I got a two-novel deal! Now I need help with a title.

[TLHines]

Hi, everyone - I'm happy to announce I've signed a two-novel deal with the fine, fine folks at Bethany House Publishers. I won't go into all the details here (if you want those, they're on my blog), but suffice to say I'm wearing a perma-grin.

But that's not the real reason for my post. One of the major tasks is to decide on a title for the first novel, which will be released summer of 2006. If you have five minutes, could you visit my blog (http://www.tlhines.com/blog/), click on the link for the survey, and vote on the seven finalists? My publisher and I will be using the survey results to help pick a title.

I'm thrilled, just thrilled. Did I mention I'm thrilled?

[JayEss]

Congratulations! I'm on my way to your blog now.

[triceretops]

Done and done. I've offered up some new suggestions.
Tri

[azbikergirl]

Woot! Congrats!!

[dawinsor]

Congratulations! What a thrill that must be. I voted on your titles.

[P.H.Delarran]

Congratulations! Let us know the outcome.

[Vanessa]

NOW THAT"S GOOD NEWS! WISHING YOU MUCH SUCCESS!!!!
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonhi.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gif

[AdamH]

Congratulations, TL! I did your survey. Thanks for including us into your success!

[alanna]

I just voted. And congratulations! Many dancing bananas for you! :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::ban ana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banan a::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana: :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::ban ana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banan a::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana: :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:(sor ry about the formatting, the comp won't let me fix it.)

[cwfgal]

Many congrats! I voted. Best of luck to you in all your writing endeavors.

Beth

[TLHines]

Wow. Thanks for all the kind wishes, everyone. (And for voting.) I'll let you know when we have a winner.

[clotje]

Congratulations!!!



I also completed the survey.

[Zolah]

Oh,well done. I'm so, so glad for you!

[alaskamatt17]

Good Job!

[Lady of Prose]

How absolutely wonderful! I'm thrilled for you! Bethany House--Wow!

[Bufty]

Hearty Congratulations. Must be a great feeling.

[StoryG27]

Congrats! You did it! Took your survey, and I wish you the best of luck.

[Garpy]

Congrats....I had 'the calls' this time last year, so I know exactly what that buzz feels like. Enjoy it for as long as possible, and of course now you can proudly announce your profession as 'author'.

Unfortunately the buzz does eventually wear off, and you'll get used to the rather banal fact that you are going to be published....and then, as the month draws closer you'll start to get 'release anxiety' ;-)

[LadyLazarus]

:Hail: Wow well done you! :Hail: I've been to your blog and done the survey :)

[Nateskate]

Congrats

Survey: I wasn't real keen on the names given.
I'm thinking of some other names, like "Death Spin"- a play on the word used when a Allegator pulls a victim underwater, but in this case, he's spinning in and out of the grave (metaphorically)

or -"The Turnaround"- in that he keeps going from death to life to death. Even, "The Turnstyle", in that he keeps passing back and forth.

"Evil Dwelling" -in the sense he's visited his grave, and now he needs to find clues to stay out of there.

"Ashes to Ashes" or "Ashes to Ashes, and Death to Death" or

"From Ashes to Ashes and Death to Life" or "From the Ashes"

Or- "The Ash Detective"- Perhaps a nickname for the character, in that he rose from the ashes. But he's also looking into the ashes- his death.

[aadams73]

Mega-Congratulations! May this be the beginning of a long line of successes!

[NeuroFizz]

Survey done. Hearty congrats.

As for the titles, nothing gave me a "pull it off the shelf" feeling, but it's tough without knowing more about the story.

Cheers, Rich

[Kasey Mackenzie]

Wow, congratulations! That seems like a very sweet deal for you, and good luck on choosing a title. =)

[aruna]

Hi, everyone - I'm happy to announce I've signed a two-novel deal with the fine, fine folks at Bethany House Publishers. I won't go into all the details here (if you want those, they're on my blog), but suffice to say I'm wearing a perma-grin.

But that's not the real reason for my post. One of the major tasks is to decide on a title for the first novel, which will be released summer of 2006. If you have five minutes, could you visit my blog (http://www.tlhines.com/blog/), click on the link for the survey, and vote on the seven finalists? My publisher and I will be using the survey results to help pick a title.

I'm thrilled, just thrilled. Did I mention I'm thrilled?

I signed; I like Signs of Life a lot, the others not so much. Can you tell us how the vote's going yet, or do we have to wait till it's decided?
I love your newest blog entry - so true! You are exactly right when you say stop worrying and let divine providence take over. My story is a bit different to yours, but the moment I stopped thinking about agents and publishers and began to concentrate on writing a GOOD BOOK not only did the work flow but when the time to sell came around it went with a snap - in fact, I didn't even think it was finished when I got my contract. (It wasn't - needed a lot of work still). My belief: when you give up TRYING too hard that's when a bigger and better power takes over. Sometimes, with all our effort and all our wanting, we actually block that power. And yet to get to that point you have to make all that effort... you have to do your utmost, and then let go.
Again and again I've noticed that the good things always happen when I least expect it. And when I wait for "the Call" it never comes.

Anyway congratulations and good luck!:PartySmil

[JerseyGirl1962]

CONGRATS!! That's fantastic! :partyguy:

Took the survey, too.

~Nancy

[TLHines]

Thanks for the kind words and wishes, everyone; I'm getting all veklempt. As of right now, 103 surveys have been completed--which is frankly about 100 more than I'd expected. :)

Three titles--one in particular--are getting the vast majority of the votes and comments. That said, I do believe every title has been at least one person's favorite (or least hated), and every title has been at least one person's least-favorite (or most hated).

I'll share some of the survey specifics and interesting comments when it's all said and done--probably next week--but I don't want to color anyone's opinions just yet.

And I do truly appreciate the comments and suggestions of everyone who has offered them, positive and negative.

[Cabinscribe]

Congratulations!

You must be so excited!

:snoopy:

[arainsb123]

I think Signs of Life is great. Congratulations on the sale!