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New Title and Cover
Two days ago I received my first copy of the newly titled and repackaged "Sex is Not the Problem (Lust Is)." I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I suppose for a lot of people it will be called "The Book Formerly Known as Not Even a Hint."
We decided to make this change because we had a lot of people telling us that they had no idea what the book was about.
It was also spurred on by the release of Max Lucado's book that featured the same "water look" as Not Even a Hint. We thought it would be good to change the cover art and in the process thought we might as well go all the way and change the title.
Not much has changed inside the book. I only adjusted the preface and then we added a section in the back called "Purity Download" that gives advice on sexual purity online.
So give me your honest opinion on the new title. Thumbs up? Thumbs down?
Walmart gave us the thumbs down. They told the publisher they wouldn't sell it because it had "sex" in the title. Of course Walmart owns half the world so that was a little disconcerting. But then I learned that they never sold it with the old title anyway. So who cares?
Oh, and here's a blog review of the book (with it's old title) from a reader in Malaysia.
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Comments (12)
DATE: 10:47 AM
Walmart doesn't know what they're missing. I'm in favor of the new title and artwork. If people were getting the title/cover confused with a different book and if they didn't know what the book was about, a change was definitely in order. The new title is clear--and I'm glad to hear you didn't change much with the book (which is wonderful.)"Nate Hanson gives it 'two thumbs up!'"fighting the good fight,nate hanson
Posted by Nate M. Hanson | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 10:00 AM
I don not understand why they are saying that...after all I have seen items sold at walmart (books, magazines, etc.) with "sex" in the title. I think it is great! I own the book (with the old title) and I love the book. I think the new title will help people realize what it is about. Honestly, when I first saw the book and read the title I did not know what it was about. LOL I bought it only because you wrote it. I loved your first two books. I also love Stop Dating the Church. Great book! God really has blessed you with a wonderful gift. I am so glad you are sharing it with the world! God Bles you!In Christ,Natalie
Posted by Natalie | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 2:10 PM
I felt like the "old style" was very eye-catching and the title was poetic and made you want to find out, "not even a hint of what?" I thought it was pretty easy to figure out what the book was about. However, I agree, Max Lucado's book looked just like yours, so it's better to make yours more distinctive. I have to say, though, I liked the old title better! BUT, I think this new version is just as attention-grabbing, though!Wal-Mart sells magazines with the word "sex" splattered all over the covers of Cosmopolitan and the like, so I don't know what they're talking about!
Posted by Danielle | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 7:50 PM
Thanks for this feedback, guys. Danielle, I agree that the old title was more poetic. And I loved the fact that it was from Ephesians 5:3. But hopefully this new title/cover will help spread the message to people who need it. And I hope my post didn't come across as Walmart bashing (popular though it is these days). I appreciate the decision Walmart made to pull magazines like Maxim from their shelves. I understand if they don't want their customers bombarded with the "sex" word. It's just ironic that the policy cuts out a book like mine that's taking a stand for purity. Oh, well!Again, thanks for your votes.
Posted by Joshua | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 1:35 AM
Joshua Harris, you are one of my heroes, seriously. The way that your books have been able to reach across the broad spectrum of Christian culture amaze me.I do have to say that "Not Even a Hint" IS more poetic. But the new title is more to-the-point, and rather "edgy"--in a good way. It should pique some new interest the book, always good from an author's perspective I'm sure. May God bless you and keep writing!
Posted by Anonymous | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 10:38 AM
is there any forum/discussion board online where courtship issues can be disscussed? my parents have been blessed with several friends who have gone through this process, but i don't really have anyone who has gone ahead of me that i can bounce ideas/questions off of from the daughter perspective. And i feel bad going to most of my friends, because they are struggling with being single - and I really don't want to cause them to be tempted. Besides, i have no close girl friends who live in my same city.i am EXTREMELY greatful for my parents and they are doing a wonderful job leading me through this...i just wonder if there is such a place?? Maybe i'm looking in the wrong place? Josh and Shannon - the Miami church sends greetings!! we loved having Curt, and want to let you know you are welcome to visit anytime!!!
Posted by Vanessa | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 11:01 AM
Looking back at the journeys that we take as Christians is perhaps one of the most humbling and sticking our foot in our mouth times. To explain my story I have to start at 7th grade when my Mom first gave me a copy of IKDG. I thought it was practically dumb, and I remember thinking this guy will probably never get married. (inserting first foot). I thought well I can get to God without him getting involved in my relationship issues, (inserting another foot). Several years down the road I was at Barnes and Noble browsing through some Christian books, I'm not sure why considering at that juncture my faith didn't interest me much but I stumbled upon Boy Meets Girl, and saw that the guy who kissed dating goodbye got married, needlesstosay I was shocked.I began reading it that night, and couldn't finish it because my eyes were more demanding than my brain, but I woke up the next morning skipped school and finished it, and on my way home asked Christ into my life and to radically change it. Since that time I have been inspired and I gave up dating for a while too! Currently I am halfway through college, and am praying about beginning a courtship. So I just wanted to say thanks Josh, you are the man.Grace and peace,Jonathan
Posted by Jonathan | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 2:38 PM
I have recently recieved your book (the old one titled "Not even a hint")and read the whole thing in one day. Then again thats not something all that unusual for me when it comes to reading your books. I own IKDG, Boy Meets Girl, and Not even a Hint, all which i read in one day. I love your books and all that you have done to contribute to the purity of your readers through Christ Centered, biblical writing. You are truly a blessing to everyone that reads your books. I will definately recomend your books to anyone. Thank you again Joshua HarrisYour loyal reader,John (17)
Posted by John | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 6:53 AM
i have to say that i like the old title and the old look but i would have to agree that the new title will help people realize what the book is all about.keep writing! you're helping a lot of people walk the journey through your writing.
Posted by vee | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 8:02 AM
I probably would have gone with the old title and a new cover art, not that the cover really needs changing, but if you wanted to avoid confusion with the Lucado book. As far as the title, i think less is more because subtlety intriques. I also like the reference to the Ephesian verse, reminding us His standards and diverting us from our own. But in the end, the content still matters most, and that has been consistently outstanding from book to book.
Posted by shirley | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 11:18 PM
Personally, I like the new art work and old title too. The topic of sex is becoming a fad in Christian literature, and in Sovereign Grace/Reformed circles especially: "Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God" by CJ, and "Sex and the Supremacy of God" by John Piper et al were published within a few months of each other in 2004.Though I can appreciate the desire of Christian leaders to reclaim the word and communicate that the Bible exalts sex as God-glorifying instead of condemning it, I will be happy when the sex fad passes (a search on CBD returns 122 Christian titles containing the word "sex," 586 if you do a site-wide search!!!). As a single man in today's culture, I think I liked it better when my bookshelf was one place I could look and not see S-E-X. That's no longer the case.One thing that CJ's book did so well was communicate sex as only a part of the broader topic of Christian romance. That's important, and I think we could say it more often. The culture craves sex: the self-gratifying physical act motivated (as the new book title says) by sinful lusts. I'm realizing more and more that as a single Christian, I don't hope for a spouse out of craving sexual expression as much as craving romantic expression, of which expressing my sexuality is a piece. That's been so helpful and revolutionary because in my mind romance as a whole has a stronger association with being sold out for the joy of another person, or biblically "loving" them. It's writing them notes and love letters, getting to know them over dinners, going with them to movies, singing to them, enjoying life together, experiencing trials together, building into their joy in Christ, etc. When placed into that joyfully other-centered framework, sex finally makes sense to me! Without that framework, I wonder if we're talking a lot about what's popular and trying to reclaim the language the hard way. I'm not sure sex by itself (outside of the broader context of romance) was meant to make much sense.Sorry for my mini-rant, but what do you think? Am I splitting hairs? Thanks for providing the resources that you do, Josh. I've benefited so much from your teaching.Grace and peace to you,-Nate
Posted by Nate | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM
DATE: 9:06 AM
so, josh, should we who have reviewed the book in the past on our blogs take this as an occasion to "republish" our reviews with the updated title? maybe that would help with some establishment google-wise, too.
Posted by joy mccarnan | karagraphy.com | February 23, 2007 4:57 PM