A Rose By Any Other Name...Might Be Better.
For this month’s TITLE TALK theme, I took an informal survey
of fellow children’s book authors asking them if their original titles were the
ones used on the published book. I was surprised that most were able to keep
their titles at publication. Those that ended up with different titles decided
they were better choices for the book. Only one hated the final title chosen.
In my case, BOTH my middle grade historicals ended up with
different titles than I’d started with. When I submitted the manuscript for
WHEELS OF CHANGE, it had the title THE CARRIAGE MAKER’S DAUGHTER, which is what
the story is about. But, the editor thought we would be in danger of excluding
boys from reading the book with that title. Boys and girls love the book, so
the editor was spot on for that choice.
My soon-to-be-published second historical had the working
title of FISH, WISH, AND OTHER FOUR LETTER WORDS. This was the title I woke up from a dream with
and it helped guide me through the poems that make up this novel-in-verse. Many
of the entries were indeed four letter words.
But, we all know that kids would see that title and come up with all the
WRONG four-letter words! So, it was no
surprise that the tile was changed, and is now WISHES, DARES, AND HOW TO STAND
UP TO A BULLY.
For those of us who lament and wonder why our editors seem
to want to change titles, take heart. Be
thankful that someone is looking out for you and wants your book to be well
received. That isn’t always the case as you can see in these awful titles of
actual children’s books:
Here is a link to the Worst Book Titles Ever.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=worst+children%27s+book+titles&id=51473B7FE15F5112ED55100AB788D3D8656A8D32&FORM=IQFRBA
Do you agree? I’ll
let you decide. Makes me grateful that the changes editors have made for most
of the children’s books out in the world are for the better.
Those bad titles are hilarious but not the way one would want a book to be remembered...LOL!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Teresa. Can you imagine?
ReplyDeleteI love the two new titles your editors helped you come up with. One of my author friends was told by her agent to come up with ONE HUNDRED possible titles for her book and try them out on all her friends!
ReplyDeleteOne hundred titles! Most of the time, that's exactly what it feels like it takes! Love the stories of your own titles, Darlene.
ReplyDeleteI had about seven possible alternate titles, none of which made the final cut. Can't imagine 100, Claudia.I enjoy hearing how others have come up with titles as well, Holly.
ReplyDeleteAre you tired of being human, having talented brain turning to a vampire in a good posture in ten minutes, Do you want to have power and influence over others, To be charming and desirable, To have wealth, health, without delaying in a good human posture and becoming an immortal? If yes, these your chance. It's a world of vampire where life get easier,We have made so many persons vampires and have turned them rich, You will assured long life and prosperity, You shall be made to be very sensitive to mental alertness, Stronger and also very fast, You will not be restricted to walking at night only even at the very middle of broad day light you will be made to walk, This is an opportunity to have the human vampire virus to perform in a good posture. If you are interested contact us on Vampirelord7878@gmail.com
ReplyDelete