Monday, October 25, 2010

The play's the thing

I was in CVS on Saturday and just happened to peruse the small selection of books they have – mostly out of curiosity, since I tend to buy my books from mail order distributors where the prices are better.

One title caught my eye right away. I was drawn to the dark, spooky looking cover and it took me a minute to realize why the image didn't quite make sense to me.

The title was Eat, Prey, Love. But this was not the blockbuster book/movie by Elizabeth Gilbert which I had just finished reading, btw. This book was the new paranormal Avon release by Kerrelyn Sparks. I read the blurb and decided against buying the book [the word 'orphans' put me off], but I had to give props to the author who will certainly get a lot of attention for her book by choosing a play on words that will have fans of Eat, Pray, Love [and there are millions of them] looking twice.

I've had a bit of a sideways relationship with the clever play on words title. One of my earliest books, Bonfire of the Vampires [not currently available] was a play on Bonfire of the Vanities. And I'm still looking for a home for my paranormal romance Interview with a Gargoyle. I'm not an Ann Rice fan but hey, the title works.

I wonder if using a play on words really does boost sales of books like Julie Kenner's The Givenchy Code or Demons Are Forever.

What do you think? Do you find a play on words title to be clever or lazy? Do you think it generates interest in the author's work or just confusion?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think in this case, esp. since the movie was out not so long ago, I'm not sure I'd use "clever" or "lazy" to describe it...more like "brilliantly opportunistic" because let's face it...the title made you at least pick up the book.

(It caught my eye in the store too and I chuckled, so it really did its job.)

I like your titles!