Awards & recognition for older writers; thoughts on "Lucky Writer Syndrome;" upcoming conferences; jobs at One Story, Solstice; markets for flash nonfiction, reprints, and more
One year ago at the age of 88 my debut poetry collection, “Driftwood “ was published. I have never entered it in a contest, mostly for fear that my age would be a factor for rejection regardless of the quality of the work.
It will end up going to low-50-somethings with a raft of credentials. Saw this happening with a grant aimed at emerging older writers...um, apparently the definition of "emerging" and "older" meant "40-somethings with a few prestigious publications and awards under their belt already. Over 50s need not apply."
Congrats to anyone levering open the door to the literary world beyond 60 because ageism is real in this environment. Time someone broke away from the pack because who's still reading? Over 60's.
Thank you, Becky, for staying alert--and alerting us--for what's out there for me and your mother and all others in our age group. Thanks to your guidance I found Persimmon Tree and have been published there twice.
RE: on how we define "success as writers," my take is quite modest but satisfying to me.
As a poet, I've been able to get at least two indie presses per year to say yes to my own book mss - - AND more able to escort my friends' book-length mss to a credible indie publisher who will say yes to these poets on the first try.
It's hard out there for a 79-year-old science fiction writer competing with children who don't know who Ursula LeGuin or H.G. Wells (or Orson Wells) are.
And also, since COVID everyone thinks they can write ... . For some of these brats, ChatGP would be an improvement.
I'm a editor for Gyroscope Review, a poetry journal, and while we don't have an award specifically for older writers, we do offer one issue a year, our Fall "Crone Power" issue, for submission only by women over 50. We also nominate for the Pushcart and Best of the Net and have frequently nominated poets from our Crone issues. Our submission period for that issue runs from July 1 to September 1. https://www.gyroscopereview.com/welcome/guidelines/
It would be interesting if this could be quantified. I have no formal training in writing, which I've been trying to remedy by applying for writing workshops. I've applied to five or six, but despite a book published by Kelsay, and a self-published graphic novel-memoir (couldn't get anyone to take it, despite the fact that I know of no such graphic novel in English, of course that meant I did have complete editorial control), and a second book length poetry ms. sitting at multiple publishers, and 90 poems published (or in press) in 20+ reviews between mid 2021 and today. I'm pretty sure some folks don't see beyond me being an old white guy (such gall, a guy with privilege trying to develop his skills) so I've removed all references to age/job in my bio. But of course much of my subject matter is different from 20-30 somethings, and I can just see committees saying, "well this person has 50 years ahead of them, and this old guy maybe 20), rather than, "let's base this on quality alone". Of course both may be true <g>. Maybe I should start writing about my Insta or VR games...
One year ago at the age of 88 my debut poetry collection, “Driftwood “ was published. I have never entered it in a contest, mostly for fear that my age would be a factor for rejection regardless of the quality of the work.
Henry Wolstat, M.D.
My cynical projection about that "over 50" award?
It will end up going to low-50-somethings with a raft of credentials. Saw this happening with a grant aimed at emerging older writers...um, apparently the definition of "emerging" and "older" meant "40-somethings with a few prestigious publications and awards under their belt already. Over 50s need not apply."
Congrats to anyone levering open the door to the literary world beyond 60 because ageism is real in this environment. Time someone broke away from the pack because who's still reading? Over 60's.
https://nexttribe.com/how-to-publish-a-memoir-over-age-50/
Here’s a piece I wrote about this topic. My memoir is just out and I’m 65! I hope I can do another.
Thank you, Becky, for staying alert--and alerting us--for what's out there for me and your mother and all others in our age group. Thanks to your guidance I found Persimmon Tree and have been published there twice.
RE: on how we define "success as writers," my take is quite modest but satisfying to me.
As a poet, I've been able to get at least two indie presses per year to say yes to my own book mss - - AND more able to escort my friends' book-length mss to a credible indie publisher who will say yes to these poets on the first try.
It's hard out there for a 79-year-old science fiction writer competing with children who don't know who Ursula LeGuin or H.G. Wells (or Orson Wells) are.
And also, since COVID everyone thinks they can write ... . For some of these brats, ChatGP would be an improvement.
Thank you, Becky, for the digest of information posted in your Lit Mag New.
I'm a editor for Gyroscope Review, a poetry journal, and while we don't have an award specifically for older writers, we do offer one issue a year, our Fall "Crone Power" issue, for submission only by women over 50. We also nominate for the Pushcart and Best of the Net and have frequently nominated poets from our Crone issues. Our submission period for that issue runs from July 1 to September 1. https://www.gyroscopereview.com/welcome/guidelines/
It would be interesting if this could be quantified. I have no formal training in writing, which I've been trying to remedy by applying for writing workshops. I've applied to five or six, but despite a book published by Kelsay, and a self-published graphic novel-memoir (couldn't get anyone to take it, despite the fact that I know of no such graphic novel in English, of course that meant I did have complete editorial control), and a second book length poetry ms. sitting at multiple publishers, and 90 poems published (or in press) in 20+ reviews between mid 2021 and today. I'm pretty sure some folks don't see beyond me being an old white guy (such gall, a guy with privilege trying to develop his skills) so I've removed all references to age/job in my bio. But of course much of my subject matter is different from 20-30 somethings, and I can just see committees saying, "well this person has 50 years ahead of them, and this old guy maybe 20), rather than, "let's base this on quality alone". Of course both may be true <g>. Maybe I should start writing about my Insta or VR games...