Obviously an editor would have the last say, but since I'm half-interested in self-publishing, I'd like opinions! Is it best to have the word "dead" somewhere in your title to denote a zombie novel? Obviously there are some famous exceptions (Stephen King's "Cell" and Mira Grant's "Feed" come to mind), but it seems like a good way to hint to prospective buyers that zombies lie within. Thoughts?
Titling Your Zombie Novel
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Personally, I think it's been overused ferociously. Dead Land, Dead Island, Dead Planet, Dead Rising, Dead Sea, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, etc., etc., etc.
Be original. The cover and title are simply there to attract attention. More than anything else it's going to be good writing that's going to grab and hold a reader.
Be original. The cover and title are simply there to attract attention. More than anything else it's going to be good writing that's going to grab and hold a reader.
Feed, Patient Zero, ex-Heroes, World War Z, Forest of Hands and Teeth (I love that title), The Stupidest Angel, etc. I agree with FOTSGreg. Dead is overdone, so look for something better.
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No. Way overused. You want your title to stand out, especially if you're halfway planning to self publish.
ETA: I'd steer away from the word "blood" as well, although that one's not as abused as "dead" is.
ETA: I'd steer away from the word "blood" as well, although that one's not as abused as "dead" is.
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I don't think you necessarily need to use the title to let people know it's a zombie novel. I've seen quite a lot of them with names that have nothing to do with zombies. And the title can intrigue them without it screaming zombies.
Where is your novel set? How are the zombies made? What kicks off the outbreak? Is it post-zombie or during the actual outbreak? I think those are things to consider when looking for a title.
Where is your novel set? How are the zombies made? What kicks off the outbreak? Is it post-zombie or during the actual outbreak? I think those are things to consider when looking for a title.
I think I've found some that work! Yay! I might polish them up a little bit as I go, but I'm very happy with the general premise.
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I'm a hypocrite because I think 'Dead' has been done to death in titles, but I still used it in mine because "Dead man walking" is also prison slang for a condemned killer, which fits with a main character in the book.
Still, something a little more creative will probably help your book stand out from the others.
Still, something a little more creative will probably help your book stand out from the others.
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How about "Flesh Lust of the Dearly Departed'?
...Perhaps not.
But some punchy words on a feeding/hunting theme might be a way to go.
...Perhaps not.
But some punchy words on a feeding/hunting theme might be a way to go.
Conspicuous Consumption
The Angry Days
We Who Live
A Time To Live
Dying To Live, Living To Die
Red In Tooth
Red Teeth
The Hunger Games (oops, that one's taken)
Hunger
Feeding Time At The End Of The World
The Angry Days
We Who Live
A Time To Live
Dying To Live, Living To Die
Red In Tooth
Red Teeth
The Hunger Games (oops, that one's taken)
Hunger
Feeding Time At The End Of The World
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