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S J Wills Women In Leadership
Name: S.J. Wills
Role: Author of books for teens
Please tell us a little bit about yourself:
From a very young age, I wanted to be an author but gave up writing when I went to university because I felt I’d never be good enough. I stopped writing for about twenty years and found an editorial job in publishing for adults. Then, while searching online for something unrelated, I saw a short story competition judged by poet and author Michael Rosen and decided to enter. I had never tried writing for children before, but I loved doing it. He picked me as a winner, which gave me the boost I needed to start writing again. My first novel came out in 2020, and my fifth— the third in the Bite Risk series—will be published early in 2025.
Why did you decide to go into your chosen field?
When you write fiction, you’re creating entire fake worlds for people to immerse themselves in for a while, and for me, there’s nothing better. I love sharing my weirdest thoughts with readers and giving them somewhere to escape into. The puzzles, challenges, and struggles of crafting a story are something I thoroughly enjoy.
What qualifications and work experience did you need to reach your current position?
I have an English degree, though you don’t necessarily need one to become a writer. For me, it was a great excuse to read and analyse books. The beauty of writing fiction is that all of your life experiences, thoughts, and dreams can be woven into it—nothing is irrelevant. I believe the best qualifications for being a writer are being interested in people, ideas, words, and the different effects they can have. I am fascinated by how a sentence can make a reader feel excited, sad, amused, happy, or even afraid.
What do you enjoy most about your job/role?
I love the sense of confidence that comes when a story is working just how I want it to, and those breakthrough moments when I finally figure out how to fix its problems. I also enjoy meeting readers and discussing stories.
Are there any obstacles you had to overcome in your career?
Rejection is a normal part of being a published author, particularly in the beginning, but it can happen later as well! Every time I write something or have an idea for a book, a lot of people at a publishing house need to be convinced it will sell enough copies. It can be a rather brutal business. When something I’ve written gets rejected, it’s heartbreaking to let go of work I’ve spent so much time and effort on. But I’ve come to appreciate that so-called failures are never wasted. I’ve learned a great deal from everything I’ve written, including the less-than-perfect pieces! Rejections have made me more resilient and determined.
Why do you think it is important to have strong female representation in your industry?
Historically, women have been under-represented in certain types of writing—there are still far more female romance novelists than military historians, for example—but the industry is changing. There is no reason to limit oneself. Women’s perspectives can enrich every genre and form of writing.
What advice would you give to those wanting to take a similar career path?
Persevere, and learn to take constructive criticism—use it to improve rather than letting it knock you back.
