Something Strange and Deadly
BIG NEWS.
Like, BIG AND IMPORTANT. News that requires spreading around.
The Spirit-Hunters finally has a REAL NAME.
After months of brainstorming, debating, and head-scratching, we have finally settled on the official title for book 1 in Eleanor’s 3-book saga.
And here’s what it is:
Something Strange and Deadly
Yes, that is the OFFICIAL TITLE for book 1. No more working title of The Spirit-Hunters, when you take a gander at Goodreads, it will say Something Strange and Deadly.
When you look on Facebook or Twitter or my website or ANYWHERE, it will say Something Strange and Deadly.
I’m ridiculously excited. The HarperCollins marketing team has indicated this title is commercial and therefore OKAY. More importantly, I love the title.
And wanna know something cool? My agent was the one who suggested it! During a Very Official Brainstorming Session at a cupcake shop in NYC, and over a Very Official round of sangria, Sara Kendall said, “What if we call it Something Strange and Deadly?”
Editor Maria Gomez, Agent Joanna Volpe, and I gave a collective, “Ooooooh….” And then we all repeated it about twenty-five times with lots of giggles interspersed.
Although we decided on that title back in January, we still spent 2 months making up more. I think we must of have written about a hundred different options…but ultimately, we (read: HarperCollins marketing) settled on this one!
So there you have it, my friends!
Something Strange and Deadly
will be available in bookstores 2012!
You tell me: WHADDAYA THINK!?!?!?!?
April 1, 2011 @ 8:29 am
I like the title! It’s that kind of perfect YA title that both hits and hides. It’s gonna be a hit!
April 1, 2011 @ 9:57 am
GAH! THANKS! You’re right that it kinda “hints” with the whole DEADLY and also hides. I hadn’t thought of that!! 😀
April 1, 2011 @ 8:30 am
Sorry, proofreading problem. I was supposed to say “…perfect YA title that both HINTS and hides.”
April 1, 2011 @ 9:05 am
I was just reading your QOTW answer on LTWF and squealed when I saw SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY (formerly THE SPIRIT-HUNTERS). Immediately checked my email – and here it is, official news that Susan Dennard’s novel has an AWESOME (and I mean that in the awe-inspiring sense) new title! I love it!
April 1, 2011 @ 9:58 am
Thanks!!! I was (still am a little) soooo nervous about it!! It’s taken me a good 2 weeks to get used to!! (Yes, I found out 2 weeks ago, but I haven’t announced it until now.) YAAAY! Thanks for the great, supportive comment! Phew…
April 1, 2011 @ 9:11 am
I freaking love it!!!
April 1, 2011 @ 9:58 am
Thank you thank you, Becca! I’m really loving it now too. I think it’ll look so cool in crazy font on an amazing, glamorous cover!
April 1, 2011 @ 10:23 am
Oh man, CATCHY! Just goes to show that cupcakes + sangria = genius inspiration. Something Strange and Deadly … Something Strange and Deadly… yep, definitely has a ring to it! 🙂
April 1, 2011 @ 10:51 am
I know–it kinda rolls of the tongue, doesn’t it? I think I really like the way it looks more than anything though…it’s just that DEADLY at the end. Like “oooooooh…what’s deadly?”
April 1, 2011 @ 11:27 am
Awesome news!!! Love the title, and I think that every book needs to have a little chip inside that plays your voice saying “Something Strange & Deadlyyyyy” just like that upon opening the cover 😉 And a GIANT congrats on the cheque!! Woohooo!!!!!!
April 1, 2011 @ 1:24 pm
Hahaha–like those greeting cards with the chips? I LOVE it. I’ll run it by my editor–we’ll REVOLUTIONIZE YA!! 😉
April 1, 2011 @ 11:54 am
You got three hearts for it! <3 <3 <3 It sounds sexy and gritty at the same time! I loves it! Very Official sangria, eh? 😉
April 1, 2011 @ 1:24 pm
Oh yes, sangria is the conference drink of choice. Didn’t you know? Beats coffee every time! 😉
April 1, 2011 @ 12:18 pm
I really like it! Very mysterious.
April 1, 2011 @ 1:25 pm
Thanks, Laura!!
April 1, 2011 @ 12:56 pm
You crack me up!
I LOOOOOOOOOOVE the new title!! It’s such a mysterious, eye-catching title. It’s perfect! Can’t wait to see it in stores!! 😉
And congrats on the advance check! A huge WOOHOO for getting paid!!
April 1, 2011 @ 1:25 pm
I know! MONEY! It’s so nice to have some… Of course, i should probably deposit it instead of staring at with a stupid grin on my face. 😛
And yay! I’m glad you love the title so much!
April 1, 2011 @ 1:34 pm
Yay!! 😀 I love it!!! <3
April 1, 2011 @ 3:13 pm
Thanks, Holly! <3 <3 Glad you approve. 😉
April 1, 2011 @ 2:22 pm
Ooh, I love the new title! It sounds both mysterious and interesting.
April 1, 2011 @ 3:14 pm
Many thanks, Emy! I’m glad to hear it has the desired effect! 😀 Seriously, I was nervous at first…
April 1, 2011 @ 2:22 pm
I like it!
April 1, 2011 @ 3:14 pm
Thanks, Alicia!!
April 1, 2011 @ 2:24 pm
How exciting. I do love that title!! Enjoy the journey!
April 1, 2011 @ 3:14 pm
Many thanks, Lynn! And trust me: I am enjoying the journey VERY much!!
April 1, 2011 @ 2:34 pm
LOVE THE NEW TITLE, SOOZ!!
Ahem. And your hair is awesome, too. 🙂
April 1, 2011 @ 3:15 pm
Hahaha–yay for blue hair! It’s actually fading…and I’m trying to decide what the next color will be (since, ya know, it’s BLEACHED beneath the color, and I don’t wanna look like Rogue from the X-men–even though Rogue is pretty awesome!). I’m thinking pink…like magenta… Or maybe green. 😛
And I’m so glad you like the title! WOOT!
April 1, 2011 @ 4:10 pm
I love it! Though I did have to scroll to the bottom of this post before I read it to make sure the news wasn’t an April Fool’s joke. I’ve been fooled a lot today.
Also, have you ever thought of going into the movie announcer business? 🙂
April 1, 2011 @ 6:01 pm
Hahaha! My friend just facebooked me saying I should have made an April Fool’s joke and given a horrible fake title… His idea was ZOMBIE ISLAND INVASION.
So glad you like the real thing, though. 🙂
April 1, 2011 @ 5:21 pm
That title is wicked! Love it! Lol, and yay for getting paid 😉
Congrats on the wonderful title! 😀
April 1, 2011 @ 6:02 pm
Thaaaaaaanks! Getting paid is pretty wonderful since, ya know, it’s been a LONG WHILE since it happened last. 😀
April 1, 2011 @ 5:46 pm
HOOOORAY!!!!!! <3 <3 <3
April 1, 2011 @ 6:02 pm
HOORAY IS RIGHT! YAAAAY! <3 <3
April 1, 2011 @ 5:54 pm
LOVE it!!! WOW!!!
April 1, 2011 @ 6:04 pm
!! I’m so GLAD TO HEAR THAT!! 😀
<3
April 1, 2011 @ 7:05 pm
Yay!!!! That was was my favorite you mentioned!!! 😀 Congrats!
April 1, 2011 @ 8:06 pm
Aw, good! I’m glad it was your favorite!
(And I can’t WAIT to see the steampunk photos on foil paper! GAH!)
April 1, 2011 @ 7:56 pm
Congratulations! Picking the perfect title can sometimes be soooo hard. It’s wonderful that everyone loves it. I’m super excited about the book!
And…money? For writing? Whoa…
April 2, 2011 @ 8:28 am
Um, yeah it can be hard! ESPECIALLY when the marketing team shoots down every one of your ideas!! 😀
April 1, 2011 @ 9:42 pm
That’s a WICKED title! I agree with HC, it does sound very marketable, although I’m not sure your book has only a “something”… more like many “somethings”. 😛
ADVANCE CHEQUE! Don’t you feel like such a professional author now? 😉
April 2, 2011 @ 8:29 am
I DO feel very professional. Kinda in awe over the check, actually!!
And YAY! I’m glad you like the title, Yahong–and I’m glad you think it sounds marketable!! <3
April 1, 2011 @ 11:47 pm
Ooooh, very catchy!!! Can’t wait to read it!
April 2, 2011 @ 8:30 am
Thanks, Kelly!! I can’t wait to share it! 😉
April 2, 2011 @ 2:22 am
oh my gosh I LOVE it SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!!!!! yay yay yay for you Susan!
April 2, 2011 @ 2:32 am
SOOZ, you are *adorable*! If I looked as good on camera as you do (and didn’t turn into a blabbering, “umming” mess when I’m expected to vlog), I’d love to vlog too, lol. But I’ll just stick with watching yours!! 😀
And I love SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY!!
April 2, 2011 @ 8:30 am
Pshaw! This coming from the girl who does SPOKEN WORD? Double pshaw!
BUT, I’m glad you think I’m so cute. 😉
April 2, 2011 @ 3:46 am
Congratulations!
BTW, I love your lovely whimsical blog/layout 🙂
April 2, 2011 @ 8:31 am
Thaaaanks! And I’m so happy you like my blog! It took AGES to make!! 🙂
April 2, 2011 @ 5:07 am
It’s gorgeous, Sooz! No one will be able to resist! (Well, okay, maybe some people. But they won’t be the cool people.)
April 2, 2011 @ 8:31 am
Hahaha, if ONLY every cool person in the world would by my book…I’d be rollin’ in royalties then!! 😉
And thanks, Madeleine! <3
April 2, 2011 @ 5:31 am
Love it! I didn’t think it was possible but now I want to read it EVEN MORE!!!
Congratulations on a beautiful title!
April 2, 2011 @ 8:32 am
SWEET! I love to hear you want to read it MORE now!! 😀 😀 Best answer!
April 2, 2011 @ 6:28 am
What a perfect title-I sincerely LOVE it & can’t wait for it to come out.Now I want meetings over sangria–how great!Congrats!!!!
April 2, 2011 @ 8:32 am
Yes, sangria from now on!! LD
And thanks! I hope you enjoy it when it does finally come out!
April 2, 2011 @ 2:12 pm
I LOVE IT!
April 2, 2011 @ 2:15 pm
THAAANKS, Chantal!! I’m so happy to hear (er, read) that!!
April 2, 2011 @ 4:26 pm
LOVE the new title! Very intriguing!!
April 2, 2011 @ 4:27 pm
Oh, and now I’m going to have “Something Strange and Deaaaadly” in my head all day! It sticks!
April 2, 2011 @ 8:42 pm
Sha-wing! That’s EXACTLY what I wanna hear!! 😀
April 3, 2011 @ 4:06 am
Yay!!! I love the new title, sounds fabulous and intriguing!!!
April 3, 2011 @ 5:45 pm
Thanks, Heather!! 😀
April 11, 2011 @ 9:26 am
Theres actually a book called The spirit hunters in Australia and i was worried for your little trilogy despite it being a total different topic (ie that was about China). Soooo does that mean the trilogys WHOLE title is SS&D or does that mean its just book 1?
April 11, 2011 @ 9:50 am
Just book one is SS&D–we’ve yet to come up with the whole trilogy title! Possibly, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY, THE SPIRIT-HUNTERS BOOK 1…and then book two will be DEADLY, THE SPIRIT-HUNTERS BOOK 2….etc.
I didn’t know there was an Australian book by that name! Very good to know–thanks for telling me! I’ll have to tell my editor, and we’ll keep it in mind when we decide on the series name. 🙂