How old were you when you published your first novel?

[dyljos]

I always thought I'd be around twenty five or so, and then life distracted me... now approaching 29 and still no novel written.

It's a bit like willing yourself to go to sleep on christmas eve as a kid..the more you will it to happen the more difficult it gets!!

How about all of you? How old were you, or how old do you aim to be?

[IrishScribbler]

I'm 23, and working on my first novel....once I'm able to write full time (starting July 1st! I'm counting down!), things will move quickly on my end, I believe.

I'm not setting any expectations of age for publication. I just want to share the story.

[alaskamatt17]

I had hoped to be published by 18, then by 21. At this rate, 25 sounds like a good age to me.

Unfortunately for me, I started right off with personalized rejection letters and have never progressed beyond that point. It seems like I'm one of those people just on the verge of being publishable, but without the necessary panache to make my stories really jive.

[victoriastrauss]

I was twenty-seven.

- Victoria

[Sheryl Nantus]

I'm 42, hitting 43 this year with my first novel.

I like to think of an aging thang, like a good wine.

or cheese.

hmm... Brie... sharp cheddar...

*wanders off, muttering to herself*

;)

[Gabriel]

I want to be published by the time I'm 23. . .that sounds achievable enough.

[PeeDee]

I always intended to have a novel published by the time I hit eighteen. Barring that, twenty-one.

These days, I'll just be glad to write something worth publishing that's novel length.

[MidnightMuse]

I'll be happy if I do it once before I die.

[ChunkyC]

Me too. Just once let me have the experience of seeing my name on the spine of a book in my local store.

I'm 51 and have been seriously trying to get published for about 5 years or so. I've written two novels, am currently working on two others, still no sale.

[farfromfearless]

I'm 28 this year - I'm hoping to publish one before I die, which according to some psychics at a recent carnie, should be between 30 and 45. I better lay off the Doritos.

[Edward G]

This post matters a great deal to me, and I will be following it closely. I am working on my first novel, and I'm 42. I'll be 43 in September, and I intend to have it ready to submit before that birthday. I will begin working on my second novel's rough draft as soon as I start the revision of my first one.

But I'm old for a first time novelist, or am I? I 've lived an extremely varied life. I've had several careers and jobs; I've lived all over the world; I've graduated from college (B.Sc. Liberal Arts), and I've lived all over the United States as well. I've been married a couple of times, and one of them has actually worked out very well. I have an adult daughter who is married and living in Cypress with her husband and two children (our grandchildren). I didn't know her as a child, but we came together a couple of years ago and started a relationship. It's been very bitter-sweet.

I've written and published non-fiction before now. I've been involved in many different hobbies and sports. My wife and I get bored easily, so we travel around all the time and participate in lots of different activities. My wife and I are also both staunch animal rights activists and deeply committed to the HSUS and whatever local Humane Society we are living by. We are also both very athletic: we jog several days a week and have for over eight years.

I think I know why so many young writers write fantasy, because they just don't have a lot of real life to draw from. I have so much suffering and joy and experience to draw on, that I'm never at a loss. I'm old, but I don't know how I could have done it well at an earlier age. By the time I'm 60, I'll have probably 30 manuscripts finished. One of them will hit.

You can see my picture, I don't look too bad for my age, so my mug can go on a dust jacket, but here's what worries me: Is there some kind of ageism that exists in publishing? Will editors consider works from older writers?

Was it more important to be young in the past when an editor might want to "groom" an author. Today, I'd be surprised if that kind of loyalty exists.

[PeeDee]

I think I know why so many young writers write fantasy, because they just don't have a lot of real life to draw from. I have so much suffering and joy and experience to draw on, that I'm never at a loss. I'm old, but I don't know how I could have done it well at an earlier age. By the time I'm 60, I'll have probably 30 manuscripts finished. One of them will hit.

By the time I was twenty, I had been in and out of the country a half a dozen times, I lived in the Carribean through a couple of hurricanes (Hugo; Andrew; they were good ones) I lived in Columbia and in most of the continental United States.

I write fantasy.

[Provrb1810meggy]

Well, GordonJerome, when you submit you never say how old you are, and once they're in love with your writing, if they somehow find out your age, it isn't like they'll not send you an offer because of it.

I hope to be a published novelist by 18.

[farfromfearless]

I think I know why so many young writers write fantasy, because they just don't have a lot of real life to draw from. I have so much suffering and joy and experience to draw on, that I'm never at a loss.

Please don't speak for me, in fact, please don't speak for the majority of the writers here who lean towards Fantasy or SF. The fact is that you don't know what many of our backgrounds are and to be quite blunt: many of us here are might very well be far more experienced in life and worldly than thou.

I for one prefer fantasy not for my lack of experience but because my experience works to develop alternate realities where I am free to explore questions I've wanted to ask. I've lived all over south-east Asia as a missionary with my family and over a good part of North America. My age is quite irrelevant, despite that I have a considerable wealth of experience to draw upon for my work.

I hope my fellow AW's here will forgive me for saying this but I'm actually quite disgusted with your "holier than thou", "more learned than thou", "more humble than thou" tone in your postings. For a Christian who expounds on the virtues of faith and godliness, you're a prime candidate for front row tickets to an all-you-can-eat humble pie contest. Eat some. Eat lots.

[DeadlyAccurate]

If you count my d20 adventures, 31. Otherwise, maybe this year (well, more realistically, the actual publication would be next year at the earliest, but the sale might come this year).

[Edward G]

By the time I was twenty, I had been in and out of the country a half a dozen times, I lived in the Carribean through a couple of hurricanes (Hugo; Andrew; they were good ones) I lived in Columbia and in most of the continental United States.

I write fantasy.

And If I go by your earlier post, you're about twenty, right?

[The Lady]

[quote=GordonJerome]
I think I know why so many young writers write fantasy, because they just don't have a lot of real life to draw from. I have so much suffering and joy and experience to draw on, that I'm never at a loss. I'm old, but I don't know how I could have done it well at an earlier age.quote]

Where did you get this notion from?

Check out successful fantasy writers. Most of them are middle aged. Some of them are damn old. Most everyone of them, being members of the human race, have suffered copious quantities.

Believe me, the portion of suffering allocated to your fellow human beings has not been diminished by you taking on board an extra big portion.

And another thing, a lot of fantasy is very spiritualy and mystically inspired. Not all of it, mind you. There is the leather clad bikini maidens elements and there too. But then there's borderline porn contemporary novels. So that about evens it up.

The above comment is typical of people who don't read fantasy but strangely feel free to comment on it, as if they've immersed themselves in it for the last decade or so.

[dyljos]

For a Christian who expounds on the virtues of faith and godliness, you're a prime candidate for front row tickets to an all-you-can-eat humble pie contest. Eat some. Eat lots.

At least he seems quite modest though!!:roll:

[Alan Yee]

Wrong. Pete's in his early thirties, I think (that damn Pete didn't officially put it in his profile).

My age is unimportant, but there's a certain demographic of young people, writers and non-writers included, who deal with real-life stuff that most people never have to worry about in their lives. Believe me, there's lots of them out there. They're just not always easy to spot. Most of them indulge in something that they're very good at; many of these people later become artists and writers, or have a hobby.

Just something to think about when making generalizations about young writers (and of course, you don't have to tell me again: I'm an exception to most of these things).

[Toothpaste]

This thread interests me because I really don't see the point of the question. Yes it is always good to set goals for yourself, but I find if you set such specific goals, published by 23, 33, 83 whatever, if for some reason you past that deadline you will feel nothing but regret. I'm an actress (as I mention far too frequently I think) and I worry about my age all the time. But this is for a very concrete reason, women in the acting world get fewer and fewer roles as they get older mainly due to their appearance.

I don't mean that we shouldn't push ourselves and have expectations, but with writing, there is so much more leeway when it comes to age. I rather enjoy that fact.

[CaroGirl]

Age is just a number. I hope to get a novel published when my work is good and ready to be published. And I also hope that's before I die.

[nevada]

F.X. Toole, author of Million Dollar Baby, contained in the book called Rope Burns, publishes his first book at the age of 70. Lots of time for everyone still.

[TrainofThought]

This post matters a great deal to me, and I will be following it closely. I am working on my first novel, and I'm 42. I'll be 43 in September, and I intend to have it ready to submit before that birthday. Wow! I was expecting you to say I'm 80.

I reached other goals before deciding to write a novel, so I haven’t put a time limit on it. :Shrug: Fifty-five sounds like a good age to publish. Actually 45 sounds better. Yeah, I'll go with 45 and if that doesn't work, before I'm in a nursing home.

[The Lady]

F.X. Toole, author of Million Dollar Baby, contained in the book called Rope Burns, publishes his first book at the age of 70. Lots of time for everyone still.

Unless you're a fantasy writer. Then you've got to do it while you're young and still know nothing. Apparently.

Oh, I know, let it go.

OK, I will.

Talking to myself.

[icerose]

My first book came out when I was 19, but it doesn't count.

Going up for round three, I hope to get it accepted before I hit twenty five, that's the end of October, but I somehow doubt it will happen before then.

I'll be happy with feature sold or book sold, either works. :D

[andracill]

Age is just a number. I hope to get a novel published when my work is good and ready to be published. And I also hope that's before I die.

Well said! :) Because I'm impatient, I also hope it will be tomorrow, he-he!

[Carlene]

I think I was 58 - or 59? I didn't even start writing until I was 38. Wrote my first book in my 50's and I agree, it's only a number.

[johnzakour]

I had my first nonfiction books published in my 30s, my first novel in my 40s.

[Memnon624]

My first book hit the shelves when I was about to turn 38 (June 1, '05 . . . my birthday is the 24th). I started it at 33. Started writing at 14. Dang, this has been a long process :)

Scott

[Edward G]

Please don't speak for me, in fact, please don't speak for the majority of the writers here who lean towards Fantasy or SF. The fact is that you don't know what many of our backgrounds are and to be quite blunt: many of us here are might very well be far more experienced in life and worldly than thou.

I didn't speak for anyone other than myself and my own opinion of things. Younger writers tend towards fantasy. I think that's fairly emprical. I never said they don't do it well. In fact, I think a younger writer may be able to do fantasy better than an older writer.


I for one prefer fantasy not for my lack of experience but because my experience works to develop alternate realities where I am free to explore questions I've wanted to ask. I've lived all over south-east Asia as a missionary with my family and over a good part of North America. My age is quite irrelevant, despite that I have a considerable wealth of experience to draw upon for my work.


I have no idea what your age is, but I think it's safe to say that if you're 20, you think you have lots of experience at age 20, but you won't think that when you're 40. Having said that, a person can be 60, and if they've lived in the same town their whole life, and maybe once took an excursion across the border to Canada, and always worked at one job, etc, the fact that they're older doesn't equate to experience.


I hope my fellow AW's here will forgive me for saying this but I'm actually quite disgusted with your "holier than thou", "more learned than thou", "more humble than thou" tone in your postings. For a Christian who expounds on the virtues of faith and godliness, you're a prime candidate for front row tickets to an all-you-can-eat humble pie contest. Eat some. Eat lots.


Well, I think if you have a problem with my "tone," then you shouldn't reply to my posts. But you can't have too big of problem with me, because you respond to just about every word I write. As for my religion, I am not a Christian. However, I do find it interesting how you condemn me for my tone and then come right out and insult me directly and act with so much hostility. I'm not complaining about that. I don't really care. I just thought it would be worth pointing out.

[Edward G]

The above comment is typical of people who don't read fantasy but strangely feel free to comment on it, as if they've immersed themselves in it for the last decade or so.


I used to play D&D a lot in Saudi Arabia.

[The Lady]

I used to play D&D a lot in Saudi Arabia.

What?

[Edward G]

I think I was 58 - or 59? I didn't even start writing until I was 38. Wrote my first book in my 50's and I agree, it's only a number.

I'm sorry if this is rude, I truly don't mean it to be, but I have to push for more information: have you actually been published? If so, who published you, and what was the experience like? I mean, did your age ever factor in? Thanks in advance for answering if you do.

[Toothpaste]

Yes, I hear the Saudis do do D & D the best.

(PS this is a friendly joke, nothing more - well I thought it was funny . . . )

[illiterwrite]

I'm 35, and my first novel's coming out this year.

[giftedrhonda]

I'm 30, and my first novel was pubbed this year. :D

[icerose]

I didn't speak for anyone other than myself and my own opinion of things. Younger writers tend towards fantasy. I think that's fairly emprical. I never said they don't do it well. In fact, I think a younger writer may be able to do fantasy better than an older writer.


Tell that to Tolkein and JK Rowlings.

[Anonymisty]

How about all of you? How old were you, or how old do you aim to be?

I'll be 44 by the time it's actually published. I started writing it when I was 35. Hopefully the next book will take a lot less time to see the light of day!

And it's fantasy. Do I fall into that "younger people write fantasy" demographic if I I say I don't FEEL 43?

*Edit: My husband just reminded me that I'm 44 now, which means the book will hit the stands when I'm 45. Wow.

[Cathy C]

Forty-two. But I only started writing when I was thirty-nine, so I'm happy with that. :)

[C.bronco]

My guess is 30 something.

[triceretops]

Two books at 34, and two books (at the present) 55.

Tri

[Saundra Julian]

I don't know yet!

[janetbellinger]

Which lifetime are we speaking of? lol

[Dave.C.Robinson]

I'm not yet published, I'm 43 and my first novel is under final review by a publisher. I submitted it at 40.

Age doesn't matter if it's a good book

[Toothpaste]

I never actually answered the question did I? Sometimes I do that. Sorry.

I will be 27.

[Saundra Julian]

As my grandmother always said when asked her age, "I'm of legal age!"

[jess b]

Yes it is always good to set goals for yourself, but I find if you set such specific goals, published by 23, 33, 83 whatever, if for some reason you past that deadline you will feel nothing but regret.

A good point, and an important thing to remember. I always sorta thought that maybe I'd be a published novelist by 30, but to be honest I spent most of my 20s doing other things, and, well, here I am, 30. No (published) novel (although I haven't done much submitting, yet). My very first short story got published this year, though, in a little journal with a tiny circulation, and, while this is rather short of my earlier goals, I'll still think of it as a milestone.

But it's easy (for me) to get caught up in the "Oh, man, the dreams I had when I was 20" mindset--which is ridiculous--and I appreciate the reminder that it's not particularly helpful!

[farfromfearless]

I used to play D&D a lot in Saudi Arabia.

Playinhg D&D and writing fantasy are two very different things. This kind of perception of fantasy is typically what lends the genre a negative stigma.

I didn't speak for anyone other than myself and my own opinion of things.



Clearly.



Younger writers tend towards fantasy. I think that's fairly emprical. I never said they don't do it well. In fact, I think a younger writer may be able to do fantasy better than an older writer.

It’s been my experience that young writers tend towards poetry and fiction rather than Fantasy. The stigma that the most education system throughout the world has placed on fantasy as a serious genre for the creative writer, tends to prevent youth from focusing their attentions in that genre as opposed to other, more mainstream genres.

I have no idea what your age is, but I think it's safe to say that if you're 20, you think you have lots of experience at age 20, but you won't think that when you're 40. Having said that, a person can be 60, and if they've lived in the same town their whole life, and maybe once took an excursion across the border to Canada, and always worked at one job, etc, the fact that they're older doesn't equate to experience.

Of course I won’t think the same in 20 years time or another 40 for that matter – I sincerely hope not at least. And again I ask: who the heck are you to comment on the quality or breadth of someone’s experience even if they’ve no more traveled than to the neighboring town, raised three pigs and own a shotgun named Besty? Have you looked at the bookshelves in Barnes & Noble lately? Everyone has their own experiences in life that are as fine and are in many ways richer than the individual who has traveled the globe. That’s truly belittling of you to think that - not to mention narrow-minded.


Age tends to be irrelevant when it comes to writers of Fantasy or are you forgetting Tolkein, his son Christoper, C.S. Lewis and a dozen other writhers who pioneered the genre. All well respected and aged. Like cheese aged.

Well, I think if you have a problem with my "tone," then you shouldn't reply to my posts. But you can't have too big of problem with me, because you respond to just about every word I write. As for my religion, I am not a Christian. However, I do find it interesting how you condemn me for my tone and then come right out and insult me directly and act with so much hostility. I'm not complaining about that. I don't really care. I just thought it would be worth pointing out.

My bad for assuming your background – whatever it is, is irrelevant here. And if I reply to your postings, it has nothing to do your background or faith, lets be clear on that; I highly doubt that many folks here are replying to your postings because of your background.


I do have an issue your tone in this particular thread, which tends to smack of condescension not to mention your penchant for making far reaching statements with out basis is annoying; and the fact that it attempts to encompass a genre with which you seem to have no clear experience, borders on ignorance.


You’re entitled to your opinions and I can respect that but please take ownership of your opinions, and not hide behind your humility or whatever it is you want to call it. My previous opinions still stand.

[PeeDee]

Stephen King lived in Main all his life, and is very proud of it. Ayuh he is. And somehow, he manages to write pretty well without wordly experiences.

No one judges anyone on their background here, not unless you hold it up and point it out. Mostly, we're jes' folks.

[OverTheHills&FarAway]

When I read The Outsiders in middle school and learned S. E. Hinton was 19 when it was published, I set that as my benchmark. I am a very jealous creature and struggled dearly with my writing, but to no avail.

Now I'm twenty and have yet to finish a novel. Oh, I've started, though. Have I started.

So I now set the bar at 21.

But can I finish my new WIP by then??? I've got nine months. I could have a baby by then, surely I can finish something as simple as a novel!

Baby. *shudder*

[maddythemad]

I'd like to get published by the time I'm 20. It used to be fifteen, but-- hey, that's only a year away! I guess, above all, I'd like to get published at some point. Before I die would be preferable. ;)

And GordonJerome, I don't write fantasy. I write about bitchy teenagers in school, which is-- surprisingly-- something I know quite a bit about.

[ORION]

My book will be published this August.
I will be 54.

[badducky]

I always think this is something people worry about unnecessarily. Sometimes I hear people talk about age and curb appeal, and both of these are just not true. Nobody ever asked me how old I was. They still haven't asked me for a picture.

The only thing that truly matters is your writing.

I started the book when I was 23, and hopped on the query-go-round at 24. I found a publisher sans agent that wanted the book when I was 25 - and then I went and got an agent immediately. I got paid for the book when I was 26. I edited the book at 27. The book won't actually be in stores until I'm 28 (April 2008).

Let's call it 27.

My process was odd for many reasons I won't go into now, but that's the age.

*hears sound of washing maching finishing cycle* Woop, gotta go. I'm packing.

[Sean D. Schaffer]

I always thought I'd be around twenty five or so, and then life distracted me... now approaching 29 and still no novel written.

It's a bit like willing yourself to go to sleep on christmas eve as a kid..the more you will it to happen the more difficult it gets!!

How about all of you? How old were you, or how old do you aim to be?


Technically, according to the law, I was published at the age of 33. However, as most of the industry does not consider a PublishAmerica book a legitimate publishing credit, I do not consider myself to have ever been really published.

I'm hoping to get published before I'm 40. I'm hoping within the next three years, to be more specific, so I should be roughly 38 if I meet my more specific goal.

[aruna]

I started my first novel when I was mid-40. I was first publ;ished (but not that novel) when I was 49. Nobody asked me, or seemed bothered by, my age.
I recentley started the query process again, at the age of 54 and again, nobody asked me age. I got several requests for full or partial manuscripts. I finally got an agent a couple decades younger than myself and neither of is is prejudiced against the other because of age.

I have to say, though, that I can't imagine what kind of books I'd have written in my 20's; I htink if I had, I'd be very ashamed of them now so I'm glad I didn't start early. Yes, even then I'd had more than average experience, especially in travelling and living abroad. But I had not yet properly processed that experience; that took several years more. So it's not so much the experience itself that counts, it's your understanding of human nature and how it works. Jane Austen's experience was very limited.

[TsukiRyoko]

I've written novel length pieces many many times, my first one around age 12-13. As for when I'd like to have a novel-length publication under my name- sometime in my 20's, the earlier the better. :D

[britlitfantw]

Well, GordonJerome, when you submit you never say how old you are, and once they're in love with your writing, if they somehow find out your age, it isn't like they'll not send you an offer because of it.

I think Meg hit very close to the mark here. One thing that can certainly be learned from the discussion in this thread is that everyone will have a different opinion, which they are obviously entitled to. However, I think you will find that no matter what age you publish at, you have nothing to worry about if your writing is quality work. There will always be some people who complain about the young squirts, like myself, getting published, and in some cases their complaint is legitimate, though I would argue moreso that the quality of the work is the problem than the age of the writer. I am inclined to think, however, that writers who publish their works later in life will have much less chance of sparking animosity or prejudice.

I shall step away from the podium now. Any second ... really, any second now. :)

[RG570]

Huh, I always thought that maybe the fact that I have a terribly boring, uneventful life and had a completely normal, uneventful childhood would be good for my writing. I mean, with such a boring life, you have to make stuff up to break the monotony.

But then what do I know? I'm only 23 and can't compete in the "who suffered the most" competition. Ah well, I'll write anyway. If I publish something before I'm ninety, I'll be happy.

[PeeDee]

But then what do I know? I'm only 23 and can't compete in the "who suffered the most" competition. Ah well, I'll write anyway. If I publish something before I'm ninety, I'll be happy.

Hey, you're young enough, maybe you could pick up some excess Teenage Angst? That should do you pretty good in the "suffering" category until you're old enough, huh?

[Dave.C.Robinson]

Huh, I always thought that maybe the fact that I have a terribly boring, uneventful life and had a completely normal, uneventful childhood would be good for my writing. I mean, with such a boring life, you have to make stuff up to break the monotony.

But then what do I know? I'm only 23 and can't compete in the "who suffered the most" competition. Ah well, I'll write anyway. If I publish something before I'm ninety, I'll be happy.

"Good writing trumps all," as I believe Miss Snark would say. Write well, and age doesn't matter. Write poorly, and age doesn't matter.

[farfromfearless]

I say when you're old enough to pee in your pants and feel shame for spoiling your Buck Rogers licensed undergarments - you're old enough to qualify for the "life suffering" and "personal humiliation" category. :D

[PeeDee]

I say when you're old enough to pee in your pants and feel shame for spoiling your Buck Rogers licensed undergarments - you're old enough to qualify for the "life suffering" and "personal humiliation" category. :D

*MY* BUck Rogers undergarments did just fine, thank you. :)

(fearless, clean out your PM inbox!)

[ShapeSphere]

I used to play D&D a lot in Saudi Arabia.
What?
He's on about Dungeons & Dragons - D&D for short. A very popular fantasy roleplaying game. Still around now. Was massive in the 80s (in the UK anyway) and everybody at my school played it. The students I mean. My teachers were too busy whinging in the staff room.

I last played it about 13 years ago, and it was good. Today if you ask a lot of people if they ever played D&D, they sort of cough, go slightly red and pretend they've never heard of it. I still look at the books now and again.

I have not published a novel yet. There's no pressure regard age IMO.

As Nevada mentioned - F.X. Toole was 70 years old. (Strange how FX Toole sounds like a software program a special effects person in the movies might use).

I know that Raymond Chandler was 50 years old when he published The Big Sleep. And a very fine first novel it was too.

[PeeDee]

When a writer publishes their first book, they are always as old as their tongue and a little older than their teeth. That's a good way to think of it.

[Dawn R]

My first novel will be published later this year. I will be fifty-six. The publisher never asked any questions about my age. It appeared to be irrelevant. I view this as the start of my writing career and hope to be still writing and being published in my seventies. Sounds like a fun way to peg out! Confessions from my Death Bed! The Memoirs of a Woman and her Walker!

[williemeikle]

I was 43 before the first novel was published ( but I've managed 4 more since then, and two more on the way this year, so by the time I'm 50 it'll be 7.... )

Willie

[aruna]

I too am puzzled at the number of people on this site who seem to be working on fantasy novels. It seems to be the dominant genre here, or is that a false impression?



It's interesting enough to take a poll. Anyone want to set it up?

[aruna]

OK, I'll set up a poll. But I;d like to get all the genres listed in advance, just so as not to leave out anything.
Here's my list so far:

Romance/Erotica
Women's
Thirller/Suspense
Mystery
Fantasy
SF
Literary
Mainstream/Contemporary
Paranormal (*)
Humor/Quirky
Christian/Spiritual
Western
Action/Adventure
Children's/YA
Horror
Historical

Anything else? I'm sure I've left out lots of genres...
(*I'm not sure if paranormal is a genre in itself, or if it is always combined with sometheing else.)
The poll will be multiple choice.

[aadams73]

Aruna, I like the idea of splitting fantasy and paranormal and giving the latter its own category. I find it weird that the two are shelved together.

[aruna]

Aruna, I like the idea of splitting fantasy and paranormal and giving the latter its own category. I find it weird that the two are shelved together.

I know little about it. It seems to be always coupled with romance or fantasy, or both. So I need advice here! There are so many sub-gernes and cross-genres that it's more difficult than I thought.

[BruceJ]

Started writing fiction at 49, first novel went into publication at 52 and it hit the bookshelves at 53. No questions from the publisher on age. The notion of "age-ism" in the writing industry didn't occur to me until I'd read a few posts in AW. It really would be interesting to hear from those who have run into it.

[imagoodgurl4]

I'm 21 and hoping to be published by the time I'm 30. It's difficult now, as I'm finishing up my final year of college in a demanding major and I won't be able to truly concentrate on my writing until September, but I'll manage. I write Thrillers/Suspense.

[rwam]

I had a goal to be published by this spring (I'm 41) so I could quit my job and write fulltime. Ha ha ha! While I think it's good to have goals, I'm also finding that it's unhealthy for me (translation: this may not apply to everyone) to become more focused on my goal than upon my writing project. Instead, I (and probably many like me) need to stay the course and focus on crafting the best novel I (we) know I (we) can. So, I encourage all of you with similar goals as myself to be persistent, patient and have faith in your gifts and passions. It's a constant battle for me to ignore "why" I want to be published or the noise of my relatives who keep asking me why it's taking so long. None of those things matter. Only the story matters and how we tell it. If we focus on writing the best story we can rather than why it's taking us so long to get published, the latter, I know, will eventually cease to be of concern to me (us).

With that said, I hope to LAND A GOOD AGENT (I'll worry about the published part later) before my 42nd birthday!

[Shadow_Ferret]

I think I know why so many young writers write fantasy, because they just don't have a lot of real life to draw from. I have so much suffering and joy and experience to draw on, that I'm never at a loss.

Did it ever occur to you that it might actually be what they enjoy reading and writing?

I'm not young and I write fantasy, always have since I read my first Conan and Tarzan stories.

As far as this topic, I started out writing short stories, I never even attempted a novel until I was in my 30s.

Didn't complete one until I was in my 40s.

[SirTimberWolf]

I'm 25 right now (just turned, yay.) I started writing my novel when I was 23 I believe (Somewhere about's there) but it's been simmering for the better part of almost 7 years or so. Though I'm ALMOST done I think it still needs a bit more polish (heh, yes, yes it does!) I'd love to get published by the time I'm 26 but to be honest, even if I don't get published, I'm still going to write the other 2 books in this series. Even if it's only in my mind. . . I can always try to re-sell the first one when I get something else published, huh? :)

[cinders23]

Don't worry about age. What is more important is how much time a person has put into their writing. People may not start writing seriously until they are older. Maybe their life situation didn't allow them to do so until then. I do think people who are 30 and older have a better chance...for reasons the twenty somethings aren't going to understand until they reach that age. Regardless, sticking with it and not giving up is the most important thing. I tend to find those who focus too much on being published find how hard it is and end up giving up.

[grommet]

I'll be 35 when my first novel hits the shelves this summer.

I remember swearing I'd be published by 30. It didn't happen:) and when thirty came and went I went into a deep funk. It's great to set goals for yourself, but if for some reason it doesn't happen on that time table, don't beat yourself up about it. It doesn't mean it won't happen, just that the time wasn't quite for it yet.

grommet

[Dawn R]

I like the idea of a poll on what we, as a group, are writing. Yes, keep fantasy and paranormal seperate. My understanding (and I could be quite wrong) is that fantasy is based on an invented world and that paranormal is within our own world but with 'strange' things happening. My story is set in the world we know, it does not contain either a vampire or a werewolf (which seem to be very popular in paranormal at present), but 'strange' things do happen. I used to call it fantasy; my publisher calls it paranormal.

[Jack_Roberts]

I'm 42, hitting 43 this year with my first novel.

I like to think of an aging thang, like a good wine.

or cheese.

hmm... Brie... sharp cheddar...

*wanders off, muttering to herself*

;)

I hope I can follow. I'll be 40 in March. Now if I could just get published!

[maestrowork]

I was about a year younger than I am now when my first book hit the shelves.

[Alan Yee]

I like the idea of a poll on what we, as a group, are writing. Yes, keep fantasy and paranormal seperate. My understanding (and I could be quite wrong) is that fantasy is based on an invented world and that paranormal is within our own world but with 'strange' things happening. My story is set in the world we know, it does not contain either a vampire or a werewolf (which seem to be very popular in paranormal at present), but 'strange' things do happen. I used to call it fantasy; my publisher calls it paranormal.

Paranormal, by that definition, is just another term for urban fantasy. My book would technically be dark urban fantasy / paranormal / supernatural horror (whatever my publisher thinks would sell better).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems paranormal is either shelved under fantasy or horror. I just see it as a sub-genre of fantasy.

Do I have to check off fantasy, paranormal, and horror?

[thepainpasses]

I'm only fifteen now, and I plan to finish this WIP in progress and polish and rewrite it until I feel it submission worthy (I'm hardly naive enough to think I can churn out a perfect novel straight out in one or two rewrites...I'm thinking plenty of massive overhauls will be in order)...so I'm shooting for somewhere around twenty, if other things in life don't get in the way, as I'm sure they will.

[farfromfearless]

I'm only fifteen now, and I plan to finish this WIP in progress and polish and rewrite it until I feel it submission worthy (I'm hardly naive enough to think I can churn out a perfect novel straight out in one or two rewrites...I'm thinking plenty of massive overhauls will be in order)...so I'm shooting for somewhere around twenty, if other things in life don't get in the way, as I'm sure they will.

The important thing is that you're writing and that you write for yourself. I don't know what it is like to be published as yet (hoping to), but I'm sure it's a really amazing feeling. Try not to burn yourself out too quickly :D

[Alan Yee]

I'm only fifteen now, and I plan to finish this WIP in progress and polish and rewrite it until I feel it submission worthy (I'm hardly naive enough to think I can churn out a perfect novel straight out in one or two rewrites...I'm thinking plenty of massive overhauls will be in order)...so I'm shooting for somewhere around twenty, if other things in life don't get in the way, as I'm sure they will.

Don't give up. I'm fifteen, and I've been hanging around these types of places since I was barely even thirteen. There's a lot of good information and resources out there that have helped me in very significant ways as I started to learn how to write better short stories, and got about 90,000 words of my novel written, with a climax and ending that will no doubt happen within a reasonable time frame.

Stick around and read all the forums. These people are very very nice (most of the time), and helpful, and some are very experienced.

And while you're here, says the guy who first came here to discuss PublishAmerica and what scum they were, check out Bewares and Background Check before it's too late. Short answer (or not): Stay far far away from PublishAmerica, money flows toward the author, never pay an agent who wants an upfront fee, a useful agent has sold books you've heard of, a good publisher has published books you've seen with your own eyes on bookstore shelves, and last but not least... stay far far away from PublishAmerica if you want your book to have a chance to be shelved in bookstores.


Okay, my usual young writer welcome speech is over. If you have any questions, or want to know where some teen writers are, I'll gladly show you around.

Welcome.

[Maprilynne]

Well, I am 25 and just signed with a great agent. I am hoping to be under contract by the time I am 26 and a book on shelves by the time I am 28. But that has very little to do with my actaul age. I just hope to be under contract within six months of getting my agent and published in two years of signing contract. I'd have the same timeline goals if I were 40 or 80 or 90.

Nonetheless, I do think it would be cool to be published in my twenties.:)

Maprilynne

[virtue_summer]

Now see, I don't get the automatic linking of fantasy with younger people. Admittedly, I'm only 23 myself right now but I've been writing my whole life, including three novels, and the one I'm currently writing is the first fantasy. Actually, I think my move toward speculative fiction shows growth, not the other way around. Fantastical elements can be a great way to explore issues, blowing them up or tweaking them in ways you couldn't if otherwise. I've read a lot of science fiction, for example, that seems to me to address social issues just as well if not better than a lot of mainstream fiction. My current novel does the same thing. It's an urban fantasy that lets me draw on my own experiences and difficult decisions that have had to be made in my family involving death. Believe me, this is not something I could have written when I was younger. As to the original thread topic, I have yet to be published and really don't care too much about actual age as long as it happens eventually and it's a good book.

[lfraser]

I'll be able to retire in about three years, and that, to me, sounds like a good time to aim for a first publication (no guessing -- I'm retiring early).

Then I can spend the following 25 years or so writing old-geezer fantasy novels. And playing D&D based RPG's.

[thethinker42]

I think I know why so many young writers write fantasy, because they just don't have a lot of real life to draw from.

I'm 26.

I've been married just over 4 years. I'm a 5th generation military wife and 3rd generation Navy wife. I have traveled to 27 states, 2 provinces, Japan, Guam, and Saipan. I've dealt with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, clinical depression, cardiac arrhythmia brought on my a prescription medication, and numerous other medical problems.

I've trained horses. I've taught fencing. I play several instruments, I am an experienced marksman, I am a deadly paintball player, and I'm a professional photographer. I've worked in a variety of fields including retail jewelry, welding/compressed gas equipment, medical monitoring equipment, and the adult film industry.

I'm on the third draft of one novel, and the first drafts of 3-4 others, plus a dozen or more in the outline stages. Half of those are fantasy.

It has NOTHING to do with life experience or lack thereof.

[pepperlandgirl]

I was 22 when I sold my first book to Liquid Silver, an epublisher, and 24 when my first book hit print.

[CaitlinK18]

I signed with my agent when I was 21 and the novel sold about 3 weeks after I turned 22.

[arainsb123]

I'm hardly naive enough to think I can churn out a perfect novel straight out in one or two rewrites...I'm thinking plenty of massive overhauls will be in order

Not necessarily. I see no reason to meander about for months or even years to rewrite. Try Holly Lisle's One Pass Revision. (A Google search should bring it up).

[Atlantis]

This post matters a great deal to me, and I will be following it closely. I am working on my first novel, and I'm 42. I'll be 43 in September, and I intend to have it ready to submit before that birthday. I will begin working on my second novel's rough draft as soon as I start the revision of my first one.

But I'm old for a first time novelist, or am I? I 've lived an extremely varied life. I've had several careers and jobs; I've lived all over the world; I've graduated from college (B.Sc. Liberal Arts), and I've lived all over the United States as well. I've been married a couple of times, and one of them has actually worked out very well. I have an adult daughter who is married and living in Cypress with her husband and two children (our grandchildren). I didn't know her as a child, but we came together a couple of years ago and started a relationship. It's been very bitter-sweet.

I've written and published non-fiction before now. I've been involved in many different hobbies and sports. My wife and I get bored easily, so we travel around all the time and participate in lots of different activities. My wife and I are also both staunch animal rights activists and deeply committed to the HSUS and whatever local Humane Society we are living by. We are also both very athletic: we jog several days a week and have for over eight years.

I think I know why so many young writers write fantasy, because they just don't have a lot of real life to draw from. I have so much suffering and joy and experience to draw on, that I'm never at a loss. I'm old, but I don't know how I could have done it well at an earlier age. By the time I'm 60, I'll have probably 30 manuscripts finished. One of them will hit.

You can see my picture, I don't look too bad for my age, so my mug can go on a dust jacket, but here's what worries me: Is there some kind of ageism that exists in publishing? Will editors consider works from older writers?

Was it more important to be young in the past when an editor might want to "groom" an author. Today, I'd be surprised if that kind of loyalty exists.

You sound like you've lived a very fascinating life. You're only 42 though. You're hardly old and it certainly isn't too late for you to begin a career in publishing. You're actually at a real prime age to do it. You've lived a little so you have experiences to draw on and are still young enough to be able to pump out quite alot of books over the next couple of decades. I've said this to young writers and I'll say it to you. It doesn't matter how old you are in publishing. You could be 12 or 78. As long as you've written a good book that is marketable and have plans to continue writing more books, no one will care what your age is. There's an Australian author called Bryce Courtney who is in his 70's and is still going strong. The fun thing about writing is there is no age where we are expected to retire. We can keep on going for as long as we like. I'm 22 and have been writing novels since I was 12. I write fantasy because I have a deep fascination with history and mythologly. I also write fantasy because I dislike "normality" which is buying a house in the suburbs, getting an office job, a car, having kids....

My idea of hell is having a mortgage. I want to travel. I want to live an adventurous life. I have a life goal to take a photograph of myself in front of all of the famous ancient monuments in the world before I die. This is why I write fantasy, because when life becomes drab and repetitive, its good to be able to have a little magic. If I can bring magic into people's lives through my stories, then I will have done my job well as an author.

[Cassiopeia]

I read this thread with a bit of interest and had to giggle quite a bit at some of the posts that seem to be frought with contention. :D

I was first published for some of my poetry back when I was just a young whipper snapper of 16 and again at 19. Though I haven't had anything since then, I have to say my life has derailed my desire to write quite often. I am now 48 and it is my hope to be published in the next year. I once read that it is speculated that you have a few different profiles of writers...though I do not recall all of them the two that stick out in my mind are:

The young brilliant writer who does really well with his/her first book and then freezes up and can't do it again or the writer who doesn't get around to publishing till later in life and are just as brilliant but might not be able to do it again.

The moral of the story...we all can be at risk for being a flash in the pan or an overnight success and then flop. Yet we continue on inspite of such daunting ideas. So it doesn't really matter how old or how young we are when we finally get published the point is to keep trying and to GET published.

I have three great kids. All have done a fair bit of writing in their time and I will say this...two of them leaned towards fantasy but then they love reading it. The other towards more image driven short stories that vividly demonstrate the frustrations of life. Myself, I write suspense with a hint of humour and romance.

I would like to say that experience doesn't have to come in travels abroad though I have done quite a bit of that but rather our experiences in actually being present in our lives and noticing the nuances that surround us make for compelling literature. While Hemmingway might have had to travel abroad and couldn't find his way to write while at home, that doesn't have to be said of every writer out there.

Just remember this my esteemed AW'ers...there is no mold that can't be broken and there are no rules that apply to all. So if you want to be published and you are 15 go for it...if you are 80 and you just have to try one more time..don't give up. And even if you never ask anyone to publish a word you have to say and writing gives you joy...then never let it go.

Casi ( I just had to get that off my fingertips) ;)

[Penguin Queen]

I have written three* novels to date. The first two are unpublisheable. The third is currently being looked at - simultaneously, long story - by an agent and a publisher.
My first book (a collection of short stories) will come out this June. (:hooray:) I will just about still be 39.

I think the age that one's first book gets published is influenced by so many factors -- how long youve been writing, what you're writing. Ive been a radio journalist since the age of 24, in my native language (German). I decided to write fiction in English rather than German in my late twenties, so spent a number of years finding my feet in another language.
Ive been through, shall we say, the school of hard knocks in my youth, so for a long time didnt have the confidence to assume someone would want to publish the fiction I'd written. (Fiction is so muhc more personal than non-fiction, for me anyway.) Ive only really seriuosly tried to get publishedfor the past few years.

I have a brilliant young friend half my age, a hugely talented writer. She's had some hard knocks herself, but is much more confident than me. She will probably be published long before her 25th birthday. Sometimes I look at her and think, if X and Y hadnt happened, that coulda been me.
But that way of thinking ultimately isnt helpful. If I'd been run over at the age of 20, I'd have been dead for teh past 19 years. If I hadn't continued to persevere and write and push and send out stuff, my first book wouldnt have been accepted.But I did, and it has.


*Edit: Six, if you count juvenalia. Wow. I'm impressed now with my productiveness! :D

Well, I think if you have a problem with my "tone," then you shouldn't reply to my posts.

That strikes me as an odd way of looking at discussions.

[NeuroFizz]

I started writing fiction at 50 and completed four novels before the first one came out this past year (my age 56). The second of these will be out this year, and the other two recently were picked up with projected publication dates in 2008 and 2009 (a two-part story). That gives me a little time (but not that much) to complete my in-progress works to keep the pipeline flowing. I have a fulfilling day job, so writing fiction is my mistress, which explains the one-a-year productivity.

[Matt]

I always thought I'd be around twenty five or so, and then life distracted me... now approaching 29 and still no novel written.

It's a bit like willing yourself to go to sleep on christmas eve as a kid..the more you will it to happen the more difficult it gets!!

How about all of you? How old were you, or how old do you aim to be?

I started my first novel when I was 17, and completed it a year later.

However, my first published book just came out three weeks ago (see below) and I am now 32. I've written several books since, but The Secret War (http://www.macmillannewwriting.com/Titles/displayPage.asp?PageTitle=Individual%20Title&BookID=33)is the first one to generate a ton of interest.

I don't think there's a right or wrong age to be published. Nor do I think being published at a young age (pre-20s) is a bad thing either. The whole idea that you must live a life to write about one is rubbish. A writer should use their imagination (it's part of the tool box) and if a child can imagine that life and do it well, then why not publish them? Similarly, a writer who gets published for the first time when they're 70+ is not past it and can write perfectly well!!

:D

[Robyn]

Honestly I never considered being published until I came across some follow readers of the same author in 2005. At their prompting I finished up my first novel and started on the road to getting published. I'm happy to say my first (of 3) novels will be getting published this year. (at age 33) I'm hoping this is the beginning of many more to come!

[AndreaGS]

I'm 24 and will be finishing the rough draft of my first (publishable, I think) novel in the next month or so. It shouldn't take me a terrible long time to revise, doing queries and synopses is going to be tough for me, so...when it comes down to it, I hope to have a book on the shelves by the time I'm 30.

I write fantasy, but I never thought it was a result of my age. I like the freedom involved, and the unique challenges my protagonists face. I don't see how having less life experience would predispose someone towards writing fantasy.

Characters in fantasy are still characters; they live with the same sorts of messy feelings and relationships that "real-world" characters do. I know when I write my characters I draw on my experiences and the experiences of the people around me to fill them out, to make their reactions to predicaments realistic and relatable. My characters suffer similar problems to people who actually exist: poverty, loss of a loved one, sickness, drug addictions, prejudices, etc.

I just don't see that younger people are drawn towards fantasy as a result of having less life experience. If there is a correlation between age and writing fantasy, I would guess the cause to be something else.

[Robyn]

Andrea I have to agree with you. Age doesn't make one predisposed to writing fantasy or not. I prefer to immerse myself in worlds that don't exist simply because that's what I enjoy. I like world building. I love the idea of magick and shape-shifting dragons and the fae. At the same time these worlds can also be just as complex if not moreso since I also have to create a structure and community that has never existed.

[Namatu]

My current WIP is an urban fantasy, but projects under revision include a thriller and a more mainstream novel. The original inference about fantasy was that it's written by authors with less life experience, but that underestimates the genre. Fantasy novels can be just as complex, multilayered, and meaningful for all that they're set in an alternate reality. Look at the <I>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</I> TV show, which was very allegorical to real life problems and events. Additionally, young in age does not always equate to young in experience or outlook or understanding.

In any event, back on topic, my first published work appeared at age... post-25. Can't remember exactly. My first "edited by" work was a year or two before that. Unfortunately, I've edited more books than I've authored, but I'm working on that. When the work is ready, it will get published. Age is irrelevant.

[Kate Thornton]

I was 45 when I wrote my first book (unpublished) and 47 when my first short story was published. That was a long time ago.

I was also 47 when I graduated from college.

[MistOfShadows]

Taaaahdaaaaaaaaa... !!!

Yup... it's me the Newbie hehheh. Just catching wind of this whole site So decided to jump in and post on this one.

You ask how old was I when I published.. or my target age to publish...?

Well here I sit at 32. Unpublished. I have 2 children's books finished. 1 Childrens Halloween picture book/ poem finished. I have 1 pathetic 5 day romance story quickly written for my husband while he fought in Kosovo... finished. Presently... I am working on my greatest piece of work, an erotic novel for those who love nautical backgrounds, natural disasters, and a steamy romance.... Did I mention thousands of Poems?

Nothing mind you.... Nothing published. .. yes.. this year I am working on that... God be with me.

My target age... I really hope to have most of it published before I turn 40. That would be a dream come true.

[Diana Hignutt]

kinda published at 38, really published at 39...

[Ms.Write]

Wrote my first novel at 32, then wrote two more in the following 15 years (women's contemporary). Published 34 short stories in the confessions field, first one published at 23.

I left the corporate workforce to spend more time writing - just turned 54. Hope to publish my first novel by 55.

[CheshireCat]

I was 23.

It was a while ago.

[Novelist in Paradise]

I've been a writer all my life, but I did other things so I wouldn't have to write, until I turned 40. Then I took it seriously, accepting at last that I was most happy when unhappily writing.

My first novel was published when I was 48.

[Namatu]

I've been a writer all my life, but I did other things so I wouldn't have to write.

Yeah, this sounds like me. When I was a little kid I used to sit on the floor with a typewritter and write stories. Then when I was in high school I tried to find something to "be" when I grew up (everybody always said I could write but never said I could "be" a writer). It wasn't until I finished college and had to get a "real" job that the light bulb went on. "Hm, I always did like to write." Nothing makes me happier. So, of course, instead of writing, I became an editor. :D

[dyljos]

hmmm, so that thread died...

[PeeDee]

I published my first novel in my late forties.

But that was my last life, so I'm not sure it counts.

[loquax]

I'm aiming for 25. On the final edit of my WIP right now, hopefully hunting for agents by this summer.

[Deadbeat 007]

I can't imagine ever having something to say that people haven't heard before. Once I manage to complete something original, then I think the age shouldn't matter.

[ebenstone]

I am still unpublished at 33. I remember the days, prior to my two college degrees, working at a grocery store full time and threatening anyone who would listen (and even those who would not) that I would be published by 26. I laugh at my naivete.

While I admire the young writers on the board, many of whom I'm sure are probably more talented than I am, I think there is a flaw in thinking "I plan on being published by age whatever." I'm not trying to sound like some "old, grizzled veteran" or the "Negative Ned" but I think we need some realism injected into this discussion. While I'm fairly confident that I will be published, I'm not counting on it or expecting it. (Okay, maybe I am...a little) I don't think in terms of age, when my writing is ready I will get published.

As for youth writing fantasy, when I was 12-17, I wrote fantasy because that is what I read for leisure. From 18-22, I wrote mostly modern fiction because it was what I was experiencing at the time. When I hit 23, things came into focus and I started writing BOTH. I think fantasy is so popular for writers at that age not because of lack of experience but a lack of perspective. Perspective is needed to turn experience into the plot, themes and motifs that make up the stories we write. Think of Christopher Paolini, self-published at 15, traditionally published at 19 and considered a derivitive hack by 21. Is that the path you want to follow? That being said, as a HS teacher I know its presumptuous of us "older" people to say things about age.

A bit of advice: keep writing but go out, live life, fall in love, get your heart broken, fight with your best friend, go to college, get kicked out, get a crappy job, get a good job, get another crappy job, get drunk, dance a little, talk to old people (not necessarily listening), then revisit your writing. Makes for some good meatiness.

[Toothpaste]

Deadbeat, I doubt you will ever be able to write about something original, there are only so many ideas out there. However you may be able to write about something in a fresh original voice.

And of course you are absolutely right, age so does not matter. Especially in the writing world!

[Gabion]

I was 27, and had a small amount of success, then dropped into a Black Hole because editors didn't like my style, so I put submissions on hold.

Clawing my way back up the slippery slope and hoping for success again!

Age isn't material, any more than it is in many walks of life, surely?

It's not just experience either. It's the ability to put experience into words, channel emotions into stories, and bring the reader along with you because you are saying something that resonates with that reader. (Or hopefully several million readers all over the world - whoo hoo - dreamland!)

[ClaudiaGray]

My first book is coming out next summer, though the exact date is not yet set. So I'll either be 37 or 38 when it happens. Can I hope for my actual birthday as the debut? Fingers crossed!

[Michael Murphy]

Perhaps more important, I read in a newspaper article a few years ago that the average length of time from when an unpublished author starts a novel to publication date is nine years. I started Try and Catch the Wind in 2000. It was published February 1, so it "only" took me seven years.

[loquax]

I suppose this question ties in to the above post - how long on average does it take for someone to finish that first published novel (including edits and rewrites)?

[johnrobison]

I "got the idea I should write a book" in 2005. I had experience with magazine articles for car magazines, but I'd never tried to write a book.

I actually sat down to write it in 2006. I rewrote it three times in the course of the year.

It was accepted for publication in January 2007

It will appear in stores September 25th, 2007, according to the Random House web site.

I will be 50 this August.

So that's the timing for me.

[janetbellinger]

You give me new hope. I started writing my novel, Tracing Raindrops in January, 2002. I still have had no offers but no longer feel all is lost.


Perhaps more important, I read in a newspaper article a few years ago that the average length of time from when an unpublished author starts a novel to publication date is nine years. I started Try and Catch the Wind in 2000. It was published February 1, so it "only" took me seven years.

[JEP]

I'm just starting to write my first book at 37, and was VERY encouraged by the fact that the first and second people to read it bust out laughing so hard they cried on the first page. At this point, writing it and seeing people's reactions to it has almost been reward enough in itself, though I'm not sure how much appeal it will have to a broader audience. I have to admit though, getting it published would be about the most awesome thing that could happen to me, whether it sells or not.

Quick question: I started writing with the intention of getting published but very shortly afterwards, ended up writing mainly just to write. Now, I'm not even considering the commercial viability of what I am doing. This happen to anyone else?

[truelyana]

I'm sure i can get one in before the time i reach 30. Five years to go...

[lfraser]

I will be 50 this August.



Perhaps there's hope for me, after all. I keep thinking I've missed the boat.

[IrishElim]

I'm 22 and I've written one short novel which I have been unable to get published.

I'm currently writing a second novel, a little more ambitious in scope this time.

I don't beleive it's likely I'll get published before I'm forty.
I've resigned myself to the idea that I'll probably pump out a novel once every two years until the day I die with little or no success in the commercial field. Unfortuneatly this attitude has meant that my career and personel life also gets put on hold.

I don't think I'll live all that long. I drink alot, I have a blood condition that weakens my brain, heart and liver. So I'll give myself another 30 years of life. One novel every 2 years means I'll have about 15 written by the time I'm dead.

Hopefully I'll have some kids with decent jobs and realistic dreams that will appreciate them.

[Dixie]

I have written a few short stories, but I never started to take writing seriously until recently. I'm working on my second WIP that I hope to submit by the end of this year if it is up to par. Im 23 now, I admit it would be nice to see my name on the spines of books at Hastings by the time I am 25. :D

[Nateskate]

This post matters a great deal to me, and I will be following it closely. I am working on my first novel, and I'm 42. I'll be 43 in September, and I intend to have it ready to submit before that birthday. I will begin working on my second novel's rough draft as soon as I start the revision of my first one.

But I'm old for a first time novelist, or am I? I 've lived an extremely varied life. I've had several careers and jobs; I've lived all over the world; I've graduated from college (B.Sc. Liberal Arts), and I've lived all over the United States as well. I've been married a couple of times, and one of them has actually worked out very well. I have an adult daughter who is married and living in Cypress with her husband and two children (our grandchildren). I didn't know her as a child, but we came together a couple of years ago and started a relationship. It's been very bitter-sweet.

I've written and published non-fiction before now. I've been involved in many different hobbies and sports. My wife and I get bored easily, so we travel around all the time and participate in lots of different activities. My wife and I are also both staunch animal rights activists and deeply committed to the HSUS and whatever local Humane Society we are living by. We are also both very athletic: we jog several days a week and have for over eight years.

I think I know why so many young writers write fantasy, because they just don't have a lot of real life to draw from. I have so much suffering and joy and experience to draw on, that I'm never at a loss. I'm old, but I don't know how I could have done it well at an earlier age. By the time I'm 60, I'll have probably 30 manuscripts finished. One of them will hit.

You can see my picture, I don't look too bad for my age, so my mug can go on a dust jacket, but here's what worries me: Is there some kind of ageism that exists in publishing? Will editors consider works from older writers?

Was it more important to be young in the past when an editor might want to "groom" an author. Today, I'd be surprised if that kind of loyalty exists.

Laughs- 42 is young! My goal is to finally be a published novelist this year. (hopes/prays/asks mom to pray) I can't remember when I started out visiting Absolute Write- but I expected to be a published novelest within months, and realized from what I was learning that I had to take apart and reconstruct my story. - not fun.

But in the mean time, I've gotten so many other things published, including poetry, magazine articles, art, photos and I have wide open doors for a bunch of writing/publishing opportunities. (Really more than I want)

Still, if you have that novelist bug, you just don't feel you can ever relax until your novel(s) are published.

Last, I'll challenge your idea about Epic Fantasy being the outcome of youth and having nothing to say. On the contrary, Tolkien and Lewis were both old when they got published and had a heckuvalot to say. Need I say more?

Nate