I’m suffering this morning as I try to find a new title for my November release from Grand Central Publishing. The working title was TAINTED BLOOD (and the music for TAINTED LOVE keeps playing in my brain as I see that title).
I have to confess that I suck at titles. I would say I’m 0 for 21 on book titles, except that I did manage to work up some of THE CALLING titles on my lonesome. The original concept for THE CALLING titles, however, came from my great Harlequin editors at the time (and I am so sure my great new editor at GCP will also have wonderful ideas to help in this title selection process!)
Now I’m working on this title, trying to find inspiration based on the elements of the story which is one way that many authors find their titles.
TAINTED BLOOD (soon to be re-titled) is about a world-famous cellist who is dying from a brain tumor and opts to undergo a radical gene therapy in order to stop the progression of the tumor and possibly regain her eyesight. The cellist – Caterina Shaw – hadn’t planned on being turned into a human guinea pig and soon finds herself not only losing her humanity, but also accused of murder. Enter the hero, an ex-Army Ranger sent to either solve the problem she’s created or eliminate it (or should we say her?).
Hmmm. . . My friend Irene Peterson suggested GENESTORM and I kind of like that one. But I really do need to have more than one option.
I’ve been tossing around connected titles since there are at least two books in the series. Maybe SEE NO EVIL for the first one and TOUCH NO EVIL for the second, which revolves around an athlete with a bone disease. I’ll definitely put those on the list since that might lend itself to further expansion for future books in the series, such as HEAR NO EVIL, etc.
Some authors rely on literary inspirations for their book titles. You can click here for a cool list of those, which include titles such as TENDER IS THE NIGHT, THE SUN ALSO RISES and other noteworthy works.
Of course, there’s the I NEED HELP route!
My friend Lois Winston ran a contest to help rename her first book. The great title that was chosen in the contest — TALK GERTIE TO ME.
Maybe that’s something to consider?
So, for a spontaneous contest to help me find a new title, why don’t you leave some suggestions in the comments. If I pick one of your titles or feel that it inspires me, not only will you get an autographed copy of my latest release, SOLDIER’S SECRET CHILD, and a CALLING T-shirt, I’ll also dedicate the book to you!! How’s that for a prize to show your friends and family!
Caterina’s Eyes
Cat’s Eyes
Extreme Love
Love is BLind
Love isnt blind
Cat never hides but seeks
Condition: MURDER
To have to kill her or not
Radical Blood
BLIND TRUST
BLIND FAITH
SEEING IS BELIEVING
EXPERIMENTAL EXTREME
DON’T BELIEVE YOUR EYES
HIDDEN MONSTERS
SINISTER SIGHT
TO BE SEEN
TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE
MURDER MAY I
I may be going for a record on terrible here…
Strings and Needles
Orchestrating Murder
the Cellist’s Secret Gene Therapy (sorry I know that one’s kinda snarky)
Bowstrings and cruciformix structures (for the real science geeks)
Helix Screams
Escaping the Helix
Cat and Shaws Excellent Adventure
Twist of the Helix
Dark Twist of the Helix
Dark Helix
Helix Dark Cry
Helix Murder
Dark Bows(or draws) the Helix (makes no sense but sounds good) Think about the cover on that one. A cellist bowing a double helix?
gj
lol i was working on a list of THe calling book , with , calls at the end of title
so back to drawing board
Maybe this will help:
At First Sight
Murder in Sight
Seeing You
Music and Murder
Playing in the Dark
Notes to Die For
In a Blind
Playing for Time
Sightless Stranger
Dark Heart
Heart of Darkness
Groping in the Darkness
Treatment for Murder
Hmmm titles…
DOWN THE DARK TUNNEL
INTO THE LIGHT?
SHAW’S SHADOW
NIGHT TURNED NIGHTMARE
DARK MUSIC
DARKNESS AROUND EVERY CORNER
THE CELLO’S CRY
I SEE YOU
😀