VERY IMPORTANT POLL-Everyone please vote.
- Thread starter Fatboy
- Start date
I think the general public will not prefer the "hustler" connotation. I voted for junkie because of that reason, but I would buy both.
I voted for the first, but lose the colon. Having a grammatical error in your title is not the best of ideas.
The reason I like the first title is that for the non-player, the game's reputation is tied closely to the image of the predatory pool hustler who earns a living feeding on unsuspecting victims.
In these recssionary times, with so many out of work and unable to find a way to earn a living, those few who manage to earn a living without a full-time job are even more intriguing than usual to most.
The reason I like the first title is that for the non-player, the game's reputation is tied closely to the image of the predatory pool hustler who earns a living feeding on unsuspecting victims.
In these recssionary times, with so many out of work and unable to find a way to earn a living, those few who manage to earn a living without a full-time job are even more intriguing than usual to most.
If I was not aware of the pool hall environment, I may think a pool room junkie might be like a Dungeons & Dragons junkie. Or that the book is written for the specific audience of other pool room junkies and I wouldn't understand or identify with it.
Now, I (the uneducated book buyer in this scenario) know what a hustler is and can always identify with the people trying to get over on each other, no matter what the situation. I may remember another drama I enjoyed where the characters were trying to deceive each other and would like to read a similar book.
Now, I (the uneducated book buyer in this scenario) know what a hustler is and can always identify with the people trying to get over on each other, no matter what the situation. I may remember another drama I enjoyed where the characters were trying to deceive each other and would like to read a similar book.
In the text
If the book is finished,and you aren't completely convinced of the title,look inside. Within the content of the book,there is a phrase,or words that describe exactly the niveau of the story. Apply them to the title,so when the reader comes across the situation they will exhibit the feeling(s) of the Author. Sometimes a working title doesn't do it,and that's okay. Good Luck.
If the book is finished,and you aren't completely convinced of the title,look inside. Within the content of the book,there is a phrase,or words that describe exactly the niveau of the story. Apply them to the title,so when the reader comes across the situation they will exhibit the feeling(s) of the Author. Sometimes a working title doesn't do it,and that's okay. Good Luck.
Just my .02....I don't think the general public is turned off by the word "hustler" I for one would be drawn to that aspect. In fact, I don't know why alot of people here think that people are turned off by pools seedy reputation. I think that is what makes pool so cool. (and it is a beautiful game with many facets) I hate murder and death, but murder and death doesn't make a movie a box-office flop most of the time. Yeah, none of us thought Poolhall Junkies was about a bunch of "junkies"....but, we weren't just seeing a title on it's own without anything else to base that on. If I saw "Confessions of a Poolroom Junkie" I may think it was actually about a junkie. Like I said, just my .02
I like this one.Some fine writers have done this and it works.
CF is a serious reader.
My 'enthusiast' post was a bit tongue in cheek but this one isn't.
It may seem too trite or cute but it may satisfy the 'mass' criteria.
"COTTON TALES" by Bobby Cotton. put the billiard reference in the
fly leaf.
Hustler for me as well.
Thanks Everyone
WOW we sure did get alot of votes here,
I just want to thank each and everyone who voted and/or posted in this thread.
I made a error on the title I used the the word "Room" not "Hall", my concern was the words Junky/Hustler. I have awalys called pool halls- pool rooms, so when I posted it I used my own personal term of pool room.
The reason this is important is because as it was leaked out in this thread there is a book behind this and I want this book to do very good, its good for a good friend and pool, especially if were all so lucky to see this book go main stream-maybe we'll get a new movie and help out pool. I know thats alot to ask for, but it could happen.
The word Junky scared me and I was worried it might harm sales wit ha bad image, it was not my intent to get specific about the book, who wrote it, who its about. I was just doing a survey with everyones best interest at heart-that was my only motivation, and it is important so thanks again to everyone here.
my best
Fatboy
WOW we sure did get alot of votes here,
I just want to thank each and everyone who voted and/or posted in this thread.
I made a error on the title I used the the word "Room" not "Hall", my concern was the words Junky/Hustler. I have awalys called pool halls- pool rooms, so when I posted it I used my own personal term of pool room.
The reason this is important is because as it was leaked out in this thread there is a book behind this and I want this book to do very good, its good for a good friend and pool, especially if were all so lucky to see this book go main stream-maybe we'll get a new movie and help out pool. I know thats alot to ask for, but it could happen.
The word Junky scared me and I was worried it might harm sales wit ha bad image, it was not my intent to get specific about the book, who wrote it, who its about. I was just doing a survey with everyones best interest at heart-that was my only motivation, and it is important so thanks again to everyone here.
my best
Fatboy
I think you made a good point ... but, I think that all those examples lead with positive image first and then junkie as a play on them. Pool hall doesn't lead with a positive image and to end with junkie comes across imho as an additional negative, not as a playful twist. Even though "hustler" is a term often used by non-pool players to the point that it's become trite, it still conveys a fog of intrigue.
Pool Hall "Junkie"
The phrase of "Pool Hall Junkie" to me has always meant someone who has a great attraction, perceived by some to be even an addiction, to playing the games of pool/billiards. I have understood this all of my knowledgable 66 years, regardless of the skill or occupation of a player. I never thought it meant or even inferred "hustler". I can only suggest you include in the Foreword of your book what your use of Junkie is meant in your book. If you do not do this, it is left open to interpretation and you know what your readers and critics will do with that. Best wishes, Paul Del Giudice.
The phrase of "Pool Hall Junkie" to me has always meant someone who has a great attraction, perceived by some to be even an addiction, to playing the games of pool/billiards. I have understood this all of my knowledgable 66 years, regardless of the skill or occupation of a player. I never thought it meant or even inferred "hustler". I can only suggest you include in the Foreword of your book what your use of Junkie is meant in your book. If you do not do this, it is left open to interpretation and you know what your readers and critics will do with that. Best wishes, Paul Del Giudice.
late night rambles
Syd,
I think that Bob's title, "Confessions of a Road Player" is far better than either of the other two. Sounds like the other two don't really describe your brother plus they seem a little trite or cliche.
Sometimes it seems the perfect title is the hardest thing to come up with. It is worth the effort though, the front of the book, everything on it, adds up to "curb appeal". You have to make them pick up the book. At the same time people are annoyed if they feel like they are really mislead into picking it up. You might consider other variations of a title with Road Player in it too. Maybe something like "Road Player, 40 Years of Memories" or something along those general lines. I don't quite like "Memories" but it's past my bedtime tonight and inspiration isn't coming! I like "xx, 40 Years of Life on the Road" but I don't like repeating "Road" twice so it can't be used before the comma.
Titles can't be copyrighted so "Road Warrior, 40 Years in the Small Towns and Big Cities" might work. I have always considered the guys that come in and make no bones about being a player road warriors and not hustlers.
I know all of my suggestions are getting away from the "Confessions of" title but to be honest we have already seen "Confessions of" umpteen other types of people and our eyes tend to skim right past those words starting yet another title. If you feel locked into "confessions of" in the title you might start it with another word, IE "Wits and War, Confessions of a Road Player"
Hu
Syd,
I think that Bob's title, "Confessions of a Road Player" is far better than either of the other two. Sounds like the other two don't really describe your brother plus they seem a little trite or cliche.
Sometimes it seems the perfect title is the hardest thing to come up with. It is worth the effort though, the front of the book, everything on it, adds up to "curb appeal". You have to make them pick up the book. At the same time people are annoyed if they feel like they are really mislead into picking it up. You might consider other variations of a title with Road Player in it too. Maybe something like "Road Player, 40 Years of Memories" or something along those general lines. I don't quite like "Memories" but it's past my bedtime tonight and inspiration isn't coming! I like "xx, 40 Years of Life on the Road" but I don't like repeating "Road" twice so it can't be used before the comma.
Titles can't be copyrighted so "Road Warrior, 40 Years in the Small Towns and Big Cities" might work. I have always considered the guys that come in and make no bones about being a player road warriors and not hustlers.
I know all of my suggestions are getting away from the "Confessions of" title but to be honest we have already seen "Confessions of" umpteen other types of people and our eyes tend to skim right past those words starting yet another title. If you feel locked into "confessions of" in the title you might start it with another word, IE "Wits and War, Confessions of a Road Player"
Hu
I would change the title to read, "Confessions of a Pool Hustler". You don't need the colon after the word Confessions: and I'd leave out the word 'Room' as well. Both just clutter up a potentially good title.