How to describe it? I can tell you what it isn’t. The book doesn’t fit the RomCom genre. Although there are elements of comedy within its themes, A Measured Man’s humour is poignant. Sometimes it’s painful, at times exasperating. Aubrey Tennant is a complex character as you’d expect from my novels. I placed it in the contemporary literary fiction category because that seemed to be the best fit.
At the heart of the book is the unusual relationship between Aubrey Tennant and Lisa Miller. It isn’t so much a slow burner: it’s a slow realisation of what they both want for the rest of their lives.
Who is the Measured Man?
Aubrey Tennant is a bachelor in his fifties who is still looking for his ideal woman. The trouble is, he has exacting requirements. He relies on rehearsed questions to extract from potential candidates what he needs to know. When he meets Lisa Miller on his annual trip to Torquay he doesn’t know she’s already buried two husbands.
A Measured Man advert on Facebook
Promoting A Measured Man
As a self-published author I try to put as much effort into self promotion as I’m able. Sometimes the #CRPS gets in the way and I have to rest but I’m still learning how to get my message out to potential readers.
The first thing I did to find early feedback on A Measured Man was contact a local neighbourhood group to offer freebies pre-publication. This has brought me some valuable contacts and a ready-made email list for other books.
I’ve gone back to Goodreads and made sure all my books stop linking to Amazon France.
I’ve found out how I can share designs I create on Canva with Twitter and Instagram. I love Canva. I know it isn’t oriented especially for authors as is Bookbrush but I find Canva easy to understand and use.
I’ve learned how to use Facebook adverts so that I can redirect people who click on the link to my author page on Amazon where all my books are listed.
I’m also experimenting with three of my books on Kobo, an alternative ebook reader to see if I can find an audience there.
Where to get your copy
You can order in the UK on the link that appears here.
Older readers are beginning to have their message heard but I hope the folks in the picture above are in a book club. I can’t think of any other reason why you’d sit around a table sharing favourite gems from fiction you’ve enjoyed with such a wide grin on your face.
Correction. I can actually imagine several reasons. Here’s one:
Maybe the book is erotica and, instead of reminiscing about the days when they could complete the sexual gymnastics described in Chapter Five, they’ve all decided to slip upstairs at the nursing home, swap rooms and give it a go.
Sorry, I get sarcastic when the subject of older readers comes up. Thankfully since my last post on the subject: Gran Lit. Are you serious? there’s been a shift in publishers’ thinking. I’m not claiming any credit for that. I’m just one of many voices including the knowledgeable and experienced members of the Books for Older Readers Facebook page. Here’s a link BFOR. There’s a website too www.booksforolderreaders.co.uk established in October 2017 to promote books (mainly fiction) with older protagonists or themes which tend to appeal to readers in mid-life or beyond.
Older readers. Do they count?
Stephen King reading Lee Child
They surely do. There are a lot of us. And publishers are taking notice. I’m glad it’s happening but it depends on how you define old. In a current competition from Harper Collins HQ division authors over 40 yrs. old are invited to submit unpublished work where the main character is also over 40. Over 40? They call that OLD? Heavens to Betsy, they still haven’t got it right.
Look here, you publishers. 18% of the UK population is OVER 65. In 2019 the total population is estimated at 66, 937,197 so roughly 11 and a half million of us fit this older reader bracket. If you want to count older as being from age 40 you’re looking at a much higher number.
Older readers. Where are they?
Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside
According to a 2019 survey the top ten towns and cities where the average age of the population is over 40 are as follows alphabetically: Barnsley, Birkenhead, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Mansfield, Southend-on-Sea, Sunderland, Swansea, Wakefield and Worthing. At an average age of just over 43, Blackpool is the place with the largest percentage of older people.
Now, let me tell you, people DO NOT go to Blackpool for a quiet spell of rest and relaxation. I believe it’s reasonable to say that Blackpool still ranks as the UK’s number one getaway for a dirty weekend. It has night clubs and casinos, break-your-neck rides at the Pleasure Beach and, let’s not forget, Blackpool Tower where all the hip-swivelling contestants aim to be in Strictly Come Dancing every year. Cruise the bars along the promenade this summer and I bet you it ain’t spring chickens under those kiss-me-quick hats.
Older readers. What do they read?
If you Google what do older people read? here’s what you get.
Are older readers anxious?
It’s interesting that once you add the word older, the algorithms assume you’re looking for support with ageing problems. I found Reading interests and needs of older people – based on a survey dated 1973. There doesn’t seem to be anything more recent.
In a section called ‘Books older people can read’ the Age UK website recommends A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler, one of my favourite authors. I approve of their choice but not of their title. What do they mean by ‘Can‘ read? Are they saying we can’t read books by younger writers?
In a 2012 study the university of Leicester asked why older people struggle to read fine print. They came to the conclusion that older people struggle with fine detail and prefer slightly blurred text????
I really don’t get the blurred thing. Larger print – yes. But blurred?
And so to Amazon. Dearie me. If you search the great Zon for books for the elderly they’ll suggest colouring books. Lots of fine details in those things, folks. If you search books for older readers Amazon assumes you mean older children and up pops Horrid Henry. If you search books with older characters Amazon can’t cope. It gets completely confused and offers Peppa Pig.
According to the website Next Avenue-where grown-ups keep growing older readers(female) still want to read romance and, apparently, there’s a growing demand from Boomers for erotica ebooks. I imagine they wouldn’t want the paperback hanging around the house for all to see but Next Avenue’s findings lend some validation to my imagined scenario in the nursing home. Cheesy grin.
Older readers. So what do they want?
from oubebreaker
I posted the following questions on my Celia Micklefield FB author page. I also made a nuisance of myself asking friends and members of local groups I belong to.
Have your reading tastes changed since you were young?
Does it matter that there isn’t a genre for older readers?
Some said their tastes had broadened and they now read the kinds of books that didn’t interest them when they were younger. Non fiction and self-help books featured in this wider taste. However, they still read what they have always enjoyed be it, crime, mystery, horror, sic-fi, fantasy etc. They didn’t think growing older had had any effect on their choices.
Some older readers said they enjoyed re-reading classics and old favourites. This got me thinking and, yes, I would love to read The Thornbirds again.
Almost all reported they didn’t think it necessary to have a separate genre for older readers. They can decide if a book is right for their taste by the blurb, they said, or by recommendation from friends. They feel they already have enough reminders they’re getting on in years without there being special bookshelves for older readers.
So it looks like we’re back to choosing by genre what you read whatever your age.
Choosing by genre
what’s your fancy?
I’ve always had a problem with genre. I enjoy reading books with multiple threads, time slips so you can discover what happened in a character’s past especially when they don’t know it themselves, a strong plot and settings that make you feel you’re walking the streets in the book’s backdrop. Realistic dialogue appropriate for each character is a must and I don’t care if it’s English or U.S. spelling as long as it’s right for the mood and setting. I particularly enjoy characters with problems to solve. Throw in a hint of mystery and I’m on Chapter Three already!
You can find all of the above in a Saga, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Crime, Romance etc. etc. So, for me at least, genre is not the number one factor affecting my choice of book to read. If the first few paragraphs draw me in I’m reaching for my bank card.
The purpose of books?
I love books that make me think
I’m 70 now. Jeez, how did that happen? I don’t live in any of the Top Ten older population towns but in my corner of Norfolk near the east coast of England, I bet we’d make the Top Twenty. I don’t subscribe to the apparent interest in erotica but I did read 50 Shades out of curiosity. After a very short time my practical/dark humour head switched into gear and I wondered where you could possibly find a twenty-one year old virgin these days. Moreover, how she could walk and sit down comfortably after such frequent ravaging for her first sexual encounters beggars belief.
But, what do I know? I’m not a huge best-seller like Erika Leonard. She’s 56, you know. I wonder if she’s been to Blackpool?
The purpose of the books I choose will vary according to how I’m feeling and what my current needs are:escapism, entertainment, wanderlust, educational and so on. Sometimes all I want is an easy read I can pick up and put down as and when. At other times I want to devote my whole day to another author’s creation. That’s the underpinning need for variety in my nature, something that hasn’t changed since I learned to read.
My fiction for older readers
As I love reading a wide variety of kinds of novels I suppose it’s no surprise I enjoy writing them too. All my work is suitable for the older reader and not necessarily just for women.
Arse(d) Ends, inspired by words ending in the letters a.r.s.e. and Queer as Folk are collections of short (and not so short) stories, some darkly humorous, some outright quirky. They’ll make you smile or shiver!
Patterns of Our Lives is a saga from 1935 to 2009. Family secrets from World War Two surface generations later. You might need a box of tissues with this one.
Trobairitz the Storyteller is general/literary fiction set in southern France where I used to live. With hints of mystery and romance my contemporary female troubadour entertains long haul drivers at an overnight truck stop by telling them a story.
The Sandman and Mrs Carter is a psychological mystery/drama. Mrs Wendy Carter never speaks for herself. Five characters tell her story from their point of view. There’s a mystery voice too, partly revealed at the end leaving readers with some thinking to do.
Non-fiction
I should mention People Who Hurt too. It’s my only non-fiction title. Being an older woman didn’t protect me from getting into a toxic relationship when I was in my fifties. People Who Hurt is part memoir and part informational. I know it’s helped others and I’m happy to offer it free on KU. Here’s a link if you’d like to read a sample.
All my books feature older characters with problems to solve. Here’s a link to my Amazon author page
You can also find my work in the English language sections across Europe and beyond.
If you’re an older reader and would like to share your thoughts take a look at the BFOR Facebook page.
see you on Facebook!
Many thanks to Books For Older Readers for allowing me this slot on their Blog Blitz this month. Don’t forget to subscribe to my mailing list if you’d like news of upcoming offers. Leave a few words in the comments box too. I love to hear from other readers/authors.
