Wow! It’s Wednesday! Molly Ringwald Wrote Back…

Mar 11, 2009 27 Comments by

So if you’re new to Fierce and Nerdy, and haven’t been keeping up with the saga, which is trying to get my novel published, here’s the short version of the story so far: I wrote a novel and titled it A Molly Ringwald Ending. Then I got an agent, who wondered if the title was legal copyright wise. Talked to a lawyer, turns out names — even the really iconic ones — aren’t fair-use in titles, so I wrote Molly Ringwald a heartfelt letter about how much the title meant to the plot line of the book. That’s where we left off.

copyrightinfringementAnd yesterday, Molly Ringwald wrote back — or at least her lawyers did. They said absolutely not. I’ve no idea if they even showed Molly Ringwald my letter, before shooting down the title.

Of course I am bummed about this. However, there is a lot of brightside to this story:

1) I don’t have to keep on waiting to find out if Molly Ringwald is going to let me use her name in the title. That was not fun, as I’m not the kind of person who likes having to get permission for stuff.

2) If the novel does get picked up by a publisher, I have a great author interview story. As it is, I’ll probably mention it in the acknowledgments and thank yous. Thank you, Molly Ringwald, for at least turning me down quickly. I was afraid this situation would drag on for months, and I had my answer in under three weeks. I’m seriously grateful for that.

3) Guess who gets to crowd-source a new title for my book. You do!

So here are the options that I’m looking at:

a. The Perfect Ending [this was my original alt title choice but worries have been brought to my attention -- does this sound ironic enough or do we think people will actually mistake the book for chick lit']

b. Sixteen Years Later

c. How it Ends

d. 32 Candles

e. I don’t like any of those choices. I’ve read the first three chapters of your novel and I think you should name it ___________

Thanks in advance for your help with this!

.

flickr.com photo credit: Eduardo Simioni


Similar Posts:

*No top 5, Guess the Random Lyric, Lit and Nerdy, Wow It's Wednesday

About the author

In addition to running Fierce and Nerdy, Ernessa T. Carter is the author of 32 CANDLES, a romantic comedy that is totally worth buying.
  • http://intensedebate.com/people/keldoo keldoo

    Bummer! Such a great title….As a back-up, I like A. Trust your gut. OR…what about taking a line from 16 Candles? Tweaking it a bit? Hmmm….

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/keldoo keldoo

    Bummer! Such a great title….As a back-up, I like A. Trust your gut. OR…what about taking a line from 16 Candles? Tweaking it a bit? Hmmm….

  • Di!

    I vote d

  • Di!

    I vote d

  • jeremy

    How about just "Sixteen Years"? I like your story, It' a good start.

  • jeremy

    How about just "Sixteen Years"? I like your story, It' a good start.

  • Zacki

    ok lets break it down lady….

    A. total chick flick title… beware here.. if ever turned into a film they may end up casting Amanda Bynes in it… is there a place for her to do lots of prat falls in it? Cause she will anyway…

    B. Run the zombies are back…again… sixteen years later…

    C. Not bad, but sounds like a potentially sad tale of heartbreak and one woman's brave journey as she pushes herself past it and into a whole new exciting life… with cats…. and knitting… did I mention the cats… but she's really happy you guys… no really…

    D.I really like it… and most people would get the correlation immediately… The title has to somehow reflect your original intention with "Molly Ringwald."

    over-all, I'm so excited you have written a book and wait with baited breath till the day I get to hold it in my hand and crack the spine. :) Congrats, and I hope this assessment by some pop culture junky, half-assed blogger helps you somehow.

  • Zacki

    ok lets break it down lady….

    A. total chick flick title… beware here.. if ever turned into a film they may end up casting Amanda Bynes in it… is there a place for her to do lots of prat falls in it? Cause she will anyway…

    B. Run the zombies are back…again… sixteen years later…

    C. Not bad, but sounds like a potentially sad tale of heartbreak and one woman's brave journey as she pushes herself past it and into a whole new exciting life… with cats…. and knitting… did I mention the cats… but she's really happy you guys… no really…

    D.I really like it… and most people would get the correlation immediately… The title has to somehow reflect your original intention with "Molly Ringwald."

    over-all, I'm so excited you have written a book and wait with baited breath till the day I get to hold it in my hand and crack the spine. :) Congrats, and I hope this assessment by some pop culture junky, half-assed blogger helps you somehow.

  • Jen

    May I suggest "After the Candles Were Blown Out" or something like that.

  • Jen

    May I suggest "After the Candles Were Blown Out" or something like that.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/C_H C_H

    I like D as well. Maybe the cover art can help make the connection to Molly Ringwald as well

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/C_H C_H

    I like D as well. Maybe the cover art can help make the connection to Molly Ringwald as well

  • kim

    I like D and agree with CH….maybe just put 16 candles on the cover art. can you use her name in the book? then you get to at least use the line you originally wanted. just think when you get on oprah you can talk about how molly didn't let you use her name and the audience will think she was ridiculous.

  • kim

    I like D and agree with CH….maybe just put 16 candles on the cover art. can you use her name in the book? then you get to at least use the line you originally wanted. just think when you get on oprah you can talk about how molly didn't let you use her name and the audience will think she was ridiculous.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/ernessa ernessa

    yes, well funnily enough an artist can't stop you from saying his or her name in a book — if that were the case no one would be able to write anything. but the title is a whole nother story b/c they can make the case that it looks like they were endorsing. if i were willing to carry a legal joke that far, i might call it the "The Unauthorized Biography of Molly Ringwald" — b/c then I'd be allowed to use her name. i hate copyright issues…

    oh, and perchance to dream, Oprah…

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/ernessa ernessa

    yes, well funnily enough an artist can't stop you from saying his or her name in a book — if that were the case no one would be able to write anything. but the title is a whole nother story b/c they can make the case that it looks like they were endorsing. if i were willing to carry a legal joke that far, i might call it the "The Unauthorized Biography of Molly Ringwald" — b/c then I'd be allowed to use her name. i hate copyright issues…

    oh, and perchance to dream, Oprah…

  • Evil E

    A Samantha Baker Ending.

    (I wonder how different things would be if Ally Sheedy had gotten the part.)

  • Evil E

    A Samantha Baker Ending.

    (I wonder how different things would be if Ally Sheedy had gotten the part.)

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/MMKV MMKV

    E, I'm sorry Molly's folks said no. If Hollywood is anything like government, she has no idea you even asked! I't not creative, so no title suggestions for me. But, I can do multiple choice. I actually like A (but add a ?).

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/MMKV MMKV

    E, I'm sorry Molly's folks said no. If Hollywood is anything like government, she has no idea you even asked! I't not creative, so no title suggestions for me. But, I can do multiple choice. I actually like A (but add a ?).

  • Pingback: Dear Thursday: Living in the Future | Fierce and Nerdy

  • Angela

    I am so sorry you can't use the original title but I think I like d as an alternative. It still gives the idea of the movie but with a twist.

  • Angela

    I am so sorry you can't use the original title but I think I like d as an alternative. It still gives the idea of the movie but with a twist.

  • Shawna

    How 16 1/2 Candles

  • Shawna

    How 16 1/2 Candles

  • Pingback: Philosophical Monday: Big Things Poppin - HUGE News re: 32 Candles | Fierce and Nerdy

  • Pingback: How 32 CANDLES Went from Manuscript to Soon-to-Be-Published Novel

Current Mood: TUNNELING THROUGH

Categorized Posts:

Ask Dr. Miro




Recent Comments

Audiobooks at audible.com!

Order 32 Candles here

B&N

Shop Indie Bookstores