Why Do Books have Name Changes? by Elizabeth Chadwick (and GIVEAWAY)

I am excited and honored to have one of my all time favorite authors Elizabeth Chadwick here today as a guest blogger on Laura's Reviews.  I am also embarrassed to admit that this blog should have been posted a few weeks ago.  The new semester with me teaching several new classes with a new lab is taking more time than I even imagined!  One thing that is keeping me going is reading Chadwick's latest novel, The Outlaw Knight.  Or is it her latest novel?  More on that from Ms. Chadwick herself . . . 

THE OUTLAW KNIGHT has just been published in the USA.  It’s the story of medieval knight Fulke FitzWarin who turns outlaw when his lands are taken away from him by King John in order to spite him over a long-running quarrel.  It’s also about the fiery, lifelong  passion between  Fulke and heiress Maud le Vavasour, on whom King John has his own designs.

This isn’t the novel’s first outing. Readers will find it in the UK under the title LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE, and several years ago it came out in hardcover in the USA with that same name.  In Spanish it is ‘EL PROSCRITO’ or THE OUTLAW.  In German it’s DIE BRAUT DES RITTERS -    THE  BRIDE OF THE KNIGHTS.

So, the burning question for reader is why on earth publishers have to go around changing names. It’s confusing  isn’t it?   It means that sometimes a keen reader who follows the author and buys their books as soon as they can, will end up with one they have already read because of that name change.

Generally it’s not some fiendish plot aimed at getting the readers to part with their cash second time round for books they already have, but it is born of marketing strategies.  In the case of the change from the LittleBrown UK title to THE OUTLAW KNIGHT for Sourcebooks,  you can blame the White Castle hamburger chain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Castle_(restaurant)   We may have imported Macdonald’s to Britian, but we don’t have the White Castle outlets.  So the main reason for the change is to avoid association.  Actually I do really like the new title and if I’d thought of it originally, I might well have used it instead of the longer one.

A couple of other novels of mine have undergone title changes in the transatlantic crossing.  In fact most  of my titles are changed for other overseas editions too, but it doesn’t cause so much of a problem when  they’re not in English, whereas the UK and the USA are countries separated by a common language.   DAUGHTERS OF THE GRAIL          was original titled CHILDREN OF DESTINY in the UK, but this was  because my British Editor and my American editor had different personal preferences.  When the novel was reissued in the UK a few years later, I had a different editor who preferred the American title.  So it changed in the UK for the re-issue.  

Another title that has changed in transit is THE TIME OF SINGING. In the USA it has become FOR THE KING’S FAVOR.  Some people prefer the UK version which is based on a quote from the Song of Solomon in the bible.  Its relationship to the content of the novel isn’t immediately obvious, and hints at the story rather than being to the point.  It was changed for the States because we felt it was slightly obscure and  might benefit from being more direct. FOR THE KING’S FAVOR more or less explains the dilemmas of the hero and heroine and what they have to work through in the course of the novel and why.   In German it’s  DIE ROSE VON WINDSOR – THE ROSE OF WINDSOR. 

Hand in glove with the title changes go the cover changes, which also serve to mask the fact that the reader might have read the book before, but again it boils down to decisions of culture and personal taste and marketing strategies aimed at a wider audience.  The UK cover for LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE prefers to show the woman of the piece Maud le Vavasour.  The Spanish one depicts a man with a moustache whom I don’t personally see as Fulke FitzWarin myself, but that’s the way it goes.  Sourcebooks has gone for the male knightly pose with Whittington Castle itself in the background.

Sometimes, although not in my case, you will find titles are changed to reflect a current trend.  The word ‘Tudor’ or ‘Boleyn’ or ‘Darcy’ might be involved in this, and yes, it’s an attempt to garner more revenue, which is understandable, although perhaps questionable if the book is republished in its country of origin.  

It’s an interesting and thought provoking conundrum which has increased since the book market has become more global.  As far as I know I don’t have any more name changes in the offing for the next three novels in the English language, but if I do, I’ll let you know!

 Thank-you for your excellent post!  I especially loved learning about the different covers as well.  If you would like to read The Outlaw Knight yourself, see below for giveaway information.

 Description for The Outlaw Knight from Goodreads

Westminster, 1184-- in the court of King Henry, playful competition is about to turn into something far more serious. Young courtier Fulke FitzWarin would not be an obvious companion for Prince John, but the boy from the Welsh Marches is there as a reward for his family's loyalty to the crown. The FitzWarins are as proud as they are true, and when Fulke is accused by John of cheating during a game of chess, he cannot help but respond. Thus begins a bitter rivalry that will resonate throughout their lives.

The FitzWarins dream of reclaiming their family estate and title, Lords of the White Castle. After this quarrel with Fulke, however, John's vindictiveness leads to Fulke renouncing his allegiance and becoming a rebel outlaw.

In romance, too, Fulke is no closer to fulfilling his heart's desire. A youthful dalliance means nothing compared to his love for the spirited Maude le Vavasour, but marriage in medieval England is more about alliance than about love, and Fulke can only watch helplessly as Maude's father arranges a more suitable match. After all, what can Fulke offer Maude apart from a lifetime on the run....

With all the intrigue and pageantry that bring the twelfth century vividly to life, this award-winning novelist spins us an irresistible tale of a deadly rivalry and an impossible love.

Giveaway
Sourcebooks has graciously offered a giveaway of one copy of  The Outlaw Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick.

If you would like to win this book please leave a comment about what most intrigues you about this book or this guestblog.

As part of your comment, you must include an email address. If I can't find a way to contact you I will draw another winner.

For an additional entry, blog about this giveaway or post it on your sidebar. Provide a link to this post in your comment.

I will be using random.org (or a monte carlo simulation in excel) to pick the winners from the comments.

This contest is only open to US and Canadian residents (Sorry!).

No P.O. Boxes.

The deadline for entry is midnight on Friday October 11th, 2013.

Please make sure to check the third week of October to see if you are a winner. I send emails to the winner, but lately I've been put in their "junk mail" folder instead of their inbox.

Good luck!