Which writers made their debut at an advanced age?

Willowmound · Jan 11, 2008

I'm compiling a list of writers who made their debut at an advanced age (55+).

When my dad was young, he wanted to be a writer. He gave that dream up, and this year he's turning 60. He told me over Christmas that he'd been half-thinking of writing again, but that there was no point, as an old unpublished man would never be accepted.

I told him that was not true.

For his upcoming birthday, I plan on giving him a book by an old first-timer, and inside the cover a list of all those people who got their break at around his age. My list at this stage isn't nearly impressive enough. I'd like you to help me.

Do you know any writers who published their first novel aged 55+ ?

Thanks a bunch

Marian Perera · Jan 11, 2008

Helen Hooven Santmyer, who wrote the bestselling And Ladies of the Club, was 88 when it was published.

Willowmound · Jan 11, 2008

That's fantastic.

Any more?

waylander · Jan 11, 2008

Mary Wesley was 71 when her first adult novel was published (she published 9 more before her death at the age of 90), though she did publish 2 childrens books in her late 50s

Willowmound · Jan 11, 2008

This is good stuff.

More, anyone?

cletus · Jan 11, 2008

Elizabeth Waite was 70. She's now in her 80s and has over a dozen books published.

cletus · Jan 11, 2008

Sheila Quigley was 57 when she landed a £300,000 two book deal.

Willowmound · Jan 11, 2008

This is gold!

kuwisdelu · Jan 11, 2008

While his debut wasn't at an advanced age, Charles Bukowski certainly milked the "dirty old man" bio for all it was worth in his later years. It seemed to work. You never see pictures of him as a young guy, he's always that dirty old man who writes poetry. And novels. And really great short stories.

megan_d · Jan 11, 2008

Bryce Courtney (best selling Australian author) was 55(ish) when The Power of One (his first book) was published. It's not 65, but it's something.

Willowmound · Jan 11, 2008

It's dang good, is what it is.

This list, and all your help so far.

Shadow_Ferret · Jan 11, 2008

Shadow Ferret.

At least I'm hoping.

Willowmound · Jan 11, 2008

How old be you then, mr. Ferret?

maestrowork · Jan 11, 2008

William Steig was in his 60s when he tried his hands in writing... he wrote Shrek! in 1990, when he was 83 years old.

There were news recently about a 90-year-old debut novel... Here you go: http://www.radaronline.com/features/2007/09/millard_kaufman_bowl_of_cherries_mcsweeneys_1.php

Will Lavender · Jan 11, 2008

Yeah, the author in the link Ray used has been much-talked-about this year. I believe she was nominated for the National Book Award.

There's also Charles Chadwick, the British novelist who was seventy-two when he sold his first novel, It's All Right Now, in a six-figure deal.

Shadow_Ferret · Jan 11, 2008

Willowmound said:
How old be you then, mr. Ferret?

Turned 50 last year.

donroc · Jan 11, 2008

I am 75 and had my first suspense horror novel, A GATHERING OF VULTURES, released in 2007 and my first historical, ROCAMORA, will be released this year.

Never give up or fear to begin at any age.

www.donaldmichaelplatt.com

Shadow_Ferret · Jan 11, 2008

Good for you!

maestrowork · Jan 11, 2008

Writing is an endeavor that can be done at any age -- sometimes the older you are, the better.

Even acting. I've heard people say you've got to be young and beautiful to break into the business. Well, it all depends on what you're trying to do. I know a successful character actress who started her career in her 50s. She just won an Emmy a couple of years ago. Never say "too late."

Takvah · Jan 11, 2008

Frank McCourt author of Angela's Ashes. It's also a great film.

Haggis · Jan 11, 2008

maestrowork said:
William Steig was in his 60s when he tried his hands in writing... he wrote Shrek! in 1990, when he was 83 years old.

There were news recently about a 90-year-old debut novel... Here you go: http://www.radaronline.com/features/2007/09/millard_kaufman_bowl_of_cherries_mcsweeneys_1.php

Great link, Ray. It also mentions Raymond Chandler (51), Laura Ingalls Wilder (65) and Frank McCourt (66).

Willowmound · Jan 11, 2008

That it did, and my list is starting to become a respectable size. I knew there were heaps of oldies breaking through out there! And I knew AW wouldn't disappoint.

JamieFord · Jan 11, 2008

How about Norman Maclean? The man publishes his first book, A River Runs Through It at seventy-freakin’-four year’s old. There’s hope for us all! Because for every Rossini, who wrote The Barber of Seville at 23, there’s Verdi—who wrote Othello at 74 and Falstaff at 80. And for every Dorothy Straight, who was 4 when she wrote How the World Began, there’s Sarah Louise Delaney, the oldest published author whose second book was released when she was 105.

It was titled A Century of Great Sex. Ok, not really, but it was still a big deal.

rugcat · Jan 11, 2008

You might remind him that when someone sends a ms to an agent, that agent has no idea of how old you might be. By the time they find out you're too old, they've sold the book and it's too late.

Willowmound · Jan 11, 2008

I did mention that

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