Is This Title Confusing?

gothicangel · Aug 18, 2012

I am currently beginning to tentatively research my next book, and I've fell in love with the title War-Wolf. It is set in the Second Jewish Revolt [132-5 CE], and my Roman MC's Agnomen is Lupus.

My problem is, would a reader browsing a bookshop confuse it for Edward I's trebuchet?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warwolf

Dave Hardy · Aug 18, 2012

Not me, as I wasn't aware of Ed I's trebuchet. It's not like I'm not a trebuchet fan, I've even got a working scale model I built on top of my bookshelf. But clearly there are bigger treb-heads out there.

Siri Kirpal · Aug 18, 2012

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

Hadn't heard of it either.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

benbenberi · Aug 18, 2012

"War-Wolf" does not make me think of either Edward I or the Jewish Revolt (or Romans generally), even now that you tell me it should.

If it suggests anything to me, it's something Viking or generic barbarian.

gothicangel · Aug 19, 2012

Thanks!

Glad it's just me [took several classes in Scottish History and Uni]

gothicangel · Aug 19, 2012

benbenberi said:
"War-Wolf" does not make me think of either Edward I or the Jewish Revolt (or Romans generally), even now that you tell me it should.

If it suggests anything to me, it's something Viking or generic barbarian.

You know, The Wolf of Rome [Rome's protector], Romulus and Remus?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitoline_Wolf

Plus a little creative word play on my part.

Lil · Aug 19, 2012

I'm afraid it makes me think paranormal (werewolf) more than anything. Neither Romans nor trebuchets spring to mind.

flapperphilosopher · Aug 19, 2012

A substantial part of my honour's thesis was set during the wars between the Welsh, Scots, and Edward I... and I've never heard of it (it was social history, not military, so don't worry, I did research!), so, yeah, I don't think your average browser is going to think of it...

Eddyz Aquila · Aug 21, 2012

I love the name, and although I knew about King Edward's trebuchet, it didn't lead me to it.

But the name sounds so good, use it!

gothicangel · Aug 21, 2012

Eddyz Aquila said:
I love the name, and although I knew about King Edward's trebuchet, it didn't lead me to it.

But the name sounds so good, use it!

Cheers.

frimble3 · Aug 21, 2012

gothicangel said:
You know, The Wolf of Rome [Rome's protector], Romulus and Remus?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitoline_Wolf

Plus a little creative word play on my part.

Trouble is, when I think of the Capitoline Wolf, I think of a protective nursing mother, not war. I get that Northern vibe as well, and definitely not the trebuchet. Once I knew that the MC's name was Lupus, it would seem a better choice for a title.

DianeL · Aug 23, 2012

Gothicangel, it may not be what you want to hear, but I go to the same place some others have mentioned with this title, it definitely doesn't feel Roman in a mainstream-impressions way, nor evoke anything about the Jews of the period. I like the idea of a play on words, but War Wolf sounds like a ship to me, or benbenberi's more northerly evocation.

gothicangel · Aug 24, 2012

DianeL said:
Gothicangel, it may not be what you want to hear, but I go to the same place some others have mentioned with this title, it definitely doesn't feel Roman in a mainstream-impressions way, nor evoke anything about the Jews of the period.

That is exactly what I'm going for, shift readers out of their preconceptions. Interestingly, a Rosemary Sutcliff title is Frontier Wolf, refering to a Roman Soldier MC.

Lil · Aug 24, 2012

gothicangel said:
That is exactly what I'm going for, shift readers out of their preconceptions. Interestingly, a Rosemary Sutcliff title is Frontier Wolf, refering to a Roman Soldier MC.

Well, that sounds nice, but it assumes people are going to pick up the book in the first place. They might not pick up a book called War Wolf if they want something about the Romans.

You can't go by what Rosemary Sutcliff did because people picked up her books because they were by Rosemary Sutcliff.

Incidentally, I wouldn't worry too much about the title until you have a publisher. The marketing department has a lot to say on that particular topic.

gothicangel · Aug 25, 2012

Lil said:
Well, that sounds nice, but it assumes people are going to pick up the book in the first place. They might not pick up a book called War Wolf if they want something about the Romans.

You can't go by what Rosemary Sutcliff did because people picked up her books because they were by Rosemary Sutcliff.

It's not actually the first book that carries the idea. I have actually tried the idea out on Roman academics and the love it, the Capitoline Wolf was called 'The Protector of Rome.'

DianeL · Aug 25, 2012

Subverting expectations may be interesting, but if from a marketing standpoint a publisher feels what you're accomplishing instead is pitching to the wrong audience, or turning away the right one, they will change the title for you. It's not that such a thing can't work, but be prepared for the possibility that the gamble won't be yours to take. Whatever we say here, the fact is this is an industry, and the publishing industry still has to work with sales.

The opinions here may not mean anything, practically speaking; you just never know until it's really time for parties to sign on a dotted line. Titles are often casualties over time, so go with what you believe in regardless of our polling here - and then trust what the professionals you commit to work with have to say.

Eddyz Aquila · Aug 28, 2012

gothicangel said:
That is exactly what I'm going for, shift readers out of their preconceptions. Interestingly, a Rosemary Sutcliff title is Frontier Wolf, refering to a Roman Soldier MC.

Frontier Wolf has a more Roman/edge of Roman Empire sound and feel to it, because of the "wolves" that fought on the fringes of the empire, both Roman and foe (Germanic tribes mainly)

caffeine · Aug 28, 2012

The title is fine and while it's not my area of historical expertise, I haven't heard of Warwolf the trebuchet. The only trebuchet name I know about is 'Bad Neighbor', and that was because of Age of Empires II.

feath · Aug 29, 2012

Besides the good advice that the title maybe changed, take into account the cover picture. A bunch of Roman dudes fighting could have the title "fairy princess" and still get across the fact its about Romans.

romperstomper · Aug 29, 2012

Lil said:
I'm afraid it makes me think paranormal (werewolf) more than anything. Neither Romans nor trebuchets spring to mind.

+1. I think of either a warring werewolf or werewolves warring against each other.

DianeL · Aug 29, 2012

My understanding is that titles are changed pretty routinely. I like the title for my own work, and suspect it'll survive just because it fits, it expresses something, and has punch - but if it were changed or I didn't have dictatorial creative control over that, the cover, and everything else I would simply have to trust the people I commit to work with, and their expertise. I tend to be somewhat pragmatic about my writing; as much as it *excites* me, I don't feel protective of it in the sense that either I think I alone know best nor that The Market is some sort of dirty influence I must endure for the sake of my creation. I eagerly seek commercial viability, even as I cherish zero expectations (nor desires) of being the next Potter franchise. There's a point to which you have to let your work live out from under your wing, as a writer. Often, the first thing to go is your title.

Is This Title Confusing?

gothicangel

Toughen up.

Dave Hardy

Don't let your deal go down,

Siri Kirpal

Swan in Process

benbenberi

practical experience, FTW

gothicangel

Toughen up.

gothicangel

Toughen up.

Lil

flapperphilosopher

Eddyz Aquila

Noob Writers United

gothicangel

Toughen up.

frimble3

Heckuva good sport

DianeL

gothicangel

Toughen up.

Lil

gothicangel

Toughen up.

DianeL

Eddyz Aquila

Noob Writers United

caffeine

feath

Is the goldfish koi?

romperstomper

DianeL