Struggling With Title

Dani Dunn · Mar 1, 2007

Hello wonderful people. You guys on this board have been such a big help to me, but I cannot settle on a title for my new book. I've changed it like 30 times, and I'm ready to send out query letters for it. So here are a few that I'm working with. Tell me if they are corny. Thanks.
DD

Weathered Leaves
A Novel By Dani Dunn

Redemption Without Absolution
A Novel By Dani Dunn

Seeking Redemption
A Novel By Dani Dunn

Impressions of Mama
A Novel By Dani Dunn

Impressions
A Novel By Dani Dunn

swvaughn · Mar 1, 2007

Hi Dani,

I suck at titles. Please bear that in mind as I offer my opinion.

As a reader I'm partial to one-word titles, so I really like "Impressions." I think "Weathered Leaves" is rather nice, but "Impressions" is better. In my opinion, of course.

Good luck with your querying!

alleycat · Mar 1, 2007

I don't particularly care for Redemption Without Absolution and Impressions of Mama. Just a personal opinion.

Weathered Leaves sounds interesting to me. Impressions is also good, but I would bet there's three or four books already with that title.

Julie Worth · Mar 1, 2007

I like Struggling With Title best.

alleycat · Mar 1, 2007

Julie Worth said:
I like Struggling With Title best.

How 'bout Struggling With Mama?

RumpleTumbler · Mar 1, 2007

Impressions seeking absolution without mama's weathered leaves.

JerseyGirl1962 · Mar 1, 2007

Dani,

I like Weathered Leaves the best. Redemption Without Absolution and Seeking Redemption don't do it for me at all.

Good luck!

~Nancy

Maprilynne · Mar 1, 2007

No offense, but just pick one. If it sucks, the agent will change it. If it still sucks, the publisher will change it . . . possibly without telling you.

Maprilynne

Claudia Gray · Mar 1, 2007

I would go with "Weathered Leaves," because it sounds more unique than the others. It's true that a publisher may change your title, but you still want something grabby/exciting enough to persuade an agent to look deeper.

Tallymark · Mar 1, 2007

Weathered Leaves has an interesting ring to it to me. The others aren't very punchy, except maybe Impressions.What about cutting the second one and making it into Without Absolution? I dunno, basically you just want to pick something that's short and intriguing. It also depends just what kind of book it is.

Arkie · Mar 1, 2007

The title is obviously important, as is the jacket. You want something that will attract attention of the browsers, whether they're looking through catalogues or bookstores. I remember reading that Hemingway and Steinbeck had difficult coming up with names for their books. Their major book titles came from selections made by their wives or associates, several from the Bible.

The word "redemption" is used a lot in book titles as is "impressions," (type either word in the book title block on Amazon).

I like to think about the tone of the book. Do you want the tone to be happy or somber, or something else? And do you want the title to match the tone?

I would have to go with "Weathered Leaves," if restricted to choices given, not knowing the tone.

johnzakour · Mar 1, 2007

Dani Dunn said:
Weathered Leaves
A Novel By Dani Dunn

This is my favorite also, but I would "A Novel..." out of the Byline.

But Marp. is correct, titles are minor and can easily be changed by agents and then publishers.

davids · Mar 1, 2007

agree with john and marp-but to choose a title one should have an idea of the work in question-without having that knowledge myself I might go with the last two-good luck-Dave

ebenstone · Mar 1, 2007

It seems redundant to say that I'd need to have some idea of what the story is about before giving it a title, though I usually give my work a title before I start writing it.

AllieB · Mar 1, 2007

I like Weathered Leaves and Impressions.

Dani Dunn · Mar 1, 2007

ebenstone said:
It seems redundant to say that I'd need to have some idea of what the story is about before giving it a title, though I usually give my work a title before I start writing it.

It had a title. I don't like the title anymore. I don't think it fully captures the essence of the book.

Judg · Mar 1, 2007

Dani Dunn said:
It had a title. I don't like the title anymore. I don't think it fully captures the essence of the book.

From what I've read on these boards, publishers will change the title a good half of the time. And their main concern will be enticing buyers, not capturing essences.

Personally, I'm pleased to know that titles are so likely to change. I'm not good at choosing them either, so it relieves a potential source of pressure.

But for what it's worth, I liked Weathered Leaves the best too. It stands out more.

Vomaxx · Mar 1, 2007

"Weathered Leaves" will make people instinctively wonder if it's a misprint for "withered leaves". This might or might not be a good thing.

maddythemad · Mar 1, 2007

So, all of these are JMO. Feel free to ignore.

Weathered Leaves
A Novel By Dani Dunn Eh, this one is okay. I like the sound of "weathered leaves," but I'm not sure if it's really "punchy" enough for a title. It's not exactly the kind of thing I'd pick off the shelf going, "Wow! What could this be about?"

Redemption Without Absolution Doesn't really work for me.
A Novel By Dani Dunn

Seeking Redemption
A Novel By Dani Dunn Yeah, neither does this. I guess I would say that both the "redemption" titles seem a little bit cheesy to me.

Impressions of Mama
A Novel By Dani Dunn I like this one. It's fun sounding and original-- would probably take it off the shelf to get a closer look.

Impressions
A Novel By Dani Dunn

I don't really like one-word titles that much, especially if the word is something like, "Impressions." It just sounds a little... I dunno, I can't quite explain it. But this one is definitely not my fave.

Okay, so keep in mind that I have NO idea what your book is about. But I would say that "Impressions of Mama" is my vote. Let us know what you decide.

maddythemad · Mar 1, 2007

Okay, I see I'm in the minorety here.

Dani Dunn · Mar 1, 2007

Thanks everyone. I still have no idea. I wasn't thinking that Weathered Leaves was so close to Withered Leaves, so now I'm taking that off the list.

jpsorrow · Mar 1, 2007

I didn't even look at what other people have said. My favorite is "Weathered Leaves". The others don't catch my interest, don't make me want to reach down and pick up the book to see what it's about.

Just my opinion.

Enzo · Mar 2, 2007

Redemption Without Absolution is too long and too Latin.
Impressions is too short and, well, doesn't leave much of an impression on me.

While thinking about it, those Weathered Leaves have grown on me, and it looks like a lot of other forum members have the same feeling. It's the nicest title, and the most likely to be remembered days after you've seen it.

alleycat · Mar 2, 2007

If you've taken Weathered Leaves off the list, there's . . .

Fallen Leaves

Autumn Leaves

The Last Leaf

When the Leaves Fall

True Impressions or False Impressions

Impressions Once Removed

Impressions Remembered

A Time Recalled or A Season Recalled (Remembered)

The Last Impression

Red Leaves is a nice title; but I happen to have that book.

Anthony Ravenscroft · Mar 3, 2007

Stop coming up with titles that might look great on the movie poster. Look at full titles of When Harry Met Sally or Fried Green Tomatoes.

If you can't impress the editor/agent from the first encounter, you might not get any further. Make a title that's strong, catchy, & evocative. Your list of possibilities should all be five to ten words long.

If your title gets you a contract, then it's served its purpose. After it's bought, it'll probably be changed or even tossed out

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