Since when did our life become such a ritual? I cant believe that everyone of us has been doing this for the past god-knows-how-many years of academic life. Apart from those who ENJOY studying, I believe that most of us are jaded with our daily ritual. I am.
So, I'm going share about one of my interest that helps me to relax...
I ♥ READING!
One of my favourite authors is Tess Gerritsen. All her medical thrillers never fail to 'send a chill down my spine'. I ♥ the intensity that she creates between character and character. I ♥ the tension that she creates by giving a 'twisted' motive behind every murder. What always caught me by surprise is the unexpected murderer/serial killer/stalker that was only revealed in the last few chapters of the book. Her books never fails to bring you on a 360degree roller coaster ride.
Gerritsen's latest novel was released on 9th September.
And for the first time, she is giving 2 different titles to the same book!
Below are the 2 different titles:
U.K. Version " KEEPING THE DEAD"
U.S. Version "THE KEEPSAKE"Credits: http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2008/06/25/one-book-two-titles/
It is no surprise that most authors will give their novels different book covers for different publishing companies. But, for Tess, this is her first time that she is giving 2 TITLES for a book! To summarise, this is her reasons for giving 2 titles:
"The reason for the different titles/covers has to do with different sensibilities across “the pond.” My American publisher and my U.K. publisher couldn’t agree on which title worked better for their different audiences. So they opted to go with two different titles.
This is an example of how publishers in different countries can work completely independently of each other. They know their own audiences. They know what works in their own markets."
Anyway. Communication is important. To a author, the sales of the book is important-sometimes, it will either lead to their rise, or their fall. Ever heard of authors that just simply vanished from the market after producing one book? I believe that every author have what it takes to produce a book. Perhaps, it was the marketing strategies that was wrongly applied? In addition, the place where the book was displayed plays an essential role too. Perhaps, a book that was not so rich in content will have better sales if the book was placed in the 'right' spot.
Thus, it is important that the publishers know how to grab their audiences' heart. To be able to understand that different pond of audience have different preferences, and to be able to spot their preferences, I bet that the publishers took communications lessons before!
:D
Credits: http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2008/06/25/one-book-two-titles/
11 comments:
Hey, jing jing! mei here.
I feel that is good to have different titles and different cover page design. This big title, "Keeping the Dead" looks appealing to those thrill-lover readers while "The Keepsake" looks like it is going to give consumers or readers suspense. Both have their different styles. Walk into any of the bookstore and we can find lots of novels. Hence, I feel that appealing cover page and title are important to attract consumers.
Of course, marketng strategies are important as well. If not, why does "harry potter" books sell so well. Consumers are grabbing them like hotcakes. Credits go to the movie makers, agree?
This is very new approach to releasing books. We have heard of different covers, different backings but not different titles. This would very much confuse readers but it works well to attract different genre of people. Their method of personalizing the book to suit more readers is a good way for increasing sales. Because readers also know the reason why she gives two different titles, they might even go the extent of buying both titles so as to support the author. A subtle way to show that she cares for the readers.
hi Jing,
Life is boring! Do you feel that way? Well, routine, goes on and on but life isn't that bored. There's ups and downs. Treasure every moment and don't take things for granted.
Well, you have always been promoting your treasured books since day one you read her titles. I think I'll take it from your shelf one fine day and see what's so appealing. Let me get thrilled. Cheers!
tns
Jing! Per here!
I believe you are comparing your own normal daily routines to the 'normal' marketing strategies of books? One novel, one title, one cover design. One novel, one title, one cover design. One novel, one title, one cover design.
I do agree that publicity of a novel can make or break an author's career. Displaying at the correct spot to attract readers attention and interest. This is what they call 'visual marketing'. It is not common for authors to take the plunge by giving two titles to a novel to target readers in two countries for the fear of confusion of their readers. Thus, i think Tess deserve an applaud for taking the risk. Despite the risk involved, i think this is also a good marketing strategy because it is different from the normal book marketing trend, creating a talking point for her novels! =)
Wow, i didn't know that books could have different titles in different countries. But that's really cool and does make a lot of sense. It's all about knowing what your audience wants and appealing to that. Personally, I never really had the patience to read, but when i did get around to doing so, I always enjoyed my time. Reading communicates to us in a totally different way to how say film or television does. It plays on our imagination and is verbal communication at its pinnacle.
By the way, I prefer the "keepsake" title.
Cheers.
hmm.. its indeed thoughtful and market strategy to promote the same book in different cultures. very commendable. knowing your audience is indeed a plus in any business.
life is indeed routine, if we perceive it so! ^_^ there are so many variatons in a normal routine life. such as your example in reading different books, adding spice to your life. the way i view everyday is a God-given grace that i can open my eyes in the morning and breathe in fresh air. to be alive is definitely something to be thankful. choosing to be alive and not being routine anymore, i'd choose to focus on staying alive.. ^_^
cheers! looking forward to your next post! :p
I feel it could be deceptive to have two different titles. What if you happen to order those two books just because you're a fan of her works, and then you find out that they're exactly the same story!? Personally, I'd feel cheated, hokayz. >.<''
But ok, maybe the cultural differences between the British and American audience would mean that certain book titles would be more suitable for the differently brought up consumers, helping her to boost sales. Still, I think other than the book title, the book design cover also plays an extremely important part in getting the reader to even notice and pick up the book in the bookstore. Physical attraction is the first step towards getting your participation! It's kinda the same for relationships, eh. Tsch, humans, so simple.
I feel that this is quite a refreshing idea to publishing a book.
However, as what Kristy have said, what if we bought the same book without realising that they differ only in the title. I think it would be quite annoying for me.
In this way, i believe that the author's main objective is to gain more public awareness through this 'uniqueness'. In the sense that more readers will be able to identify her as an author more quickly because we tend to remember things that people do differently.
Furthermore, in such a competitive market, authors have to make themselves known, in order to sell their books successfully.
I would always read the descriptions at the back of the book, so i doubt different titles would make any difference in my selection.
reading book is a bittersweet experience for me..cause there are novel and textBOOKs.
i read books base on my mood most of the time..days when i just don't feel that doing anything but at the same time don't want to feel too guilty about slacking, i will read a book (:
Suspense does not really work for me as i can't understand the story due to all the missing information, i do not like reading books that is actually brain taxing =X
having different titles help to attract different audience.. but it do create confusion...
but well, this is all part of marketing strategy...
as long as it is a good book, title don't matters as much :)
ok tis is not smthg which i would have thought iwould see. I have known of books having different covers such as the 'Harry Potter' books but different titles. Now that is a 1st but really unique way of marketing the book never thought ppl would come up with such ideas to sell.
But it would really piss me off if i got the same story with different titles and that would really be awaste of my money.
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