: Re: Intentionally lying to the reader Similar to this question, but more specifically about outright lies. I am thinking of having a title that misleads or lies about the end of the novel. Something

The best way to do this is via the untrustworthy narrator or a character (Fight Club); because they totally lie all of the time. And it's perfectly fine to introduce false information in a story. The reason its best to do it this way is it doesn't feel like a trick; it feels like an affect of personality, which goes a long way to smoothing the reader over.

A good story likely does not need a lie on the title page, but I can envision it being a good way to frame a story or reversal in some narrative out there; I just also think you can't outright get away with it unless you already have a winning story, and then at that point everyone in the business will call you on it unless it somehow extremely fits the book. It's also not likely to be a secret you keep very long if it's on the front cover of the book. People always introduce books to friends verbally7 and a big lie like that will probably invoke "So, ignore the title page, but this is a really good story," if you actually do manage to win over an audience in spite of yourself.

Think about it this way: You as an author are trying to create a brand. That brand is yourself. If you devalue that brand, it has ramifications for that brand in the future. While it may be technically possible to write an effective and even loved book that openly lies to the reader. If you put all the blame, justifiably on your characters, you don't risk your brand. From a purely economical standpoint, you almost should never lie as the author.

There is always an exception, but are the risks really worth finding out if you're the one who's going to win the lottery?

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