ASK A LITERARY CONSULTANT
Is my age an issue?
Helen Corner-Bryant reassures a writer worried that their age is against them
Helen Corner-Bryant
Q
I’m 4 9 years old. Is it too late to have a writing career?
A who started their writing career in their mid-life: JRR Tolkien, Annie Proulx, Raymond Chandler… In short, it is never too late to start a writing career.
We’re asked this question a fair bit so you’re not alone! There are many examples of successful writers Some writers worry that their age will be perceived as a negative to the trade. Of course, age shouldn’t be the focus. It ought to be all about the book: is it brilliant? How will it sell? What other books does the author have in mind? And when the gaze turns to you as a writer – an agent will think, can we work well together?