Everyone has a pet peeve when it comes to reading, right? It might be that you get irritated when an author writes 'effect' when the word should be 'affect'. Maybe your pet peeve is messy dialogue or commas not used or used too much in sentences. We all have those little things we expect writers, especially authors to know, right?

Well, here's mine. I am stunned when writers say, "I have entitled my book, blah blah blah. Doees it urk you as much as it does me? I've seen this error in The Paris Review (a literary journal I absolutely adore). I have seen this error in acclaimed newspapers too. I shake my head in amazement because these writers and publications are acknowledged as some of the best in the nation.

So, here is the rule: entitled means you have a privilege to something. For instance, I am entitled to receive courtesy from the checkers at the grocery store. But when you are speaking about the name of a publication, it is called a title. For instance, the title of my newest book is, Voices from the Land. The title of my book on writing is, The Mindful Writer. It is inaccurate to say, "my book is entitled, The Basket Weaver".

Okay, that being said, I now feel better.
Keep the pen moving.