What's In a Name...Err...Title
There are writers who simply must have a suitable title before they can start working on a project. I count myself fortunate that I'm not like that at all. Titles rarely come to me until much later, sometimes never, and I just work on my stories without them.
So how do I keep track of untitled projects? Easy. I use the heroine names. So for example, I initially called Carnal Secrets "Natalie" and The Last Slayer "Ashera".
As nice and convenient as that is, when you're about to pitch a book you have to have a title for it. Calling it "some untitled manuscript" doesn't really work, since it might create the impression that you care so little about your own writing that you couldn't be bothered to come up with a decent name for the book.
The crappy thing is... I'm terrible when it comes to titles!
With The Last Slayer, thinking about it for a while I came up with a bunch of stuff like, "A Girl Who Liked to Kill Things", "All Incubi Are Bad", "Why You Shouldn't Kill Dragons" and so on for days. Finally I decided that Ashera's transformation was the most important aspect of the story, so I should call it "The Metamorphosis".
And I was so happy and relieved that I had a title that I kept patting myself on the back...
...until I submitted a draft query to Evil Editor, who made horrible fun of the title.
Apparently, The Metamorphosis is one of Kafka's novels... one in which the hero transforms into a giant bug! So Evil Editor said something that suggested that perhaps my book would feature the following plot line: "a giant cockroach wakes up after a lost weekend to discover it has been transformed into the Roman poet Ovid."
Ewww!
Anyway, I had to rethink the title, lest agents believe I was trying to single-handedly pioneer a new subgenre with were-roaches.
(Please don't worry! There are no were-roaches in The Last Slayer!)
So after much much much angst and brainstorming, I managed to come up with the title The Last Slayer. Carina's marketing department didn't suggest any changes, so I guess I did okay. :-)
If you could retitle The Last Slayer after having read the blurb, what would it be?
Fill out the Rafflecopter and leave a comment with your new title for a chance to win an e-copy of The Last Slayer (mobi, epub, pdf; open international).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bilingual former management consultant Nadia Lee has lived in four different countries and enjoyed many adventures and excellent food around the globe. In the last eight years, she has kissed stingrays, been bitten by a shark, ridden an elephant and petted tigers.
She shares an apartment overlooking a river and palm trees in Japan with her husband, baby boy, winter white hamsters and an ever-widening pile of books. When she's not writing, she can be found digging through old Asian historical texts or planning another trip.
Find the author online: website | blog
ABOUT THE BOOK
Ashera del Cid is a talented demon hunter, but when she kills a demigod's pet dragon, the hunter becomes the hunted. Her only potential ally is Ramiel, a sexy-as-hell demon. Now the two must work together to battle dragons and demigods...and the chemistry crackling between them.Ramiel has his own reasons for offering Ashera his protection. He knows her true identity and the real reason the demigods want her dead. What he can't predict is how she'll react when she discovers he knew who she was all along...
Ashera is shocked to discover that she is the only daughter of the last slayer. To claim her destiny, she and Ramiel must join forces to face down danger and outwit their enemies. Only then will she be able to truly accept her legacy...
**GIVEAWAY**
Thanks to Nadia Lee, one lucky winner will receive an ebook copy of The Last Slayer!! Giveaway open Internationally. Fill out the Rafflecopter form AND answer Nadia’s question to enter. Giveaway ends January 18th, 2012. Please read Terms & Conditions at the bottom of the Rafflecopter form before entering. Good luck to all who enter!
Honestly, I have trouble coming up with titles for my work too. No suggestions here. But I am interested in reading this book!
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem with titles but I have to say -- were-cockroaches might be cool. Especially in a Rom Suspense. A guy you know could survive the Apocalypse.
ReplyDeleteLol, that is completely true Nadia. Here in Europe we had to study Kafka's Metamorphosis in high school, so whenever I hear that word, I instantly think of that novella, which let me tell you we vehemently hated! We found it disgusting and boring, so glad your editor saved you from the fate of mis-titling your vivid story!
ReplyDeleteHm, I bet it is the most difficult finding the perfect title as it gives the very first impression to the reader and unlike with the cover you have more say about. The Last Dragonlady? lol it sounds ridiculous, but definitely something about dragons and slayers since they are at the core of the trilogy. I don't even dare to ask how you are faring with Book #2.. or maybe this survey is to gather some great suggestions? ;-p lol
Congrats once again on your release Nadia, I enjoyed The Last Slayer so much! :-D
I like the current title - great cover too - but if I was to give it a new title after reading the blurb...
ReplyDeleteThe Slayer's Daughter.
(not super creative, but I like it)
Thanks for hosting!
Beverly @ The Wormhole
bevsharp@desch.org
Amber - Some books are so easy. But some books are like doing root canal (to yourself).
ReplyDeletePatricia - Yes! But other than that, I have use for were-roaches. :-P
Stella - Thank you. I remember watching a movie based on that story a while back, but it was like so horrific I erased it from my memory as much as I could.
Book 2 is going slowly, but I already have the title for it (Thrones of Thorns). But I have no idea if my editor & marketing are going to OK it or not. It's just a working title. (Sometimes I just call it Ashera Number Two lol.)
Beverly -- Thank you so much re: cover & title.
Night sword
ReplyDeleteI'm really bad at this!! How to Kill a Demi-God's Pet Dragon? LOL Sorry! I told you I was bad at this!!
ReplyDeleteI love the current title. I have no suggestions but would like to read the book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteOh man this book sound amazing. But as for a title... um Battle with a Demi-God? Gorram I have no idea ;_;
ReplyDeleteWow, I am really bad at this. I do like the title. My suggestion is um.....A True Slayer...A path of discovery. Ya I am truly bad at this. Lol! Book sounds great!
ReplyDeletesariahwalters at gmail dot com
I am terrible at titles too. ( I am a teacher and often have to assist students with this).
ReplyDeleteHow about The Secret Identity of the Demon Hunter
Slayer's Destiny
ReplyDeleteelizabeth @ bookattict . com
I'm not too good at this, all I can think of is Slayer's Legacy.
ReplyDeleteBook sounds great and the cover. Similar to Barbara, how about The Legacy of the Last Slayer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
Okay, so I'd change her name to Sally and title it "Slay Down Sally." I know...genius.
ReplyDeleteI think the hunted sounds like a good title.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nadia for stopping by TBV!! I am loving the title ideas :)
ReplyDeleteI'm rubbish at titles - I have to write some articles for publication for work and it's always the titles that take the longest to come up with...however, after reading the blurb maybe 'To Slay with Demons'?
ReplyDeleteMel S
If I retitle this book it would either be "Slayer of Dragons" or "Demigods and dragons"
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway!!!
I like the title, and agree that it must be really hard to name a book!
ReplyDeleteHmm, perhaps simply The Demon Hunter or for a little fun one, Demon Goes to Hell :)
ReplyDeleteI really think The Last Slayer is appropriate with the blurb and can only think of something snarky silly like Wanted Dead or Alive - Killer of Pet Dragons :) not very imaginative here! Thank you for the fun sharing about this awesome read. I am definitely putting it on my wishlist and appreciate the giveaway opportunity.
ReplyDeleteDemon slayer's legacy. Stupid but that's why I like to read and not write
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm terribly indecisive when it comes to things like this but I was thinking the Accidental Dragon Slayer.. although it might have all ready been used.
ReplyDelete