Death to Wells!
Catchy headline, right? No, it’s not what you think.
Some authors exercise a lot of control over foreign translations of their works. I haven’t so far — I sell the world rights to my American publisher (Putnam) and let them deal with selling translated versions. This decision comes with positives and negatives; one of the negatives is that it leaves me with effectively no say in the titles or cover art of the books.
I mention this because I just heard from Heyne, my German publisher, which will put out the German translation of The Silent Man in August. Heyne’s title for The Faithful Spy? Kurier Des Todes, Courier of Death. Okay, not what I would have chosen, but maybe it makes sense given what happens to Wells near the end of the book (I won’t say anything more — no spoilers here).
But the title for The Ghost War had me scratching my head. Netzwerk Des Todes. Yep, Network of Death. Is there a “network of death” in The Ghost War? I guess, arguably, the Chinese-North Korean-Iranian axis. Arguably.
And now comes the translation for The Silent Man. Stille Des Todes. Silence of Death.
I mean, I guess it’s good branding. It’s certainly consistent. I presume Heyne knows its market. Maybe all over Germany, people are telling each other, “I can’t wait for the next “Blank of Death” novel. Comes out in August. Some light reading for Octoberfest!”
Still, I can’t help wondering if maybe the Germans know something about the books I don’t…
Anyway, no points for guessing what The Midnight House will be called.
“Anyway, no points for guessing what The Midnight House will be called.”
Come on, Alex, that’s an easy one…”House of Death.” Has kind of a George Romero feel to it, though at least it’s better than Network of Death, which I believe may be trademarked by NBC.
I’ve read my first Berenson book. I am a follower of clancy/patterson to name a few… All I can say is that you got me hooked, totally… And so I just can’t wait to get my hands on your other books… I should have read Faithful Spy first, but I was curious about the Ghost War when I ran across the book… And so, now I want more… Good Luck on your writing and keep ‘em coming…
Can’t wait for the next installment of Wells. Great suspense. Makes a person wonder if these near misses are happening around us and as the storylines imply, no sense causing mass hysteria……keep ‘em coming….
Between Berenson & Connelly, I’ve pretty much covered my “times” authors. The Midnight House is en route, but what will I do for my daily read after that!?! I hope you have more in mind, because John Wells has become my new american hero. Thanx for all the late nights.