[Shayna]

I am having a beef with authors having to change to titles of their books! I mean, isn't it their right to keep the title as they so want it??

When I am looking for a book, I would like to know that I have the right title and that I am not searching for the wrong book!

On this note, I have noticed quite a few books under this dilemma.

The Naming my Allison Croggon has another title!

I noticed on the front page of sff that a new author has her book also under two different names.

I believe a book should have one title and one title only!

If there are some authors here,under this site could possibly give their insight on this subject, it would be much appreciated!

Shayna :)

[Shayna]

Anyone can answer this!

Kit Whitfield has a book out....It has two names - Bareback or Benighted?

I thought that once a book has a title, that is the title it stays with?

I just thought i would ask and see what kind of comments and rights people have with their books and theirm writings!

Can anyone answer? Curious, Shayna

[BrianC]

I am having a beef with authors having to change to titles of their books! I mean, isn't it their right to keep the title as they so want it??

When I am looking for a book, I would like to know that I have the right title and that I am not searching for the wrong book!

On this note, I have noticed quite a few books under this dilemma.

The Naming my Allison Croggon has another title!

I noticed on the front page of sff that a new author has her book also under two different names.

I believe a book should have one title and one title only!

If there are some authors here,under this site could possibly give their insight on this subject, it would be much appreciated!

Shayna :)Different editions are sometimes given different/alternate titles to avoid confusion, actually. Alison's book was originally published in 2002 in Australia by Penguin Books Australia under the title The Gift. When the US hardback version was brought out in 2005 by Candlewick Books, as I understand it, there was concern that her book would be confused with another novel named "The Gift". Ergo, Candlewick changed the title to The Naming.

[Hobbit]

Kit Whitfield has a book out....It has two names - Bareback or Benighted?As Kater's review HERE (http://www.sffworld.com/brevoff/288.html) shows, the book in the UK is called Bareback, whilst in the US it is Benighted.

In Canada, as you can buy both editions, I guess you have the choice, Shayna!

To be fair to the authors, it is often an editor/publishing thing, rather than the choice of the author. I have known some books being given titles reviled by their authors but used in different markets. In these days of globalisation though it does happen less and less.

Hobbit

[Shayna]

As Kater's review HERE (http://www.sffworld.com/brevoff/288.html) shows, the book in the UK is called Bareback, whilst in the US it is Benighted.

In Canada, as you can buy both editions, I guess you have the choice, Shayna!

To be fair to the authors, it is often an editor/publishing thing, rather than the choice of the author. I have known some books being given titles reviled by their authors but used in different markets. In these days of globalisation though it does happen less and less.

Hobbit



Thank-you, Hobbit!

And "Kater"...Congrats on doing a fine interview with Kit Whitfield!!:)

I do understand now why she had to change her book title. But with so many copyright laws out there, how can this title change be given (to the editor/publisher) to handle? I know that give and take is considered in these matters, but is it not the author who has the final say in this decision?

I mean if to say, your "book" becomes a bestseller...wouldn't you want to to be known for its Title? Original Title?

The One and only?


I am just making comments on this because for example:


Neverwhere- is Neil Gaimans' book

Narnia - is C.S.Lewis' book

This matter being is that we will always recognize their work under these titles!!

I am not putting any body down, thier writing and abilities will always be there, and I will be going out to buy their books!

I like to discuss the ideas we have, per say, surrounding the book business! It is very interesting!;)

[BrianC]

Ahh, but under US law the title of a writing is NOT separately copyrightable except to the extent that it contains an otherwise copyrighted name or phrase. For example, if I write a book and get it published it under the title Neverwhere (excellent book, by the way), then Neil Gaiman may not like it, but it is not a copyright violation. But, I could not publish a book called Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, because Harry Potter is a copyrighted character (not to mention probably also a trademarked name by now). I could title it The Sorceror's Stone, however.

Generally, however, the title is not able to be copyrighted by itself. This is why if you search on Amazon (US) for some innocuous words, say 'wolf' and 'winter' you'll get two different books titled "Wolf Winter" and three books titled "The Wolf in Winter."

But that doesn't really answer your question.

Why does the publisher get to veto the title given to a book by the author? Maybe because they write the checks? It probably depends on how much pull the author has with the publisher. And, as already discussed, there may be very good reasons to change a title.

[Shayna]

Ahh, but under US law the title of a writing is NOT separately copyrightable except to the extent that it contains an otherwise copyrighted name or phrase. For example, if I write a book and get it published it under the title Neverwhere (excellent book, by the way), then Neil Gaiman may not like it, but it is not a copyright violation. But, I could not publish a book called Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, because Harry Potter is a copyrighted character (not to mention probably also a trademarked name by now). I could title it The Sorceror's Stone, however.

Generally, however, the title is not able to be copyrighted by itself. This is why if you search on Amazon (US) for some innocuous words, say 'wolf' and 'winter' you'll get two different books titled "Wolf Winter" and three books titled "The Wolf in Winter."

But that doesn't really answer your question.

Why does the publisher get to veto the title given to a book by the author? Maybe because they write the checks? It probably depends on how much pull the author has with the publisher. And, as already discussed, there may be very good reasons to change a title.



So...say I want to write a book, title it "Neverwhere"...I would be able to do this? But, harry potter is a titles' name but yet used as a character for selling items?

What if i wanted to sell an item, like a puppet named neverwhere, what would happen then?

lol I do like your line - writing the checks!! :D I guess that might just do it!! hahahah!

You see what I mean, though now we have brought up the subject of trade marks!! Any way, I am getting off the subject! Sorry!


BrianC... Thank you! Shayna!!:)

PS: If any other answers...bring them on!!!;)

[BrianC]

So...say I want to write a book, title it "Neverwhere"...I would be able to do this? But, harry potter is a titles' name but yet used as a character for selling items?

What if i wanted to sell an item, like a puppet named neverwhere, what would happen then?Two different issues. Forget that I mentioned the trademark issue. It will only confuse things. The point is that most book titles, such as The Giftare not separably copyrightable, and, therefore, copyright is not an issue when it comes to assigning a title to a book. Arguably, when if a book contains a phrase that is copyrighted, then that portion of the title may be protected from unauthorized use.

As a practical matter, it is isn't going to make any difference. For reasons, of courtesy, comity and sheer economics, publishers are not going to put out books that are going to be confused with other books also in the market. Besides, what reputable author would want her brilliant, timeless work confused for the wretched ramblings of some hack?

[Shayna]

Touche Brian!!:)

I was only trying to keep the discussion going and to keep it light!! I know I was going into this a bit over my head, but of course, we do get curious about the way things work!;)

Even, The young writers I see here are going to have questions and sometimes we need to answer them!

Thanx Shayna

[Hobbit]

Just to add to this discussion of what authors can and cannot do:
blog post here (http://misssnark.blogspot.com/2006/08/title-call-me-your-majesty-please.html)
which leads to

this one: (http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=386)

In addition to not having final say about the title. Writers also usually have no control over the following:

* The cover

* The jacket copy

* What font it’s typeset in

* Whether there’s an author photo or not

* When the book is published

* What format the book is published in (that’s right, Scott did not decide that the third book of his paperback trilogy, Uglies, should be printed in hardcover)

* Whether there’s a signing in your town or not (when I do a signing it’s usually because a bookshop has requested that I do one or because my publicist at Penguin has arranged one or because I’ve set it up myself—though I’m getting too jaded to do that anymore)

* The cost of the book

* Whether it’s available in your country

* Whether it’s available as an audio book

* Whether a movie is made out of it

Hobbit