Updated August 2023
Late nights writing and rewriting, long hours spent pounding on a keyboard and searching the Internet for the right markets—it may seem that writing is a young person’s game. Don’t let a few gray hairs stop your dream of getting published! Writer’s Relief knows of many writers who were over fifty years old when they were first published (some of them are our clients!). In fact, some of the world’s most beloved authors didn’t publish their first novels until long after their 20s and 30s.
So park your motorcycle, take advantage of that senior citizen discount on your cappuccino, and check out these six authors who prove that it’s never too late to start writing!
Laura Ingalls Wilder: Best known for her Little House series, Wilder didn’t publish her first book until she was sixty-five years old! Her debut book, Little House in the Big Woods, sparked the beginning of her incredibly successful run as a children’s book author. Her work also served as the inspiration for the hit television series Little House on the Prairie.
But even Wilder had trouble breaking into the writing industry. If you are stuck in literature limbo, learn more about submission strategies to get you published!
Bram Stoker: While this author had a long history in the publishing world, he didn’t publish his novel Dracula until he was fifty years old. Dracula is still considered one of the most popular novels in the vampire genre to date. Move over, Stephenie Meyer!
Raymond Chandler: Published when he was fifty-one years old, Chandler’s The Big Sleep is widely considered one of the greatest detective novels in American literature. Chandler used the ideas drafted in his younger years to write his greatest work later in life.
Richard Adams: His now classic novel Watership Down was published when he was fifty-two years old. Adams was working in civil service when his daughters’ request for a story sparked the idea for this well-known yet deeply unsettling tale. While the book was originally only designed to scare children (his in particular), it eventually won the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian children’s prize.
Frank McCourt: This author found his passion for writing after retirement. His debut memoir, Angela’s Ashes, was published when he was sixty-six years old. After a career as a teacher, McCourt wrote three books and became an award-winning novelist!
Lorna Page: The oldest debut novelist on record! Page’s first novel, A Dangerous Weakness, was published when she was ninety-three years old. She took the money she earned from the book and bought a bigger house for herself and a few of her friends so they could properly enjoy their golden years.
With the right tools, time, and passion, writers can make their dreams come true at any age! The most important element of getting your completed story or novel published is submitting to the right markets! The research experts at Writer’s Relief can help you pinpoint the best literary agents or journals for your work. Learn more about our services and submit your work to our Review Board today! If you don’t want to go the traditional publishing route (which can take quite a bit of time and money), we also have a self-publishing division, SelfPublishingRelief.com, and invite you to schedule a free consultation. Lots of senior writers have gone this route as well (and with great results)!
Question: Which of these authors’ books have you read, or are planning to read?
Love the ‘Little House’ series and ‘Watership Down’! I’ll be in good company when I publish in my old age!
Richard Adams, Watership Down. I’m 66 and has always been my passion to write a memorable children’s story and have published. My brother , my inspiration, published several books and artist run in the family. I read chapter books to my now 30 yr old son w/CP every night. Finding a story today is a challenge. The top of our list for Best Story Ever is The One and Only Ivan.
I’m 61. There’s hope for me. I’ve written eight books over the past three years. Now to get published.
Hi I am 82 and started the book in my 70’s but just picked it up again. I will finish it this time.
Thanks for the inspiration. I
Would love to see the names of recent authors who published for the first time after age 50. I’m not sure it’s so easy in today’s high tech publishing arena.
I was 80 in 2015 when Sole Mate published my first book, then Indigo Sky, renamed and self-republished in 2019, The Memorable Mrs. Dempsey, a new cover in 2023. My second book, The Unforgettable Miss Baldwin, new cover and republished 2023. Now working on my Memoir. Having a good ol’ time!!! Hope I can keep writing and ballroom dancing.
Wow! Keep writing and dancing, Gail!
Also working on mine/hope to complete series of my travels with MS – hope helps others – hit 77 late November – need to get on with it!
I wrote my first novel, Hell and Highwater, at 56. I’m now 70 and working on my eighth, Hell on Earth.
Where can I find one of your books?
I’m 62 and my debut novel, JASON, has just been accepted for publication! All being well, it will hit the selves mid-2023. If that timescale is right, when it actually becomes available, I will be 63!
There is hope for everyone.
Thanks Mark for the timely story
I completed my first novel DARK REGRESSIONS at the age of 84, which will make me 85 at the time of publishing – January 6th 2023. My second book DARK REVENGE has been accepted for publication.
Age is just numbers!
That’s inspiring
My friend Melton Lutrell debuted with a cozy mystery novel at age 92!
Wow! That’s amazing!
My question is: should you publicize your age if you are an older author (over 90) or just keep that quiet. Will advanced age hurt your book sales?
Whether or not writing is published is based on how good the writing is and how interesting/relevant the topic—not on the author’s age. There’s no need to mention your age in a cover letter, because it’s not a determining factor in whether or not your work will be published.
Hi all, I just came across this article. I’m also in good company. I found a publisher for my first book because of my story, my voice, and the quality of writing. I was sixty-five (now sixty six). WriteLife Publishing released my memoir “A Cup of Tea on the Commode, My Multi-tasking Adventures of Caring for Mom. And How I survived to Tell the Tale” on Mother’s Day 2023. My story is resonating with many, as I have over 25K followers on my Facebook page, and the reviews have been stellar. Bravo to my fellow senior citizens. Keep writing and don’t give up.
Thank you for sharing that, Mark! Congratulations on your memoir!
I published my first book at 70, ten years ago. So far, I have self-published 3 historical novels and one inspirational book. I renamed my first book, changed the cover, and did a second edition called “The Zigzag Road” coming out next week. I have four more unpublished manuscripts that I will edit and hope to publish one each year for the next four years.
That’s amazing! Congratulations!
Wow, this is inspirational. I am working on my first novel, and I feel much better about perusing my dream at 62. Thank you!
Best of luck on your novel!
Encouraging! Thank you.
Harry Bernstein published his debut novel, “The Invisible Wall,” at age 93.
A salute to the debuts of fellow writers in this Comment group! I sold my first book in 2022, a memoir called “PUBLIC/PRIVATE: My Life with Joe Papp at The Public Theater.” Its publishing date is October 2023, by which time I will be 89.
Congratulations, Gail!
Actually Frank McCourt as 65 or 66 when Angela’s Ashes was published. He was born in August, 1930, and the book came out in 1996.
Thanks for the correction–we have made it.
NIta Marie Clark (aka my mom) debuted her first children’s book at the age of 79. Taking me along as her illustrator, I illustrated our first book when I was 55. We currently have 10 children’s books in print and mom has 3 more books in various stages on her desk top, and I am illustrating one new book and working on a fully illustrated version of our Christmas book that came out last year.
Congratulations!
I was amazed about Lorna Page who published at 93 who bought a bigger house and helped her friends to live better. It takes a lot of drive and determination to publish later in life. My first book “Junior’s Dragon” was published in 2023 by myself at the age of 75. I appreciated this article because it inspires me to continue writing.
We’re glad to hear that!