are you Too Old To Write your First Book?

Writing a book can feel like a series of never-ending challenges. This goes double for a debut author. Triple for a writer starting out in middle age or beyond. Many of us have wanted to write that captivating book we have in our heads, but simply never got around to it. The upside is, with age often comes more time. Be it an empty nest or retirement. More recently, Covid-19 has made most of us homebound, some of us unemployed. Challenging? Definitely. But also a ripe opportunity for the aspiring writer.

The publishing industry has changed drastically in the past decade. Self-publishing, once a non-entity has skyrocketed. And not just as a second-rate alternative. Countless authors have found enormous success and well-deserved gratification pursuing this avenue. Today, anyone who wants, can publish his or her work. It’s an exciting and enticing opportunity.

For those of you who have dedicated years to a non-writing career, you may be asking yourself, “Am I too old to write my first book?” The answer is a resounding “No!” That’s one of the beautiful things about writing. If you have a story to tell, it doesn’t matter if you are 50, 70, or 90—with self-publishing, there’s no ageism or clock to punch.

But, let’s not kid ourselves. There are various pitfalls both new and seasoned writers face. Writer’s block, time constraints, self-doubt, and distractions abound. Not to mention finishing your manuscript, editing, finding beta readers, and deciding where to publish. Then, just when you see the marathon finish line--another few miles are tagged on for the dreaded marketing.
I know all this sounds discouraging, but if I can do it, so can you. Just forge your path wisely. Sign up for my free guide, Nellie's Top Ten Self-Publishing Tips for New Writers Over 50

For now, the important thing is to believe in yourself, and focus only on the next step in front of you. Before you know it, you’ll have achieved your long-awaited goal--a published book with your name on it. And that will have made all the effort worth it!