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I think the final title is perfect! well done!

Great job. The title hunt is crazy...my editor and I spent WEEKS trying to figure out what to call my memoir, to the point where I was referring to it as SOME STUFF THAT HAPPENED TO ME in conversations. What a relief when you find the one everyone likes that captures the story.

Congrats!

Trish Ryan--

I sort of like the title SOME STUFF THAT HAPPENED TO ME.

So, what did you end up naming it?

thanks for the update, Kristen! and for sharing the cover copy. sounds intriguing.

I'm not crazy about any of those titles. All enemies are wicked. 'Burning with Desire' sounds like any number of hot paranormal Romance novels. What sets this story apart from all the others we'll see on the B&N shelves? If the theme is love overcoming hostility, shouldn't the title reflect that?

My Wicked Enemy? Aren't all enemies wicked?

Oh, thank GOD you changed it.

"Burning with Desire" sounds like a bad '80's pop song.

Ooh, sorry. I must say I'm with Kimber An and Anon 5:05. Wicked modifying enemy does seem pretty redundant. Despite the musical, wicked doesn't carry the connotation of witch or magic or talismans for me. And please tell me the story is told in first person with that "My" in the title!

But all is subjective. I bet the book is grand enough to overcome any title hiccup. Congratulations, Carolyn! I'm sure the title search was headache-inducing enough without it being made so public :o) Thanks for being a terrific sport and letting us get a behind-the-scenes peek at the process.

"Anonymous said...
My Wicked Enemy? Aren't all enemies wicked?"

Not mine.

None of my title suggestions were chosen?

Dang, now I'm going to have to make my query so enticing you can't pass it up.

This has been educational and entertaining - thanks for the follow up.

I like some of the phrases in your last paragraph, to be honest...

Kill Magellan, Beyond the Forbidden, Between Fiend and Mage, Body and Blood Lust, She is His Enemy, His Green-Eyed Witch

Actually, I like Magellan's Witch just fine. Good call passing on Burning with Desire. Doesn't get me heated at all.

Oh, I liked Magellan’s Witch better than the other titles, but since the publisher insisted on a change ...

Titles, like all writing, like all art--like life--are so subjective. Personally, I like Magellan's Witch better, but I'm neither the author, agent, editor or publisher...but by any title it sounds like a fun read.

But I must admit I'm something of a title lover. One of my favorites is from the 1994 socio/politico/eco commentary by Chellis Glendinning--"My Name is Chellis & I'm in Recovery from Western Civilization."

So much for the verb, huh?

Yeah, what happened to the verb requirement?

I also liked the original title better, but that's probably because I read mostly fantasy and that would be a perfect title for a fantasy novel.

Thank you for letting us see this process- it's been fascinating. I never realized that the editors could reject a title- I suppose I thought it would just be part of the package they'd bought.

I like My Wicked Enemy. Wicked is a very sexy word...it's like "evil" but with attitude. In that way, no, not all enemies are wicked. It also implies the paranormal.

And I don't think anyone can discount the musical's influence on modern pop culture when it's been such a runaway hit.

Congrats to the author! I hope it sells very well!

They actually wanted to call it "Burning With Desire?" [boggle] Umm, wow. Is it just me or does that seriously sound like a title someone would come up with in a humor piece parodying bodice rippers...? :/

Congrats on finding something better, and convincing the publisher that it was better. Great escape!

Angie

agrg! No verb! So basically, they didn't know what they wanted until they saw it?

I like My Wicked Enemy. It plays on "wicked witch" and also could refer to either the hero or the heroine.

Romance titles that intimate the fella is a rogue of some sort always grab my attention more quickly, and this title is a shoe-in for the genre.

I love the entire premise of the novel and will seek it out on the shelves when it comes out. When does it come out? Please do tell!

Charlotte

I think that the word "Wicked" in titles is in danger of being overused. Do an Amazon search for books with "Wicked" in the title and you'll get lots of hits. I know because I did a blog entry on this subject a couple of months ago, inspired by the title "Wicked, Lovely".

Does the book actually have something to do with the real Magellan? If so, I like the original title best. (If there's no particular reason he's called Magellan, and no relation to the historical figure, I have to say I'd find that pretty irritating, regardless of whether it's part of the title or not.)

Selene

Wow! I never thought of that, but I'll certainly be sending you my current project when my title is chosen (G).

It was enough just to brainstorm and perhaps help out, but now "Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!" is running through my head like Chihuahua on speed.

Either way, it was fun : )

Like *a* Chihuahua on speed.

See how excited I am? ; )

That's an amazingly great offer! Thank you for all you do for us.

That exact thought of a partial review as a prize had ocurred to me, but I thought that as a commenter on the blog it wasn't my place to suggest it.

Now I feel like someone has handed me a raffle ticket.

Thanks, Kristen, you're a good sport.

Glad we could help. I hope the author, you and the editor are able to come to terms with a title you love. :)

I look forward to hearing what the final title ends up as!

Dang it, Kristin, I don't have a higher recommendation to award your agency.

I didn't suggest a title, but I do want to say thanks for posting about this, Kristen. I'm in the process of brainstorming with my agent right now for a new title before we start subbing my MG novel. Your title discussions -- particularly the first one with the steps you went through in brainstorming -- helped me immensely. Thanks!!

Gah, don't pick mine, none of my projects are finished! Talk about a lost opportunity...sigh.

Very cool of you.

Run, My Lovely

Hey, Kristin, is there any way you could toss an ARC into the mix for the winner? That way, they can have a copy of the book they helped name.

Just an idea...

good idea for a game, kristin. we all like games. though I believe the title should come from the writer, or else the book is a mutt rather than purebred.
I guess it turns out witches are kind of horny, though they aren't that good in bed from the rumors. I mean they're cold blooded and easily angered, and that thing about eating children is nasty, so you know, don't get sexually involved with witches or your'e on the road to destruction.

though I believe the title should come from the writer, or else the book is a mutt rather than purebred.

Lotta mutts on those shelves then.

Like Catch-22. Poor Heller, if only he hadn't listened to Robert Gottlieb, then we'd have a *real* book on our hands, not that sad shell of a novel whose title was decided on by the editor... ;-)

Wow. That's very generous of you. Glad we could help. :-)

Wow! Kristin, I tell everyone who's looking for an agent to try you first because you're so nice, and then you go and prove me right!

You know, if you pick someone's title suggestion and they already have an agent, you could offer the same "title service" for one of their projects. I think it's a neat idea, myself. And not all agents are as web savvy as you are.

It was fun. Very generous offer, now I hope it's me! lol ;-)

Maiden Flight


Good luck!


Coll

Of course I'm hoping and praying mine will be 'the chosen' one. However regardless of which one it is this was great fun and I loved reading everyone elses as well.

Thanks so much for the offer to who ever the winner may be.

And as far as titles coming strictly from the author of the book? Not so much. More often than not it's from the editor and/or agent. I learned along time ago to title my work but not to become attached to said title.

While they may listen to the authors input and once in a while actually love the authors idea, they usually have their own thoughts on what the title should or should not be. And the fun begins with titles tossed back and forth until one lands on the cover of the book. Who knows if it was the authors, the agents, the editors, or a combination of all three.

Authors and titles?

Imagine F. Scott Fitzgerald's TRIMALCHIO IN WEST EGG.

Now, MY title. It's obviously perfect.

That's incredibly sweet of you to offer. If the prize was viewing a partial I'd be in the running, but my two WIPs are incomplete at the moment. It would be nice to see if I'm on the right track, though!

Editors assisted Heller and Fitzgerald-- not fellow writers who had no stake in the books. So... what percentage of sales are you asking for if your title is chosen? This isn't a business where anyone can afford to offer their services for free, and the offer to look at your manuscript sounds ridiculous. Looking at it doesn't guarantee representation, and you could just as easily get that far by sending a decent query. If Nelson chooses one of the titles written by a poster here, she plans on putting it on a published book. If I was that poster and saw my title on the book and got no credit for it, I would be bitter. You all might think you would react differently, but your mind might change if you saw the book in stores, or saw that it was selling well.

This might not turn out well, despite the good intentions of both sides.

I'm not saying this to be cruel to all of you or to Nelson. I just think you all should consider the outcome, and Nelson should consider how the title's author might react. Like I said in the beginning, Fitzgerald worked with his editor-- a person who was already getting a percentage-- and this is a different situation.

I wish you all the best.

I think those of us who offered suggestions went into this venture with open eyes, anon.

I wouldn't be bitter. I'd be happy that I helped a fellow writer, even if I never met her.

We all brainstorm one way or another -- with our crit groups, our beta readers and our families. Would we have to give them a cut of the profits if our books sold well. No, we'd offer a dedication and our profuse thanks.

I don't think any poster offered their suggestion with any anticipation of repayment, nor was any hinted at in the original post.

I am grateful to her for her offer and think it is a might more than most agents would offer.

Thank you once again to the folks at Nelson for this offer and for your blog.

Anonymous 11:23 said...
This isn't a business where anyone can afford to offer their services for free...

Oh damn. I've been operating under the premise that this isn't a business where one can afford to pass up the opportunity to be a part of the process when offered.

I always get that wrong. Crap-oh-damn.

A percentage of royalties or payment for a 3-word title suggestion? Goodness, anonymous poster. There are plenty of good title ideas to go around. And I wouldn't be expected to receive payment for it, if I happened to come up with a good one.

Now, one thing I wouldn't have done: give a title that is one *I* want to use! Brainstorming for a few minutes to come up with a title for someone else's book, which is in no way related to any book I am writing or have written doesn't harm me in the least. In fact, it was really fun!

I am a professional title writer, and gosh-darn-it I want my royalties! I will gladly take 3/100,000 of any royalties received by the author (if it's a three word title... I get paid by the word). I insist on being paid in Bazooka Joe Bubble Gum, and if those pieces are not in my mail box within nine months of publication, I'll sue!!!

Seriously, though, I kind of agree with the grumpy anon from above. Come on, offering "a look at your project" as a frigging prize? Big for britches, is Kristin... not that big a deal, is having her look at project. Probably worthless, this is. (Thank you, Yoda.) Who wants to help some nameless author fix their problem, just for the shot at getting rejected without all the angst of writing a query?

That's just sucking all the fun out of it.

After perusing many of the offered titles, I must draw the inevitable conclusion that most of the posters here are in fact thirteen year-old girls with extensive collections of both Danielle Steele and Laura Hamilton books. Very tough to read.

What ever shall the cover art look like, should one of these magnificent titles be chosen? I'm envisioning the classic shot of a woman's leg, toddling along on a six inch pump, while a well-manicured hand dangles a rosary fixed with an upside-down crucifix against one taut, fishnet-stocking clad thigh. The background is blue, and smoky of course, and there is the shadow of a man coming through the door in the distance- but is it the hero or the villain? Either that or the infamous ass-shot, maybe with the slender hand hiding a stilleto in the small of the Wikka-tattoed back.

Moby Dick it ain't. I'd rather name the latest snack cake from Hostess. "Chocolate Desire, with More Fudge!" "Peepoes." "HoHos Plus."

In this writer's opinion (one who already has a partial with Kristin), the offer of Kristin to read a manuscript if a blogger's title is chosen is a very nice "prize" indeed. I know many people who would give up their first born (okay, maybe second born) in order to get their actual manuscript into the hands of an agent...those who have received dozens of rejections.

Kristin offered up a question for anyone to answer, if they were so inclined and had the time. In response, she's offering a LOT more of her time in reading a manuscript than the 20 (okay, 30) minutes I spent brainstorming words. I think that's very generous.

Well, if you add a witch, a hunter and a few paranormal and romantic twists to Moby Dick, who know what that title might have ended up.
:-)

Holy crap, Batman! That's so awesome. So...what's the deal? You'll look at the first 3 chapters of someone's project? I can't imagine you have that much extra time to go through more than that.

Not that I expect it to be me, lol.

Man, some of you really know how to suck the fun out of something.

Minty Fresh

So... what percentage of sales are you asking for if your title is chosen? This isn't a business where anyone can afford to offer their services for free, and the offer to look at your manuscript sounds ridiculous. Looking at it doesn't guarantee representation, and you could just as easily get that far by sending a decent query.

Percentage of sales? Where'd that come from? I think the idea here is to get a partial in front of Kristin so she can give you her opinions as to whether what you're writing is good/bad/whatever. It's a chance for fresh eyes to look at something that maybe you've worked on for a year or something - an an agent's eyes, yet.

I don't think anybody who frequents this blog thinks they're going to be automatically repped by Kristin. Where did she say that? I don't think it was even implied.

IMHO, queries are not the same as having a partial read.

Methinks the anon in question doesn't frequent this blog very often and just misunderstood what Kristin offered.

Where did the party-poopers come from?

It was a bit of fun for us, and if it helped an author even a little, it was worth it. Let's show each other some support, people.

Kristin didn't have to offer anything other than her thanks, but the chance to skip the query phase is a grand opportunity. (That is the offer, yes?) As Nancy said, representation isn't guaranteed. The "winner" still has to have a book that catches Kristin's attention.

I've enjoyed the discussion of book titles - thanks for posting about it Kristin!

Moby Dick it ain't. I'd rather name the latest snack cake from Hostess. "Chocolate Desire, with More Fudge!" "Peepoes." "HoHos Plus."

Fine. Please do so. No one is begging you to stick around.

If I was that poster and saw my title on the book and got no credit for it, I would be bitter. You are already bitter, and believe me it shows.

Kristin, I wouldn't blame you if you turned off comments.

I think most of us participated for the fun of brainstorming and the good karma from helping out someone who provides a fun and useful blog [free of charge!].

If my title idea ended up on a book, I'd find it a big, fat hoot!

Hello everyone! This is Anonymous 11:23 again, returning to a blog that she reads frequently and reacting with surprise that her well-intentioned comment was read with such... passion. My comment was simply meant as a warning. Like some of you have stated, rejected writers sometimes go to extremes to get noticed by an agent. It's easy to lose perspective, and I wanted to make sure you all realized that you were indeed writing a title for someone you had never met and might not receive any credit.
I think critique groups are different. When you're in a group, you're in a partnership. You help your fellow writers, and they help you. I guess I can't understand spending a half hour brainstorming a title for someone I've never met. Like many of you have said, it was a fun "game." I could understand that. I read the titles you all came up with, and some of them were unique. But I posted my previous comment mainly because of what kris amberson said in one of the first posts: "good idea for a game, kristin. we all like games...." I read that post and thought some of you might not have understood that it was more than a game-- that the title might actually appear on a real book. Now that I've reread Nelson's blog post for that day, she does say that she's looking for "serious suggestions," so it probably should have been apparent that it was more than a game.

Having said all this, my post was my opinion. I love a good argument, but I do not believe in personal attacks. Like I said the first time, I'm not accusing any of you or Nelson of doing something wrong. If you want to brainstorm for writers you don't know, go ahead. For my part, your title suggestions were fun to read, and some of them were clever. But I hate to see writers get walked over, and just wanted to make sure you all knew you were working for free.

Now, I need to go find a decent piece of chocolate or other sweet candy. Apparently, I have this nagging case of bitterness that needs to be cured.

I wish you all the best again.

I, on the other hand, have nothing but malice for those who instantly label the owners of dissenting opinions as being bitter. Don't all of you ever get sick of dragging that one from the closet to bash someone with? If a poster isn't sitting here nodding politely with the traditional lobotomized expression of accepting happiness upon his/her face, BANG, he/she is a bitter failure of a writer not good enough to lick an agent's bath mat.

Another person having an opinion that isn't yours is not bitterness. It's America. Get over this fact and maybe YOU won't be so bitter. Not everyone who posts here is necessarily a "bitter unpublished writer" (a group that seems to catch a lot of crap from Nelson's fans, by the by; I wonder why that is...); many of us might not even be writers at all, but people who actually work in other areas of publishing and like to see into an agent's head for business purposes.

Thus far, the only voice among the commenting public that I find any useful information in is Linnea Sinclair. Maybe it is because deep down, she's realized that as time goes by and her career expands and solidifies, she needs a particular agent less and less. A strong publishing track record will find her a publisher or a new agent with relative ease.

The game was fun and for a good purpose: to help someone else out of a jam. Many thanks for letting me play (and learn more about title composition).

terrence shipley, you've made my day. I now still have hope that there are people willing to express their opinions without apology. Thank you.

It's probably too late, but this title just came into my head:

Run Kill Kiss

The first thing that came to mind was Which Witch, but I guess that's a little too pat.

How about:
Pursuit of Shadows
or
Shadow Pursuit

Midnight Flight
or
Flight into Darkness

"Running Darkly"

See? All of my titles suck.

'Witch way to turn?'

or 'Mis-Spelled'

I can't seem to be serious enough or grown-up enough, sorry (probably because I write junior fiction)

Minty Fresh

The Witching Hour

Deviant Desire

Laid To Rest

Kill Me Softly

The Witchcraft Destiny - Uncut and Raw

Johnny Ray

Stalking Trouble
Genteel Killings
Betraying The Betrayer

god...I'm really bad at this. Usually I just pick a random combination of words.

Bewitched by Desire
Bewitching Him with Desire
Bewitched by Her Kiss

The first thing that popped into my head was "Every Witch Way But Loose," but I don't think that's terribly clever. Plus, no verb. Forget I said anything.

My husband's suggestion: "Running from the Shadows" Or "Hiding from the Shadows."

Verb titles are hard.

Every Witch Way But Loose

To Hunt A Witch
Seeking Sourcery
Hunting Shadows
Tear the Night

IF SEX STINKS

or maybe

IF ROMANCE STINKS

Witch Betrayed
Double-crossed Witch
Deceitful Magic
Tricky Magic

I tend to search key terms in Bartlett's Quotations (online at www.bartleby.com) and sometimes I'll find a good quote that inspires something.

I tried a quick search for trust, and came up with a quote that might fit the book (based on the rough blurb):

from Frances Anne Kemble:
Better trust all, and be deceived,
And weep that trust and that deceiving,
Than doubt one heart, that if believed
Had blessed one’s life with true believing.

Working from this, how about something along the lines of
Trust a Witch's Heart
or
Doubt Not A Witch

Vex Fire

Vex could be read as an adjective or a verb...

or are they not that kind of witch?

Tasting The Night
Unleash The Shadows

Hmm, not my cup of tea. Best of luck anyway.

To Kill a Witch
How to Kill a Witch

Witch on the Run

Revenge on the Run
Revenge the Night
Betray the Night
Betray Me at Twilight
Shadow My Hero
Flee the Night
Race the Twilight
Race Through Twilight

Bewitched and Beguiled?

Sorry, no verbs.

Night Running (with a bow to Laura Moore)

The Twilight Hour (no verb, but it's getting late here)

No Time for Witches (ditto)

Witchflight

Racing Betrayal

The Witching Files

Betrayal's Flight

That's it for me.

SPELLing Trouble

Carnal Cauldron

Liar's Laire



No verbs, I know, but I think verb titles are trite. Just imo.

Run from the Wicked

Spelling Lessons

Teach the Traitor

Death and Deception

Bespell

Enchant

Bedevil

Double-Cross the Doubter















I love thinking up titles. I could do this all day! But I guess I should be writing instead. Sigh.

Thanks for the fun game, Kristin.

Lies Exposed

or maybe just Exposed

Wicked Blaze
Flame's Betrayal
Burning Race
Rushing Heat

Whew, I think I might have to keep some of these :)

To Betray a Witch's Heart
(too long?)

Reflections of Fire
Flames of Reflection
Escape into Embers
Framed by Shadow
Embracing the Flames

Midnight Obsessions

Embracing the Enemy
Kissing Fire

Hexed
Cursing Destiny
Trust Betrayed

Hm, no wonder the titles to my own books all suck.

How about:

Witch Hunt
Run to the Shadows
Embraced by Darkness

The Witch Can Run
Loving and Longing a Witch's Heart
Arousing the Witch
To Arouse the Witch
To Provoke a Witch
To Kiss a Witch
Flirting with a Witch
Something Naughty Running in the Night

Good luck! :)
DML

Oh... I really like Bewitched and Beguiled! And isn't "bewitched" a verb as well as an adjective?

Hmm. This isn't so much as grizzly bear as herd of bears! Too many ideas! But witches know magic, right? How about:

Flying from Magic

By Magic Deceived

Caught Between the Magic and the Man

Bewitched and Betrayed
(that's 2 verbs!)

Bewitched, Bedeviled, Betrayed
(3 verbs)

Out of a Frying Pan, Into Hell's Fire

Obviously it's getting too late for me, but best of luck to your client, Kristin

Spell Me Lies (via my shelf of J. Crusie)
Casting Lies
Cast Her Down
Witches Burn
Spell Bind
Bind Her Here
Boiling Trouble (a la Bubble, Bubble etc)

Good luck!

Okay, I'll throw a few into the ring:

"No Rest for the Wicked"

"Love is Darkest Before Dawn"

"Chasing Magic"

"Scream if you Love me"

"Cursed To Love"

"Cursed With A Kiss"

"A Devil of a Time"

-- fun assignment -- thanks Kristin!
:-)

I'm coming up with words like 'rapture' and 'enchantress'

But I can't seem to put them together with a strong verb.

Titles are a killer!! Good luck!

-Robin

This is hard because the book description is so short. It makes it difficult to customize to the theme, or uniqueness of the novel. Good Luck

Crumble in the Overcast

Embers' Scars

Smokey Velvet

Dwindling Touch

Portrait Burning

risk even more

And the trouble is
if you don't risk anything
you risk even more.

Erica Jong

Witchbinding

Vexed, Hexed, and Sexed

Vexing Her Inner Witch

Bewitched or Betrothed?

Coffee-Filled Cauldrons

Sexy Spells and Vexed Vixens

Enchanting Hex Mix

Passion's Enchantment

Yeah. I'm tired. But fun game :)

Suffer Not a Witch to Love

Ok, maybe a bit long, but I liked it. ;)

Unmasking the Rogue

Silken Shadows

Unlocking the Shadows

Deceit and Desire

Unmasking the Night

good luck, Kristin.

desire the fall

grendl/john gardner

Getaway Witch

Witch Way to Run?

Witch Cast Out

My best shots off the top of my head:

Running Straight to Hex

Hex in a Handbasket

Cast into the Fire

Hex and Run

Into the Fire: Toil and Trouble

Burning Passion: a Dash of Magic

Dark Flame Running

Sorry, those all seem really weak to me.
david

Enchanting the Enemy

Kindling Magic

Kindling Enchantment

White Magic, Black Heart

White Magic, Scarlet Desire

or some variant thereof

Wish I knew a few more details, but how about TRUST THE MAGIC?

ooh, another one!

Back in Black

Chasing Magic

Hiding within the Shadows

To Catch a Witch
Salem's Nighttide
Boil and Bubble, Toil and Trouble
Witch Craze
Night Flight

Casting Malice

Vengence Comes Swiftly
Silence the Passenger
Prey upon Midnight
Not with a Bang
Vow like Yesterday
Janus Flight
Runing Beneath the Thirteen Moons
Stand above the Shadow
Nightmares are for those who Sleep
Don't Ask the Wind

Any sentences from the book itself that stick out? Phrases? Anything?

Good luck!

Run, Witch, Run

Kill Me Faithfully
Surrender Trust
Throw It on the Embers
Betray Me Again...
Deception Turns

Enchanting the Enemy
Seduced by Chaos
Casting Shadow
Escape to Abandon

Hope they at least spark some ideas.

(Pardon the horrible pun in the first one.)

Rune, Rune Away
Scrying Seduction
Witchfire Rising
Witchfire Burning
Kindle the Witchfire
Beguile the Witch
Lure the Witchhunter
Stalking Seduction
Nightwalking
Black Cat Slinking
Black Cat Sizzle









(no verb)
Jinxing Betrayal
Waxing Moonstone
Moondancing
Prowl the Indigo Sky

Casting Darkness?

I really like Casting as a verb. A couple of other people had good ones. I particularly liked "Casting Malice."

Maybe Casting Desire.

Turning Deception

Bewitch the Moonlight

Bewitch the Heart

Cast a Dark Shadow
Curse the Night
Cursed Away
Embracing the Moon
To Spell Desire
Spelling Trouble
Stay a Spell
Outruning Death
Can't Enchant Love

A couple:

Flee the cauldron

Bewitching inferno

Seduced by wildfire

Witch Enchanted

Just tossing out a few verbs that carry sexual undertones:
-Shackled
-Enslaved
-Harnessed
(although those are all in the passive form)
-Ride
-Seduce
-Hex

I can't come up with my own titles so I certainly wouldn't be much help here. I'd like to say though, that I'd read a book called Escape into Embers. Buried among all the titles in this thread, this title caught my attention.

Shadowing Her

Lots of great ideas. I'll take a stab.

Put a Spell on Me.

I Put A Spell On You

Stirring Up Trouble

Suffer a Witch to Live

Oohh, I rather like both of these: Racing Betrayal, Bewitched and Betrayed

Wish I had some ideas of my own to leave here.

Friendly Spellfire (or some variant on Friendly Fire)

All Hexed Out

No Spell to Cast

Broken Spell

Helplessly Hexed

Thinking of titles for a book I haven't read is hard!

Something with the word 'flight' or 'fly' or 'flying' since that is something that witches do but it also means to run away from something.

Casting Shadows
Fleeing Shadows

Twisted Pentacle

Half Shadow (not verby, I know)
Kindle the Night
Caught on the Threshold
Adversary Bound
Lay The Shade
Need The Night
Breathing Moonlight
Drink Down The Night
Which for a Witch (silly)
Dance His Shadow
Eclipse The Moon
Shadow Working
Scatter the Stars

Taking His Witch

Rather than try to pull a title from thin air, why not look to the manuscript and find a clever or beautiful turn of phrase that sums up the main theme?

The Cauldron's Burn

Casting the Die
Die to the Cast
In the Arms of my Slayer
Is That a Stake in Your Pocket or are You Just Happy to See Me?
Purified by Lies
Saved at the Stake
Slayer's Embrace
Sworn
Sworn to Me
Unraveling Oaths

Hex Me Not

To Hex and to Hold

Hexing Her Heart

How to Spell Trouble

Ride the Night

Spelling Your Secrets

Simmer Me

Chasing Embers

Wild Hunt

Do we get to vote? :)

So far, I like Bewitched and Beguiled. Also White Magic, Black Heart. Or maybe some variation on that.

Though I second the suggestion to find some evocative phrase in the book itself and use that.

Brewing Evil...Deception?

Dark Flight

That one just popped in to my head,

Paul


www.paulphillips.ca

Trust the Shadows
Trust the Night
Trust the Fire
Trust the Avenger
Burning Trust
Betrayal Burns
Embrace the Witchfinder
Awakened by the Witchfinder
Burning the Witchfinder
Witching the Hunter
My Heart is an Assassin

(For "witchfinder", substitute "cool in-universe term for what the hero does" if you prefer.)

forgot: Love is a Cruel Shadow

Fight the Licking Flames

Licking Flames

Suffer Not

Tis Time, Tis Time

Round About the Cauldron Go

Do You Think I'm Hexy?

I read through most of the comments, but hope I don't repeat. Here's some of mine:

Conjure the Night
Cast a Wicked Spell
Pursue the Shadows (shortened version of someone else's)

If she's on the run, it's a chase... hm, let's play with that.

Chasing Midnight
Chasing Sunrise
Chased By Danger
Hunted By Desire
Cast Into Shadow

The Witching Heart

Bewildering Hunt

Conjuring Passion

Intriguing (Name of Hero)

Turning on the Night

Entranced, Ensnared, Enchanted


I also vote for finding an evocative book passage. I, for one, love those kinds of titles.

Invoking Havoc

Run Witch Way

Incanting Lover

I love titling, so I can't resist putting out a few more (though Cast In Shadow is still my fave).

Flight to the Hunter
Escape to the Hunter
Snared By Shadows
Snared By Secrets
Trapped In Shadow

I would definitely pick up a book titled, Do You Think I'm Hexy? That one made me laugh out loud.

No doubt these all suck (I can't tell you how many times I've changed the title on my current WIP, so I'm no expert). Hopefully you, the author, and the publisher can come to some agreement.

Running in the Dark

Mistrust in the Dark

Running Into the Dark (or Darkness)

Running Among the Shadows

Love Among the Shadows

Evading Love

Evading Love and Death

Darkness Running

Shadows Running

Running From Shadows

Running From Darkness

A Run in the Dark

Running in the Dark

Running Into Trouble

The Trouble With Witches

Escape to Trouble

Escape the Shadows

Escaping Death

Escaping the Dark

Maybe you should try to negate the lightness in your title rather than emphasize the darkness?

e.g., Hide From the Sun

Trust But Verify
Eclipsed By Love
Shadowed By Magic
Betrayed By Shadows
Running From Shadows

Bewitched: Bothered and Bewildered - The song as sung by Ella Fitzgerald came to mind. If you read the lyrics, they seem to fit, for the most part.

jael,

Cast in Shadow has already been used (I thought it sounded familiar) by Michelle Sagara.

I also think that finding an evocative book passage will work. I forget what Margaret Mitchell originally called her book, but I don't think it was Gone With the Wind. That phrase was lifted from (I think) something Scarlett said; or maybe it was in the narration somewhere (it's been a number of years since I last read it).

Run Away Slowly

Harness the Run
Escape Burns

I did find it very amusing to read all the titles with no verb (as a former grammar teacher, I suppose) -- a verb isn't the word itself, it's how it's used in the phrase. (Oh, no, lesson time here: ie -- Witch on the Run has no verb, The Running Witch also has no verb. The Witch Runs, now there's a verb :D)

sorceress persecuted

one supernatural plagued

a witch thus pinched

to rue the black rites

Fall into Fire

For a story about love and witches, "fire" just seems like a natural.

Running From Trust

Chasing the Love-Ghost

Twisting Spells

this is hard! Have you searched through the book for a particular metaphor? or phrase? That can help sometimes.

- Gabrielle

Escape to Desire

Here are a couple if you're still looking...

"Cauldron's Calling"
"Spell the Witch, my Soul to Take"
"So Mote it be"
"Witchblood"
"Witches Brew"
"Cauldron Connections"

Rebekah

Witch On The Run

It's fascinating how tempting fire-associated words are, I suppose partially because of the 'witch' thing, and partially because of the situation ('out of the frying pan, into the fire'). And of course, because it's a romance.

Trying to understand the situation, I assume 'darkness' is the word the writer dislikes. The VERB demand is because the editor wants something they can end a blurb with: 'Wlll she end up VERBING THE NOUN?' 'What can go wrong when you're VERBING NOUN?'

Or maybe just that focus groups have declared that active titles sell better and 'Dark' is overdone (it seems to be, scanning Amazon).

I do personally prefer non-verb titles, I think. 'The Opposite of Enemy'

Anyhow, forgive me
VERBING THE NOUN
VERB HER NOUN
VERB THE PARTICIPLE NOUN (eg Cast A Falling Star)
WITCHIFY THAT IDIOM

WITCH ME UP!
CATCH THAT WITCH!
RUNNING INTO MY HUNTER (OH GOD NOT HIM)

My problem with active verbs is that in what you've given us, all the active verbs we can apply to the heroine are either a.) witchy b.) very generically darkish c.) seem weak even if they're active, because all we really know is that she flees from somebody and stumbles into somebody else. So, not a lot of room for more interesting verbs like 'Seeking', and more about the running, fleeing, flying avoidance. And that kind of title only works, I think, if what she's avoiding is what she has to face (and is somehow encompassed in the hero).

'Avoid the Light'... but that lacks the zing of 'Caught In Twilight'

I dunno. I wish I knew something more about something cool the heroine did. I think if she, for example, has to stand up to chaos monsters bent on murdering celebrity chefs, that gives a better starting point (even if it ends up cloaked in opposite-speak) than referring to her weak opening position.

'Speaking To The Dawn'.

~nancy -- bummer! Thanks for looking it up. soula, "RUNNING INTO MY HUNTER (OH GOD NOT HIM)" made me laugh out loud.

So much creativity looking for a home here! Makes me want to sit down and try out new titles for my WIP.

"Do You Think I'm Hexy?" is just awesome.

Suffer Not
Curse and Conjure
Witch Hunt
Conjuring with the Enemy
Out of the Caldron
Into the Fire
When the Hurly-Burly’s Done (Shakespeare)
Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble (Shakespeare)
Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair (Shakespeare)
To a Tiger’s Cauldron (Shakespeare)

I threw some random ideas together which might be useful, or might be hilarious, who knows? At least, maybe they'll inspire you or others. Here goes:

Twisted Witch
Wanton Witch
Stolen Promise
Stolen Soul
Clever Traps
Misfortune's Mistress
Rampant Seduction
Ravish Me, Traitor
Tempest Fugue
Hexed and Hoaxed
Played On and Preyed On
Friend or Fiend?
Captured Lovely
Spitfire

Twisted in the Wind
Chasing Shadows
Tasting the Darkness

Hell Bent ???

Here's a couple more:

CONSUMMATION BY FIRE

A CRUCIBLE OF PORTENTS

With so little known about the book this was harder than I thought it would be.

Here's what I came up with:

Scorching Darkness

Spells of the Night

Dark Seduction

Dark Desires

Alluring Heat

Charmed Secrets

Captive Heat

I came up with '

Chasing Magic

also, and then saw someone else already posted it. I like the double entendre, and I think it's succint, and also plays to both ends of the story. (Him chasing her, to kill her; and also them chasing that elusive magic, love).

Thinking out loud...

Enchanting My/the Enemy
Embracing My/the Enemy
Enemy Mine
Kneeling Before Her Nemesis
Enemy Surrender
Rescuing Enemy
Eternal Enchantment

I don't envy you this task!

Cheers, Julie

I like one from up in the massive list:

Cast into the Fire - I love the double meaning, evoking both casting a spell and thrown (as in the character thrown into trouble)

The best I could come up with was

Burning Times and other Wiccan Love Stories

How about:

When Spells Escape

One of My Turns

This is hard to do!

SUFFER THE FLAMES

Or:

Out of the Brew

Love Betrays the Pentagram

or

Witch Lover Do You Trust

"Charming on the Run"

Why? Puns double meanings of the word Charming (charming as in witches and charming as in the man she meets?)

OR

"Chasing Enchantment"

Hi Kristen,

Witch Way to Run

Without knowing more, these are just stabs in the dark (sorry, no pun intended):

[witch's name here]'s Burning
Burning Witches
Catch Me, I'm Burning
Flying By Night
Burned and Drowning
Drowning and Burned
Betraying Hot Shadows
Hexed & Sexed


NON-VERBS:
Belladonna & Betrayal
Forbidden Incantation
Toil and Trouble*
(*Fire Burn/And Cauldron Bubble!)
Pointy Little Hat, Pointy Little Heart

...and, forgive me:
Raising Hackles & Cackles

Journey just came on in the cafe I am sitting in. Oh dear.

Don't Stop Deceiving
Escape
Who's Burning Now?
When the Witch Goes Down in the City
Fooled in Love
Open Charms (um, the verb is silent)

Let's hope they don't follow up with some REO. This could be bad...

Tasting Enchantment

A Taste for Enchantment (I know, no verb)

Enchant Me

Charming the Enemy

Hexed Off (though that sounds paranormal chick lit-ish to me)

Run East, Run West
Running to the Enemy

Huh! I submit a comment this morning and it is not here?

My suggestions were

Fleeing Seduction
Hunting Seduction
Kiss the Shadows

(and what's with blogger losing the "other" option? that sucks)

Escaping to the Enemy

Flee a Friend, Face the Foe

I keep thinking about this when I should be writing.

Make it stop!

How about:

Something Wicked this way Runs

Here's my shot.

Witch way to run in the shadows?
Witch way to run in the dark?
Chasing magic after dark
Chasing magic into the shadows
Magic dies in the shadows
Magic dies in the dark
Trust betrayed in the shadows
Trust betrayed in the dark
Witch shadow do you trust?

Hexed

To Cast a Spell

Embraced the Hunter
Uncovering Betrayal's Passion
The Hunter's Desire
Betrayal's Liaison
Hunt for Passion
Hunt for the Witch
Charm the Hunter
Enchanted by the Witch
Seeking the Witch
Pursuing Betrayal's Fire
Discover the Enchanted
The Hunter's Quarry
Finding the Hunted's Embrace
Unmasking the Enchantress
Surrendering to the Hunter
Defy the Hunter's Embrace
Brave the Hunter's Heat
Face the Hunter's Fire
Devoured by Passion's Embrace
Hunted
Ignite the Hunter's Flame
Cast a Witch's Spell
Obey Passion's Call
Ignite Love's Surrender
Defy the Hunter's Desire
Defy the Night's Embrace
Surrender to the Shadows
Craving the Hunter's Embrace
Surrender to Passion's Adversary
The Witch's Adversary
Dare the Hunter's Embrace
Caught in the Hunter's Embrace
Wage Passion's War
Beguile the Hunter
Strike the Hunter's Heart
Resisting the Night Fire
Risk the Enchanter's Spell
Plunge into Betrayal's Fire
Enchanting Thy Enemy
Loving Thy Enemy

Hope any of those help spark some ideas!

Stirring Trouble
Stirring Trouble, Seeing Double
Passion Potion (sorry, no verb)

Soft and Hexy

Witch Away

I know it doesn't have a verb, but it sounds active, so maybe it will work.

If it's not chick-lit, out of all of these, I thought "Cast into the Fire" was best. If it is chick-lit, you have to go with "Do You Think I'm Hexy?"

Late to the party but...

Blazing Shadows

Blazing Love

Love’s Pyre

The very first thing that came to mind was

WITCHY WOMAN

athough there is no verb there.

I tried adding a verb, but it only seems to take away the punch of that one.

Wrenbird said:
Something Wicked This Way Runs


That's the best one I've seen in this lot.

Midnight Run
Witch Way to Run
Magic On the Run
Hiding the Magic
Men Spell Disaster
Men Spell Trouble
Charming the Madmen
Hiding Her Charms
Casting Trouble
Conjure Trouble
To Conjure a Hero
Running with Spells
Running with Magic
Witch Way to Trouble
Any Witch Way to Trouble
Any Witch Way You Conjure
Any Witch Way to Run

... I'm tapped out now. Best wishes!

one more:

Enchant Not My Heart

Peril Hides in the Shadow
The Shadow will Follow
Run From This

I was trying to have a nap, but kept thinking about this. (Thanks! LOL.)
Here are my contributions:

Settle into Fire

Fly at the Flame

Alight

This challenge wouldn't leave me alone so I had to offer my first comment to your wonderful and so very helpful blog.
How about
Run Witch My Love
Run the Witch Away

Thanks for such a helpful resource.
pgp

I'm sorry these are pretty bad titles!
Shadowing Midnight
Surrender to Midnight
Moonlight Casts no Shadow
Trouble Under the Moon
The Curse of Love
(cursive, get it?)
best of luck
jenn

Charmed Deception

To Taste Lust, Shun Murder

Run ‘n Sense Desire

Lust Night Run

Shun Murder ‘n Taste Lust

I know we're not voting, but I did want to say that Escape into Embers is definitely the best, IMHO. :)

The Hunter’s Spell
Hunter and The Hex
Cauldron of the Heart
Can You Spell Hunter?
Spell or Burn

-- Gregory Kennedy

I have the perfect title!
The Adjective Noun That Verbed!

I wouldn't have thought of a verb either. Don't know if this will help, but Deanna Carlyle has a list of 1000 Verbs to Write By on her website.

Ug. That would make me crazy.

Edie, that 1000 verb list is neat! She has included the verbs that tend to be overused and suggested alternatives. I'm a purist, so "said" needs so substitute, but the others are good. Thanks for this.

Love the verb list!!!

Romancing the Dark Paranormal Romance

Plums Deify!


(sorry, stole that from Stephen King)

Okay, seriously, I posted my little jokes, then while in the shower thought of a few suggestions:

Searching for Shadows
Searching in Shadows
Seeking My Shadow

Verbing weirds language... ::g::

My one rule when retitling my most recent book was that it have a one word title. I went from there.

Perhaps "Whining for No Good Reason". Maybe "Poor Me; The Tale of a Sold Book With No Title". Or "Of All the Things to Bitch About... They Like the Story But Hate the Title". Better yet, "It Doesn't Matter, Darkly".

Boo-f'ing-hoo. Go on brainstorming for four words. The rest of us hacks will keep writing a hundred thousand at a time. Keep this kind of shit to yourself.

I LOVE School House Rock. Ahhh, those were the days...

One word titles like "Sexygirlhasromanticrelationshipbutthereissomethingsinisterabouthernewloveandohwon'tyouallbeshockedbythetwistaboutthesexyguy"? That's a one word title, and probably sums up a lot of books.

Wow. Nice rant hacky mchack... Can someone say, "Bitter, party of one?"

Um... hacky mchack.... no one is bitching but you. Kristin chose to share part of her (and her client's) day with us, and it was in no way a bitch. Or a poor me tale. Or a whine. Maybe you feel like that because you're unpublished. Or have been rejected many times. Perhaps you should keep your bitterness to yourself by not visiting here. I, for one, like the insight into an agent's day.

Have to put in the obvious one ... or is it the title that needs replacing?

RUN AWAY WITCH

Good post! My YA (which got announced on PM today, Yay!!!) will eventually get a new title. I'll use some of your suggestions to brainstorm with my editor on a few months.:)

Writing a book is a bear.

Coming up with a good title for it is a grizzly bear.

Ugh! I absolutely detest every title I have ever come up with. I don't know why. When I ask for feedback about a title people just look at me oddly. The short story titles I have stink. I do not like them at all. My alpha readers say that they are not that bad but are stunningly quiet when it comes to making suggestions. The novel in progress has a good working title, but a publisher would have to work pretty hard to make me hate any suggestion they were to make.

A title for a dark paranormal romance?

Perhaps its time to think IN the box.

Proposed title: "Dark Paranormal Romance"

:)

"Proposed title: "Dark Paranormal Romance"

Bwahahaha!!!

I'd totally pick that one up off the shelf just to find out what was up with the title!!!

Shadowed Love

Embraces Between Shadowed Dimensions

Meeting Among the Shadows

No Way to Meet Among the Dimensions

If Time Was a Dimension We Shared

If Only to Touch Across Dimensions

If Dimensions Could More Than Kiss

Oh, the fun we used to have with bad titles in marketing meetings...

:-)

Love your blog; very useful information!

I love coming up with titles. Sometimes it's instant. Sometimes, it takes months. I've never had to rush it. I can't imagine the pressure!

I browse poetry for unique turns of phrase. :)

Great post today. Titles are sooooo hard, but if you came up with one half as great as Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, it will be a winner.

Since the beginning, my first novel had a title that described the paranormal love story perfectly, and had everything to do with the plot, but it wouldn't make anyone pick it up to see what it was about. I recently changed it, and I'm getting better responses, but while the new one also describes the story, it's not original. I'm still trying to think of a better one.

The title of my second one was easy. It was inspired by a typographical error. I don't expect to get that lucky ever again. And now I'm thinking I should remove it from my site so no one takes it before me.

I can think of a lot of titles that use dark, or plays on it, but not knowing anything about the story doesn't help narrow it down. Can't wait to see what it turns out to be.

Sometimes titles are a snap. But most of the time, I just can't do it! I have a basic title in mind...and with that title sometimes comes the image of the cover. But what if I am the only one who thinks the title evokes that nifty cover I'm thinking of??

Dave,

I think some of your titles started off in the right direction, but some were just too long. Here are some shortened versions that might work better:

Among the Shadows (I kinda like that one)
Across Dimensions
More Than A Kiss

Anyone out there, feel free to use them. :-)

Great post, and I'm going to try your strategies! I went back and forth with my agent/publisher on titles for my first novel, which started out being titled MIRROR IMAGES, was changed by my agent to PULLING THE TIDES (yuck), and then finally changed by my editor to PIECES OF MY SISTER'S LIFE, which I also don't love, because it makes little sense to me, but what can you do?

For my second book, my editor came up with--I kid you not--50 potential titles. From that, we ended up with the title PROMISE THE MOON, which my editor and agent loved, but I hated! It makes the novel sound like a Silhouette or Harlequin, a completely different kind of book than it actually is.

But what I've learned is that there are very few "perfect" titles. And just like with my covers, I'm never going to find one that perfectly represents the year of love I've put into the books themselves. After awhile, you just have to let it go, and leave it to the experts. Amazingly, although I hated the title/cover for PIECES OF MY SISTER'S LIFE, it sold incredibly well, and several people indicated they'd first picked it up because of the cover and title. Which just goes to show, I know nothing...

Titles are like query letters on crack. Distill your 95,000 word work of genius sparkle into, em... er... 2-6, you know, words, and make them grab the reader by the throat! Sounds fun! Happy brainstorming.

It's interesting that you talk about asking for 30 pages based on the title alone. I came up with the title for my current work and the name of the main character first and based the whole book on that.

Good luck on the title!

Titles come from all over the place; it's important to carry a pen and paper wherever you go just in case one pops into your head.

A little off-beat view of naming a novel:
Naming a novel is like naming a child-there's no going back and fixing it later. And there's no nicknaming a novel. And it really isn't advisable to name a child something the other parent hates, just like in publishing!
I work as a labor and delivery nurse and see parents all the time that just can't agree on the name, or have no idea what will "fit". So I advise what I call the "front porch test"--that is, you shout all the choices you like or can agree on from the front porch. And whichever one you don't feel silly shouting is the one you name it. May be a little difficult with a title, but you can see the comparison. Giving birth to a novel is a long and difficult process, complete with its own labor pains! The name should be something timeless. In 2 or 20 years, you don't want to regret it!

Now I MUST know the outcome ... please share if and when you can!

ROFLOL, I just went through this with book two my trilogy, which weren't as strong as the first title, and then book three when we learned that another book was coming out just a couple months before mine in the same genre with the same title. We had time to change. And ironically, the new title is much stronger IMO. But some of the titles I came up with had me cringing.

I love this subject. For some reason I am "cover blind" and I'm not very influenced by cover art, but a good title grabs me and I won't even read the back of a book with a title that turns me off. It would be interesting to hear your perspective on titling mistakes -- I would guess you see lots of titles with over-used words or phrases. I find title length pretty fascinating too. I just noticed that a lot of the impulse purchases on my bookshelf have one word titles. Great exercise and a helpful post.

Ugh, titles are the bane of my existence. Give me two or three words, a snippet of an idea, and I can write 50,000 words on it, but title it? It's like trying to eat soup with chopsticks.

If/when I'm published, I sincerely hope that someone who is better with titles will help me out, because really, mine are sad.

Oh this is great! LOTTERY was actually my working title 'cuz I couldn't come up with anything I liked better. However, I noticed when ever my manuscript was on the table people always picked it up - so I kept it- as for the rest - most of the time my projects start with only a title LOL.

Just discovered this blog - great post!

I never gave titles much thought until I looked for my self-pubbed in a list of others. It was bland, generic and I really noticed when others had that "grab your interest immediately" phrase or the "I think I know what happens based completely on the words and I am interested" phrase. I eventually came up with what I think is a grabber but it was difficult.

Your techniques sound like a lot of fun! keep up the good work.

Speaking of titles that make or break something...I love the show Arrested Development, but while it was actually on TV I never watched it, mainly because of the name. "Arrested Development" makes it sound like a lot of low humor (I'm thinking fart jokes etc.), when in fact the humor is not like that at all. Even though the critics loved the show, it never got very good ratings and was cancelled after 3 seasons. I can't help but think the title played a part in that.

Interesting post! I think it's very important to know when to adapt... and when not to. Is there anything in particular you know you would have refused to change?

Selene

I liked your editor's advice on the title, especially. As a reader, I step into the Romance aisle and am hit with similar titles and similar covers. Anything that can set your book apart is a good thing. Otherwise, the only way we know how to find something special is through personal recommendation. Some readers buy off the shelf and on impulse, but none of the readers I know do. This is one reason why. The title, High School Reunion, immediately gives us a clue what it's about. Body Heat would just tell us there's sex in it, but almost all romance novels have that too.

Maybe shelf placement is everything here, but I immediately think Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion with your editor's title and character name choices. Especially when the synopsis starts, "Roma's high school reunion..." And I didn't even see the movie.

How much did you feel you had the power to say 'no' on any of the things the editor (or even Jessica) asked for, if you wanted? Which would be hard, hard, hard for an author to do for any debut or even first 3 or 4 novels, I'm sure.

Hi anonymous,

I guess I would have balked at any request to change the relationship between the two supporting characters. Their relationship is much more raw than the leads, and I wanted that contrast. Roma is also very klutzy and funny. I liked that about her and wouldn't have wanted her polished and perfect.

Hi Kimber an and Anonymous 8:44,

Kimber, I'm so glad you said that, because it supports her claim. It makes me feel like I made the right decision.

However, Anonymous!!! I've been waiting for someone to notice that for a long, long time. My editor was concerned about Body Heat's connection to a movie. Yet, this title did precisely the same thing. To make it even more ironic, the supporting female character is named Missy. Yup. You got it. Roma and Missy's High School Reunion.

Funny that the publisher hung onto your manuscript for a year . . . and then wanted you to make some pretty significant revisions in a week! Yikes. Glad you were able to get the time you needed.

Anonymous 8:44,

Sorry, I missed your second question. I think you have to have the confidence to talk with your editor and agent as an equal. That doesn't so much mean taking a hard stance of "no" as it does discussing "why". I'm not one of those authors who sees her work as her baby. I see it as a product I'm producing, and I want to make it the best I can. I stand up for things like continuity, character development, and pacing.

Anonymous 9:42,

That time discrepancy did not escape my attention. LOL. Editors are funny.

How long did you get to make that revision on conflict?

What would you consider a revision that you couldn't be flexible on?

Hi Mechele,

I think I negotiated for 3 weeks, which still made it kind of tight.

What revision wouldn't I be flexible on? Anything that made a hero or heroine too stupid to live.

Hi, Kimberly Dean. Nice of you to let us ask you questions.

When receiving edits from your agent, and then an editor, do you ever find their requests are opposite of each other?

First, the agent says, "Get rid of this scene, you don't need it. And later, an editor says, "There's a big hole here, can you try a scene like this?"

Obviously an editor is BUYING the book, so maybe her comments hold more weight, but overall, whose comments do you agree with more?

You might not want to get specific, but in general, who helps you shape the book the most, agent or editor? Or does it depend on the book?

--YA writer

Hi YA writer,

I'm actually finding this to be fun. It's making me think!

As to your question, timing really comes into play. I work with Jessica first. She's concentrating on the points that will make it attractive to the editors. We need to make that sale to the publishing house first. Once the manuscript is sold, I work with the editor. She's concentrating on the points that will make it attractive to the readers/buyers. Obviously, there's some overlap, but I've found it to be a natural progression. I've never had an agent who got too heavily involved in the editing process once the sale has been made. Maybe others have???

And here's a trick I've found helpful. If I do need to make a major cut, I don't throw that section away. I save the cuts into another file. That way I can add them back in if they're needed, move them to another place, use the scene in an entirely different book, or just let them sit for posterity.

Hi Kimberly,

I dont know if you'll see this but I was wondering if you will be at RWA this year? Can you believe the pic I took with you last year didn't turn out and I need one.

I have to say neither title blows me away but I am someone who buys a book because of the author and I really enjoy your work, no matter the title. That being said, I thought the title Tiger Lily was wonderful and suited the story perfectly.

Hi Leiha!

Yes, I will be at the RWA National conference in Dallas. You probably wore your poor camera out with all the pictures you took last year.

I didn't think Body Heat was the perfect title, either. However, I never came up with anything better and High School Reunion did tap into those feelings of excitement and dread we all get. Tiger Lily simply couldn't have been anything else.

Yay! I'll be on the lookout for you. I have a new camera this year, EG!

That's what happens when a poli sci nerd starts writing novels. So, vote, people, please. I stink at titles. And let me know what you think of a fictional teen character blogging the actual 2008 presidential campaign. Does it work? I hope so, because it's a blast to write.

I submit:

1) Titles are hard for some people to think up, even when they have a very clever manuscript under their belts.

2) "Settling on a title" is all fine and dandy, until your publisher chooses a new one for you. (That's not to say that a fun working title can't give you loads of inspiration to forge ahead on your first draft.)

3) He's missing a lot by not reading Pride and Prejudice.

REALLY interesting. My editor at Knopf mentioned something about that "new kidlit blogger thing," which I kind of laughed at (mainly since she doesn't know I, too, have a blog), but apparently this "growing presence" thing is big news - hopefully big enough for a blogging writer to keep her book title, but I doubt it!
Thanks for the heads up.

Alison Morris asks in her blog, "Why am I suddenly seeing publishers change the titles of underperforming hardcovers when these books are reissued in paperback?" Isn't that obvious? The publisher is hoping to achieve more sales with a new title. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing.

While I liked the book Gideon the Cutpurse, I was surprised by the title. The book isn't really about Gideon the Cutpurse. He doesn't appear in all the storylines/time periods. What's more, he's an adult character in a children's book that is being marketed to children. It did seem very odd to me. And while I loved the cover, I can't recall any scene in the book it illustrated. Or, if it was some kind of "concept" cover, I couldn't figure out what the concept was or what it had to do with the book.

Changing that cover and title make sense to me, though The Time Travelers is pretty generic, even lame.

Changing covers is one thing. I can think of lots of cover that need to be changed, but the book title? I agree that kids sometimes don't get books based on title, but more often they don't get books based on the cover. And changing the title loses any name recognition that book might have earned. Gideon, which I also loved, was just put on the Lonestar list here in Texas. It's the other big kid list TLA puts out down here. I can't wait to convince parents, that yes, I know that Time Travelers isn't on the list, but this really is the same book as Gideon. Look, the copyright page even says that it was once known as Gideon. Dandy.

You make a good point about Gideon the Cutpurse, Gail, however, I think the title is distinctive and piques your interest. As you say, "The Time Travelers" is SO generic and completely uninteresting. I mean, there's so many time travel books, what makes this one different and why should I read it? And while Gideon wasn't the main character, he was definitely the most interesting one, and his presence was part of what made this book unique.

I *loved* Gideon the Cutpurse! It was totally one of the best sci-fi/fantasy books of 2006! You can't change a book's name, even if the name sucks because it loses all recognition! I've been hand-selling that book like mad and now I'm going to have to convince all my co-workers that this new book is really the same one and to sell it! And it has a horrible name to boot! Arghhh!!!!!