George Pankow believes seniors should do their best to stay mentally active. While challenging himself to do just that, he ended up discovering a hidden talent.
His earliest years were spent working for a number of mining companies in Sudbury. He then moved back to Smith Falls, where for 23 years he worked as a firefighter. He first retired in 2002 at the age of 57, but was bored by it; he decided to drive a delivery truck until 2014, retiring for a second time when he was 69.
He admits having a passion for writing since childhood, but never gave it too much thought. Once, in his thirties, he did attempt to write a memoir, but he soon abandoned the project.
Most of the reading he did occurred while completing online courses from the University of Guelph. These weren’t novels, however, and he has always been a fan of Stephen King’s books.
“The urge to write came after completing some creative writing courses, where I discovered the gift of having an imagination,” says the author.
Writing seemed to come naturally. George draws on real-life experiences to craft stories that explore human relationships, resilience, and the unexpected twists life can deliver; he aims to write novels that connect with readers on a personal level.
“My first book, Slaves of Aries, is only 60 pages and was developed while completing a short story writing course.”
He certainly never expected to be a published author, let alone in his retirement.
He has since written two more: his first novel, A New Beginning, is a romantic mystery fiction based on his own life experiences. That book (80,000 words) took him just four months to complete.
He is now in the process of having his third book published—a science fiction battle thriller called Planet Darius (A New World). The author is hoping for a December 2025 release.
The path to publication
The writer has learned a lot of lessons along the way.
“I did consider approaching agents and trying to convince them to accept my manuscript, but I never did care for rejection letters,” he says.
Ultimately, he decided to go the self-publishing route.
The first publisher he dealt with, a vanity publisher, completely disappointed him. “The second proved to be more acceptable but expensive. I should have spent more time researching publishing avenues.”
“It’s too early to say how popular my novel might be,” says the author, “but I must divulge that all of my relatives bought a copy.”
A great way to stay engaged
George believes it’s important for seniors to stay mentally active and he encourages them to share their stories.
“Writing has improved my mental alertness, leading to an improved memory,” he says, while admitting he does sometimes have trouble remembering someone’s first name.
“Seniors have many years of memories to share with the world. Having been born before television, cell phones, and social media, we developed wonderful imaginations to entertain ourselves. Use this information in creating stories for grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy,” advises the author.
Several universities in Ontario waive tuition fees for eligible seniors, opening up worlds of possibility and opportunity.
Says George, “Don’t ever say I’m too old to begin a writing career. Enroll in a writing course if you’re unsure of how to complete a manuscript. Above all, continue to remain mentally active.”
To learn more about George and his work, visit www.georgepankowbooks.com. Buy your copy of A New Beginning here.
Follow the author on Facebook and Instagram @pankow.george.
