Fictitious Novel Titles

JimT. · May 10, 2007

In a novel, there are a number of fictitious novel titles. These are presented as real books as far as the reader is concerned, and are underlined according to real title rules.

There is one other title a character comes up with, and the reader knows it's not real. It's mentioned twice, in dialogue only, so should it be treated in the same way as the "real" titles (underlined), or not, or with some other punctuation? For example, "Let's call it (Title)."

I know there will be opinions on this, but I'd like to know if there's a rule that applies.

IrishScribbler · May 10, 2007

I've never heard a rule, but I would probably follow the same title rules not only for consistency, but also so the reader knows exactly where the title begins and ends, says I.

Willowmound · May 11, 2007

As 'Scribbler says.

maestrowork · May 11, 2007

Even if it's a made-up title, it's still a title and should be formated as a Title.

C.bronco · May 11, 2007

Just to be safe, I'd research the titles on the copyright.gov website.

Jamesaritchie · May 11, 2007

C.bronco said:
Just to be safe, I'd research the titles on the copyright.gov website.

Well, titles aren't covered by copyright, so it really doesn't matter.

JimT. · May 11, 2007

Thanks for the responses. I suspected there wasn't a rule--I keep finding things that have fallen through the cracks--but one never knows. If the "title" appeared in narrative in the form of an explanation, it would be adequate to just underline. But in dialogue, given the context, the resulting italics look strange. I guess an editor will figure it out, if it comes to that.

sgtmrb03 · May 11, 2007

In Stephen King's novella The Breathing Method, he mentions fictitious authors and titles, and uses the usual rules for existing novel and poem titles.

JimT. · May 12, 2007

sgtmrb03 said:
In Stephen King's novella The Breathing Method, he mentions fictitious authors and titles, and uses the usual rules for existing novel and poem titles.

So would I, except in this one case where the reader can see by the characters' dialogue that the title is being invented. But it won't make or break the novel, either way.

Chumplet · May 12, 2007

Jamesaritchie said:
Well, titles aren't covered by copyright, so it really doesn't matter.

Thank God for that!

Garpy · May 13, 2007

Italic, not underlined or CAPTIALIZED. And, don't worry, there's no copyright on a title.

Thomas White · May 13, 2007

There is no copyright on titles, but there are certainly trade marks. I dare you to try and name a book Harry Potter.

Berry · May 13, 2007

Thomas White said:
There is no copyright on titles, but there are certainly trade marks. I dare you to try and name a book Harry Potter.

Oh, you can use "Harry Potter" in book titles just fine, as long as you aren't trying to put it forward as a Harry Potter novel. I point to the excellent The Unauthorized Harry Potter by Adam-Troy Castro (Ben Bella Books, 2007) as an example. This is a collection of essays, musings and speculations about Harry Potter, which anyone is free to do under fair use.

Elektra · May 13, 2007

Anyone else think this thread was about making up titles to non-existant books?

Fictitious Novel Titles

JimT.

IrishScribbler

Willowmound

Lightly salted

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

C.bronco

I have plans...

Jamesaritchie

JimT.

sgtmrb03

JimT.

Chumplet

This hat is getting too hot

Garpy

keyboard monkey

Thomas White

Berry

Elektra

Don't Call Me Sweetheart