I told some friends I write Older Adult fiction and the crap hit the fan. I had no idea it would touch a nerve.
Here’s the deal: I write stories about people over 40 (and older) who are grappling with the challenges and issues of the second half of life. I think this time period is interesting, moving, powerful, and just generally all-around awesome. But what do you call it?
As an author, I want people to find my books in the literary jungle that is Amazon.com. The way we do this is to label them with a tag or genre category. Yet there’s nothing official for the kind of books I’m describing. So I’ve struggled with this.
And then, the answer!
Recently a reader of this blog, Toni Kief, published her first book, and she referred to it as OA: Older Adult. This, to me, is brilliant. We already have YA (Young Adult), so this pivots off that perfectly. People know intuitively what it’s about.
But before using the term, I asked my social media networks what they thought. OMG, what a shocker. Here’s a sampling of their comments:
“In no reality would I seek out OA…”
“IMHO, older adults don’t care particularly for being labeled “Old” anything. Maybe ‘Seasoned Adult’, ‘Tested Adult’, Experienced Adult”?
“I do NOT like ‘OA’ – Older Adult – as a category name. I am sick and tired of being labeled ‘older’ or ‘elderly’…Because elder, elderly, or older do NOT have the connotations of respect they used to have.”
“Sorry – I don’t like anything with ‘old’ in it. I don’t think it will market well. Those who are reading want to hear about possibilities, not about being old.”
“I do see your point, but ‘old’ is a dreadful word in marketing, it doesn’t work!”
“When you sell, you are asking your potential buyer to self-identify…’Old’ doesn’t do it for ME, as a consumer – and I’m post-retirement.”
Not all the comments were negative. For example:
“I think the older half of the boomer generation is getting a strong dose of reality. I know of many people who are coming to grips with changes in their work life, family relations, and bodies…”
And wouldn’t you want to read about people rising above that? Finding love in older age, for example? (OA Romance! New category!)
In contrast to the more traditional coming-of-age story, with youngish adults, the second coming-of-age is about people who are already fully formed, but face some kind of new challenge (divorce or unemployment after 50; existential problems like loneliness, grief, isolation; and physical/mental changes, for example). I love showing them rising above these difficulties.
One friend said, “Fiction is a way of trying out life, of learning vicariously.” Fiction expert Lisa Cron says our evolutionary strength as homo sapiens is to crave story as a way of learning how to stay alive (“Gork ate red berries . Gork dead. DON’T eat red berries!”) Thus, at some point, I believe older peeps will want to read about their time of life, and will appreciate a term like OA to help them find it. Or maybe it’ll work like Reader Repellent. What do you think?
Lynne, I wrote and self-published a novel in 2013 and called it The Big 5-0. Turning 50 had been a huge change of life for me and I thought it would appeal to others too.
I found that the title was a turn off for many people. Either they were “not 50 yet” and little huffy about becoming an Older Adult or they were “well past 50” and not interested.
I recently re-did the book….mainly I changed the title…and updated it just a little bit, wrote a new beginning.
I am re-publishing and re-releasing the novel in April. This time I have experience and a better marketing plan in addition to the new name. I also used a pen name because I found that people who knew me felt voyeuristic about reading a novel that they felt revealed my life and feelings (which it did not). I also marketed it as a book for older adults and this time I am not doing that. I am marketing it as women’s lit.
So…wish me luck with My Six-Week Make-Over by Cleo Chandler (my great grandmother’s name). I’ll report back and let you know if it made any difference.
Peggy
I hate to say it Peggy but I agree– people are so averse to the “O” word: Older, oldest, old. It’s denial, but you can’t fight City Hall. So I have started calling my writing “midlife fiction” instead of older adult fiction. Because I have a business to run, too. Thanks for weighing in.
Lynne,
Sorry this comment is late. Must have missed this great post you had in June.
You have an interesting concept and idea. It’s true that some people don’t like to use or hear the term “old.”
How about Elder?
Wouldn’t that confuse a lot of people! Ha! Some would believe that’s an author’s name…
Bob
Who knew you were opening a can of worms? Why is “old” anything so offensive? How about WA as in wiser adult. ha ha
It’s a word that’s been used for so long to describe something in a negative way. I don’t know if we can come back from that, but I figure, in the US alone, there are 70 million baby boomers, about one fifth of the country’s population. And there are millions more older peeps on both ends of the boomer demographic. So call it a hundred million people who have a vested interest in stopping the negative use of the word. That’s my math and science lecture for today!
A few years ago, several fellow Boomers and I were pushed out of the education profession mostly due, I suppose, to the color of our hair. (An apparently unfortunate shade of gray.) We were told by the administration that we, as a group, resisted change and that we could never conform to the changing vision of education. They gleefully (and vocally) anticipated the day when all of us “old” (yes, THAT word was used) teachers would be gone.
While other (read: younger) educators were being equipped with the latest technology — Smart boards, document cameras, CD/DVD players — I was placed in a classroom with a chalkboard, an overhead projector with one remaining light bulb, and . . . a record player. I was told that I wouldn’t understand, nor use, the updated technology.
(As a side note: Since leaving the classroom, I’ve published three books, all submitted to publishers electronically, independently developed three different websites, and marketed and promoted my books using social media.)
The administrator’s comments not withstanding, I am constantly humbled by the resilience of us Boomers, our ability to adapt, and to accept new ideas. Whether it’s our natures, or a result of the times we’ve passed through on our journey, I am proud to be a part of this generation.
What a nightmare. I’m so sorry. Nevertheless, you came out on top, and I applaud you. You had the last laugh, although the students were short-changed ultimately.
Older adult does not offend me. Old adult, ya, that would get a rise out of me. At past 70 I am an older adult, and I accept it. Have earned my scars and am proud to wear them.
Isn’t that interesting that older sounds less harsh than old? I’m with you on it, even though I’m the gal trying to decriminalize “old”.
Okay…confession. I’m a boomer who refrains from using the word “old.” Not going with OA, but enjoyed your post Lynne!
It’s okay not to like it, Sunny but I know as a career coach (and all-around thoughtful person!) you would be thoughtful about how you speak it. There are already too many of us who use the word old as a negative without really thinking about it. I aim to change that, and would appreciate any help I can get!
I love it. Fits beautifully into my own informal research, which is that we are trained by patriarchy to expect to be dismissed when we are considered by it to be “old,” and also reminds me of the howls among my friends about that word. American culture does not value women, and certainly not older women. My theory is claim the ground. You’ve done it, Lynne, and I think the stance – and you – are gorgeous. I am old. My experience is vast, my wisdom accumulative, my lifework valuable, my empathy embracing. I’m going to start collecting a database on OA writing.
Linda, thanks so much for your kind and supportive comments. I am old. Sometimes I say older or oldish, and often I am reprimanded by loving friends. “You’re not OLD!” They correct me with such vigor it almost seems like whistling past a graveyard. Because if I’m old, they’re old, and we certainly can’t admit that.
But what if we could? Oh, the freedom!
I started a list of fiction titles on my Facebook author page (For those who aren’t on Facebook, it’s still accessible.)
Go to this link and click on Photos, then Albums, then Midlife Fiction. https://www.facebook.com/LynneSpreenAuthor
Oh thank you! I appreciate this.
I don’t mind “OA” fiction at all; I think it nicely describes a genre that would attract my attention. And, it’s much shorter and to the point than “DWMTOIMI” (don’t waste my time or insult my intelligence) fiction.
Ha ha! I love trying to sound that out. DwimToyMe?
http://booksonthenightstand.com/?s=older+adult
About 10 minutes in, this discussion applies. Perhaps I shared this with you before, but as an Older Adult, I can’t remember anything!
I don’t remember either, so I will go listen. Thanks!
Wow, Jan, I listened to it, and it is spot on! From 6:15 to 23:30, they totally make my case, although the two speakers are so tentative about it. I would guess due to youth. Thanks for sharing.
Just putting in my vote: OA would immediately be recognizable. All the anguish about the word “old” just buys into the ghost of the times/culture demanding that we consider “old” to be bad. Let’s not buy into that. … I heard a podcast a while back where this topic was discussed. I will try to find it to see what term they were using. … Fun question: thanks for asking.
If people would only see how often they equate “old” with “bad,” it might change our culture! “Don’t call me old!” is an example of a statement we need to reclaim for the positive.
Go with OA, Lynne. It fits and those who won’t read anything labeled Older Adult Fiction are the losers. I LOVE being older. I’m 73, more open, wiser and happier than I’ve ever been. And yes I will always look forward to reading OA.
Yay, confirmation! Thanks, Joan!
Funny you should send this today. Yesterday I went to my first Medicare well woman checkup. After I explained a few issues, she (40 something MD) said, “That’s not uncommon in wiser women like you.” HA! I laughed out loud and said you mean older women like me….
I don’t mind being called what I am. I am happier and more active than I was in my younger days. OA works. You just need to have a sense of humor about it. Antiques are beautiful, good wine is aged and people are wonderful at all stages.
Of course when she recommended a pneumonia shot that has been long used in infants, I made her promise it wouldn’t make me autistic😂😏
Oh, Nanci, you crack me up. So good to hear from you. Thanks for gently educating the doc.
So many of us these days defy any attempts to be labeled by others, or refuse to be labeled. Count me in this group!
That said, in order to define your writing, and offer a genre to readers, what about SA for “seasoned adult”, or EA for “experienced adult”. Some of us have gone through quite a litany of experiences by age 40 [for example], and while not considered “older”, we would be well-versed in life. At age 63 I don’t consider myself old, but definitely have many stories of life and survival.
Just my humble opinion…
Ginger, your ideas are good ones, but one of the important considerations would be “what term will the casual reader think of when looking for this book?” And even though, for example, “seasoned” might come to mind, I don’t think it would as naturally as “older”. (This is where the cold-eyed aspect of writing comes in: the marketing part).
The term doesn’t offend me, but I’m not sure about the marketing value. I have the same problem with my Womens Fiction brand as many think only of Romance, which I don’t write. You can have mystery, murder, etc. in Womens Fiction but it’s the relationships that take the stories to a deeper level. I’ll have to think about OA. I basically like the idea.
Libby, a funny thing about the Romance genre: it’s so hot right now that even the re-published ebooks of Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour are calling themselves Romance. It’s the second-best-selling category, and the authors are probably the only ones making a living. I accidentally registered to attend a romance writers’ conference last summer and came away so impressed! Here’s the link: https://anyshinything.com/the-writing-life-2/romance-rocks
What a dilemma! I think we are all wrestling with naming ourselves. Ashton Applewhite has come up with ‘olders’, as you probably know, and I also like the use of the word ‘Next” (as in ‘Next Avenue, ‘Next Age’) But I think ‘Older Adults’ is the most accurate as a term for literature and our generation. I actively search for books and movies aimed at us. Good for you for helping us to fill in the gaps!
I am always on the lookout for Older Adult fiction. I read Dakota Blues and enjoyed it very much. I have found that as I age, I enjoy fiction simply for entertainment. I read fiction at the end of my day, and I want something that provides a bit of an escape from my own work, that is uplifting, and enjoyable and effortless to read. I find I have no liking for any kind of violence and little patience for the knight-in-shing-armor romance. I want some real-life-and-spirit substance to it.
I think OA nails it. We’re not “old,” we’re older. It’s a comparative term, not a dismissive or insulting one. And it’s accurate!
Roxanne, with the wit with which you see human behavior (did you like that start?) you should be able to make hay out of “Don’t call me old. I’m oldER!” Here’s a thought: if old is one, and older is more than one (a comparative term, i.e.) maybe our preference for the comparative is that we’re not alone.
I think the category is marvelous. I agree that reading is learning and also not feeling isolated. I think many readers would enjoy reading fiction that reflects this time of their life. Also, it might help the generation behind us to understand what is ahead and also their parents.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Bernadette. It helps a lot.
I have no difficulty with Older Adult. The alternative of Mature Adult, while more descriptive and politically correct, carries certain undesirable sexual overtones. Personally, I’m using Boomer Lit, but that is ill-defined and too limiting for many. Be great to develop a consensus. Will follow the comments. Holding my breath.
Hi Dennis. Boomer Lit looked good for a long time (relative term in publishing-industry years), but it excludes peeps like the folks in their 70s and up, a prime demographic. Also excludes a thin band of kids 45-52, which I would also think would like to read about what’s coming in the second half. So you and I will be watching together; cross fingers for OA.
I like OA. When I want to read fiction, I want something I can relate to, not a story about women who are my daughters’ ages. I tend toward memoir and nonfiction these days, but sometimes I just want a good novel.
Oh amen sister. I love any good book, usually – not always! – but I am so hungry to read about older people kicking butt (even if it’s subtle). I DID the kid thing. I want to read and write about the Older Adult thing now. Thanks for stopping by, Robin.