New news and old news

The National Book Foundation announced "5 Under 35" this week -- what it calls "the next generation of fiction writers." The five authors, all under age 35, will be honored Nov. 12 in New York. The complete list, from the National Book Foundation site, is here.

I have nothing against younger writers being feted -- the Yale Younger Poets series has been an institution for years. But I wonder if anyone will ever give awards for the best new writers over 60.

The answer is no, of course, but why is it no? Because old new writers couldn't possibly produce anything interesting? Because they're too old to have brilliant careers filled with future books? Because publishers and booksellers wouldn't be interested? Whatever the reason, such an award would be wicked cool. Hm...is that an over-60 expression?