I’ve noticed a trend in the SF/F magazines I’m reading lately– lots of stories about octogenarians dealing with their mortality.

It’s brought on some thoughts that perhaps are not exactly charitable.  Like, “Geez, how are we going to attract fresh young readers if half the stories in these mags are about Olde Farts?”

I haven’t done a study yet,  or anything; and I don’t know if I’m equipped (time-wise) to do one.  But I think it’s an interesting topic– are all the publishable writers getting old, and submitting stories about the things they’re naturally worried about?  Are the editors especially, subconsciously concerned with the Golden Years, and so choose stories that alleviate, or underline their fears/dreams/hopes, etc?

Or am I just bitter because the rejection letters for my young-to-middle-aged characters keep coming in, and nothing has anything to do with age, stupid!  🙂

I’m as likely to believe the latter as to believe any of the former.  In any case, I think it’s an interesting question.  Also, Nancy Kress leads off November’s Double Sized issue of Asimov’s with a story about old people that (so far) is engaging and excellent.