If you're coming over from Keli's Romance Writers on the Journey, WELCOME!!! And you already know about today's deal, so feel free to skip the next paragraph.
If you came here first, then WELCOME also and here's the DEAL: Today, January 15, if you leave a comment on my blog and a comment on Keli's Romance Writers on the Journey (where there is a short interview with yours truly), you will automatically be entered in two drawings. Each drawing is for a 10 dollar gift card of your choice to either Borders, Sees Candy, or Starbucks.
Now, let's talk titles.
Every week I get an update from eharlequin.com. I enjoy looking over their top ten lists just to read the titles. Here's the weeks top ten best-selling titles:
- The Spanish Billionaire's Pregnant Wife
- Desert Prince, Defiant Virgin
- The Prince's Waitress Wife
- Mediterranean Boss, Convenient Mistress
- The C.O.O. Must Marry
- The Billionaire Boss's Innocent Bride
- The Boss's Bedroom Agenda
- Cordero's Forced Bride
- Her Ruthless Italian Boss
- The Mediterranean Millionaire's Reluctant Mistress
My favorite is The Prince's Waitress Wife. It's laced with alliteration while raising all kinds of images to my mind. And apparently, millionaires and billionaires are IN this week. There's also a definite foreign theme going on here. Not to mention the boss thing. So, coincidence we ask? I have no idea. What I do know is that a lot of thought goes into these titles and it's not necessarily thoughts from the authors of the books. Surprised? I was.
As I indicated in my interview with Keli, I'm green in all of this, and I'm finding out lots of things about publishing that I never expected to be true. One thing that surprised me was learning that authors don't always have much (if any) say in their final title. In the end, it's the editor or a committee of editors who get to decide. For example, my story Running from Trouble has been renamed Protector's Honor (Sept. 09). Another 2008 Golden Heart winner, The Kinds of Wanting by Kris Kennedy, is releasing a few weeks with Kensington. It is now The Conqueror. And yet a third 2008 Golden Heart finaling story, Hot Pursuit by Lynn Ray Harris, was retitled Spanish Magnate, Red Hot Revenge. The truth is at least half of the Golden Heart finalists who've sold have had title changes and I think that percentage will increase as more sell and go to committee.
Now, you may think... why? Obviously, the original titles were good. Kris's so poetic and Lynn's super catchy...but that's not the point. That's not why titles are changed. It's marketing.
Editors and committees of editors carefully choose the title for each work that they think will generate the most sales and best represent the novel while it's sitting on the shelves.
My agent who's been in the business for 30 years told me that 7 out of 10 titles are changed before going to print and it's all to increase sales. And let's face it...We are writers, not marketing specialists. We shouldn't get upset when an editor decides that our work will do better with a different title. One very experienced author told me, "I learned a long time ago not to get attached to my titles." I think that's good advice.
So...What's your favorite title? Least favorite title? Funniest?
Keeping it short today because of the double deal, but thanks for coming by and don't forget to leave a comment on both blogs to be entered in the drawings.
32 comments:
Hi Kit,
I *love* your new title! I also liked _Running From Trouble_, but somehow, the stakes seems higher with the _Protector's Honor_.
The new title also feels more focused on the hero (I don't know if that's true or not!) and we do love our heroes, don't we? :-)
I agree with you 100%: Unless something's way out in left field, I'll let the publishing house do its job of packaging and marketing, and I'll write the next book.
So glad I have another release date for a Pixie! Sept, 2009. Yay!
Kris
Hi Kris,
And yes, focus on the hero was the idea behind my new title. Glad you like it.
And yay Pixies!
Kit
I like your old title, Kit, but what do I know? :-)
Great to get your email, Kit and to check out your blog. I actually like your old Title too but I have still only read the first chapter. When do I get to read the rest? Miss you! Kristin
Kit,
Great article. I like both titles.
I can't wait to get my copy of Protector's Honor. Your LIS will be the first I've ever read. I'm looking forward to my introduction to another series.
I'm anxious to get my copy of your book, point to your name on the cover and tell everyone, "I know her!"
Hi, Kit! I like your new title, and you are so right they change them all the time. But, my Spanish Magnate was NOT my GH finalist. That's a romantic suspense mss that remains, alas, unsold. :) The Spanish Magnate was my Harlequin Presents contest winner. The original title was The Spanish Magnate's Revenge -- they changed it, and I like what they came up with better. :)
All those top ten, btw, are Harlequin Presents or Desires. In spite of the titles (or because of, LOL), they are popular. (I've been explaining to my mother WHY I have red-hot revenge, etc, and not a more normal title, LOL.)
Oh no, Lynn! Sorry about my blunder with your mss. What was the original title for your HP? If you don't mind sharing...
And yes, these titles sometimes make me raise an eyebrow but Harlequin is selling more books than anyone. Period. They are doing something right.
My first LIS was titled The Good, The Bad, and The Romantic. LOL, needless to say, I loved it. They changed it to Pursuit of Justice. I had a release from Kensington years ago that I titled Mismanaging Maddy. Believe me, the title was perfect. They changed it to The Great Marriage Hunt.
Hi Kit,
I have to agree with you, my favorite is The Prince's Waitress Wife as well. It's different and intriguing. A book title is definitely a marketing skill. Especially as newer selling authors, we tend to not see the long range marketing picture. Still, one day I hope I title a book and they keep it. :) Thanks for the fun blog. Enjoy your day!
Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com
His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
His Woman/Duncan MacGruder - 4 star Romantic Times review
Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder - Date TBA
Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder
Great post! I love those titles. What fun it would be to write one based on a title!
Barbara Phinney
That would be fun to create a story based on a title!
Thanks for stopping by ...
I love your new title, Kit. I think there are certain buzz words that create good sales--honor is probably one of them. (As well as billionaire and millionare and baby and mistress!)
I enjoyed your interview on Keli's blog!
MIssy
missytippens [at] aol.com
I think Protector's Honor is a great title. It puts an image in your mind of a mighty warrior who is very honorable protecting his woman. I haven't read the book yet so that could be way off the mark. I do think the other titles are all very good too.
Ann Ambrosio
Hi Missy and Ann,
I love my new title too. But I'll admit I would have never thought of that theme to bring out without the help of the editors.
Thanks!
The title that caught my attention was: Desert Prince, Defiant Virgin...I was like, "What????"
I'd pick that up just to read the back cover blurb... **smile**
I haven't kept my titles for any LI. I loved the title of my first novel A JOYFUL SPIRIT (the Bible verses were the fruits of the psirit). That was changed to THE PATH TO LOVE. I liked my title better but I figured marketing knew what it was doing. I can't think of any titles I thought were terrible or funny--but then I seldome remember titles. One of my favorites is an old one by Heather MacAllister (also one of my favorite novels) THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE CUDDLY. About a baby of course.
Jane Myers Perrine
Hi Kit
I love alliteration! My critique partners are always catching me at it.
I'm still unpublished but I'm learning to think of my titles as disposable. Of course, that doesn't stop from agonizing over them.
I have to say that I am getting very tired of the titles of historicals that begin with "To (verb) a (noun)." There have been so many that they all run together.
I like Julia Quinn's Bridgerton titles which play off pop culture, The Viscount Who Loved Me, etc.
And I liked Running From Trouble best.
Great post Kit. I always look at that list of bestselling titles on eHarlequin and crack up laughing. I just can't help it.
And your author photo really is stunning.
Blessings, Teri
www.teriwilson.net
My favorite title was for my third LI, Hope's Garden. And it was one of the titles I suggested!
My least favorite title was avoided. My editor suggested THE WIDOW AND THE OFFICER for my Dec 2008 LI Historical, but I was saved by Her Captain's Heart.
THE WIDOW AND THE OFFICER??? THAT'S ROMANTIC? not.
Lyn
I just went through a title change with my next love inspired suspense. I find it hard to think of new title suggestions after living with one title for so long. But I have to admit I love the new title. And if they think it will sell better, GREAT. Congrats again on your sale!
I love hearing all these title stories!
Lyn, you always make me laugh!
I definitely like Her Captains Heart better!
Okay, I'm off to the water park (ah, the things we do for our kids)... I will try to check in again later this afternoon.
I think the new titles use certian words to convey a special something. LOL But I liked Hot Pursuit alot. Strong meaning. :-) I also like the title to your debut. Protector's Honor is catchy and gives a great image of what kind of hero you may have. (I'm assuming the hero is the protector, lol)
uh-I meant cerTAIN. LOL
Hi, Kit! My original title was The Spanish Magnate's Revenge. :) The book I'm working on now I've titled The Prince's Captive Bride. I have NO doubt it will be changed. :) In fact, I jokingly refer to it as The Mediterranean Magnate Prince's Captive Bride's Secret Baby. Who knows? *g*
My least favorite title is the one for my upcoming June Love Inspired Historical, The Preacher's Wife. My title was Song of the Mountain. But just because I find the new title unoriginal and uninspiring, doesn't mean I'm complaining. I always defer to marketing. I want my books to sell and if that means the title is not my favorite, oh well.
I love your new title, Kit. I'm not always keen on the Harlequin titles. But I've always assummed they must work in selling the books. I'm lucky my book kept the title I'd given it. But I suppose as it had appeared in Romantic Times five months running as The Magic Knot while the AT contest took place, Dorchester had no choice but to keep the title that everyone new.
And I think Millionaires are always IN!
Hey, I've found another great blog today!
A Question:
Was your GH entry polished with time to spare or did you finish it and enter at the last moment?
Thanks Kit. I enjoyed meeting you on these two blogsites today.
Hi, Kit, your and Keli's double dare was a offer I couldn't resist.
THANKS!
I was one of the luck ones because when Dorchester wanted to re-name my debut novel, The Jingle of Spurs, Leah asked me for suggestions. And, went with one I created--Where The Wind Blows.
I totally understand the whys titles are changed. And agree. But it would have been sad to have someone else name my first born.
Hugs,
~Caroline
Debra,
I did some self imposed revisions on the GH entry just before mailing it in and then didn't touch it again until I was asked by LI to make some revisions.
And to your comment about GBS... yes, I've had a remarkable recovery. The doctors were stunned by it. I'll be thinking of your friend.
God Bless all...
hey Kit - who comes up with the new names - does the publisher have someone just sitting around an office for that specific purpose? My free seconds just left - much love - Kristin
Hi everyone,
I understand Alleyne Dickens is our first drawing winner! YAY! She chose a gift card to Borders. Enjoy!
And Kristin to answer your question, the main editor for the line is the one who has the final say. But I think they often brainstorm titles in group meetings.
I'm with those who love your original title as much as your new one! :)
Congrats. I can't wait to read it!
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