I've been pulling my hair out for near enough a year on what to call my first book in to the market. It's a non-fiction diary that I kept over the course of volunteering at Camp America. Over three months, the reader experiences what summer camp is like and all of the gossip that happens behind the scenes of staff. It also houses photos, ratings, social network updates and links to external media. The title I am currently using is: A Secret Diary of American Summer Camp. It's a good name, but it's not great. It's too similar to one already out on the market that I have read called 'A Secret Diary of a Camp Counselor'. The market is 18-24 year olds who are interested in going to camp or perhaps wish to reminisce in their summer camp experiences themselves. I should also make the point to say that this is the first in a series of 2 books. I have tried the age old thing of writing down words I'd use to describe my book but have yet to get anywhere. Any help and I'd happily buy you a round. Words that spring to mind to describe the book: Camp America, Gossip, First Year, #StaffLife, Diary, Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll, True, Summer, America, American, Jewish
The Sexy Side of Summer Camp Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'N Roll... at Summer Camp What Happens at Summer Camp Stays at Summer Camp I'm not sure how accurate any of those are in accurately describing your experiences, but they jump out a little bit. A title is all about marketing. As an aside, I'm a summer camp director, and I'm glad you found your experience as a counselor worth writing down!
Confessions of a Lanyard Pusher Summer Camp Exposed. Diary of Summer Camp Counselor Camp Diaries. What are you going for - something spicy? Funny? Informative? Do you have a line or an incident in your story that could make a good title?
Confessions from Camp America < Just seen Peachy's used that one (ish) Behind the Scenes of Summer 9 Weeks of Summer, the Whole 9 Yards What Happens in Camp, Goes in this Book Camp America, Summer Soul—Yeah!
I like the first one, they all definitely jump out more than my original title. Oh wow! That's really intriguing you are a director! How would you feel if a staff member wrote about your camp? I wrote a question earlier in the year on here whether I should use real camp and agency names. Thoughts?
The vibe for the book is young, hip, funny and spicy. As for specific lines or incidents worthy of being in title, I'll have to get back to you...
I was a summer staff for 5 summers, so I know about all of the behind-the-scenes antics that happen at summer camp. I guess the short answer to your question is that I would be pretty pissed if my camp was identified in a book that airs dirty laundry about the staff. For one, I hammer it into my staff's heads that staff business is between staff members and no one else. I'm not stupid--I know they talk to their friends about stuff--but to write a book about all of our dirty laundry would be hugely disrespectful to everyone else who was on staff, at least in my eyes. For another, parents get pissy about incredibly small, dumb things as it is, and if you're going to talk about the staff who sneak out at night for beers or to toke up on such-and-such trail, not to mention all the staff who hook up... that could legitimately hurt a camp financially, not to mention the damage it could do to a camp's reputation. That said, I run a tight ship, and my camp has been headed back towards the straight-and-narrow for a few years now even before I took over as the director. If someone were to write a book about my camp I don't think they'd have anything too damning to talk about post-2013. Ultimately, it depends what you've got in your book and whether or not you care about your camp's reputation.
What about just using Camp as the title and then using a subtitle? I wouldn't use the words summer camp and sexy together in your title. When people think of summer camp they think of kids. I just think the combination might not sit well with some people. And it's not the diary of a summer camp. That would mean the camp wrote it. And I don't think that's what you meant.
I don't think the things the OP has to say about summer camp are going to sit well with most readers. At least not if his list of buzzwords and my own extensive personal knowledge of summer camp are any indication of what his stories will include.
No need to put the word "secret" in there. We know that diaries are supposed to be private. An its really not a secret anymore since its being published and read lol. Im sure you came up with a fake name for your camp even though its non-fiction, so why not something like: Tales From Camp NAME True Stories from an American Summer Camp (its a little long) Summer Camp Gossip?
Camp Star! The Kids Under Canvas Home Run - My Three Months With Your Children, A True Story Doctor Jockyl & Mister Hid All The Sausages
I would have thought this phrase would be copyrighted by American Pie folks? I don't know if it is wise to use another brands identity to get my book out there, but I kind of like it...?
I like the in your face marketing with this one, but unsure if it fits the niche I'm trying for... Definitely has something to it though...
I care about the camps reputation because it was the best experience I've ever had. I've been careful with what is in the book but I don't intend on using their name after thinking it through. I thought it would be wise to run it by them anyway. But at the same time though, I don't want to risk the book 'not being allowed' to go to market. Would it be acceptable to use camp agency names in the book as it does have a bit of prologue to it with how the application process went..?
I'm not sure I understand your question. What do you mean by "camp agency names?" Organizations that help camps find summer staff? I don't think it's necessary to ask your camp for permission to publish the book if you're planning on changing the names of important people, places, and things. You might also consider using a pseudonym unless your own name is really common.
What are your thoughts on this brainwave I've suddenly had? There's No Place Like Summer Camp: First Year #StaffLife The main series title would be There's No Place Like Summer Camp The episodes in the series would be something like 'First Year', 'Second Year' and 'The Guide'. As for the hashtag? I feel it's a dying fad but its clear from a customer point of view who the target audience is... Feedback please!!