George Pankow believes staying mentally active is key to aging well. In challenging himself to do just that, he discovered a hidden talent that would lead to three published books.
Born in Sudbury, George spent his early years working for several mining companies before beginning a long career as a firefighter in Smiths Falls, where he worked for 23 years. He first retired in 2002 at the age of 57, but soon found himself restless and returned to work as a delivery driver until his second retirement at 69.
He admits having a passion for writing since childhood but never gave it much thought. Once, in his thirties, he tried to write a memoir but soon abandoned the project.
Most of the reading he did came while completing online courses through the University of Guelph. These weren’t novels, however—though he’s 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.
A second act in storytelling
Writing came naturally. George draws on real-life experiences to craft stories that explore human relationships, resilience, and the unexpected twists life can deliver. His goal is to 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 retirement. He has since written two more: his first full-length novel, A New Beginning, is a romantic mystery fiction inspired by his own life experiences. That 80,000-word story took just four months to complete.
Now, he’s preparing to release his third book—a science fiction battle thriller titled Planet Darius (A New World)—which he hopes to publish by December 2025.
The path to publication
The writer says he’s learned plenty 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 worked with, a vanity publisher, left him disappointed.
“The second proved to be more acceptable but expensive. I should have spent more time researching publishing avenues.”
While he’s modest about how his novels will perform, George says the journey has been rewarding.
“It’s too early to say how popular my novel might be,” he says, “but I must divulge that all of my relatives bought a copy.”
Staying sharp through creativity
George believes writing is a great way for seniors to keep their minds active and encourages others to share their own 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.
For older adults interested in lifelong learning, many Ontario universities—including the University of Guelph—offer tuition waivers for eligible seniors, opening doors to new creative pursuits.
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’s writing journey or purchase his books, visit www.georgepankowbooks.com. Readers can also follow him on Facebook and Instagram at @pankow.george.