Title Question

TwilightxDream · Mar 30, 2010

What happens if you have a title that's similar to another recent title? I have a manuscript that I titled "Shadow Soul" but it sounds very similar to LJ Smith's "The Return: Shadow Souls"

I didn't do that on purpose..I was actually going through song lyrics and strung some words together, and it does have an explanation in my story for what a Shadow Soul is.

Is this okay? What are the rules - if there are any - on this?

Thanks!

cscarlet · Mar 30, 2010

Don't worry about it. It's good to give your WIP a title of course, and use it in querying, but ultimately it will be the publisher who decides on the final title when it goes to print (and they may-or-may-not change it depending on whatever it is they had for breakfast). So just keep your title now and try not to stress yourself out over it later if they come up with something totally different.

Claudia Gray · Mar 30, 2010

If your book is a YA paranormal, then following LJ Smith on this might be a bad idea. I'd say the general rule is that, while titles cannot be copyrighted and often can be reused, you shouldn't duplicate the title of (a) a recent/classic hit book in your specific genre or (b) a classic that anybody would have heard of.

Since you say that you aren't very married to your title, a change might be the best thing for you.

ceenindee · Mar 30, 2010

I don't know what the "rules" might be, but you might want to ask yourself: Is your story in the same genre as LJ Smith's, where it might be easily confused? What are some other titles that could work for your story? Stuff like that. Copyright-wise though, I would guess you're safe.

shaldna · Mar 30, 2010

You can't copyright titles. But as the others said, choosing a title that is similar to another in the same genre is a bad idea.

TwilightxDream · Mar 30, 2010

Thanks everyone. I appreciate it

I think I'll keep it for my working title, and then maybe change it before I start querying or something like that. What I'm hoping is, as I write the story, a better title will come to me.

Thanks again for all the advice!

Tuuli · Mar 30, 2010

I doubt it'll be a problem. By the time your book comes out, her title will have been forgotten--unless it becomes the next Twilight. And your's is only two words of her four. Just a thought.

Begbie · Apr 1, 2010

The first thing my publisher said to me when she made the offer is: "I hate the title. Can we change it?" Use a catchy title to try to hook agents/editors, but be prepared for your publisher to have final say.

shaldna · Apr 2, 2010

Begbie made a good point here, often titles get changed.

Zoealea · Apr 6, 2010

I think that if what you're writing is similar to the other book with the same title, it might be a good thing to change it. But if its different I see no point in changing.

TwilightxDream · Apr 9, 2010

Tuuli said:
I doubt it'll be a problem. By the time your book comes out, her title will have been forgotten--unless it becomes the next Twilight. And your's is only two words of her four. Just a thought.

That's what I was thinking...That by the time mine comes out, it won't matter. But I figure I can use my title as a title to query with. And then as other people said, the agent or editor may change it, which is fine with me, if it makes the story better

Title Question

TwilightxDream

TwilightxDream

cscarlet

AW = Procrastination.

Claudia Gray

ceenindee

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

TwilightxDream

TwilightxDream

Tuuli

Research Addict

Begbie

Quite a character

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Zoealea

Mmmm, caffeine.

TwilightxDream

TwilightxDream