107 Comments

Late-bloomer here...who works in publishing. (My dream!) As to titles, modern books live and die by the "metadata." Which has given rise, especially in non-fiction, to long and descriptive subtitles; a necessary evil. On titles, I suggest this: Late Bloomers: Stories of Lifelong Learners and the Case for Persistence.

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Very happy I checked MR today to come across this essay and publication. I really love the idea. Excited to hear how the journey continues.

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Apr 15, 2022Liked by Henry Oliver

So. Love. This. I went back to my teenaged love of poetry in what I optimistically call my middle years. First poem published when I was in my late 40's, now over 200 poems published. I wrote three collections of poetry in my 50's and was named 2019 Ohio Poet of the Year. Eager to see what my 60's will bring!

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I am a late bloomer too. At 57 I started hiking the long trails solo. First the Pacific Crest Trail, then the Continental Divide Trail, the PNT, the Apalachien Trail and many more. And, the list is long. As. long as I can walk and talk, I will explore this beautiful country and the world. Thank you for the inspiration.

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I wouldn't call myself a bloomer as much as a repeat bloomer. I hope to continue doing this for the rest of my life. As you say, we go out the same way we came in. It's what we do in-between that matters. If we can touch even one person on our journey to do something great, we have made this journey worthwhile.

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After two years of membership at Medium, I find that it has begun to lack enough substance to continue. The writers I care about have fled to Substack, and the Substack Reads newsletter has led me to you. I'm looking forward to your book. At 74 I should still be around for it, unless you also aspire to BE a late bloomer!

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May 10, 2022Liked by Henry Oliver

Interesting how we collectively define life’s timelines. One must obtain education by their early twenties, work from early twenties to their 60’s, then retirement becomes the norm. Cheers to those that upend this narrative!

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May 8, 2022Liked by Henry Oliver

I vote “Never Too Late...” title. So there is hope for met yet! I possess the list of late bloomer qualities you enumerated and feel I’ve always held a brake on my life-never truly letting go. At 49 I can see that life I want just on the horizon. It will take circumstance or guts to go for it.

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Apr 12, 2022Liked by Henry Oliver

I like "Look At Me Now" and "Never Too Late" 👍

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Congratulations on the grant! Consider this comment an early pledge for a pre-order.

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Slow burn:: late bloomers and lifelong learners

This title sounds good!!! 👍🏻

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Jan 31, 2023Liked by Henry Oliver

I really appreciate your work on this subject, and can't wait for the book. I also recently started reading 'The Tortoise and the Hare' after seeing your mention of it here and am finding it excellent; Elizabeth Jenkins certainly deserves greater renown. Would you mind pointing me to your dissertation?

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Hi Henry,

Can I give you an honest opinion, this day, 1 hour and 2 min before my birthday? I will be loving your new book on late boomer! Seriously, I do get to feel that you must quit the day-time job to write a book for the humankind, this needs to be huge decision, but certainly is a correct one. I am saying like this to you because I do feel resonated with what you‘re interested.

Can I borrow from you another one min? I will be half over hundred years by tomorrow. I have made so many wrong decisions, wasting my life away by investing in someone I shouldn’t and have to start all over again. This is hard (and I have to repeat this “hard” thousands time!) I got back on my feet few months ago, but now I think back this is still hard. But without what‘s happened previously, there won’t be me of today. Hope I could live to be one of those late boomers you’re learning & researching.

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Jun 29, 2022·edited Jun 29, 2022Liked by Henry Oliver

Good luck. Looking forward to reading it.

The title ― I believe that the first one is the best one.

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May 8, 2022Liked by Henry Oliver

Very enjoyable piece, and very pertinent.. At 72 I must be a late bloomer myself, About Bloomin’ Time I often think.. but then... the obstacles were pretty enormous.

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May 7, 2022Liked by Henry Oliver

I like the Slow Burn title. Do you know the work on adult stages of development? It seems relevant to your subject since life long learners and seekers love changing, growing, evolving.

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