Name: Beth Reekles
Age: 18
Job Title and Description: Physics student and YA Author
College/Major: Exeter University, UK/Physics
Website: authorbethreekles.tumblr.com
Twitter Handle: @Reekles
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Beth Reekles: Iāve always liked writing, and a few years ago I started posting a young adult romance I was writing online to a platform called Wattpad. It had over 19 million reads online, and last year I was given a three-book contract by Random House publishers. Iāve gotten two books published already in the last year, The Kissing Booth and Rolling Dice, and Iām currently working on my third. Itās a bit of a whirlwind job; some days Iām swamped with the press contacting me for interviews, and sometimes Iāll have a quiet few weeks without any media coverage. Thereās definitely no typical day for me!
What is the best part of your job?
BR: I loved going to the Random House Christmas party last year and meeting other well-known childrenās authors. The TV interviews are really fun as well; Iāve been on NBC News, as well as Channel 4 News here in the UK, and I even went to a BBC studio at midnight once to do a live video feed interview to Sunrise, an Australian breakfast news program!
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What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
BR: I think aside from self-publishing my novels online, my first paid writing work was with a Canadian production company, Smokebomb. They found me on Wattpad and hired me to write a short story about a character in an app they were creating called Totally Ampād.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
BR: Itās definitely not as intimidating as it first appears. Iād looked into traditional publishing a few years ago and was pretty intimidated by the lengthy and tough process. First you have to get an agent, and then theyāll work to get you a publisher. It seemed like such a scary process, but now that Iām a published author, I think itās a wonderful industry to be involved in!
As a university student, how do you balance your schoolwork and college life with being a successful author?
BR: I think Iāve gotten used to running on seven hours of sleep at most, instead of eight or nine! My schoolwork includes a lot of hours in lectures and labs, and itās a lot of independent study too. I donāt actually have as much time to write as Iād like to, but writing is still very much something I find relaxing, so itās great to be able to work on my books when Iām taking a break from studying for a while and feel relaxed!
You were listed as one of TIMEās most influential teens of 2013 alongside inspirational young adults like Malia Obama and Malala Yousafzai. Wow! What is it like being awarded that honor?
BR: Itās absolutely incredible! I think my jaw actually dropped when I saw that I was on the same list as Malala. I ran around my flat waking people up to tell them! Iām really humbled to be part of the list, and it still seems unbelievable that Iāve achieved such an honor when this time last year, Iād only just been signed up by Random House!
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
BR: Definitely my editor, Lauren Buckland. Sheās the one who contacted me first about publishing my book, and sheās been so incredibly supportive and very accommodating of my studying alongside asking me for new books!
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What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
BR: I really like part of a quote from vlogger and scientist Hank Green: āEnjoy the ever-present game of not knowing.ā Itās particularly applicable to me, because, as I said, little more than a year ago I was still just writing for a hobby, and yet in the last 12 months, Iāve had two books published, been on several national TV news channels as well as in many national newspapers and now Iām a TIME āinfluential teenā! I never know whatās going to happen next, but Iām making sure that I really enjoy it all as I go and make the most of these experiences.Ā
Whatās next for you professionally?
BR: Iām currently working on my third book for Random House called Out of Tune. Itās another YA romance, and itās due out sometime next summer. Aside from that, Iām determined to finish my degree; I want to keep my career options for the future open.
What advice would you give to a 20-something (or someone younger!) with similar aspirations?
BR: Iād say that anyone interested in writing should definitely try posting their work to platforms like Wattpad; the community on there is so brilliant and supportive of writers, however young and however new to writing! Itās a great confidence boost to see people enjoying what you write, and itās a great opportunity to get feedback on your work. Iād advise aspiring writers to think about posting their books online if theyāre still too intimidated by the publishing world. And Iād advise them to write, write, write! After all, they say practice makes perfect!