Do I use a comma before a book title? Specific examples
Posted: 28 Sep 2020, 02:13
Hi everyone. I have had conflicting editor comments on using (or not using) a comma before identifying the title of the book, and I would appreciate any and all help so I can improve my writing. The sentences are as follows:
1. “ Follow along as Sonny works to solve the case in Alan M. Blank’s murder mystery novel, Not Dead Yet.”
2. “ These are just a couple of the lessons Jorge P. Newbery shares in his book Burn Zones.”
For the first sentence, I was knocked points for the reason of “(Since "Not Dead Yet" is an essential part of this sentence because without it we wouldn't know which novel you are talking about, there shouldn't be a comma after novel.)” So I learned from this constructive criticism and omitted the comma in my next review with a similar sentence structure. I was again knocked points because a comma should have been there. Now I am just confused, so I came here looking for clarification on whether or not I should have used a comma. Thanks!
1. “ Follow along as Sonny works to solve the case in Alan M. Blank’s murder mystery novel, Not Dead Yet.”
2. “ These are just a couple of the lessons Jorge P. Newbery shares in his book Burn Zones.”
For the first sentence, I was knocked points for the reason of “(Since "Not Dead Yet" is an essential part of this sentence because without it we wouldn't know which novel you are talking about, there shouldn't be a comma after novel.)” So I learned from this constructive criticism and omitted the comma in my next review with a similar sentence structure. I was again knocked points because a comma should have been there. Now I am just confused, so I came here looking for clarification on whether or not I should have used a comma. Thanks!