Who wants to start publishing after sixty? Me.

How old is too old? 

Years ago, I read a Dear Abby column that resonated. The writer wanted to go to medical school but was concerned that he wouldn't actually be an MD until he was fifty-five! Abby asked how old he would be by then if he didn't go to med school? 

When to stop wanting. 

I think most of us know the answer is never. Never stop wanting. Never stop dreaming and making plans. I'm sixty-seven now, just finished a first draft on my seventh novel! Although I started early enough, I was a Cricket Magazine author in my late thirties, I could never find an agent or publisher. What to do? 

All ahead full. 

About four years ago a friend and shirt-tail cousin, Oregon author/photographer Vernelle Judy, pushed me to self publish. It's not like the old "vanity" publishing where you buy a bunch of books and use them to decorate your garage. They're POD ... published on demand. Sold through Amazon and others. 

So I did publish. I started with a middle-grade adventure series. The first book, Cheechako, has been well-reviewed for reluctant readers and is already in use in classrooms. There are now three books out in that series, and —although few in the world really know who I am—they sell. 

How to "do" your dream.

Start. Just start. Because I was—and am—still working my day job, I began getting up early to write. I write from two to four pages a day, about six days a week. What does that mean? It means I finish (the first draft of) a new novel about every three months. 

I have four books out, a fifth on the way, and two books "in the can" —film talk for shot but not processed. Best sellers? No. So far, consistent sellers. The best part is the occasional letter or review from a reader that says, "I couldn't go to bed without finishing your book." There aren't even words to tell you how good that feels. 

Platitudes aside.

At this age, we tend to say encouraging things about being this age. It's new for us and a little scary. The fact, for me at least, is that to get what I want, I have to put my forehead against it and push ... same as at any other time in my life. 

And, if you still have something you want to do, that's my advice. Push.

Curious? You can read 30 pages of any of my books for free, here: 

Books by Jonathan Thomas Stratman