Hi Upland,
Honestly, the age or health doesn't matter when it comes to that book or the promotion. There have been a lot of people who sold a book and died right after signing the contract. I believe even some best sellers came through that way if I recall. I know there was a man who did his memoir back in the 90's. He had AIDs or cancer and he'd gotten a deal and died before the book even went close to print. I remember an elderly lady getting a deal a few years ago. She got a six figure advance and her book either hit best seller status or was on its way to it but she died before publication. So, her being active in promotion really didn't make a difference and the book was selling anyway.
It depends on how active the publisher is going to be for that book. It has nothing to do with the author because the pub already knows the type of push they're going to bring to the product.
There are millions of writers who are disabled and never leave their house and they have built careers as writers. Besides that, most authors (as we all know) are reclusive. The average writer is not like those you see giving signings or tours. Most writers do not like to go out much, are homebodies and stuck in their own world of writing. Yet, their books are being promoted and being sold.
With the part about promoting the book, I assume you meant traditional methods such as signings and tours where it might be harder for folks to get out. Well, tours and signings are decided by the author and paid for by the author. Pubs don't suggest them and they don't force you or even ask you, so if an author is elderly or disabled and know it's hard for them to get around, they most likely won't choose this type of promotion.
Another thing is that author promotion is way overrated. We all should promote our books but the little stuff an author does couldn't compare to the worst marketing a publisher does. By the time a book hits bookstores, it's already seen the bulk of its promotion. Most promotion comes from pre-promotion so stuff like "signings" and "tours" are just extras if the author wants to do them. But no author is hindered just for the fact of "not being able to get out". It doesn't matter these days.
The Internet is the key these days making it even better for authors to not have to waste tons of money or even "leave" the house if they aren't able.
Also, I don't believe anyone is in the "primary adult marketing demographic". (This is just my opinion). Age has nothing to do with it, if there is one. The only people that would be in such a category are authors who can step out the door and guarantee book sales, LOL. That would be the criteria for that but no one in publishing and writing cares about age unless certain issues arise. Age certainly doesn't matter when it comes to marketing.
What matters is the nature of the book, how big the intended audience is, getting it to that audience and bringing in the numbers. I can say that writing is one industry where age and looks really doesn't matter, LOL.
Best Wishes!
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