title of novel

olwen

olwen

I completed a history novel in 2005 and sent it out, time after time, to various agents and publishers. It comes and goes as many a writer will understand. My problem is - I went into a bookshop on Friday and discovered another history novel with the same title. Fine - at least I got the title right! But what do I do about all those queries, first three chapters and synopses that are floating around somewhere on some slush pile or other. It looks as though I've nicked someone else's title and I haven't. Do I write to all those agents and publishers to tender a new title or do I just let it slide and wait for the rejections (or acceptance ha ha) to arrive on the doormat? It has left a sour taste in the mouth. Someone please commiserate, advise or give me a kick where it's most needed. I can't get it out of my head. Thanks. Olwen.

Flick

That's a really good idea Dorothy.
In the past I've tried googling for my titles, just to see. For romantic fiction it's hard to come up with something no-one has used before but in my case,so long as the story line is very different I haven't let it bother me.
It is so frustrating when that happens though Olwen. Particularly if you thought you'd got something really snappy.

olwen

Thanks dorothyd for your suggestion regarding a nudge - that's a really good idea.

Thanks to Flick too - it's nice to know there are others who have the same problems about finding titles. I guess I'll have to sweat a bit more to find another 'right' one.

Jay Mandal

Another 'don't quote me on this', but as far as I'm aware there's no copyright on titles. My Dandelion Clock is not the only one around, and I think there are a few Loss of Innocences, too.

Jenny

That would mean we could write new books and use famous titles - and also write under pseudonyms which were the names of successful writers of the past, eg:

Catcher in the Rye by Jeffrey Archer.
Wild Swans by Barbara Cartland.
The Da Vinci Code by Charles Dickens

That would confuse the book world!

Stirling

It is true that you can't copyright a title.  If you do get accepted with your currrent title, I wouldn't expect for it to have the same one by publication day.

As for using a famous title, that is probably the best way to confuse a reader.  You will either give another writer an easy sale, or really annoy the reader when they don't get the story they expect!.

Carol

Don't worry about it, there is no copyright on Titles-except for Harry Potter I would expect! But quite often you hear writers in interviews saying the publisher wanted a different title to the one they'd chosen, or are asked for an alternative title.
Hopefully you will be accepted and the problem will be resolved. Good luck.

Mike Coombes

Never get attached to your title - publishers often change them.

Jay Mandal

I know it'll sound flippant, but could you ask him what a singlet is?

Jay Mandal

What are those ballooning shorts called?

TaffetaPunk

It took me ages to think of the right titles for my book/sequel - they fit, and I'd hate for them to be changed.

Carol

you've heard of doublet and hose? Dorothy's gentleman might refer to them by another name.
My Mediaeval and Tudor Costume book refers to trunk hose.

Jay Mandal

As opposed to a friend of Dorothy?

Carol

Well of course he's also a friend of Dorothy's. But I was trying to be polite, so I'm pleased that the Duke likes the suggestion.

Jay Mandal

So he was a 'confirmed bachelor'?

sal

Has anyone looked at the various 'Dictionaries of Fashion.' There are many written for different historical eras such as Medieval, Tudor etc, and list garment terms, pictures and descriptions.

Carol

I have a number of costume books, and they are still not enough!