Big problems for baby boomers

[Doc]

Hey all you boomers beaming in to AW, this month's Writers Digest has an article that does not say but clearly implies that the current publishing world does not have the welcome mat out for boomers. As I am a member of AARP myself, this message disheartens me. With a population surge of boomers coming into retirement, you'd think the publishers would look for the type of novel older readers would go for, and older writers can write brilliantly. That means probably less chiclit, less horror, less electronics involved plots, more problem solving detective fiction and historical fiction. Am I wrong? I have a decent resume of short stories and narrative non-fiction articles, but I can't sell a novel. Does anyone of you relate to this? Or am I whistling in the dark?

[blacbird]

I thought the only thing that mattered was the manuscript. Silly me. I guess when I get stuff rejected, they really are rejecting me, not just the book.

caw

[NeuroFizz]

Publishing is still a business, and good stories should find a home. If you are worried about it, make sure your queries and other submissions show no hints about your age. We just send them pieces of paper, right?

[Phaeal]

As I continue to have the sensibilities of a twelve to twenty year old, I don't think this will be a problem for me. ;)

[tallus83]

Everybody knows that because of their thick glasses Boomers can't read.

So why bother with books for them, besides they'll all be dead shortly.

[NeuroFizz]

Everybody knows that because of their thick glasses Boomers can't read.

So why bother with books for them, besides they'll all be dead shortly.
But first, we'll suck Social Security dry on the whippersnappers' tab, then take a few of them with us by making a right turn from the fast lane to get to that King's Table Buffet. So keep the SS payments coming while we line them up with our hood ornament sighting device...

[Mel]

What? When you get old(er) you're not suppose to like fantasy, romantic mushy stuff, science fiction, horror?

Damn. I'm screwed.

[Maryn]

What? When you get old(er) you're not suppose to like fantasy, romantic mushy stuff, science fiction, horror?

Damn. I'm screwed.I hear that doesn't happen when you get older, either.

Maryn, unable to resist

[johnnysannie]

Everybody knows that because of their thick glasses Boomers can't read.

So why bother with books for them, besides they'll all be dead shortly.

Sorry but we all plan to live for many decades, being old folks who are a drain on the system and get in your way at the supermarket, the shops, and rise up in rebellion against trash novels written by pig-headed youth;)

[johnnysannie]

Hey all you boomers beaming in to AW, this month's Writers Digest has an article that does not say but clearly implies that the current publishing world does not have the welcome mat out for boomers. As I am a member of AARP myself, this message disheartens me. With a population surge of boomers coming into retirement, you'd think the publishers would look for the type of novel older readers would go for, and older writers can write brilliantly. That means probably less chiclit, less horror, less electronics involved plots, more problem solving detective fiction and historical fiction. Am I wrong? I have a decent resume of short stories and narrative non-fiction articles, but I can't sell a novel. Does anyone of you relate to this? Or am I whistling in the dark?

As a boomer, I can relate but I don't see it as a problem. If any boomer - me or you or anyone else -writes something that is outstanding, it will find a market and a publisher will support anything that will sell books.

[a_sharp]

Hey all you boomers beaming in to AW, this month's Writers Digest has an article that does not say but clearly implies that the current publishing world does not have the welcome mat out for boomers. As I am a member of AARP myself, this message disheartens me. With a population surge of boomers coming into retirement, you'd think the publishers would look for the type of novel older readers would go for, and older writers can write brilliantly. That means probably less chiclit, less horror, less electronics involved plots, more problem solving detective fiction and historical fiction. Am I wrong? I have a decent resume of short stories and narrative non-fiction articles, but I can't sell a novel. Does anyone of you relate to this? Or am I whistling in the dark?

What do boomers really like? I'd like to see some facts based on studies, not uninformed opinions. I really can't guess either way myself. As a fellow AARP member (one only has to be 55 or older) I'm not sure the reader demographic for boomers is all that different from any other age group. But there's bound to be a majority preference somewhere in the genre spectrum.

What I do suspect is that the marketeers running publishing today are not terribly different from those running other businesses--they're too busy with the short-term picture to deal with long term prospects. There is good reason for that in this fast-paced fickle world, but the boomer bulge is going to hit soon, and the prepared few will cash in early.

[windyrdg]

The book business is much like network TV. Both industies seem to be geared toward the young. I'm convinced that all the TV and movie writers are about 12 years old. Their humor is coarse and infantile with no sublety. Right now, the older generation has most of the money and, if these people had any sense, they'd wake up to that fact and cater to the boomers. The only people who market to the 'mature' generation is the drug industry and they insult us by spending millions advertising cures for Erectile Disfunction, Dementia, Arthritis and Osteoporosis. Between that and commercials for Depends and Ensure, I've had it.

[kzmiller]

Here here windyrdg! Even critics are starting to question the tv industry's choices with headlines (in our small local paper, but I think they're mostly AP articles rather than locally written) like "Will Viewers Tune In to Spoiled Rich Kids?" and "Networks Still Catering to Adolescent Viewers." They may be getting away with it because so many households use the tv as a babysitter or simply just have it on all day and the ones sitting in front of the tv are the kids rather than the adults. I dunno. It's disgusting.

Although I question a lot of the writing choices in Lost and other programs of the more strange ilk I enjoy the fact that they're very popular. Maybe we'll see more of that someday, but for now it seems we're stuck with ridiculous sitcoms and teenage dramas. Bleh.

But wait, there's a good side! I'm never tempted to watch tv! Woot!

[Matera the Mad]

Gotta market stuff to the brat generation 'cause they grew up with the brainwash box -- easier to control brainless zombies.

So...how are they going to know that my teenage MC springs from a mature mind? :tongue

[tallus83]

His dialogue makes sense.

[a_sharp]

His interests transcend skateboards and cutting class.

[Novelhistorian]

Sorry, but I wasn't able to read this thread until I took a nap and drank my Geritol. I think if we fiftyish (and older) folk write a you-are-there novel about inventing the wheel, it'd be irresistible.

[Use Her Name]

I personally think writers hit their stride at 40 plus. Of course we are talking writers, not publishers. I know as a kid I was interested in only Sci-Fi, and Fantasy. Now I won't touch it (Except PK Dick, and some of the "Inner space" writers). I think those genres will continue to appeal mainly to young kids.

[pdr]

I have heard editors say they prefer not to touch first tme writers over sixty. Some agents, according to writer friends with one, have the same policy too.

[Ravenlocks]

Why would age even come up, especially at the initial stages? Just don't tell them how old you are. I mean, if your query letter starts out, "I recently retired and thought I'd tap out a novel," then yeah, you may be in trouble. Likewise if for some reason you cite your 40-odd years of professional experience in the field of X. But with any luck they shouldn't know how old you are until you've already got a deal. I also have trouble believing anyone would reject a potentially money-making book just because the author is of a certain age.

I can't say I'm qualified to pass judgment on the matter (well, I could, but I'd be lying), but those are my completely uninformed impressions.

[Bartholomew]

The solution, of course, is to give no hint as to your age.

[tallus83]

To make the publisher think you are younger, start your synopsis as follows:

"Dude, I got this story about a dude and he goes on a road trip, ya know, with these other dudes and. . ."

[MelodyO]

To make the publisher think you are younger, start your synopsis as follows:

"Dude, I got this story about a dude and he goes on a road trip, ya know, with these other dudes and. . ."

I know this is fake because there's not one "like" in it!!!!! :D

[C.bronco]

Hey all you boomers beaming in to AW, this month's Writers Digest has an article that does not say but clearly implies that the current publishing world does not have the welcome mat (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/welcome%20mat) out for boomers. As I am a member of AARP myself, this message disheartens me. With a population surge of boomers coming into retirement, you'd think the publishers would look for the type of novel older readers would go for, and older writers can write brilliantly. That means probably less chiclit, less horror, less electronics involved plots, more problem solving detective fiction and historical fiction. Am I wrong? I have a decent resume of short stories and narrative non-fiction articles, but I can't sell a novel. Does anyone of you relate to this? Or am I whistling in the dark?

Plbbbbgh!
My Dad started his first novel at 60. It's an excellent premise and he's done a lot of research. When he sits down and finishes it, it will rock and anyone would be silly not to publish it.

Don't worry about the trends. History shows that a good piece of writing will succeed contrary to trends.

Have a cookie, Don. Have a great weekend too.
:D

[IdiotsRUs]

I personally think writers hit their stride at 40 plus. Of course we are talking writers, not publishers. I know as a kid I was interested in only Sci-Fi, and Fantasy. Now I won't touch it (Except PK Dick, and some of the "Inner space" writers). I think those genres will continue to appeal mainly to young kids.

I'm a young kid! Huzzah! I haven't been one for *cough* years.

Wait, does that mean I get the acne back?

[Don Allen]

Lets see my book is the story of a white guy immersed in a black culture, one rejection letter said great book, too bad your not black, or we'd take it in a heart beat. One said, I used too many big words, and the people who buy books wouldn't understand it, one said I was too old to write about something like this, one said older readers wouldn't buy it because it was to raw, one said black commercial isn't selling right now, I say fuck'em all it will get published and each rejection writer will be sitting with a thumb up thier keesters wondering what they missed.... Baby boomers ; the last generation to have great sex without worrying about dying from it, the last to take one hit off a joint and know the exact location of the planet where the reefer was grown, the last to create music without a computer, the last to apprieciate the value of a 4 barrel carburator, a 4-11 rear end, and glass pac's, and the last to enjoy a McDonalds cheeseburger that was still fried on a grill while you waited instead of being microwaved and stored in a plastic slide out until you placed an order, also the last generation where a blow job was still considered sex.......

[Andre_Laurent]

I know this is fake because there's not one "like" in it!!!!! :D
Like...for real.

Aaaah, this thread makes me feel so young again....snicker....sorry boomers.

[alchemyst]

Lets see my book is the story of a white guy immersed in a black culture, one rejection letter said great book, too bad your not black, or we'd take it in a heart beat. One said, I used too many big words, and the people who buy books wouldn't understand it, one said I was too old to write about something like this, one said older readers wouldn't buy it because it was to raw, one said black commercial isn't selling right now, I say fuck'em all it will get published and each rejection writer will be sitting with a thumb up thier keesters wondering what they missed.... Baby boomers ; the last generation to have great sex without worrying about dying from it, the last to take one hit off a joint and know the exact location of the planet where the reefer was grown, the last to create music without a computer, the last to apprieciate the value of a 4 barrel carburator, a 4-11 rear end, and glass pac's, and the last to enjoy a McDonalds cheeseburger that was still fried on a grill while you waited instead of being microwaved and stored in a plastic slide out until you placed an order, also the last generation where a blow job was still considered sex.......

1.) Too bad you're not black - Did they ask you directly if you WERE black?

2.) Too many big words - Would you be prepared to edit, and 'dumb it down' if it meant a sale? Were you given this option?

3.) I was too old - Did they ask you directly WHAT your age is?

4.) Too raw for older readers - Again - would you be prepared to edit out what they see as 'raw' content, if it meant a sale? Were you given this option?

#1 & #3 sound a tad like discrimination to me - wonder how do they get away with it?

Made me think of the laws in place to protect qualified job applicants, as they (supposedly) cannot be refused based on race, creed, color etc.

Curious ...
A

[Exir]

You know, when an article dismisses an ENTIRE generation, I am bound to feel skeptical about it.

[Don Allen]

1. Oh yeah,, we talked for 10 minutes about my non-blackness.... rather tense discussion.
2. Rather not... but I'd listen if I had a serious offer.
3. Absolutly.
4 Nope,, The language, was part of the experiance, and quite frankly the story wouldn't ring true without it... Saying that, I've had some real nice reviews attesting to the realism brought by the dialog.

I don't think the discrimnation laws apply to this, too bad..