Some News First
There have been some interesting developments in my writing career, among which the fact I’m now Editor-in-chief for Azure Fire Publishing (AFP), a US-based non-profit promoting youth-friendly Fantasy and Science Fiction.
Even though the position only offers a nominal fee at the moment, it comes with a perk: AFP has offered to publish my Fantasy/Science Fiction books.
The organization has a large monthly advertising budget to promote its authors’ books, so, after much deliberation, I have decided to accept.
My Books’ Titles
Perhaps, then, this is the perfect opportunity to deal with something that’s been bugging me for a while now: my first books’ titles. I find myself no longer satisfied by “Rise of the Prince” and “The Power of Six,” as I think of them as weak titles compared to my later ones. And since AFP will soon handle these matters, it may be my last chance to rename them.
So, I am now leaning toward renaming The Power of Six to Fickle Futures.
As for Rise of the Prince, that’s harder, as I have come up with 3 choices:
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this:
- Is it OK to change a book’s title after so many years, and
- What do you think of the proposed titles?
Please vote above and let me know which one you prefer–or, indeed, if you have a brilliant suggestion of your own. Thank you for your help!
Nicholas C. Rossis 
Honestly, I liked ‘Power of Six’. Using the word ‘fickle’ doesn’t really draw me in. The word tends to be a negative for me in a sense that it means unfocused and possibly even unfinished. With the other story, I liked ‘Whispering Planet’ because it was more unique and sharper than the other two.
Never considered changing titles. To me, this negates any old promos that are floating out there because people won’t get what they want if they click the link. Similar to changing a cover style in a series, I think there is a risk of confusion. Probably can undo it with a big announcement though.
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Many thanks for the feedback. Charles!
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You’re welcome. Good luck with the changes.
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Thanks. Change is always good, right? 😀
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That it is. Especially if you live near an arcade. 😀
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I used to live next to a cemetery. Change might not have been so good back then.
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Took me a second to remember the coins on the eyes. Now I’m just imagining a guy going grave robbing because he needs 50 more tickets to get that giant slinky.
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Hey, it could happen 😀
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First of all, congratulations! You have exciting news. Regarding your book titles, I like them “as is.” They are GREAT titles. If they did not sell well years ago, it must have been with the marketing of the book, not the title. It seems to me the only reason someone would change the title is because the book did not sell well, that would be my “first thought.”
Can you imagine if I like a book by Jeffrey Archer and then I cannot find it because he decided he didn’t care for the name and changed it, so I buy NEW book thinking it is a “new” book and instead it is an old book I read before just sold under a different title. I would be furious thinking the author was too lazy to write a “new book” and so he is recycling old books under new titles.
Have you talked to your new Publisher, what do they think?
By the way, the new “whispering” titles would be GREAT for a new novel! My VOTE, keep the “old titles,” they are already part of YOUR history… AND they are GREAT titles. I like them.
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Thank you so much for the feedback! Food for thought, indeed 🙂
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Pingback: Changing My Books’ Titles And Some News | Campbells World
I have the hardest time naming things/titling things…but good luck!
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Lol – I know what you mean! Thanks 🙂
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I agree with Charles regards The Power of Six title, Nicholas – However, Whispering Planet has a nice SF ring to it 😃
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Thank you, Chris 🙂
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Welcome, Nicholas 😃
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Find the Poll and leave your opinion on Nicholas’ original blog post 😎
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Congratulations, Nicholas, and much good luck on all aspects of your new ventures. As for the title changes, I’d be worried about doing that, because lots of people may already have your books on their Wish Lists, etc, and then, wonder what happened to them. If you really think you want a change, just be very careful you don’t choose something that lessens the impact of what you already have.
For my personal tastes, I’d be drawn to Power of Six, but I would think Fickle Futures something less appealing. I hate to say that, but it not only wouldn’t catch my attention right away, it actually gives me a negative feeling. Power of Six sounds stronger, and much more intriguing to me. (Who are the six, and what is their power?) So I vote 1) don’t change, and 2) if you do, don’t change to Fickle Futures.
Having said all of that, I wish you good luck, whatever you decide. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Marcia 🙂
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I really like “The Power of Six,” but of course you are the author. I voted for Whispering Planet for the other. Best of luck with the new position, I may be querying for my MG fantasy manuscript. 🙂
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Yay on the manuscript–and thank you 🙂
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Congratulations on the new position! May you have much happiness for many years. Change titles? Why not. A writer’s gotta do… Besides, if we can change our appearance as beings, why can’t we update our books.
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A fair point–and thanks 🙂
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I’d be more worried about losing all my reviews and such. For what it’s worth, I like the titles you have now.
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OH, exactly so, Craig. I forgot that little tidbit. I’d be very leery of changes that could impact reviews. They’re too hard to come by as it is. 🙂
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Apparently, Amazon can handle that 🙂
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That’s comforting, anyway. I’ve just heard horror stories of folks losing reviews for various reasons. Eeep. Glad this wouldn’t be one of them.
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Oh, I, too, have heard the kind of stories that keep up at night 😀
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Thank you, Craig! Apparently, Amazon can carry over your old reviews, so that’s fine.
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Good to know.
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I’m afraid I agree with almost everyone…The Power of Six is a great title. Rise of the Prince does what it says on the proverbial tin… but Whispering Planet has a nice ring to it too. Whatever you choose to do… congratulations 🙂
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Many thanks, Sue 🙂
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Congratulations on the new opportunities, Nicholas. However, as a consensus, I have to agree with the other comments. I like the name, “The Power of Six” and wouldn’t change it. I also would take into consideration the other comments about losing existing reviews. Of course, it’s your decision, but maybe new marketing of old titles would be more effective than changing them.
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Many thanks, Jan 🙂
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Congrats on your new position. Interesting giving your books new titles.
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Thank you 🙂
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Congrats on an exciting new venture, Nicholas!!! 🙂
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Thank you, Mar 🙂
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Congratulations! My dear old dad used to say, change is as good as a rest. A new look and title for older books is not a bad idea at all.
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Thank you, Darlene! As a big fan of rest (not enough of it, with a hyperactive toddler around), I like that thought 😀
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This sounds like a great opportunity for you…so congrats! The Power of Six is a strong title – would be a keep for me and I love Whispering Planet.
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Thank you so much for the feedback, Wendy 🙂
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Congrats on the new position – what a great opportunity!
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Thank you, Deborah! It’s pretty exciting 🙂
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Congratulations, Nick! Whispering Shadows has my vote 🙂
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Thank you so much, Tina 🙂
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This is a great opportunity. In an era when so many television shows and movies are rebooted, why not books. This is an opportunity to open your work up to a new audience with a new name. I’d go for it.
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Thank you so much for the vote of confidence, Don 🙂
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You’re welcome. Well-deserved.
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Reblogged this on Writer's Treasure Chest and commented:
Congratulations, Nicholas C. Rossis! Brilliant news are brilliant news! One day I’d like to be where you are now.
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Thank you so much, Aurora! I’m not sure where I am (overworked and underpaid, it feels), but I appreciate the comment 🙂
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What fun! Thanks for the chance to vote!
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A pleasure! Thank you for taking the time to do so 🙂
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Congratulations for the new position! I voted for Whispering Shadows, but it could be great for another novel. I wouldn’t change the names of existing books, it is confusing for the readers.
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Thanks! That seems to be the consensus. I’ve now given up on the idea 🙂
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