tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post5030311992941302355..comments2023-04-29T08:19:51.746+01:00Comments on Butterflies - Rachael Dunlop's blog: Am I too old to be a new novelist?Rachael Dunlophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01867623861097641597noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-72100287262541386452013-11-15T21:51:56.783+00:002013-11-15T21:51:56.783+00:00Sorry, typo -- Vanessa's book is 'The Cowa...Sorry, typo -- Vanessa's book is 'The Coward's Tale' of course... Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-88845349356724253092013-11-15T21:49:02.587+00:002013-11-15T21:49:02.587+00:00No, no, you are not too old; forty is the new ten....No, no, you are not too old; forty is the new ten. Fact. <br /><br />If it helps at all, I'm in the same boat and behind you on the writing, so I'm definitely cheering you on! Also, at the risk of citing more examples, I wrote a <a href="http://traceyupchurch.com/2012/06/23/peaked-yet/" rel="nofollow">blog post</a> about this with a list of authors' ages. E.g. Adeline Yen Mah was older than us when she published 'Falling Leaves', and as Claire said, Vanessa Gebbie was in her fifties when her gorgeous debut 'A Cowards Tale' came out. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-2297194923043120872013-11-11T17:30:42.203+00:002013-11-11T17:30:42.203+00:00I'm with Barry (and Isabel and Mike). Despite ...I'm with Barry (and Isabel and Mike). Despite those contests for "young, new" authors, there is a level of experience that a person gains through the years that positively inform one's writing. And good agents should recognize good writing, regardless of the writer's age. Go for it! And then I can read your book.Kristin Celmshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13500899476955113983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-60093868048572119672013-11-11T16:14:08.205+00:002013-11-11T16:14:08.205+00:00Like Isabel says, I'd expect the writing is by...Like Isabel says, I'd expect the writing is by far the biggest factor for an agent, although a young, sexy author might be interesting to publishers wanting to generate press in those 'hot young talents to watch' articles that appear in the papers.<br /><br />I've been reading reviews of Hermione Lee's biography of Penelope Fitzgerald. She was nearly 60 when her first novel was published and she's now regarded as one of the greatest writers of recent times.<br />Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07565774246519564335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-49734491758805407532013-11-11T16:06:31.366+00:002013-11-11T16:06:31.366+00:00That's why it's not surprising that many y...That's why it's not surprising that many younger people with the potential to be great writers end up reluctantly choosing 'sensible day jobs' that have better odds of making a decent living. Therefore it's not surprising if people return to writing once they've achieved a measure of financial security. Not very romantic but if you look at the demographics of a typical writing group or conference or agent talk, this seems to be borne out.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07565774246519564335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-44389110002466830502013-11-11T15:34:16.424+00:002013-11-11T15:34:16.424+00:00Well, it depends on how far over 40...Well, it depends on how far over 40...Rachael Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01867623861097641597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-9967780231141408712013-11-11T15:33:36.716+00:002013-11-11T15:33:36.716+00:00Whatever age the writer, it's nigh on impossib...Whatever age the writer, it's nigh on impossible to earning a living solely from selling books. Not that that will stop me trying.Rachael Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01867623861097641597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-66893728817931942652013-11-11T15:32:18.400+00:002013-11-11T15:32:18.400+00:00It occurs to me that if I go down the normal route...It occurs to me that if I go down the normal route of submitting to agents (rather than seeking them out in person) then they won't know how old I am when they first read my work unless I tell them. I wonder if it's a conversation that's had between agents and publishers, or does it really not matter?Rachael Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01867623861097641597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-80423523186135711202013-11-11T15:29:42.826+00:002013-11-11T15:29:42.826+00:00Quite. Forty isn't even middle-aged anymore.Quite. Forty isn't even middle-aged anymore.Rachael Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01867623861097641597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-83831217588258295552013-11-11T15:26:13.696+00:002013-11-11T15:26:13.696+00:00I didn't know about the McKitterick Prize, tha...I didn't know about the McKitterick Prize, that's good to know. Perhaps someone needs to start a list of prizes for 'ripe' writers. Possibly that someone is me. <br /><br />Right, cracking on.Rachael Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01867623861097641597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-72953449710096707252013-11-11T15:23:57.330+00:002013-11-11T15:23:57.330+00:00A very cheering response, thanks Barry.A very cheering response, thanks Barry.Rachael Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01867623861097641597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-28061375899093932492013-11-11T14:29:15.467+00:002013-11-11T14:29:15.467+00:00This is a really interesting post, Rachael. Like ...This is a really interesting post, Rachael. Like you I am sometimes frustrated by competitions, awards etc which seem to make an automatic link between 'new' and 'young' where writers are concerned. However, from my brand new perspective as a 40-something first time novelist who's just signed with an agent, I can honestly say that I don't think age is a big issue - someone in their forties could have twenty if not thirty productive writing years ahead of them.<br /><br />I've recently been in contact with a number of agents most of whom were MUCH younger than me and at no point did anyone show the remotest interest in my age, nor did I bring it up (not that it would have been hard to work out). We are not too old to be new novelists and just as well, as there's nothing we can do about it! I think the bigger challenge by far is writing a really good book that agents and publishers think will sell - and that's the same for any writer. Good luck with your novel!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-34411839986923141082013-11-10T23:36:31.756+00:002013-11-10T23:36:31.756+00:00Totally agree with your point about being busy exp...Totally agree with your point about being busy experiencing life and 'doing things' that then influence your writing.<br /><br />One obvious reason why an agent or publisher would be more interested in a young writer is the simplistic idea that the sooner one starts, the more books will be produced in a career (and more money for those involved in the chain). <br /><br />But does this really hold true in a climate where young people need to come up with £50k for a deposit for an average house -- or shoebox in London. Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07565774246519564335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-64375986409938585582013-11-10T19:52:23.865+00:002013-11-10T19:52:23.865+00:00I'm working on a novel - that I started ages ...I'm working on a novel - that I started ages ago. Should it get published I'll be in my -- oh well let's just rely on that old chestnut: 60 is the new 40.Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04631254646368974136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-69585480923171539652013-11-10T19:51:58.731+00:002013-11-10T19:51:58.731+00:00That's good to hear Claire!That's good to hear Claire! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-59398025109177900892013-11-10T19:50:11.541+00:002013-11-10T19:50:11.541+00:00Oh and also, Vanessa Gebbie wrote a great blog pos...Oh and also, Vanessa Gebbie wrote a great blog post on this kind of thing I'm sure. I can't find it right now, but there's no harm in browsing her blog because it's full of great posts.Claire Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07450391828618774543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-2961485769440394652013-11-10T19:39:15.536+00:002013-11-10T19:39:15.536+00:00You'll be happy to hear that the McKitterick P...You'll be happy to hear that the McKitterick Prize is a well established Prize for a debut novel by an author over 40. Alison Moore won it last year. So there is that.<br />http://www.societyofauthors.org/mckitterick<br />It's not, perhaps, as well publicised as the Granta young writers, and all the other stuff aimed specifically at people who may not have been busy 'doing other things' (a club which I would like to join please).<br />Now crack on with it, would you, Rachael. I want to read your book.<br />Claire Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07450391828618774543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-80698500858243517472013-11-10T18:59:10.822+00:002013-11-10T18:59:10.822+00:00Over 40s are wrinklies? Ye gads!Over 40s are wrinklies? Ye gads!Cath Borehttp://www.cathbore.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-63491452154858855532013-11-10T18:55:56.938+00:002013-11-10T18:55:56.938+00:00I was into my 60s when a publisher took a chance o...I was into my 60s when a publisher took a chance on me, so be of good cheer at your youthful time of life. A kindly soul once told me that it's never too late to write a novel but it can be too early. Focus on youth and on its early success doesn't happen just in writing and it's hard to see this changing. Think how readily we praise the achievements of our own children. You're a writer, whose published novel I look forward to reading.Barry Walshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07214816669287234451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-9512799009279511422013-11-10T18:05:16.304+00:002013-11-10T18:05:16.304+00:00It IS heartfelt, and I look forward to hearing wha...It IS heartfelt, and I look forward to hearing what people think, especially agents and publishers. Not that it will in any way put me off writing the damned book, either way!Rachael Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01867623861097641597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-64869787460497737722013-11-10T18:04:02.886+00:002013-11-10T18:04:02.886+00:00Well, I have written (and published) a lot, but so...Well, I have written (and published) a lot, but so far it's all be short stories and flash. <br /><br />Competitions are a great way to have your novel read without any preconceptions from the reader - worth bearing in mind!<br /><br />Rachael Dunlophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01867623861097641597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-35009492769685023662013-11-10T18:01:41.347+00:002013-11-10T18:01:41.347+00:00I always assumed you'd written loads. I just h...I always assumed you'd written loads. I just hadn't read it. Gawd. You are right though and raise some excellent points. Where's that Over 45s Novel Prize? I had been published with magazines years ago with short stories but the sending of a novel has petrified me. Still, this year, I entered the Bridport. I have no hope of winning even a minor prize but the sending it off was good - and they have no idea how old I am...<br /><br />HxTessaTangent1https://www.blogger.com/profile/12441004564162197835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4306839904775162740.post-38120009459112987602013-11-10T17:49:09.671+00:002013-11-10T17:49:09.671+00:00This is a wonderful heartfelt post. We all have a ...This is a wonderful heartfelt post. We all have a variety of starting points and situations and I think is is arbitrary to pick out authors merely for the fact of youth. I don't understand the 30 under 30 lists and so on, surely the writing is the thing. I'm sure the quality of the book is what's important for publishers but maybe they feel they have to sell the writer too. I'm hoping like you that it won't be too late once I've written and sent out my work. I'm glad my (sorta) joke inspired you and think there's room for more debate here. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com