Six Decades
Now I Officially Feel Old…
Thanks to the great writer Mel Odom, who pointed out on a post that he will have published in five decades when his new book comes out later this month, I was forced to do the same calculation.
Sigh…
When my next book (a large collection of 33 stories) is published on January 15th, I will have been published in six decades.
I think I have that count right.
1 — Published my first short stories in 1974, and forty or fifty poems to literary magazines, so that counts the 1970s.
2 — Published a ton of stories and my first novel in 1988.
3 — Published a ton of short stories and lots of traditional novels in the 1990s.
4 — A bunch more short stories and another ton of books in the 2000s.
5 — And I published more than a hundred books in the 2010s, plus short stories.
6— So now in January comes the first book of the 2020s.
By my count, this will be my 6th decade of publishing work professionally.
Screw it, I’m still young. I’m going for 10 decades while still alive. (My friend and mentor Jack Williamson did 9 decades.)
And I want to do about seventeen decades before my stuff hits the public domain.
It’s possible. Excuse me while I go get some exercise in. Got to stay in shape if I’m going to make that goal.
9 Comments
Harvey Stanbrough
Welp, I won’t be a threat to your record, or Jack’s. I’m right at 3 years your junior, and I’ve published professionally in only two decades, this one and the 2011s. (grin) Oh well. Another case where looking forward trumps looking back. This year my goal is 12 novels and 52 short stories.
dwsmith
Harvey, great goal for the new year. And wow will that boost your sales in one year. Super. Have fun with it, which I know you will do.
Cora
Go Dean!
Colleen
LOVE that goal, Dean! And love the attitude.
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
I’m ten years younger than you and I’ve been published in 6 decades as well. (High school reporter for the local paper.) I see your challenge, and raise you to 11 decades…
Dave Hendrickson
Awesome!!!
Eduard Meinema
As Kris is challenging you for 11 decades… Here´s something to hang on to (made this painting of 25 pieces ‘only a decade’ ago): no matter your age, you will always see the same guy in the mirror!
https://skredch.blogspot.com/2014/05/sk2140507-make-over.html
Jason M
I’ve only been (self)published since 2011, so I’m a short timer.
But it’s amazing how quickly the work stacks up. In the last ten years, between my pen name and my ghosting and my educational work, I’ve written about 40 different books, 25 different academic exams, and 20 different feature film scripts.
The 25-year-old me never would’ve believed it. The 44-year-old me definitely believes it.
Thanks again for all the perspective you provide, Dean.
My grandparents all lived until age 90, so I honestly feel like I’m just getting started.
emmiD
Wow! Go for a record!