By Trish McDonald

“Don’t you understand every part has an expiration date?”

A literary agent requested me this query as I stood in entrance of a panel of publishing executives. It was 2020 and I had entered a contest providing a ebook contract to the winner. Six writers would compete for the grand prize. The judges have been publishers, publicists, and Los Angeles brokers.

I’d been scrolling on Fb when a discover concerning the contest, “Pitch Week,” caught my eye. The put up was from a writer I knew was legit. At first, I assumed my possibilities have been slim, however I wished the expertise of standing earlier than the literary neighborhood and convincing them to decide on my ebook. So, I submitted twenty pages of my manuscript—and was chosen as one of many six finalists. My full manuscript was due three months earlier than the competition started.

Pitch Week can be 5 grueling days of pitching, presenting, PowerPoints, and proving to the judges why I used to be the perfect particular person to write down my story. Suggestions was fast and, in some circumstances, devastating.

Initially, the plan was to movie the competitors in-person for a possible restricted TV sequence, however as a result of COVID, we as an alternative delivered our manuscripts and advertising and marketing plans to the judges over Zoom. The steps have been rigorous:

1. Current a Energy Level describing the advertising and marketing plan for the ebook, together with creating a ebook cowl or hiring an artist.
2. Persuade the judges why you’re the greatest particular person to write down the story.
3. Display the power to promote the idea of the ebook in an elevator pitch.

Now, on day one of many week-long competitors, my greatest concern was uncovered.

“All the things has an expiration date.”

I’m too previous.

It’s too late.

However the agent’s derogatory remark led me to a promotion thought. Within the time it took the agent to inform a folksy story about parents, I paused, regrouped, and declared my advertising and marketing plan. I’d inform my story to readers like me who had desires of writing their very own tales. Then I twisted the agent’s phrases into my new slogan—There’s No Expiration on Goals.

Ageism was not my solely fear. I used to be a cisgender lady who wanted to persuade the judges I used to be the perfect particular person to write down a narrative about gender fluidity. As difficult as that proved, I’d have just one minute to ship the crux of my novel, Paper Luggage, in an elevator pitch.

When the paper bag tears open and the secrets and techniques tumble out, there’s a girl clad in iron panties and a person sporting satin and lace. Now the chilly, gray, metallic and the new pink lace appear an inconceivable match, so with solely her curiosity about tender and silky materials and the intrigue of a forbidden love, the girl embarks on a journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening.

 4. Learn an excerpt from the ebook in entrance of a stay viewers. 

Standing in entrance of the digital gallery, I learn my elevator pitch adopted by an excerpt from my novel. On the power of my presentation, I used to be voted “The Individuals’s Selection” by the stay viewers and provided a ebook contract by Woodhall Press.

On the time of publication, I used to be seventy-seven years previous and couldn’t think about hitting the road with my manuscript. Standing up for my ebook—and my dream—gave me the braveness I wanted. A contract in my hand with a conventional publishing home, and a beneficiant reduce of the royalties, gave me the chance to publish my ebook, Paper Luggage.

Now eighty, I’m nonetheless getting into contests and paying the charges. For those who’re beginning to ask, is it too late, as you strategy the essay gate? Don’t cease, don’t stall, don’t hesitate.

Like me, it may simply be your destiny.

*Pitch Week is now not operating contests, nevertheless, Individuals Journal has introduced a brand new actuality TV sequence titled, Might You Be America’s Subsequent Nice Writer? Set to air in 2026, the present might be similar to the competition I competed in. Six newbie writers might be adopted as they vie for a publishing contract. America’s subsequent nice creator might be you (have your snappy comebacks prepared!)

________

Trish McDonald is the creator of Paper Luggage, a novel of self-discovery, metamorphosis, and gender fluidity printed by Woodhall Press. A profession nutritionist, McDonald now writes a couple of completely different type of starvation. House is a tiny home in an RV park in Southwest Florida. Writing/Interviews/Opinions in Oldster Journal, Maudlin Home, Brevity Weblog, Writing within the Darkish. Discover Trish on Substack at Get Gutsy.

Tagged: late bloomers, writing late in life, writing course of, writing actuality present