Are punny titles the kiss of death for picture books?

JoeEkaitis · Mar 26, 2005

I'm tinkering with a story to go along with this. Does a pun in the title turn off editors?

Inspired · Mar 27, 2005

I don't think so. In fact, punny titles usually attract adults. They pick it up, give it a look, like it, then buy it.

If it's really lame, sure, it'll turn people off. But, usually the publisher prevents that from happening.

rich · Mar 27, 2005

But, make it original, and most of all, witty.

Inspired · Mar 27, 2005

True. Especially for editors. They are the typical parent. You could always go with a more editor-friendly title for your submission, then add some suggestions for the final title.

cwgranny · Mar 29, 2005

Puns work for Dav Pikey -- Dog Breath: Horrible Trouble with Hally Tosis,
Dogzilla, Kat Kong, Halloweiner -- the man is shameless.

g

Stephanie · Mar 30, 2005

Something more than just "The" would be good.

Oh - punny!

Sorry, I thought it was PUNY.

;-)

mistri · Mar 30, 2005

Puns are pun-alicious. I actually have two ideas for kids books where the idea actually came from the pun, as opposed to having a story and then finding a pun for it. Of course I've no idea how saleable they are, as they're nowhere near finished (or even begun, really).

stormie · Mar 30, 2005

Punny titles are funny. (Oh brother, I think I had too much coffee today....) Seriously, as others have said, parents will pick up a book if the title grabs them, and puns are one of the ways to do this.

Are punny titles the kiss of death for picture books?

JoeEkaitis

Certified Gray Haired Geek

Inspired

rich

Inspired

cwgranny

Stephanie

mistri

Sneezy Member

stormie

storm central