Oh, too funny timing. I loved this article, and I just posted the same topic a week ago to my own Substack, because my journey to get a good title to my upcoming novel was a NIGHTMARE. My agent didn't like my original title, which I loved, and made me do comp research and submit 15 new titles to her and one of them passed muster. But the challenge was the genre--my book is part thriller, part family saga (I know, weird combo, but I love the intrigue of it). Trying to come up with a title that, as you said, hinted at the complexity of the book plus did all those other things . . . well, it took a lot of sweat and tears and letting go of favorites that would never work. All your points are so right on and the background you bring to it is sterling. So thanks for adding to my own experience and illuminating the need for a great title.
OMG. Thank you. I get the Wanker analogy. I just never thought about it like that. Changing the title of my novel today. I've always had other titles in the bag, but I got hooked on the one that was most flagrant. Now I see it the way others might. So glad to be on this list.
Jul 21, 2023·edited Jul 21, 2023Liked by Courtney Maum
Thank you for this, Courtney. How much control do writers have over their titles? I'd cry if a publisher picked a sucky or inapt title for my novel, and I don't think it will happen, but what if I want X and they want Y?
Oh, too funny timing. I loved this article, and I just posted the same topic a week ago to my own Substack, because my journey to get a good title to my upcoming novel was a NIGHTMARE. My agent didn't like my original title, which I loved, and made me do comp research and submit 15 new titles to her and one of them passed muster. But the challenge was the genre--my book is part thriller, part family saga (I know, weird combo, but I love the intrigue of it). Trying to come up with a title that, as you said, hinted at the complexity of the book plus did all those other things . . . well, it took a lot of sweat and tears and letting go of favorites that would never work. All your points are so right on and the background you bring to it is sterling. So thanks for adding to my own experience and illuminating the need for a great title.
OMG. Thank you. I get the Wanker analogy. I just never thought about it like that. Changing the title of my novel today. I've always had other titles in the bag, but I got hooked on the one that was most flagrant. Now I see it the way others might. So glad to be on this list.
Thank you for this, Courtney. How much control do writers have over their titles? I'd cry if a publisher picked a sucky or inapt title for my novel, and I don't think it will happen, but what if I want X and they want Y?
How interesting. And useful. Thank you Courtney. My mind will be swirling with alternate names for my novels for the rest of the day.
This was very helpful, thank you!
Courtney, I have a funny story for you on this very topic...to be shared one day over 🍹or 🌿🚬 or 🫖 or 🍩