So, my Monkey Man sequel is coming out in the spring and I’m still referring to it as “my Monkey Man sequel.” That’s because we still don’t have a definite title. I proposed two: T.J.’s Story and I’m Not Who You Think I Am (which coincidentally was the title I put on my first published short story…but the magazine changed it to “Outside Looking In” before the story was published). I will admit that neither title is great. My editor said we would “have a conversation” about the title “later.” We finally had that conversation today.
She is proposing a brand new title: Yes, I Know the Monkey Man.
I sort of hate it.
She said T.J.’s Story is too generic (who’s T.J.?), which is probably true. And I’m Not Who You Think I Am is too “angsty.” Yeah, it probably is. (One day I AM going to write a story or a book with the title I’m Not Who You Think I Am and it’s going to stick!!! (Unless that’s the title of one of Peg Kehret’s books…which I think it might be. In which case, I can probably forget about using it myself))
Like I said, I am certainly not married to either of those other titles, but Yes, I Know the Monkey Man??? I told Editor that I’ve heard from entirely too many kids who said something like, “Do You Know the Monkey Man is a really weird title, so I wasn’t going to read the book, but then So-and-so said I had to read it so I did and I liked it.” People didn’t like the first title…why would I want to use it again? Plus it’s just entirely TOO close to the first title.
Editor disagrees. She thinks the new titles makes it immediately recognizable as a companion novel (and the cover will look very similar to the first cover of Do You Know the Monkey Man…different color scheme, but still the same collage thing). She says it “answers the question asked in the title of the first book.” And it works on a deeper level, too, because Sam is the one asking, Do You Know the Monkey Man? in book one and now T.J. is answering “Yes, I Know the Monkey Man.” Which, I have to admit, sort of gave me chills when she said it. I like her explanation. But a title shouldn’t have to be explained.
Editor also reminded me that not everyone disliked the first title; some people actually liked it. It’s mysterious sounding…and that will actually work in my favor the second time around. I don’t know. Maybe.
I’ll think about it…and see if I can get used to it. I’m also welcome to propose something better…
I liked the first title before I read the book, and I have to say I’m in your editor’s camp on the second title.
You like Yes, I Know the Monkey Man? That helps…
I think that maybe it could be more kid-appealing, like “I Hang With The Monkey Man” or “Chillin’ With The Monkey Man?”
Oh, I like that better!
The Monkey Man is, of course, a take-off on the old Muffin Man song…but a lot of kids today don’t know that song! I didn’t realize that when I came up with the original Monkey Man title.
title
I like “Yes, I Know the Muffin Man.”
Doesn’t matter any longer if you think the first was great or not. Now, you build on what you have and this is the perfect way to maximize it, IMHO.
dP
Re: title
Monkey Man…but you like it? Really??? Do you think it’ll look okay to people who have never heard of Do You Know the Monkey Man?
Book titles
I do have a book titled “I’m Not Who You Think I Am” and, to be honest, I never liked the title. It seems too wordy. At the time it was the best I could do. It has sold well and stayed in print, so the title must appeal to kids. I appreciate that you wouldn’t use it if you knew I had a book with that title. I was horrified when Louis Sachar chose “Small Steps” for his “Holes” sequel. I know titles can’t be copyrighted but “Small Steps” is my most popular book. Ever since I read your blog, I’ve been humming, “Do You Know the Muffin Man?” Peg Kehret
Re: Book titles
How interesting that you never liked that title! When I was in my early 20s (LONG time ago), I visited a 5th grade classroom as “research” for a novel I was working on. I called that novel “I’m Not Who You Think I Am,” too (it was never published). The kids told me they loved that title! And over the last 5 months I probably polled more than 100 kids to find out which title they liked best…”T.J.’s Story” or “I’m Not Who You Think I Am.” The vast majority preferred “I’m Not Who You Think I Am.” But my editor doesn’t like that title for this book…and now that I know for sure it is the title of one of your books, I wouldn’t want to use it, either. I think it would be confusing to have two identical titles out there for the same audience.
Small Steps is your most popular book? Really??? It’s more popular than your mysteries? I’ve done a number of books with Albert Whitman, too. I’m happy with the books and the people there are WONDERFUL. But I can’t help but wonder if I wouldn’t “do better” at a larger house? (I work with four small houses, no large houses.) But you’re telling me that the book you have with the smaller house is your most popular book? Maybe I’m fine where I am?
Re: Book titles
I love Albert Whitman! They took a chance on “Small Steps” when my other publishers turned it down. I’ve done two more books with them and consider them my nonfiction publisher.
I’m glad to hear the kids like the title, “I’m Not Who You Think I Am.” I always prefer short titles that are easy to remember.
Peg Kehret