Your Title Here

Alright, Everyone!

It’s that time again, another Writers/Illustrators of the Future quarter is winding down.  Get your entries in ASAP.

My biggest obstacle this time was coming up with a decent title.  I had a long list of ok titles.  You know, those ones that fit but don’t really have that “come hither” quality.

Titles are very important to me as a consumer.  I’d say, just after the cover, the title is the most important factor in determining whether or not I pick a book up off the shelf to see what’s inside.

And in general, I tend to find Sci-fi/fantasy titles to be... horrible.  Yes, sad but true.

Why?

Simple.  Because most of them can be slapped onto any other book nearby and fit just as well.

That’s not a title.  That’s a placeholder. 

Example: Go to your favorite bookseller’s website, and look up “Ill Wind.”  Tell me how many hits you get.  And no, just because some of them have modifiers like “An” and “Yon” that does not make them different.  Can you really tell me those were the most apt, the most memorable titles that could have been assigned to those works?  How many books can you think of that you could slap that title on and never know the difference?

While you're at it, look up any of the classic sci-fi/fantasy buzzwords you can think of.  You know the ones I’m talking about.  “Blood”--If it’s on a vampire novel, I’m even less impressed.  “Dragon”--Just because they’re in there doesn’t mean you have to name your book after them.  I mean it, you don’t have to shove it down my throat that this is a fantasy novel.  “Sword”--really, the book's about a sword?  Wow, so is that book over there.

Get my drift?  I’m not saying the words should become taboo.  But how often have you seen something called “Blood Rites” or “Dagon’s Song” or “The Sword of Truth”?  If you’re going to use a buzzword, you better get damn creative with it.

I know, I know, the poor titling is not always the author’s fault.  The publisher has a big hand in labeling the books they sell.  If they don’t like an author’s title, they change it.  And hell, as the author, you want your book printed, don’t you?  Just make the change and get on with it.

I have to remind you, I’m speaking as a consumer, not as a writer.  If the publisher thinks Marina the writer will sell more copies by calling her sci-fi thriller “Prince of the Damned,” then by hell, guess what she’ll change it to?

Marina the consumer, however, doesn’t agree with the publishers.  Titles like “Mage’s blood” and “Dark God” and “Winter’s Wind” do not get me to buy books.  DO NOT.  I’m looking for something unique and interesting when I browse a bookshelf.  Something needs to jump out at me.  Do you think seeing the word “Darkness” on every other book makes me want to pick up any of them?  No. 

So, you authors who have full control over your titles, here’s my advice.  Spend more than a couple of minutes deciding what to name your story.  Sure, occasionally a title just jumps out at you, and that’s fine if it’s astute. 

Here’s the test.  If, at random, you pick five books from your personal collection and your chosen title fits at least one of them, you have more work to do. 

The title is just as important as the rest of your story.  It’s the first taste of your writing someone gets, be it a novel’s title or a short’s title.  Don’t give them wheat bread when they’re looking for an exotic pastry.  Tell them you can write a good story, just by proving you can get their attention in five words or less.

Of course, this is only my opinion.  Thoughts?

~Marina

Rejections with goal of 100:  23 (I swear there should be more coming in soon)