Two Scribner writers–Joanna Smith Rakoff and Colm Toibin–unwittingly picked the same title for upcoming books. As the NY Observer reports, only one book entitled “Brooklyn” could survive.
The article recounts the whole struggle inside Scribner, ending as Rakoff retitled her book “A Fortunate Age.” Even Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz weighed in on this battle of the names.
Here’s more from the article: “So, after five weeks of brainstorming in consultation with her editor at Scribner and her agent, Tina Bennett, Ms. Rakoff settled on A Fortunate Age. She explained on Monday that she actually preferred it to Brooklyn because of its ‘lovely double meaning.'”