Contest: Title a book, win $3,000 -- ENDS 10/21/09

[NatCh]

First off, let me say that I have nothing to do with the running of this contest, I know someone who's involved with the book in question, and they are trying to spread the word in hope of getting a good title out of the deal. I do, however, have some small reason to believe that it's legit.

In any case, it looks like simply entering effectively gets you a free copy of the book. Of course it goes without saying (but I will anyway, just 'cause I'm anal like that) that the book is under copyright, and would not be legal to share.

I don't know too much detail on the book itself, beyond what's below, specifically that it's a memoir of some sort, so there's really no telling what those who enter might be in for. I've already responded to the specified address, so I guess I'm along for the ride.

I believe the "local" referred to would be Houston, TX, if that matters to anyone.

Win $3000! Title the Book

A local writer needs your assistance to title his upcoming memoir and has offered a $3000 prize that will go to the person who crafts the title that is chosen for the book and a $500 prize for person who crafts a 25-word synopsis of the story that is chosen for the cover.

Entry procedure:

Email titlethebook@gmail.com about your intent to enter the competition to receive an electronic copy of the manuscript

Read the manuscript and write:

• A suggested title for the memoir
• This should reflect the theme of the piece (hope, survival) without sounding like a self-help book
• Brevity is key: keep it simple, powerful, to the point
• Title should capture the ear and eye and attention of potential readers
• A 25-word synopsis
• An honest, straightforward review

Send the title, synopsis, and review back to titlethebook@gmail.com.

[cmbs]

Got a link to their website?

[Xia]

Sounds interesting! However, I, too, would like to check out the website - is there one available?

Thx,
~Xia~

[neilmarr]

Googling produces www.titlethebook.com. I tried it, though, and it doesn't work. Pity, it sounds an interesting marketing ploy and I'd like to check it out. Hoots. N

[Dr. Drib]

Don't worry. He'll add the link once he wakes up!


Don

[NatCh]

Alas, there is no site, only the e-mail address -- I'd've posted it in the first place if there had been.

However, I did receive a copy of the book (in DOC format) this morning in response to my own message, so I can personally vouch for that much. Beyond that, there's not really much at risk from this end, is there?

[neilmarr]

The only possible waste NatCh is that of precious reading time if the 'memoir' is tripe. Some self publishers with more money and vanity than writing ability will go to enormous lengths to get good reviews on the story of their life. How do the first few pages read? Cheers. Neil

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by neilmarr

How do the first few pages read?

Well ... the plain answer to that would be misleading.

The story is apparently of a kidnapped child's experiences and his escape and recovery from the same. It picks up in the middle and it's actually kind of confusing, which seems to be deliberately done to emphasize the material.

The second chapter settles down and isn't muddled at all. It's not the best thing I've ever read, but it's far from the worst. Not my usual fare, of course, no magic swords or spaceships, you know.

It's contains a high level of description, but it's not burdensome, to me, at least. Of course since the first part of the second chapter deals with being a child in Houston, in the '70s, I suppose I relate to it better than many might.



I think my recommendation is that if you think that it sounds interesting enough, go ahead and send off for the book. If it turns out you don't like it, you don't have to finish reading it, and all you'd miss out on is entering the contest. Of course the final decision on that is entirely up to the individual.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by neilmarr

The only possible waste NatCh is that of precious reading time if the 'memoir' is tripe.

Hmm, title for a tripe memoir - how about 'Oooh, you were offal!'

(You have to be British and very, very old to get that pun - well done if you didn't . )

[NatCh]

Nah, reading the right books (Doyle for example) will allow the non-old, non-British to get that pun. But I must say it took a lot of guts to make such a remark.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Hmm, title for a tripe memoir - how about 'Oooh, you were offal!'

(You have to be British and very, very old to get that pun - well done if you didn't . )

Originally Posted by NatCh

Nah, reading the right books (Doyle for example) will allow the non-old, non-British to get that pun. But I must say it took a lot of guts to make such a remark.

between the two of you, i think you've broken my groaning muscle. i'll send you the bill for the replacement.

[GeoffC]

an author who can't think of his own title and blurb ??!!! ... and hoping it'll sell well enough to pay for a competition prize ....

[JSWolf]

How about the title Dazed and Confused as it pertains to the reader (after reading it) and the author?

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

an author who can't think of his own title and blurb ??!!! ... and hoping it'll sell well enough to pay for a competition prize ....

Actually, they have a working title, and it's a reasonably good one, I can only guess that they want to see if they can get a really good one. The author seems to regard the book as an attempt to use their experiences to help others who might be in the same situation.


@JSWolf: The whole idea is to read the book and then come up with a title.

[NatCh]

One more detail -- the deadline for this is apparently the 21st, for those who are interested.