Donna Grant | Titles, love them or hate them...

January 4, 2010

Comments

52 comments posted.

Re: Donna Grant | Titles, love them or hate them...

That's kinda sad that you have no say in cover's or titles. One of the things that I look at before buying a book is the cover. I know that doesn't make sense but I love the art work and think it says alot about the book. I'm not saying that's going to determind the purchasing of the book because sometimes a book is wonderful but the art work is lacking. At least you lucked out this time with beautiful art work and wonderful book names! Best of luck to you in 2010!
(Candy Gorcsi 12:10pm January 4, 2010)

I think in this case your editor and the
marketing team made the right
decision. "Demon’s Kiss, Demon
Prince and Dark Demon" is a totally
different series in my opinion from
"DANGEROUS HIGHLANDER,
FORBIDDEN HIGHLANDER and WICKED
HIGHLANDER." Two different
readerships.

Congrats Donna on putting together
this wonderful series!
(Sue Ahn 12:13pm January 4, 2010)

Oh by the way I sooo look forward to reading this series, Highlanders and Gods all in one book, what more could a girl want!!
(Candy Gorcsi 12:15pm January 4, 2010)

I have always thought that the author and artist should work together on the cover. Too many times I have seen a cover character that does not match the book. By working with the author you would have a definate look to the character as it was meant to be. I also think that an author should be allowed to have the a choice of titles. After all the story came from the author not the publisher.
(Cindy Olp 1:59am January 4, 2010)

I think the author should have more say on the cover. It is their story, isn't it?
(Joanne Reynolds 6:28am January 4, 2010)

Hi, Candy - an author has to trust her publisher to do the right thing for the book. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. :)

Hi, Sue Ahn - I agree. With those first titles things would have been much different.

Cindy - I'm quite content to let my editor/publisher come up with the titles. There is so much an author needs to do, the last thing I want is the added stress of finding "the right" title. lol.

Hi, Joanne - think about the poor art dept. Can you imagine all the authors of every publisher contacting them on their covers? lol. the poor art dept might not survive. I can ask for changes on a cover, but there's no guarantee I'll get it or not. :)

Hi Tamsyn - good to see you here, doll! And thanks!
(Donna Grant 9:06am January 4, 2010)

Well its nice you have a editor, who you're satisfied with her titling your books. I think after all your hard work, it should be your priviledge to title it. Oh well, such is life.
(Theresa Buckholtz 9:18am January 4, 2010)

Being part scottish I have always been a sucker for a highlander story!
(Barbara Hanson 9:40am January 4, 2010)

I'm glad your cover/title issues worked out well. Sometimes when I read a book I wonder where in the world "they" came up with that cover (which doesn't look like the characters the author described)or the title, which just doesn't fit the book. Thanks for your post.
(G S Moch 10:47am January 4, 2010)

Hi Donna. Congratulations on your new series. Sounds great.
(Crystal Broyles 10:53am January 4, 2010)

i don't really mind the romance titles as long as they're not long winded like the harlequin presents titles and as for covers i think the ones on today's romances are a whole lot better than the ones in the 80s/early 90s. yay for having great titles & covers donna! :)
(Michelle Santiago 11:21am January 4, 2010)

I think your titles for the Dark Sword series fit perfectly... but, I'm not usually one to be picky on my titles... I'm usually drawn to covers and blurbs... and yours have been fantastic, Donna :)
(Ali Flores 12:34pm January 4, 2010)

I am surprised at how much of the control is out of authors hands... But I do love the Title and the cover!
(Colleen Conklin 12:36pm January 4, 2010)

I never realized how little influence an author may have with the title or cover of a book. I really thought the author at least had input into this process & I guess it is the good publishing houses that allow input.

I love the titles for your books & I do like the cover for "Dangerous Highlander".
(Cheryl Snyder 12:37pm January 4, 2010)

Hi Donna. I like the titles of your Dark Sword series. It looks like it matches the themes of the books.
(Arantza Cazalis 12:53pm January 4, 2010)

Donna, thanks for sharing some behind the scene with us. I can see where it can be upsetting at times..many times I am sure. I just enjoy your books and hope you continue to deal with the upsets so we get good books to read. ha ah Happy New Year. Today I turn 63 and guess where I am spending the day..here with all of you. susan L.
(Susan Leech 1:06pm January 4, 2010)

Hi, all!

Wow, some great comments. Thanks so much for your kind words about my cover and title.

Most authors learn early on that they have little/to no input in either case. I don't even try to title my books anymore. lol.
(Donna Grant 2:21pm January 4, 2010)

Your comments were very enlightening. It must be very hard for an author to give up control of their creation. I realize that the title and the cover have to grab the reader's attention, but it is your 'baby'. Thanks for giving us a look behind the curtain.
(Rosemary Krejsa 2:36pm January 4, 2010)

It is sad that the author doesn't get more say over the title of their work. But I do have to say I do like the Highlander titles. I can't wait to read your new series too!
(Cheryl Bradley 2:53pm January 4, 2010)

It kind of takes away a little bit of the joy of the reading process to know that the title and book cover aren't a part of the author's doing.
(Leni Kaye 3:20pm January 4, 2010)

I think the author should be able to title their own books after all they wrote the book.
(Gail Hurt 3:32pm January 4, 2010)

I loved the book Mutual Desires, and I look forward t reading more of you books.
(Kristy Lemon 3:33pm January 4, 2010)

I knew that often authors had little to say about their titles - don't think that it is quite right, but... I do love it though when I find the title in the book - I like books like that and I always look for the title to show up!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 3:49pm January 4, 2010)

I hate that the authors don't
have more say on their covers
and titles. I have frequently
read a book that the cover in
no way reflected the
characters in the book. Say a
dark haired hero who on the
cover is blonde. I think the
cover should reflect the story
inside not an artist's rendering that never even
picked up the printed word.
(Lisa Richards 3:56pm January 4, 2010)

(Jane Cheung 4:08pm January 4, 2010)

Congrats on the new release, Donna. I have heard many authors say that they don't have a say regarding their titles.
(Jane Cheung 4:09pm January 4, 2010)

I knew authors didn't have say on the covers, but I had no idea about not having a say on the titles!

I'm looking forward to Dangerous Highlander, I have it on my wish list and am hoping to pick it up soon!
(Susan Galley 4:18pm January 4, 2010)

As a reader, one of the hardest things is the way publishers use a title or cover art multiple times. If you read a lot, it can be really confusing.
(Janet Stewart 4:34pm January 4, 2010)

Congrats on your release. I enjoyed reading your post; it's interesting to read about the "background" scenes in the publishing world.
(Tracey Dent 4:50pm January 4, 2010)

I often think Marketing has too much control. In hubby's business they do & it's the idea du jour which just creates an expensive mess. Besides, it's the bookstores they listen to, not the readers unfortunately
(Ivy Truitt 5:08pm January 4, 2010)

Hi Donna,

I have heard about the lack of control an author has in cover and title, etc. It was a surprise when I first learned of this but that was some years back. Thankfully, the thing that makes up my mind to purchase a book is to read an excerpt and usually, I pick up a book from recommendation of good friends...or from hearing about books in a chat.
(G. Bisbjerg 5:37pm January 4, 2010)

Thanks for the insight. I had no idea. The next time I pick up a book I will be much more aware of the title issue. It seems though that the Author should have much more control & say.
(Mary Preston 5:50pm January 4, 2010)

It amazes and stuns me that some authors don't have any control over the title of their own work. I've read some books who had truely horrible titles but the authors are favs and I dove in anyway. I just refused to look at the title or cover. It's the bad covers that get me. I always wonder what yoyo did this and why does he or she still have a job? Congrats on your new release they look very interesting.
(Maude Allen 6:44pm January 4, 2010)

It is sad that authors have so little control of the title and art work that will appear on their books! I am looking forward to reading your latest release!
Best wishes!
(Christine Mead 6:52pm January 4, 2010)

Wow. I go away for a few hours to fold clothes and cook and come back to all of this. :)

You guys rock!

hugs,
D
(Donna Grant 7:26pm January 4, 2010)

Wow I Never Realized That An Author Really Had No Power In Picking Their Book Titles And Art Work. It Is Always Awesome To Learn Things About The Book Writing World.
(Raquel Vega-Grieder 7:42pm January 4, 2010)

I knew that authors rarely have control over the cover image but I had no idea the title was up for grabs too!

One thing that does drive me nuts is when a publisher re-titles a book already published under another title. It is very confusing and causes people to buy books they have already read.

Dangerous Highlander is already on my wishlist...it sounds good!
(Michelle K 7:43pm January 4, 2010)

Cover is nice, title is good, next ones sound right; I never judge a book by it's cover!
(Diane Sadler 8:15pm January 4, 2010)

Must say that I was shocked when I first found out that authors have little to no say to titles and covers chosen for their books. I think that is sad since the authors are the ones that know there stories best and would be able to match it best with an appropriate cover and/or title.
(Cherie Japp 10:05pm January 4, 2010)

Congrats on your books! They sound very interesting! Would love to read them!
(Melissa Cleaver 10:10pm January 4, 2010)

It's sad that the writer has no say to the cover. The cover is the eye-catching element to a book before the summary of the story is explore by the reader.
(Kai Wong 10:25pm January 4, 2010)

I also think the author should have more say over the cover, etc. It's very personal (I would think) and should at least be discussed by all parties before a decision is reached.
(Mitzi Hinkey 11:01pm January 4, 2010)

I think it's too bad authors don't have much say about the titles & covers of their own books. Luckily, yours look and sound great. I've seen covers where the hero & heroine had different hair colors than what were written. And sometimes, the cover looks good but what does it have to do with the storyline? Authors should at least get to "Ok" the titles & covers of their own books.
(Lily Woo 11:17pm January 4, 2010)

Donna, I honestly had no idea you couldn't choose the title of your own book!! That's really sad to me...it's like having a baby but then having your crazy neighbor down the street name it. BUT I do love the covers and your titles, so I guess the crazy neighbor is kinda cool! :)
(Rachael Grime 11:33pm January 4, 2010)

I think you should have more say in the book naming but listen to there idea to.But I like the name so far to the books that you have written.
Happy New Years!!
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
(Stacey Smith 11:42pm January 4, 2010)

Titles are something that I both love and hate. To be truthful the book's cover, when trying an author I have not read before, is the first thing that catches the eye and then the Title. The title can affect whether or not I will buy the book and sometimes the title lies.
(Susan Kuchta 12:16pm January 5, 2010)

Ah, yes, those titles and covers. I've seen a lot of authors I read post their laments about them. Recently I read a book whose title makes no sense at all for the contents--and that wasn't the first one. I guess we all just have to put up with publishers' whims.
(Sigrun Schulz 12:44pm January 5, 2010)

It would seem the suthor would know the characters better than anyone and therefore would be better at picking a cover for the book. But what do I know, lol? Good luck with all the books.
(Vicki Hancock 11:19am January 5, 2010)

I love historical romances, and can't wait to read this book. Thanks for the contest.
(Ashley Domes 12:30pm January 5, 2010)

This sounds like it will be a good series.
A little magic, Druids and men in kilts.
What more could we want?
(Patricia Barraclough 7:15pm January 5, 2010)

Congrats on your new book! It sounds wonderful! Gotta love a man in a kilt!
(Lisa Glidewell 11:48pm January 5, 2010)

Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments. I hope I've intrigued you enough to buy the book.

You can find out more about the Dark Sword series on my website!

hugs,
D
(Donna Grant 11:18am January 6, 2010)

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