Goodreads Librarians Group discussion

I have a question re: Original Title.

Taking the attached book One, Two, Buckle My Shoe as my example, this book was originally published as a serial over the course of several months under the title The Patriotic Murders. It was then published two months later in completed book form under the title One, Two, Buckle My Shoe.

Do we take the first time it was published at all (ie. The Patriotic Murders) or the first time it was published in complete book form (ie. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe)?

And as a side question, do we list the alternate titles it may have also had along the way somewhere? (for example this book has also been published under the title An Overdose of Death) or not?

Thanks!

Jamie

Alternate titles most likely already exist in the database and have been combined with the main title, unless the author is fairly obscure. So they're already "listed."

I would say your original title is The Patriotic Murders. However, there might not even be an edition with that title, since it sounds like it only existed in serial form.

I could see this going either way, though. It's possible the original title is meant to refer to the original bound book.

And so therefore we don't bother to have them listed in the description or notes or anything, correct?

Jamie wrote: "And so therefore we don't bother to have them listed in the description or notes or anything, correct?"

You could, but it's not necessary, in my opinion.

Great, thanks!

Lobstergirl wrote: "I would say your original title is The Patriotic Murders. However, there might not even be an edition with that title, since it sounds like it only existed in serial form.

I could see this going It's possible the original title is meant to refer to the original bound book. "

Any other thoughts on this piece of the question anyone? Mostly trying to be sure I understand GoodReads best practices.

Although...there is a Christie book called The Patriotic Murders. Is this the same as your book, or something different?

http://www.amazon.com/Patriotic-Murde...

Looks like it's the same as they have been combined.

I would use the name of the first time it was published, so in this case, The Patriotic Murders.

Thanks so much!

The editions of An Overdose of Death have "originally published as the Patriotic Murders" on the cover, another argument for it as the original title.