Young achievers
In a big feat for a little girl, Roxanne Downs has been crowned Guinness World Records’ Youngest Magazine Editor. Holidays with Kids decides to get some pointers from the publishing dynamo.
When did you start editing It GIRL? How old were you?
I started editing It GIRL when I was seven, just a couple of months before my eighth birthday. Then my very first issue (May 2017) came out right on my eighth birthday – 6 April!
What do you love about your job?
I love creating, putting in the pictures and choosing the fonts and colours. I also really enjoy writing and interviewing celebrities. I also love researching all the coolest trends with my friends from school, tennis and dancing.
How do you fit your job in with school?
I do all my spelling, maths and reading as soon as I get home from school so I can concentrate on the cool stuff – editing It GIRL! I then sit on my Mac or laptop and work on the magazine until about 9.30pm every night. It sounds like a lot of work, but it’s really, really fun. I love it! I work a few hours every Saturday and Sunday too, which also includes filming videos with my friends for the It GIRL Youtube Channel. It’s awesome!
What are some of the most important tasks that you do as editor?
I check all the spelling so there are no mistakes, but the most important things about any magazine are the cover, the bonus gifts and the advertising money. I ask everyone I see every day who they think is cool so that It GIRL is always on-trend. I also sit with my publisher, Tash, and go through products, TV shows and movies that are cool with my friends, so that our advertising team can speak to them about money.
How do you choose a cover?
Five days a week, as everyone knows, I go to school. I ask all my friends who’s on-trend, who’s cool and who’s not. I ask who should be on the cover and in posters. I also get loads of emails from readers about who should be on the cover, embarrassing stories, etc. I read them every night and there are some GREAT ideas!
What do you say to other kids who want to chase their dreams at such a young age?
The advice I would give them is to just give it a go. If you keep trying and always believe in it, you’ll achieve it very soon. Unless of course it is ‘I wish I had magic powers’, ‘I wish I could fly’ or ‘I wish my pet unicorn could fly me to the horizon.’ But otherwise, dream it every night and know it will come true. Follow along with Roxy and It GIRL on Facebook @itgirlmag