I came across the following headline in a recent publisher-related newsletter:

“Speculative Authors Fight Mental Illness”

I thought to myself “I know what they meant by the headline, but could it also be interpreted that authors who write speculative fiction are mentally ill?” There are some who call science fiction and fantasy writers “weird” but this headline was going too far.

So I clicked the link in the newsletter and was taken to the original article where the headline declared the following:

“Science Fiction Authors Unite to Support Mental Illness”

Again, I knew what they meant but the headline could be saying that “science fiction authors are in favor of mental illness!” Maybe it would have better to have written “… unite to support those with mental illness,” as someone commented on the page.

The news of 100 authors coming together to support efforts to combat various challenges people and families face was nice to read. Unfortunately my editorial mind was distracted.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not criticizing either publication. My point is that we can unintentionally distract our readers if our words can be read in unintended ways.

Some infamous headlines:

Statistics Show That Teenage Pregnancy Drops Off Significantly After Age 25

Medical Marijuana Delivery Man Attacked by Ninjas

Man Accused of Killing Lawyer Receives New Attorney

Federal Agents Raid Gun Shop, Find Weapons

Students Cook & Serve Grandparents

Homeless Man Under House Arrest

Hospitals Resort to Hiring Doctors

Your Turn:

Have you written an unintentional sentence or headline that would be considered a gaffe?
(Please keep your stories or examples G-rated.)