Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Titles, titles...anyone have a title?

Last week I needed to come up with some title ideas for my April, 2010 book. I sent in a list of ideas, but then today had to come up with more ideas, since my first set didn't work well enough for the story or the line. I'm really, really happy that the editors take such care with finding the right titles for a book. A good title, an attractive cover, and a strong back cover blurb are important elements when a reader is browsing the racks at the bookstore, or Wal-mart.

The irony is that, while I know how important these things are, I think I may be title-impaired. :) Long before I ever started writing, it was true. When our daughter was born, it took us four days to figure the right name. Four days! And all the puppies and kittens and horses over the years? Those names took forever! We have a host of loveable, fluffy, very friendly cats out in the barn....and at least half of them are "kitty."

So now I'm curious....what book titles you have found the most memorable--or even amusing-- over the years? Do you have some favorites?

2 comments:

Ramona Richards said...

Roxanne, I ALWAYS have trouble with titles. Not one of my originals made it to print. Sometimes that (and the synopsis) are the most dreaded part of the process.

One of my favorite titles lately was for a non-fiction book, just one word: Stiff

The front cover featured the bottom of two bare feet, one with a toe tag tied on. I HAD to pick that one up. The tag line sold me: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers.

Roxanne Rustand said...

Ramona, what a great title--and the subtitle is a hoot (even given the topic!) I'm going to hunt for that book!