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Notes on starting over at sixty-one.

Ruth Calder in a dark library, glasses on, looking into the camera
Ruth Calder@ruthcalder

A Sunday letter about late beginnings, second careers and the books that got me through them.

  • 28,400

    readers of Second Drafts
  • 212

    letters since 2022

Ways to read

  • Memoir circle

    $240
    Starts Nov 18 · 8 weeks · online · 12 places

    Write the story only you remember, with eleven other late starters.

  • Late Bloom: essays

    $18
    Paperback · Ships worldwide

    Twenty-two essays on beginning again. Paperback, 224 pages.

  • Late Bloom, signed

    $28
    Signed copy · While they last

    The same book, with a typed note from me.

Merch

  • A cream T-shirt laid out on a wooden floor in sunlight

    “Still drafting” tee

    Tee

    $28
  • A black T-shirt on a hanger against a white wall

    Sunday letter tee

    Tee

    $28
  • A black tote bag carried over the shoulder

    Library tote

    Tote

    $24

Every Sunday · 28,400 readers

Second Drafts

One letter on Sunday, about beginning again.

Get my list of twelve books for a late start.