Is it OK to change a name of a book?

[davejonescue]

Hello. I am wondering if it is OK to change a name of a book? The one in question is "Counsel to the Afflicted: or, Instruction and Consolation for Such as have Suffered Loss by Fire" by Owen Stockton. I am thinking of changing the name to "Love Among the Ashes: Consolation for Suffering Loss by Fire." I know some of the bigger publishers have changed names of books, just don't know if there is any sort of traditional practices of doing such, etc?

 

[jwright82]

Hello. I am wondering if it is OK to change a name of a book? The one in question is "Counsel to the Afflicted: or, Instruction and Consolation for Such as have Suffered Loss by Fire" by Owen Stockton. I am thinking of changing the name to "Love Among the Ashes: Consolation for Suffering Loss by Fire." I know some of the bigger publishers have changed names of books, just don't know if there is any sort of traditional practices of doing such, etc?

Legally? I think there's copyright issues. If you're not selling it then call it whatever you want to.

 

[MW]

If it's not copyrighted a publisher may call it what he likes. The idea of faithful reproduction is the only consideration. If a reader sees a different title he might wonder what else has been changed. But that is a good title.

 

[Frisian Gardener]

There is plenty of precedent, including Daniel Defoe's "The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, &c. Who was Born in Newgate, and during a Life of continu’d Variety for Threescore Years, besides her Childhood, was Twelve Year a Whore, five times a Wife (whereof once to her own Brother), Twelve Year a Thief, Eight Year a Transported Felon in Virginia, at last grew Rich, liv’d Honest, and dies a Penitent, Written from her own Memorandums", now almost always called simply "Moll Flanders", and Adam Smith's "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations", usually now known as "The Wealth of Nations". Even Banner of Truth changes titles, like Watson's "All Things for Good" (originally "A Divine Cordial"). I may humbly suggest putting the original title on the title page as "originally published as".

 

[NaphtaliPress]

To alleviate any confusion I would note on the publication/copyright page after the title, previously published as, based on the prior edition (give title) or something like that. As I said before on other matters of editing, paraphrasing, etc., it's fine as long as you inform the reader what you've done.

 

[davejonescue]

Thank you all for your responses. Taking note, and will include an editors preface explaining the name change.

Edit. I understand now about the Copyright page. Will make a short note of it there instead of an entire preface.