My pal Colleen Gleason is canvassing for titles for the fifth Gardella Vampire Chronicles book (And if you haven’t been reading these, why the hell not? Go forth now and devour!
These books have always had the most amazing titles. Check it out:
The Rest Falls Away
Rises the Night
The Bleeding Dusk
When Twilight Burns (out August ‘08!)
So far, my favorite of the suggestions has been The Ardent Dawn, though that may be because it reminds me of the “Argent Dawn” which is a Crusade against the Undead in World of Warcraft, and thus very funny in context. I also like “Where Light in Darkness Lies” because it reminds me of the poem that inspired the first title.
Actually, the suggestions have been pretty good all around. The first (and last) time I ever canvassed for suggestions in a public forum about a title, I got stuff like Destiny Intertwined, which, um, no. It turned me off the practice.
I am, however, currently casting about for a title for my fourth secret society girl book. I’ve got a running list, but so far, everything I’ve come up with sounds more like chapter titles than a title for the whole book. Which is problematic. Titles are tough. And very subjective. People get very angry about them, too. I know I’ve seen people rave about titles I thought were awful, and I’ve come up with titles that were roundly rejected by anyone that heard them as well. (I remember telling a friend about the unicorn book, and then telling him the (old) title, and he said, “Yeah, I wouldn’t read a book called that.” We came up with a new title before shopping it and I love that one.)
I also love my newest title, Rites of Spring (Break), for which the credit goes to Bantam Dell senior editor Tracy Devine. It sets the bar very high for book four, however. I’m looking for something that adequately conveys the storyline of the book (not a spoiler to say it’s all about the tapping of the new class and graduation) as well as hints at the overarching theme of the story, as the previous ones did, and conveys the right tone. I know the perfect title is out there. It may just take another few brainstorming sessions.
In the meantime, it remains SSG4. I take comfort in the fact that Pride & Prejudice was once “First Impressions” and War & Peace was once “All’s Well that Ends Well.” Perhaps I should also go with an ampersand title. Ampersands have done me well for four books of Rose & Grave now.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:14 am
From Diggers to Pats
Digging the Future
Bright Digger Years
OK, it’s only Monday morning, and that’s the best I can do for the nonce. Have you considered running a “Name That Book” contest like the ones over at Manuscript Mavens?
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February 25th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Colleen’s so darn lucky! Not only does she have kick ass titles, but her covers are STUNNING! If I were a writer, I’d kill for covers like hers!
I won’t suggest any titles for SSG4 because I’d be too embarrassed by how dumb they’d sound. But I know you’ll find the perfect title!
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February 25th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Good luck! Sorry, I have no suggestions at the moment. I know you’ll come up with something that absolutely rocks!
Happy writing!
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February 25th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I know, Anny, aren’t they?
My editor and I are currently at 34 titles and counting. Some of them work GREAT — as chapter titles. I know we’ll know it when we see it, as we did with ROSB.
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February 25th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
How about:
Secret Society Patriarch
*crickets*
…no?
Fine. Be that way. Some of these are more OTT than others, but in the spirit of brainstorming, I give you:
Tapping the Grave
Shadow of the Rose
Reaping Barbarians
Rose & Grave Diggers
Barbarians & Bugaboos
Beyond The Grave
Deemed Worthy
A Rose By Any Other Grave
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February 25th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Seems like an appropriate link -
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/53656-oddest-book-titles-prize-shortlist-announced.html
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February 25th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I find the reviews of said books almost more curious:
“If you’re a college educated woman with more than a high school education”
Um… aren’t they all, by definition?
(We’re up to 64 in our brainstorming sessions.)
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February 25th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Con Grad Duel Elation
(Someone in marketing could make that look right – I’m sure doesn’t fit the book, though.)
Eenie Meanie Mighty Rose(& Grave)
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