JENN McKINLAY: Ever since my first fantasy book was spawned out of a random department that I wrote into the Museum of Literature romcom novellas, the working title was BOOKS OF DUBIOUS ORIGIN -- named after that fictional department of oddball books. Well, as we get closer to the publication date (still a year out) in Oct of 2025, the title has been changed to WITCHES OF DUBIOUS ORIGIN.
What do you, dear Readers, think of the change? Oh, wait, you probably want to know the premise so you can be better informed:
Zoe Ziakas enjoys a quiet life, working as a librarian in her small village. When a mysterious black book with an unbreakable latch is delivered to her library, Zoe consults the Books of Dubious Origin department at the Museum of Literature and discovers that she is the last descendant of a family of witches who specialize in raising the dead and this little black book is their grimoire.
Pragmatic Zoe rejects this ridiculous narrative, but when an undead friend of her grandmother's shows up at her house and asks Zoe to help her, Zoe realizes she will never get her quiet life back until she decodes the family grimoire and solves the mystery of what happened to her grandmother and her mother.
The book's potential power draws all things magical to it, and Zoe finds herself under the constant watch of a pesky raven, while being chased by undead Vikings, ghost pirates, and assorted ghouls. With help from the strange and intimidating staff of the Books of Dubious Origin department, Zoe confronts her past and the legacy of her family, but will she embrace her destiny or return to the quiet life she held so dear?
As you can imagine, I have polled A LOT of people about the title change. And this is how it rolled out by preference:
Mystery Writers: BOOKS OF DUBIOUS ORIGIN
Romance Writers: WITCHES OF DUBIOUS ORIGIN
Fantasy Writers: WITCHES
Academic Librarians: BOOKS
Public Librarians: WITCHES
How do I feel about it? Undecided. I trust Sales and Marketing to know how to best represent the book, but I was partial to the original title, the manuscript of which I am revising right now.
In fact, here's a snippet:
I put down my novel and shoved my blanket aside. I glanced out the window beside the door. There was no one on the porch. I cautiously opened the door. I checked the walkway to the street. No one was there. I studied the wind chimes hanging on the corner of the porch. They weren’t moving, so it hadn’t been a breeze. I shifted my gaze to the two wicker chairs to the right. They were empty but perched on the back of one of them was the raven.
“Ah!” I started. Had this uninvited guest been making all of that racket? He was the only one here so it had to have been him. I was equal parts relieved and annoyed. I walked toward the bird. He didn’t move. I raised my arms and waved my hands at him. “Shoo!”
He turned his head to the side and stared at me with one pale blue beady eye as if assessing my threat level. It was going to be high if he pooped on my furniture.
“Party’s over!” I clapped my hands. The sound was loud in the evening quiet. He flapped his wings and flew from the chair to the porch railing. I clapped again. “You don’t have to go home, big guy, but you can’t stay here.”
With a leap, he jumped off the railing and soared out into the darkness. I glanced at the houses on each side of mine. All was quiet. I turned and went back inside, assured that peace had been restored.
I had just settled into my chair and started reading when there was a thumping sound on the porch.
“Oh, hell no,” I muttered. “We’re not doing this all night.”
I tossed aside my blanket and crossed to the door. I unlocked it and yanked it open. “I said, ‘Shoo!’”
But it wasn’t the raven. Instead, standing before me was a diminutive ash blonde, a pale woman of a certain age--I was guessing mid to late fifties. She was wearing a beige wool coat and clutching a stylish handbag which matched her equally fashionable shoes.
“Can I help you?” I asked.
“I certainly hope so, dear,” she said. Her blue eyes crinkled in the corners when she smiled at me. “I’m Eloise Tate, a childhood friend of your grandmother’s.”
“Excuse me?” I asked. The odds of Mamie coming up in conversation twice in one day had to be a million to one. Years of my life had passed without my grandmother being mentioned and now she’d been mentioned twice. My gut twisted. Something wasn’t right.
“Antoinette Donadieu, Toni, she was your grandmother, yes?” Eloise tipped her head to the side as she studied me. “Your resemblance to her is uncanny.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to be rude, but Mamie would be in her eighties now. There’s no way you’re old enough to have been a childhood friend of hers.”
“Oh, but I was,” Eloise said. “Sadly, I passed away when I was fifty-two.”
“Passed away?” I choked out the words.
“Yes, but dear Toni brought me back and I was her faithful companion right up until the day she died. Now I need you, Zoe, to send me on.”
“Send you on?” I repeated. There was a buzzing in my ears, probably panic, that made it hard to hear her.
“You have the grimoire from your mother, yes? Which means you have the spell to send me across the veil to the other side.” She beamed and I noticed a fleck of pink lipstick on her teeth.
“You’re telling me you’re dead,” I said. My eyes ran over her. She was clearly not dead. So…what in hell was going on here?
“Oh, I can assure you, I’m very much deceased.” She nodded. “Toni planned to return me before she passed away, but the grimoire was stolen and Toni was murdered before she had the chance.”
“Murdered?” My chest felt tight. I couldn’t get enough air, everything went fuzzy and I started to see spots. I leaned heavily against the doorjamb. “Who exactly murdered Mamie? Do you know?”
“Why it was your mother, dear.”
Now my second question is: How much does a title weigh in on your decision to buy a book? And should I be concerned? LOL.
Wow . . . that's quite an introduction! Thanks for the peek into Zoe's life [and, yes, now I want to read more] . . . .
ReplyDeleteAs for the title . . . BOOKS is my preference, but I'm sure the sales and marketing folks are in a position to know best. If I didn't know the author or recognize an author's name, I'd be less likely to pick up [or buy] a book titled "Witches" than one titled "Books," but the book's author makes all the difference . . . .
For what it's worth, I totally agree with this logic. "Witches" just seems so overdone.
DeleteThank you, Joan. Books was the emphasis for me, but I see what the pub is trying to do.
DeleteI love it, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Joan. I tend to avoid books with Witches in the title, and the title Books of Dubious Origin intrigues me. But YOUR book? I'm in.
Thanks, Edith!
DeleteGreat excerpt! It pulled me right in. So wish I could turn the page. 😊 As far as the title goes, I like Books of Dubious Origin.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elizabeth!
DeleteI think Witches will pull in a different demographic of reader which is likely a good marketing strategy. I know there are people out there who gravitates toward all things witchy, even though I am not really one of them.
ReplyDeleteWhich things have the most dubious origin, the books or the people who are witches?
Yes Brenda, I am wondering the same thing here, which group is dubious? The books or the witches? Maybe both?
DeleteThe books were the more dubious item, but I suppose it could be both.
DeleteI'm in the Witches camp. Don't know why, but something visceral stirred when I read that version of the title. Either way, it sounds fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annette!
DeleteOh wow Jenn, what an amazing snippet from Books and Witches of Dubious Origin!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great solution!
DeleteI like that title!
DeleteThis is so clever, Lucy . . . I think I'd switch it around a bit and go with [The] Dubious Origin of Books and Witches . . . . I really like "Dubious Origin" . . . .
DeleteI really like the mashup of the titles. Having both books and witches in the title would bring a more diverse group of readers.
DeleteIntriguing, Jenn! Books of Dubious Origin appeals strongly to me, too. I agree with Brenda and Edith. With so many titles about witches, yours would stand out more. It actually sounds more subtly "magicky" with Books.
ReplyDeleteI thought so, too!
DeleteGreat snippet, Jenn. I am so excited about your foray into fantasy. I love the laughter simmering beneath every aspect of your stories.
ReplyDeleteI am firmly in the "books" camp because I don't usually read books with "witches" in the title. But I can see that the publishers are aiming for the crowd that can't get enough of them. Either way, I am truly excited and will buy my copy.
Thank you, Judy!
DeleteJENN: After reading that snippet, "Witches" works for me.
ReplyDeleteExcellent. Thanks, Grace!
DeleteHow interesting!!
ReplyDeleteThe choice between Books and Witches indicate two different stories - is it about the BOOKS which are of dubious origin or is it about WITCHES of dubious origin?
And I assumed it was books but maybe...
DeleteI will, of course, be reading this book because you wrote it. But if you were an unfamiliar-to-me author, I'd pick up Books and pass by Witches.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan!
Deletemy initial reaction to your title choices is 'books......' . though 'witches' is a contender I am pulled to 'book' so staying with it. whatever you choose I know this will be a good read. thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThe snippet is so fun! I'm the daughter of an academic librarian and a public (children's) librarian, and for me BOOKs of Dubious Origin is more intriguing than witches. Either way, I will read it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gillian!
DeleteDefinitely on trend with this group--I'd pick up Books but not Witches. Books of Dubious Origin suggests the possibility of many many stories to come because old books are always turning up--in the dim recesses of libraries, bargain bins, estate sales, odd lots at auctions, etc. And yes, there's a young witch involved. But how many dubious witches are we going to meet in the next book and the one after that and....? Having voted, I do realize there are definitely readers out there happily gorging themselves on books with Witches in the title.
ReplyDeleteThat was my thought, too. Always a new dubious book...we'll see what happens next.
DeleteI like the title Books of Dubious Origin. I would avoid anything with the word Witches in the title. If I recognized the author’s name I might take a look at the book to see if it was something I would want to read, but that’s the only reason I might consider it.
ReplyDeleteDebRo
Best of luck with your book!
Thank you, DebRo!
DeleteI would also pick up the book if it was Books of ... rather than Witches of ...
ReplyDeleteJenn - the publishers/editors must have a reason for using witches. Maybe readers of fantasy tend to be more attracted to books about witches which seems to indicate by your poll.
True, they have a bigger lens to look through.
DeleteJENN: All of the titles look great to me. I would read anything written by you. Your snippet sounds intriguing and I want to read that book. The cover looks like the actress Yasmine Bleeth. I have always been fascinated by witches. When I was 7 years old, I thought I was going to Sunday School for witches. Alas, it was Not a school for witches. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWill the novel be published in time for Halloween next year?
LOL! Yes, the plan is to release it in early Oct next year.
DeleteI wanna turn the page!! This book sounds like so much fun. And I'm a sucker for witches. "Books" feels generic. Witches. Most definitely.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hallie! I had not thought of that with "books" - excellent.
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ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to read this! You are incredible. I loved when you had Books in the title, but I have to admit, I think the sales department is right. Witches is much more specific. And timely.
ReplyDeleteAnd people loved The Witches of Eastwick, right? Would The Books of Eastwick have been as good?
I know it’s not exactly the same, but it’s kind of the same.
It is. I think we're all needing a little magic these days. LOL.
DeleteJenn. I am so looking forward to this book. I would have chosen Books, but maybe Witches will reach a wider audience.
ReplyDeleteI think so, too.
DeleteHow about Witches and Books of Dubious Orgin?
ReplyDeleteI can always ask!
DeleteI have to be honest, I rarely register the title when I'm looking at books. The author and/or genre is my biggest draw. So, either title would be fine with me. I do think that Witches will have a broader appeal on the shelf, and with an October release date, rock the pourover marketing!
ReplyDeleteI think you nailed it, Kait.
DeleteWhat is hooking me is the phrase 'dubious origin'. I go by cover, then title, then first paragraph, unless I know the author. Witches will be useful for most of the population. There is a sub set who abhor witches... but they might not choose the book after reading the blurb. Me? counting the days until it gets to Tampa.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Coralee! I hope you're all doing well in the aftermath of Milton!
DeleteAfter reading the story, I think Witches is probably more what the story is about. I don't normally like fantasy books but this sounds good to me because it is also a mystery - with the murder of the grandmother by her daughter.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteJenn, based on the snippet you shared, I'd go with Witches, especially since it is in the fantasy realm. I tend to be captivated by witches, dragons, werewolves, etc. more so than books when I'm browsing fantasy books. That being said, I would read it because you wrote it, regardless of title. I am with Coralee in that the cover, then the title and first paragraph if it is a new to me author. I find the older I get, the more the cover grabs me than the title. Can't wait to read this!! -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteOh, good, I have been promised an excellent cover...we'll see.
DeleteI like witchy books, and yet the title starting with Books just sounds more inviting.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Such a conundrum.
DeleteI prefer Books , but if nothing else combine it : Witches and Their Books of Dubious Origins .... Or A Witch and Her Book of....
ReplyDeleteBut I also don't mind longer titles and most publishers do for marketing reasons.
Yeah, they really don't like them. *sigh*
DeleteEither title sounds fabulous and I'd read it in a heartbeat! I've been on a "witch" kick the last couple of years but books, bookstores, and libraries always grab my attention as well. Congrats on your new series and thanks for the excerpt to keep me on pins and needles until it releases!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim!!!
DeleteI love Books of Dubious Origin but I’m sure the publisher knows what will draw people. I guess it could also be Magic of Dubious Origin .
ReplyDeleteThe snippet is awesome! I can’t wait to read this.
Oooh! Love that!
DeleteOh, I like Magic!!!
DeleteJenn!!!!! I can't wait to read this! I like Witches of Dubious Origins, but I'm a public librarian so add that to your stats LOL.
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! Perfect.
DeleteThis is so much fun, Jenn! I can't wait to read more. I still prefer Books, but then I thought about the success of A Discovery of Witches, and thought, hmm, maybe your publisher is right. I would pick it up either way, because I LOVE "Dubious Origin."
ReplyDeleteDubious Origin is intriguing enough, I hope!
DeleteI think “witches” works better if you’re trying to appeal to people who are looking for a fantasy novel. Using “books” makes it sound more like a crime caper novel about selling stolen books!
ReplyDeleteExcellent point!
Delete
ReplyDeleteAs much as I like the title Books of Dubious Origin, I have to agree with your publisher that Witches of Dubious Origin will play better to fantasy readers (or maybe Raven of Dubious Origins). I haven't read a lot of fantasy, but I owe it to my son to have influenced me to read it. I love the snippet you've given us. Now, that's a lot too get hit with in one encounter with an undead person.
LOL - true. There's a lot happening in this story.
DeleteI like the Witches title because I like witchy books. To me the book would be considered paranormal, which I like. I'm not much into fantasy,
ReplyDeletejust things like Harry Potter or Cassandra Clare. I'm sure I'd enjoy this one.
Thank you, Michelle!
DeleteFirst I have to say, I was a bit skeptical when you said you were trying this new genre, but after reading this excerpt, I can hardly wait to read the rest! As for drawing me as a reader, I start with author, then cover, then the blurb, finally the title. My preference would be Books, but as said by others, after reading the excerpt, Witches definitely works and probably will attract a new coterie of readers. Trust the process is my mantra!
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice, Marcia!
DeleteI enjoyed the intro and want to read the rest of the book. I like the title with Books! I think using Witches would limit the book to fantasy and paranormal.
ReplyDeleteThat was my concern, too.
DeleteA title certainly can add to the attraction of a book, as well as its cover. I like both titles. Books or Witches works well. It's the Dubious Origin that draws me in.
ReplyDeleteFabulous. Thank you, Pat!
DeleteThat's a great excerpt! I feel sure it will sell. I guess my question is similar to Brenda's above: ARE the witches in the book of dubious origin? I pay attention to titles and feel somewhat cheated if a title doesn't reflect the book's story or theme in a clear way.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are many witches with more to come, apparently. LOL.
DeleteIn a second thought. Us fantasy readers don't usually mind odd titles. You could just call it Dubious Origins ;) then add in witches and/or books in following books. I'm just volunteering you into another series, but you know ... Wishful thinking and all lol
ReplyDeleteLOL. I am contracted for a second book so here's hoping!!!
DeleteI am with what appears to be the majority - I prefer Books. It ties in with the department (Books of Dubious Origin) and makes more sense to me. A book can be of dubious origin since it’s created (as in a writer “creates” it) whereas a witch just is. What is a witch’s origin story? They just are born into a family of witches, right? I admit I have not given this much thought, but it all comes down to marketing and PR, anyway, right? Bottom line, I will read it if you wrote it! Best of luck with the book! — Pat S
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Pat S. And, yes, I agree with everything you said!
DeletePersonally I like the title Books of Dubious Origin. It implies there would potentially be more to the series. However I would also pick up a book titled Witches of Dubious Origin. I think one word book titles are kind of boring and make it harder to attract attention to the book. Regardless of what it is called, if I know the author, I will read the book.
ReplyDelete