Louisa Cornell, ladydawgfan, KateS and Kelly Ryan are the winners of Fun Contest Saturday!
Lori Austin's (aka Lori Handeland) An Outlaw in Wonderland has been named one of Publisher Weekly's Best Summer Books of 2013!!
A big CONGRATULATIONS to Goddesses Lori Austin (Lori Handeland) and Sabrina Jeffries for being named as RITA finalists for their historical romances BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER and A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS!
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Last week my blog was about the birth of a cover. This week we will move on to how titles are created, or at least how they are sometimes created. At least for me.
When I begin a novel, I need a title. Not sure why, but putting Book #56 on something just doesn’t excite me enough to write it. Even if the title is what we call a “working” title, in other words I’ll use it while I’m working but it probably isn’t staying, that’s good enough.
Some publishers let the author pick titles, others change every one. Some let authors be involved with the choosing of a title, others pick it themselves and that’s it. Some titles fit, others not so much.
I have to admit, some changes are better. For instance, I wrote one book I titled AMAZING GRACE. The heroine’s name was Grace. Snore. The publisher suggested WHEN YOU WISH. Prettier. I added one line about wishes and voila.
I wrote a book about a Little League coach. I titled it COACH MOM. Great title, imo. Perfect for the book. But sports books don’t sell. (Don’t tell Susan Elizabeth Philips!) so it was changed to MOTHER OF THE YEAR. For the next book, about an ER physician and a vet I slapped DOCTOR, DOCTOR on there because I knew they’d change it. Instead I heard, “What a great title!” That was one of the few books I wrote for that particular publisher where the title did not change.
The original title for my novel BLUE MOON was ONCE IN A BLUE MOON. Too long. That led to most of the titles in the series being titled “Something” MOON. At least I had a template.
ANY GIVEN DOOMSDAY was such a perfectly great title, I figured it was doomed. Ha-ha. But that one remained, as did all of the others that I came up with for the series–DOOMSDAY CAN WAIT, APOCALYPSE HAPPENS and CHAOS BITES.
SHAKESPEARE UNDEAD was created by my editor. She just blurted it out at lunch one day and suddenly we had a series. Sometimes that happens.
In October, my first western historical romance under the name Lori Austin will be published. The working title was CHASE THE WIND,which I liked because the heroine’s name was Cathleen Chase and she was a bounty hunter after a man who was as illusive as the wind. Unfortunately the title had been used before, so it was out. We went through many, many suggestions before I thought of BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER, which I thought very clever since he’s the beauty and she’s the bounty hunter.
This led to “Once Upon a Time in the West” for a series title, which I absolutely love. However I can’t take credit for it since my agent’s assistant had the idea. (Thanks, Beth!)
Now it’s time to title Book #2, and we’re going round and round and round. My working title was ANNABETH AND THE BEAST, which I knew would not stay since we already used “beast.” My next suggestion was ETHAN AND THE WOLF. However, proper names are apparently a no-no.
Little Red Riding Hood is a “sexy” fairy tale like Beauty and the Beast. Oookay. Little Red Riding Hood is a title with a proper name. Just sayin’.
We need the title to sound western. He was a spy and a Yankee. She was a spy and a Rebel. He’s a doctor;, she’s a Pinkerton detective. My head spins and spins. I thought about using Captain, though that sounds more Naval than western. You see my problem?
I’ll let you know what we decide.
Any ideas?
I don’t know what mch to say, excelt that I would NEVER have brought a book named Amazing Grace, wouldn’t even have looked at it twice, but might have given When You Wish a chance. I have no idea how these people can figure out what sells, though…
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 2:34 am.
You just never know.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:37 am.
Considering I have assignment brain at the moment and my assignment is on youth suicide (truly a fascinating topic and so charmingly named “Suicide” – yeah I was stuck for a title), the best I can do for you is “A Rebel Heart” and “The Doctor’s Spy”. If anything else pops up I’ll let you know but I had better get back to discussing how suicide isn’t painless for those who are left behind (I picked Dad’s brains a bit and he said that I should mention that it is not painless for the family and friends left behind of those who kill themselves which should lead quite nicely into the country song “Why” by Rascal Flatts.)
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 3:37 am.
I can see why your brain is fried.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:37 am.
I wish that it was just because of the topic of my essay, the truth is, I am recovering from a fairly bad depressive episode where I couldn’t concentrate on my subjects to any great degree.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:02 am.
I am eager to see what the final decision is. It’s kind of like naming a child. It has to fit.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 3:57 am.
Yes, and you just never know how that child will be.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:38 am.
Spy vs Spy
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 4:35 am.
Kind of like Doctor,Doctor. They’ll love it.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 7:38 am.
i love the idea of your characters. looking forward to it’s release. How long does it usually take you to get a book to publisher from the time you set your pen to paper? how about HIDE AND SEEK FOR KEEP.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:02 am.
I used to be able to write a book in 3 or 4 months. Now it’s more like 5 or 6.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:33 am.
i meant HIDE AND SEEK FOR KEEPS
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:02 am.
I’ve got no idea, but now my head is spinning…thanks for that, as if I’m not wifty enough on my own :p
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:41 am.
Sorry!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:58 am.
I really suck at titles, to be honest. I’ve had a few, but usually I throw up about fifty and my editor will choose a few that speak to her, and then we will edit them to death until we get the right one. It’s one of the hardest things for me to do!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:01 am.
Yeah, that sounds like the birth of a title.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:32 am.
How about, “Catching You”?
I too need a title when I’m working. So far, in my short career, both of my chosen titles have stuck. Let us know what you decide.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:08 am.
Will do!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:32 am.
I’m not good with names at all but how about;
The Spy and the Doctor
The Spy and the Wolf
The Pinkerton and the Doctor
See what I mean…no good…lol
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:56 am.
It’s a conundrum . . .
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:03 am.
How about “The Wolf and her Prey” for a title? Or maybe, “Stalking Billy Yank” since you said he was a yankee and she a reb.
When you talked about “Chase the Wind,” before it became “Beauty and the Bounty Hunter” for me, “Giving Chase” was what popped into my mind to tie in her last name and her chosen profession of chasing down teh baddies, but there’s probably a book with that title, too.
Can’t wait to see what is chosen for this one! Good luck!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:58 am.
Oooo! Prey is a good word. Thanks!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:04 am.
Glad to be of assistance!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:35 am.
This suggestion put me in mind of the song title “the hunter gets captured by the game”. Great song, too wordy for a title.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 6:42 pm.
Ok, I’m not even going to try because I have SUCH a problem with titles, but I MUST say that I can’t wait to read this. What a terrific idea!!!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:11 am.
Gracias!!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:20 am.
All I can come up with is Dashing Deception, or…nevermind. Sorry! I’m pretty useless. Good luck!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:36 am.
Deception is also a good word. Thanks.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:37 am.
I have no ideas, sorry! Nor would you want them if I had them. Trust me. I think I have had 1 title in 23 books that I came up with. I don’t even create working titles anymore. Until my editor does her thing, it is just “the book.”
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:37 am.
Maybe I should start calling things #58. It always takes me a while to get used to the “new” title.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:39 am.
I lack the creative mind for this kind of thing. However, I gave it a try and this is all I could come up with… The Wolf And The Rebel.
Good luck with the naming process.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 11:33 am.
Thanks!
I’ve been informed we need to have a title by tomorrow. I haven’t stopped laughing yet.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 11:36 am.
OMG, seriously?? Tomorrow? Wow…. Brings to mind that old quote, “Procrastination on YOUR part, does not necessitate an emergency on MY part.” LOL Good luck, Lori!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 12:10 pm.
Bwa-ha-ha. Love it!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 12:11 pm.
I’ve given up on working titles. I just call the book by the heroine’s first name until my publisher comes up with a title. I *love* ANY GIVEN DOOMSDAY! Great title!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 12:06 pm.
Thanks, Susan. I thought it was fun.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 12:10 pm.
If it gets too much of a headache…just call it Southern Comfort and have a drink. I don’t know how you do it…just thinking of a title makes my head spin.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 12:46 pm.
Southern Comfort would be a good title. Not of this book but there’s always another . . .
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 12:56 pm.
Actually, Southern Comfort sounds totally like a historical romance title of some kind. And it made me laugh! I don’t think it would fit this story, but…
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 2:10 pm.
Why not WANTED? LADY PINKERTON AND THE YANK? THE PINKERTON BEAUTY AND THE YANKEE BEAST? Good luck
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 12:58 pm.
Wanted is a good suggestion. Thanks!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 1:22 pm.
Ohhh I have no ideas for a title but I’m really excited about the story! I wrote my thesis in undergrad on female spies during the Civil War so it’s a story right up my alley! So excited!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 1:15 pm.
Really? How interesting. I have some books here on that subject. One about a nurse who was a spy.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 1:23 pm.
Red and The Yankee – of course that might work if her hair is red or she wears the red cape
The Cape and the Yank(ee) – again if she wears one
What mighty Big Eyes – playing on the line in the tale of Red Riding Hood
The Big, Bad Yankee – again playing with the story
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 1:17 pm.
Her hair IS red. And that was before I learned about sexy Red Riding Hood.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 1:23 pm.
I can’t wait to find out what the title turns out to be. I love catchy titles…they get my attention…along with the covers. Of course, I go for the Author first…then the rest.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 1:31 pm.
“Yankee, Rebel, Lover, Spy”
a play on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
How do you do it…it’s driving me crazy. My A personality is going haywire. lol
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 1:38 pm.
I like that!
I’ll let everyone know later today what’s decided. E-mails are flying furiously at present.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 1:51 pm.
Pinkertons Medicine Man…Undercover Admirals…Down and Dirty Pinkerton. Lol. Good luck! Can’t wait to hear final outcome. Will tune in later!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 2:10 pm.
Definitely stay tuned, Kelly.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 3:09 pm.
I looked and looked and couldn’t figure out how to work in Little Red Riding Hood, but the first thing that popped into my head was “Detecting the Doctor.”
Let us know what you pick!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 2:16 pm.
Will do. Knowing how things work out, we probably won’t even end up using a play on sexy Red Riding Hood.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 3:09 pm.
About 1/4 of my books have the title I gave them; not great odds in any arena. *g*
Your book sounds awesome! I give you “True Wit” and “Doc’s Holiday”. Sorry.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 2:16 pm.
Those made me LOL! I am keeping them for later books. Perhaps the next series . . .
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 3:10 pm.
Oh, come on! We can do better than this. I like
The Doctor and the Detective
The Detective’s Doctor
(too obvious, so…)
Needle in a Tumbleweed
How about that? Doctors use needles. She’s searching for something elusive, metaphor Needle in a Haystack. But we don’t have haystacks here in the West. We have Tumbleweeds.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 2:24 pm.
Love the word tumbleweed.
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 3:11 pm.
Barring the vagaries of marketing or a sudden ill wind the title winner is. . .
Drum roll puleeeze . . . .
AN OUTLAW IN WONDERLAND
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 8:26 pm.
Cool. Now…get writing!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 10:16 pm.
Sounds great! Can’t wait!
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 9:24 am.
Lori, that’s a nice title!
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 9:30 pm.
Civil War of the West
Posted on April 5, 2012 at 12:12 am.