I'd take the book seriously but I'd wonder about that kitty-cat cuteness. Hey, i love kitties. But it makes me think...the author is trying to be cutesie or ...the author couldn't think of something wittier to say...or has the author written this book for children?
There's got to be a way to show your wit and your seriousness without sounding too cute or too heavy. Just me. -C
kathy - 15 years ago
As a frustrated writer I take the craft seriously. There are so many books on editing (and I got most of them as Christmas presents!) I would suggest a more direct title. One that would let the buying public know at a glance what this book is offering. What is the purpose? What is it going to offer me? How is this book going to help me over all the rest of them? I personally think that the Kitty-cats in action is more of a tool than a title. And jump start suggests that I'm failing to begin with, nothing an aspiring writer wants to hear. I would be more interested in a title that says "take what you have and make it great!"
Best wishes,
Kathy S.
Michelle Bauer - 15 years ago
The "jump start" part sounds like it's for someone who hasn't even started the novel. I'd be very unlikely to pick up a book with that title. The kitty cat part just seems a bit gimmicky.
Meredith Clark - 15 years ago
I liked the Jump Start part, but not the Kitty Cats. As with others, I think it will be confusing to those unfamiliar with your site, rather than enticing. I also agree with the comment that using "Flogging the Quill" might get the response you are after.
Dalia - 15 years ago
I don't understand what it means. What are kitty-cats in action? I'm not curious, just confused and so probably won't pick up the book (if I was a pure browser). The first half of the title is fine.
Actually it's the "jump start" part that I don't like or at least I would question. That makes it sound like it's only about STARTING your novel and not about the whole thing and since you are known to crit the first page, that could add to confusion. And although the "kitty cats" is cute, I'm not absolutely sure it would help sell. We writers can be a selfish bunch. Sure cats are cute but does it help me SELL?
Still, if you want to keep the cute kitty cat part (and it does make an unusual title which is good) I'd go wiith something more accurate such as Polish your Novel with Kitty Cats in Action. Edit your Novel with Kitty Cats in Action. Rev Up your Novel with Kitty Cats in Action.
On the other hand, (I know I'm going back and forth here) Flogging the Quill has name recognition. Maybe you should keep that advantage in a platform (BIG for non-fiction) Rev Up your Novel with Flogging the Quill. Too long? That might be too long but something like that would take advantage of your having a marvellous platform.
sheri - 15 years ago
If I wouldn't have seen it on your website and I were to see it in the store, I would think it strange. You might want allude to the name of your website in the title...I love "Flogging the Quill".
Rook - 15 years ago
It's simply confusing. I understand where you're coming from with it because I've browsed this site, but Joe Q. Reader seeing it on the store shelf is simply going to say "huh?" and move on due to irritated confusion.
The words "Jump Start" get my attention WAY faster and more succinctly than anything about kitty cats.
I'd take the book seriously but I'd wonder about that kitty-cat cuteness. Hey, i love kitties. But it makes me think...the author is trying to be cutesie or ...the author couldn't think of something wittier to say...or has the author written this book for children?
There's got to be a way to show your wit and your seriousness without sounding too cute or too heavy. Just me. -C
As a frustrated writer I take the craft seriously. There are so many books on editing (and I got most of them as Christmas presents!) I would suggest a more direct title. One that would let the buying public know at a glance what this book is offering. What is the purpose? What is it going to offer me? How is this book going to help me over all the rest of them? I personally think that the Kitty-cats in action is more of a tool than a title. And jump start suggests that I'm failing to begin with, nothing an aspiring writer wants to hear. I would be more interested in a title that says "take what you have and make it great!"
Best wishes,
Kathy S.
The "jump start" part sounds like it's for someone who hasn't even started the novel. I'd be very unlikely to pick up a book with that title. The kitty cat part just seems a bit gimmicky.
I liked the Jump Start part, but not the Kitty Cats. As with others, I think it will be confusing to those unfamiliar with your site, rather than enticing. I also agree with the comment that using "Flogging the Quill" might get the response you are after.
I don't understand what it means. What are kitty-cats in action? I'm not curious, just confused and so probably won't pick up the book (if I was a pure browser). The first half of the title is fine.
I like the jump start part, but kitty cats in action is just too gimmicky sounding.
Actually it's the "jump start" part that I don't like or at least I would question. That makes it sound like it's only about STARTING your novel and not about the whole thing and since you are known to crit the first page, that could add to confusion. And although the "kitty cats" is cute, I'm not absolutely sure it would help sell. We writers can be a selfish bunch. Sure cats are cute but does it help me SELL?
Still, if you want to keep the cute kitty cat part (and it does make an unusual title which is good) I'd go wiith something more accurate such as Polish your Novel with Kitty Cats in Action. Edit your Novel with Kitty Cats in Action. Rev Up your Novel with Kitty Cats in Action.
On the other hand, (I know I'm going back and forth here) Flogging the Quill has name recognition. Maybe you should keep that advantage in a platform (BIG for non-fiction) Rev Up your Novel with Flogging the Quill. Too long? That might be too long but something like that would take advantage of your having a marvellous platform.
If I wouldn't have seen it on your website and I were to see it in the store, I would think it strange. You might want allude to the name of your website in the title...I love "Flogging the Quill".
It's simply confusing. I understand where you're coming from with it because I've browsed this site, but Joe Q. Reader seeing it on the store shelf is simply going to say "huh?" and move on due to irritated confusion.
The words "Jump Start" get my attention WAY faster and more succinctly than anything about kitty cats.