Baltic 3: *sigh*

So, I'm wrapping up the writing part of Baltic 3 (a month late, but shhhh, we're not going to dwell on that), and a few weeks ago, a decision had to be made about the title.

If you recall, I was asked to change the title from The Curious Incident of a Dragon, which matched the other two literary fiction titles in the Baltic series, to something more generic, because the marketing dudes felt the literary title would alienate people.

If you also recall, later, when I was good and pissed about something else, I decreed that I would not change the title, and to hell with the marketing dudes.

Unfortunately, one has to pick which battles really need to be fought, and although I could have raised a big fuss over the title, when Editor Kate told me they really wanted it changed to something more generic, I decided that was not the battle I needed to fight. I told Kate to come up with some titles, and I'd pick one I liked. For over a month she suggested titles, and I nixed all of them. Desperately, I ended up settling on one that wasn't as horrible as the others...Sparks Fly. 

Editor Kate liked it. NAL liked it. Marketing liked it.

Me? It's not really my cup of tea. It doesn't sing to me the way the other titles did, but as I said, one has to pick one's battles. And trust me, there are bigger things for which I will be digging in my feet, so this one I'm letting go.

But I'm still sad to see the end of the Curious Incident of a Dragon. It was so very perfect for the book.

I just wanted to let you all know the new title, so you can get used to it. And trust me, it could be worse. It could be much, much worse.
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Published on August 16, 2011 19:27
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message 1: by Gloria (new)

Gloria I like your title better...


message 2: by Shannon (new)

Shannon I agree with you Gloria. I would pick up The Curious Incident of a Dragon, just to see what it was about. (please ignore the fact that I pick up all Katie MacAlister books)


message 3: by Kelley (new)

Kelley No dragon in the title? Do you enjoy poking at my OCD? Your title rounds out the series nicely. I will be indignant in your stead.


message 4: by Gloria (new)

Gloria hear hear, shannon
katie, your marketing people need to get their craniums out of their rear ends


Beckyloohoo Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ aka Mrs. Acheron Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ I like your title SOOOO much better. I mean "Sparks Fly"? Really? It doesn't go with the other titles in that series (you had a theme going so they should be happy to see you stick with it). The title "Sparks Fly" just sounds so generic. It doesn't pop. Honestly, if I'm looking at the two titles side by side in a bookstore, I'd immediately pick up "The Curious Incident of a Dragon" to see what it was. It sounds much more interesting. But, I get the idea of picking your battles. It was something you had to do.

I would be interested to hear some of the other titles.


message 6: by Sallie (new)

Sallie Sparks Fly? Seriously? No offense to you Katie but that title does ring to me either. What I like about your titles is that I always remember them. I just read them and I giggle because its so you. And people want to buy YOUR books. The marketing people don't know what they're talking about, they should address the fans.


message 7: by Lelia (new)

Lelia Pierce That just stinks, but you're right about choosing your battles. KM fans will still run out to get it regardless! I'm a new fan as I just stumbled upon the Dark Ones series and I can't wait to read everything else! ;O)

I'm with Beckyloohoo...dying to know some of the other titles they came up with. ;O)


Beckyloohoo Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ aka Mrs. Acheron Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ I know right? I mean if "Sparks Fly" was the best of what they came up with, then I'd love to hear what was worse.


message 9: by Kendall (new)

Kendall They made you change "The Curious Incident of a Dragon" and not "The Unbearable Lightness of Dragons"? I love your titles! They always match your books to a T and if anyone is ridiculous enough to not pick up one of your books (of which I have read every single one and own) they need to find a hole to hide in.


message 10: by Mathea (last edited Aug 19, 2011 02:41PM) (new)

Mathea What the bloody hell is "Sparks Fly"? You're Katie MacAlister, not a teenybopper-bubblegum writer! That lame idea makes no sense and it doesn't fit at all whatsoever. How in the heck did they come up with something so utterly stupid? It's your book and the title you originally chose fits perfectly. I played with the title in my head for two days and found that "The Curious Incident of a Dragon" really does sound like an amazing, perfect choice for Baltic 3. I would not be able to go nuts for a new addition to the series like I do every time with the lame title they're asking you to settle with. It's not you. Put your foot down and fight for it, for you and for us! @Mattreadsalot


message 11: by Amelia (new)

Amelia Have to agree with everyone else - your title was best. And, like Mathea said, "You're Katie MacAlister, not a teenybopper-bubblegum writer." Your readership, from what I can tell, is *intelligent*, which is why they *read* you - you're *also* intelligent. We don't need our titles dumbed-down for us, in an effort to not alienate us.


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