I spoke to a library group this week, and one man stood out in the audience. I wish I’d gotten his name and contact information.

He was 80 years old, a retired engineer, and he’d written creatively his entire life. He’d written many shorts, poetry, and five novels. He said his time was running out and he needed to either publish or set fire to it, but in essence, do something with it. Would someone even be interested in the writings of an 80-year-old?

I told him to query agents and publishers with his best, not to mention his age (after all, younger people don’t query using their age), and dazzle them with his story.

Delia Owens was 70 when she released Where the Crawdads Sing. Frank McCourt was retired in his sixties when he published his debut title Angela’s Ashes. Agents and publishers just want a great story. You’re never too old or too young to pitch your work. It’s just about how you tell the story.