I know you’ve got a book in you. How do I know this? Having published over 15 books myself, I’m a magnet for not only the subject matter of authorship, but hearing about my conversation partners’ aspirations along these lines. Here’s what I’ve learned. I’ve rarely met a women 50+ who didn’t have a great story to tell, or the urge to write it.
It is not surprising that VibrantNation.com itself is becoming a center for publishing-related content. Publishers like Hyperion Books, who recognize that women 50+ purchase more than their fair share of books, are attracted to the site as a way to reach the critical mass of female readers in the demographic who are congregating on our site.
What is ironic (and unfortunate) is that the percentage of titles that are actually published by women authors of the Boomer generation for women in their own cohort is shrinking–even proportionately to the downsizing of the recession-eroded title pool–overall. In other words, there are a whole bunch of outstanding women 50+ editors and agents who love the work we’re producing, who have published us consistently over the past two, three or even more decades and who recognize good, important manuscripts not only written for but by the demographic, itself. And still, they are increasingly challenged getting manuscripts by women 50+ into print.
The crux of the issue is that while Boomer women are the largest consumers of books, overall, their purchases are diffused across their broad array of interests, tastes and passions. (In case you doubt this, take a good look at the variety of subjects covered by VibrantNation.com on any given day.) There have only been a handful of books directed specifically at this market that have delivered the kind of mega- numbers that keeps the gears of the industry churning. In fact, to come up with a compelling list of examples, I’ve got to go back into history to dig up titles like Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book,
, and The Artist’s Way.
So why write a book? First of all, because art is about process–not result. Taking the time to put your thoughts, life story, imagined plot, recipes, whatever, in writing can be pleasurable, meaningful and an end in itself, even if nobody other than your inner circle of friends reads your work.
But here’s something else–something genuinely encouraging. Write something good, and you’ll get your shot. And you won’t be competing with just about any woman author now 50+ who has ever published a book. Why? The publishing industry loves discoveries. Many publishers are looking for the new 50+ woman writer who can unlock the key to mass purchases by the Boomer woman reader who will buy books on subjects specifically for/about her.
And the rest of us? We are in reprint-by-demand, self-publishing or that new afterlife holding the promise of immortality: ebooks. Some of us are with smaller and smaller publishers. And most of the author prodigies in our generational class–especially the ones who had a relatively big book at one time and/or who parlayed their first success into a big advance on a second, but whose numbers ultimately disappointed–got dropped entirely.
You are actually better off in this current marketplace never having published at all than having published previously and established a less than stellar “record” for your sales expectations.
So, what’s your book?
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Hi I am new here.
Sorry, I guess you can tell by how I am commenting I’m new! I am “only” 50 and I’m one of those spinsters that was mentioned — I hope I am not the only one. No marriage, no kids, and I feel much younger than I am.
I have also starrted parts of a book – currently in the form of blog entries. I know I have stories to tell and while it would partially be a memoir it would also include what I have learned about and from working with people in poverty, alcholics/addicts, and juvenile delinquents. Because I am myself a recovering alcohlic/addict (for almost 20 years) I have a very personal perspective on these issues. My main focus would be the teenagers; even though it was a relatively short part of my life in years that time has by far taught me the most. I am talking about poor kids, kids who dropped out of school, on probation/parole, gang-bangers, kids who have been affected by violence….. you get the idea. Very few people think they are worth bothering about; I think differently. However I want to tell stories, not preach. My ideas would be intertwined with the stories of the youth and myself.
I don’t necessarily think the 50 plus female demographic would want to read this, but I don’t know. Any opinions on who may be interested would be appreciated. I’ll be glad to link to the blog if anyone wants to check it out. (P.S. I have a Master of Social Work and it is possible social work students would be a target demographic….)
I’m so glad to see so many of us are writing and sharing our work. The world needs us, our wisdom. It’s certainly gone into the toilet without our input.
I’ve been writing since 1981. First I had to teach myself to do it – it took ten plus years of reinfecting the wound. I published that first book about the murders my brother committed and what that did to my family. It is now out of print. Then I started writing novels. I learned that a person can tell more of the truth in a novel, like author Anita Clay Cornfeld said to me at the Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference years ago. A year and a half ago an agent accepted the first of my unpublished works. Three months ago he asked to represent the rest of them – five altogether. He loves my stuff – that’s a big plus. One of my books he says is something he could have written himself. Here’s a brief summary of each of the works which are with my agent, Tom Lee.
The Tater Crone-icles
Take a little moonshine and add a smidgin of wacky tabaci. Dump in four crazy old women and apply body masks as needed. Toss in a French bulldog and a Zen cat and stir vigorously. Voilà, you have a recipe for changing everything. You don’t believe me? Well, maybe not yet, but you might once you give yourself a chance.
To write this unique tale, I drew on the backwoods ways and personalities of my grandmother, Renie, born in 1871, Aunt Ida, born in 1892, and Aunt Lottie, born in 1903. Theirs are the shoulders upon which I stand. I love them. You will too once you figure out what they’re up to. So have no fear, Ida Mae is here. She and her cohorts, Renie, Lottie and Ora Sue will teach you exactly what needs to be done and how to do it.
The Sword of Ruth
Despite my upbringing I did not believe in him nor was I ever likely too. But something happened that night in the community center that set it all into motion – the learning about who I had once been, the reason my brother, Demmy, committed such brutal crimes and why I loved Tad.
My name is Raven. A professional artist, as I began painting murals of Jesus’ life, I did not know I had been part of it. Spanning two time periods, my quest led to my first husband, who according to available history, never married, my second husband and the insights Jesus actually provided – teachings counter to what we have been led to believe. Once I discover who these people are today, the story turns romantic, even violent.
The Grandmother’s Cave Trilogy:
The Legend of Thirteen Women
I’d like to share a journey rooted thousands of years in the past. There are three legs to this journey–Sheeawna’s, Arranah’s and Peter’s, Arranah’s MIA brother, as he finds his way home. They belong under the umbrella of The Grandmother’s Cave Trilogy: The Legend of Thirteen Women. Each of these works was inspired by my own struggles and heartaches, hopes and inspirations. They build on the theme of love, loss, ancient past life connections, planet change and the ancient internal matrices throughout the world.
Once Without Dying
Once Without Dying is the story of three young woman of different faiths, Sheeawna–a Christian, Akilah–a Muslim and Mali–a Hindu. It explores their differences as well as their similarities. As they help each other through heartaches, abuses, struggles and what they consider love to be, they transition into adulthood. In so doing they gain the courage to discover a unifying force, the fulfillment of a legend and a common purpose with those of other faiths. It is a powerful story of love, respect and honor at a time when the need is great.
In Ways We Can’t Imagine
In Ways We Can’t Imagine was born from the sudden death of my sweetheart. In my desperation, I sought a way to bring him back, for the loss was nearly unsurvivable. In this story, Arranah loses Kendal, a man she loves more than herself, and she nearly takes her own life. Instead, she learns of legends, a mountainous multidimensional conduit and a way to be with him…with a catch anchored in an ancient matrix set up thousands of years in the past. But first she has to learn of it’s existence. First she has to learn to live without him. First she has to find the link she does not know exists and another woman whose life and love are also closely bound to the mountain.
ThePacifist’s War
The loss of my brother to mental illness triggered ThePacifist’s War. If you don’t remember who you are, how can you find yourself? This is Peter’s dilemma. Losing himself in the heart of a war zone, he embarks on an amnesiac’s quest to uncover his true identity. Wearing a name which is not his own, he is alarmed when he receives medals for atrocious acts. His search leads to a cave, encrypted writings, a dog named Emmanuel and a mysterious woman. Following what appear to be hallucinations, in a site that cannot be real, he uncovers the mystical woman’s identity, an ancient cave and his part in The Legend of Thirteen Women. Characters from all three books converge at Grandmother’s Cave to activate covenants on hold for thousands of years to help mitigate impending changes.
The book I’m currently writing is about more feisty old women aka crones. I’m four chapters into it and at this point have some major decisions to make relative to its direction.
Thanks for this opportunity to share. I truly believe us crones are a big part of the answer for what ails the world. We need to persist until it works.
Vi
http://www.whereartmeetstheheart.com
Not sure if it should be called Self Publishing or Self Printing? It is printing, per se.
http://bookbirddog.blogspot.com/2009/06/author-interview-black-hole-novel-by.html
I prefer the phrase Independently Published, by the way…
And ever since some of these independently published books have become best-sellers, the onus is off the notion of self-publishing and the search is on for the next word-of-mouth success story! I’ve known mainstream publishers to swoop up self-funded books with as few as 2000 sales, and/or one great article/review…
I have just written my first book. It is called “It’s Between You and Me” for adult children and their senior parents. I am about a week away from having it published and available for sale. This book was written after 10 years of owning and operating an in home care agency, where I saw first hand how hard it was for adult children and their parents to negotiate the aging process when a crisis has occured. So many of us are afraid of aging, or are in denial of what may come, that we ignore the signs until it is too late. Guilt, anger, resentment and fear are then the result. My book encourages conversations about aging and helps both parent and child create a plan for the aging years in which their desires, wishes and decisions are made honored. It helps the senior retain their independence and control of their lives as they age because they have determined ahead of time what actions should be taken by their adult children and when. If or when a crisis occurs, everyone knows what to do.
I’ve been told by those who have read my book and some who have actually used it, that it is a very valuable tool. They have told me that it is heartfelt, easy to follow, and has inspired conversations that parent and child might not have had. My question is: Now what? How do I get the word out about it? How do I reach the people who could benefit from this book? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all. Ali