This was originally going to be a post with some (mostly ridiculous) stats about Blood is Thicker Than Lots of Stuff, leading up to next week’s release. But I did just that for the last three books, and it’s starting to feel a little bit played out. So instead, I want to revisit a subject near and dear to the series’ heart… chapter subtitles.
Of all my books, only the John Smith series uses what I call chapter subtitles. In the above image, that would be the “IN WHICH…” part. I’ve talked at length about why these subtitles can be a pain as an author… but my readers seem to enjoy them, and I am, as ever, desperate for those readers’ affection. So Blood is Thicker Than Lots of Stuff sees subtitles making their triumphant return yet again. In fact, every one of the seven1 books in this series will feature chapter subtitles, a decision I am sure to regret somewhere around book 5!
Below is a sneak peek at the subtitles for Blood is Thicker Than Lots of Stuff, a few of which you’ve already seen in the sample chapters:
IN WHICH THERE IS NEVER A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION
IN WHICH NOBODY LIKES A THIRD WHEEL
IN WHICH THE PAST CHOOSES NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN
IN WHICH CELL PHONES ARE A FRATMAN’S BEST FRIEND…
…BUT STAKEOUTS ARE FOREVER
IN WHICH TRIPS ARE TAKEN, SIGHTS ARE SEEN, AND AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR SHOWS UP
IN WHICH THINGS GET HAIRY
IN WHICH MISERY SEEKS COMPANY AND HOME IS WHERE THE BEER IS
IN WHICH FATHERHOOD IS A BLESSING BEST LEFT TO OTHERS
IN WHICH EVEN A PAWN CAN THREATEN THE QUEEN
IN WHICH CARS ARE SWOON-WORTHY BUT RESEARCH PAYS THE BILLS
IN WHICH CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL BUT BAD FOR THE SPLEEN
IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE STRANGE WHEN YOU’RE A STRANGER
IN WHICH FEW THINGS ARE SIMPLE AND NOTHING IS EASY
IN WHICH A MUSTACHE MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER
IN WHICH THE JOURNEY HOME IS ALWAYS LONGER AND A CASSEROLE IS NARROWLY AVOIDED
IN WHICH ICE CREAM ALWAYS WINS
IN WHICH GOOD HELP ISN’T FREE
IN WHICH A JAWA BEARS WITNESS
IN WHICH ONE GOOD BITE DESERVES ANOTHER
IN WHICH A MEDIATOR IS NEVER RIGHT AND RARELY ON TIME
IN WHICH MARRIAGE IS MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT SEEMS
IN WHICH THE END IS OFTEN BITTER
IN WHICH THE LINE BETWEEN TODAY AND TOMORROW IS A LITTLE BIT NEBULOUS
IN WHICH YOU CAN’T GO HOME AGAIN
IN WHICH THE RULE OF THREE GETS REDEFINED
IN WHICH MORNING COMES MORE SWIFTLY THAN EXPECTED
IN WHICH BURRITOS ARE PROBABLY A METAPHOR FOR SOMETHING
IN WHICH THE PAST BECOMES THE PRESENT
IN WHICH YOU CAN’T SPELL EPIPHANY WITHOUT PAIN
IN WHICH ALL THINGS END IN FIRE
IN WHICH THE MEDIATOR WORKS PRO BONO
IN WHICH A SHOWER, A NAP, AND A SANDWICH ARE TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR
IN WHICH A HUSBAND EARNS HIS LECTURE
IN WHICH BLACK IS THE NEW BLACK
Can you piece together the plot of the book from these subtitles2? Are you curious how a mustache can make everything better? Do you know what a burrito could be a metaphor for3? Then, read the book! I promise these will all make sense when you do!
Well… most of them will, anyway.
Blood is Thicker Than Lots of Stuff launches in digital and paperback formats this coming Tuesday, April 27th!
I’ll be back then to celebrate the launch with some advance reviews, content warnings, and random thoughts!