Great advice, Nola. (And thanks for the shout out. :) ) Titles can be a really challenging topic. 'Activate', the third novel in my YA trilogy, had a different working title I knew wasn't going to make the cut, but it still took a long time to find something that worked. Given the 'ate' pattern had already been set, I had to find something that met this pre-requisite, whilst still representing the novel's themes.
Interesting comment above about changing a working title. With some works you know this will be inevitable, but I had a story I worked on for years that I ended up renaming. It was like being introduced to a friend, as if they were a stranger. Perhaps we writers get a little over-attached to our own titles at times? I understand some publishing houses make this call for their authors. Now that could be an interesting renaming process if they picked something you found completely uninspiring! I guess in the end marketing wins out.
BTW good luck with the 'post-pulses' anthology. LOL.
Thanks Adele. I remember you saying that Integrate was initially a stand-alone novel, so it's great that you already had a title that would work well with a series. I think the three names work really well together, though am a little disappointed that 'Laminate' didn't make the cut ;)
And yes, it would be interesting if a publisher picked a name you didn't like. It would be nice to think some negotiation could happen. On the other hand, a publisher might think of a fantastic title you hadn't thought of. It's a shame in some ways that marketing has to win. But if more people are drawn in by the title, that has to be a bonus. Thanks for your comment :)
Great advice, Nola. (And thanks for the shout out. :) ) Titles can be a really challenging topic. 'Activate', the third novel in my YA trilogy, had a different working title I knew wasn't going to make the cut, but it still took a long time to find something that worked. Given the 'ate' pattern had already been set, I had to find something that met this pre-requisite, whilst still representing the novel's themes.
Interesting comment above about changing a working title. With some works you know this will be inevitable, but I had a story I worked on for years that I ended up renaming. It was like being introduced to a friend, as if they were a stranger. Perhaps we writers get a little over-attached to our own titles at times? I understand some publishing houses make this call for their authors. Now that could be an interesting renaming process if they picked something you found completely uninspiring! I guess in the end marketing wins out.
BTW good luck with the 'post-pulses' anthology. LOL.
Thanks Adele. I remember you saying that Integrate was initially a stand-alone novel, so it's great that you already had a title that would work well with a series. I think the three names work really well together, though am a little disappointed that 'Laminate' didn't make the cut ;)
And yes, it would be interesting if a publisher picked a name you didn't like. It would be nice to think some negotiation could happen. On the other hand, a publisher might think of a fantastic title you hadn't thought of. It's a shame in some ways that marketing has to win. But if more people are drawn in by the title, that has to be a bonus. Thanks for your comment :)