Thursday, June 2, 2011

Help with titles

I'm so bad at titles. I got the word the other night that Etopia Press has accepted the sequel to The Taste of Magic (which is still slated for release next month!), but they don't like the title. I was awfully proud of the title, Blood and Taxes. The editors like the word 'blood' but they aren't too keen on the word 'taxes' in the title, which I guess is understandable. Any suggestions for better titles? I told my editor I'd give her some possibilities pretty soon.

In related begging, I'm also trying to come up with names for a little self-publishing outfit for Evil Outfitters. I figure I might as well do it right, and Lightning Source and the ISBN people both require a business name. Any suggestions? I want something memorable but not goofy or overly self-important. So I can't name it after a cute fuzzy animal the way I'm tempted to.

12 comments:

Richard said...

Hard to suggest a title when I haven't read the book. How about, "Blood and Mini Coopers"?

Nice new look on the blog btw.

Cate Gardner said...

Bad at titles my ass. I offer in evidence 'Evil Outfitters'.

Without a blurb for 'Blood & Taxes' it's hard to think of title suggestions. I looked over your previous posts where the book was mentioned and noticed you have a character named Ash (don't know how significant he is), but I think the word Ash would be awesome in a title... and that is all I can offer :D

Cate Gardner said...

Oh, and congratulations (doh!).

Diana said...

It's hard to suggest a title without knowing something about it.

But for the publishing company: Weredeer Press.

K.C. Shaw said...

Richard--I wouldn't want people to think I'm obsessed or anything. :)

Cate--oh DAMN, I wonder if they would like Blood and Ash as a title? Hey, thanks! I like that a lot!

Diana--Ooh, I do like Weredeer Press. Might be hard for people to remember, though. I'll have to think about that one.

Fox Lee said...

I have ideas, but nothing that works : (

K.C. Shaw said...

I came up with a handful and sent them to my editor this morning. Hopefully she'll pick one she likes, or suggest one of her own that I'll like.

Diana said...

Kate,

I don't think Weredeer would be hard for people to remember. Your blog is the only place that I have seen the word. And if I read it somewhere else, I would think of you because I now associate that word with you.

I have no idea what your story is behind weredeer, but it's one of those little ironies that sticks in the mind and makes me think about it. Cute little Bambi turns into a lunatic on the full moon and starts attacking and killing people or turning them into weredeer. It's unique and it's yours. And it will make people stop and take a second look at your publications. :)

K.C. Shaw said...

lol, thanks! The only real problem I see with it is that I do actually have a book titled The Weredeer that's under contract with a publisher. I wouldn't want to step on their heels or toes or other part of the foot.

But I am awfully tempted. It would make for a kickass logo for sure. :)

Alan W. Davidson said...

Har!

'Blood and money stolen from our pocket's by the federal government'.

I think that works, 'cept it's a tad on the longish side. As the others have noted, it's hard to suggest without a hint. Got an outline or synopsis?

K.C. Shaw said...

I think we've settled on Blood and Ashes, although I don't have the contract yet so I don't know what'll be listed on it. I like your suggestion. :)

Danielle Birch said...

Congrats!

I like Blood & Ashes. Can't think of anything else I like better.