Jan
Behind The Scenes: A Look At Titles
It’s the moment of truth for me with my latest wip (work in progress). Which, literally translated, means: it’s Title Ttime.
While the content of a book is important, there’s no denying the part good cover art and a catchy title play, either. For the most part (with the exception of my first three small press books), my covers have been incredible. My cover artist for the Southern Sewing Circle–and my upcoming Amish series–books is, in my opinion, one of the best in the cozy industry. And my romance covers have been good, too.
As far as titles go, I’ve suggested almost all of them…
Did you know that I pitched book # 1 in the Sewing Circle series as PINNED FOR MURDER? My publisher, however, felt SEW DEADLY was a better kick-off title. As you know, though, I was allowed to use my originally suggested title for book # 3.
Book # 6, which will be released on April 3rd, was pitched as Fatal Pattern. My publisher felt that title was too flat and opted to go with REAP WHAT YOU SEW, instead.
The first book in my upcoming Amish series was pitched as, Shunned to Death, and changed to HEARSE AND BUGGY.
But, considering I have eight published mysteries and another eight on the way, I’m doing pretty good in the title department. Mystery-speaking, of course.
On the romance side, I’m not doing so well with finding titles that stick. My first romance was pitched as Letter of Love but was changed to KAYLA’S DADDY. My third romance was pitched as Wishing Ball and changed to MIRACLE BABY. And now the time has come to pitch the name for my fourth romance (due out in October) and I’m sure you can see why I’m rather, um, nervous. The ideas are swirling and I’m beginning to sweat. Not because a title won’t be found, –but because I don’t want one picked for me (I can actually hear my friend, Lynn C., laughing in my head right now).
So today, in addition to writing, I’ll be jotting down title ideas for my latest romance and hoping one of them will be the one.
~Elizabeth
January 19th, 2012 at 11:01 am
Me – laughing????
I have trouble with titles too. Sometimes, they just feel wrong.
My romance I’m trying to sell to HQ American was Seeds of Love, Now it’s Marriage Not Included – and I’m sure if I sell, it will be renamed.
But my second romance they have I love the name… Bull Rider’s Brother.
We’ll see.