By the Book

Client: Blinkbox Books

Agency: Distilled

Responsible for: Creative Concept

Design: Matt Mitchell-Camp


Charting the careers of some the world’s best-loved authors, to reveal when they published their breakthrough novel.


Our culture fetishes youth, even in literature. We talk about 5 under 35 and 20 under 40, but not the geniuses flowered later in life. 

Lincoln Michel, Book Riot

Charles Dickens published his first book at the age of 26; Jack Kerouac’s first novel came out when he was just 21. But as it turns out, making it in your 20s isn’t the norm…

Emma Cueto, Bustle

This chart proves it’s never too late to publish a novel.

Brandon Ambrosino, Vox

Featured on over 100 sites including Flavorpill, Paste and the Guardian.