A CAPE teen will be flying the country’s flag high in the US, where she is to meet internationally renowned authors.
Hillary Geslin’s first published book, Success Comes With Effort, sold a whopping 12 million copies. The 17-year-old Grade 10 Wellington High pupil began writing at the age of 14 to express her feelings.
Now it is a passion and “calling” for the young author and she said it was also a “means to fight poverty”.
The book took six months to write and was initially written in Afrikaans but later Hillary switched to English so it would appeal to a wider audience. The book was inspired by her community and is primarily based on her life.
Having had to repeat Grade 9, Hillary became even more inspired to write.
“I was determined to get my book published.
“Failing Grade 9 was not a setback to me; instead I was more determined,” the teen recalled.
She was encouraged by her mother and her aunt, who is her manager and mentor. “My aunt always tells me ‘those who do not dare, will not win’.”
Hillary is travelling to the US next year to attend an event along with other authors, from whom she hopes to “learn a great deal”.
Her advice to other young people is “no matter where you come from you can reach the extraordinary”.
Hillary plans to work in rural areas to empower other youth.