher, I’d pay to be transferred to her class!

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