There’s something you probably don’t know about me. I seldom watch television and actually think it’s a waste of time- time I could spend writing. The rare program is seen from a hotel bed, and usually indulged in when I can’t sleep, or passing the time between appointments. Like most red- blooded Americans I watch the Bachelor and Bachelorette, but that’s just for research and not because of the cute, young bods, and the romantic settings. It pays to keep current and think current, I’ve rationalized.

Lately when I’ve watched television, the one thing I’ve noticed is how savvy the marketers are. They’ve realized America is aging and an aging America means people with spending power. Money dictates. The baby boomers have boomed. Baby boomers are those of us born between the years 1946 – 1964 and that makes us between 46 and 64. We are the disposable income crowd. Savvy marketers have already figured out where the spending power is and even commercials are targeted to a more mature group of people. The icons we grew up with are hawking Viagra as opposed to Depends.

Even the cosmetic companies have jumped on the bandwagon. Years ago would an over forty Halle Berry, stunning as she is, be representing Revlon?

The sitcoms and movies are all over it too. Look at the popularity of Cougar Town and It’s Complicated, opening this December to rave reviews. So doesn’t it seem to make sense that soon the mature woman is reflected in our books?

Readers prefer heroines they can relate to. We root for people who are just like us. Given that, you can bet your disposable dollar, those able to pay will dictate your next book.

What do you think? Will cougars reign?

The two most interesting perspectives on my comments win an autographed book.