Debut book by teenage author 'could be' made into film

A 17-year-old student from south Wales could have her debut book turned into a film.

Beth Reeks from Newport, who writes under the name Beth Reekles, began writing online.

She posted her story chapter by chapter and found that readers liked what she wrote.

She has now signed a three book deal with a publishing company.

A subsidiary firm has now bought the film rights to her debut novel The Kissing Booth.

She says her decision to write about American high school romance came out of a need to offer the reader something different.

"When I first started writing the book I just wanted something to read without all the vampires, werewolves and fallen angels," she explains.

"I wanted to read something about high school romance. My target audience is teenagers like me."

'Hasn't quite sunk in'

The book has been optioned to be made into a movie, subject to contract.

"That would be incredible if there were a film made of it," she says.

"I always got comments when I was posting online saying, 'Oh, this is awesome. It reads like a film. It would be awesome if they made a film out of it.' It would be absolutely incredible."

Beth Reeks describes the publication of her book as "surreal".

"When the e-book came out in December that didn't feel quite real because I was so used to seeing my work online," she says.

"When it came out in paperback I was excited about it obviously but I think it still hasn't quite sunk in."

She is studying for A-levels and is hoping to go to university but says she will still continue to write. A second book, Rolling Dice, is already complete.

"It's all been a whirlwind and I'm trying to balance my schoolwork with everything. The writing isn't a problem, because I love it, it helps me relax.

"I didn't expect or imagine anything like this would happen."

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