I love hearing about this process. I know you will end up loving whatever the title will be (and so will we all, because it will be the title of *your* book!!!)
Personally, I love How to Tune a Songbird and The Mechanics of Birdsong. They make me most interested in picking the book up to see what it's about and if I'd like it.
Some of my favorites too! The marketing meeting for my book netted a version of one of our shortlist titles that is now THE title. After all the thinking and musing, it was scary and exciting to narrow it down to one. I feel certain that the one the Lanternfish team championed is the correct title for the book and will make people want to pick it up. I will share when my publicist says I can!
What good ideas for finding just the right title for your book. My working title has received both yeas and nays; I expect to be on the hunt, too and will use your method of doing the research, making the list and throwing everything against the wall and seeing what sticks. PS My favorite of your suggested: THE MECHANICS OF BIRDSONG.
It's such a big process--between letting go of a working title, and letting new ideas fill the empty space. My working title was on the shortlist, still, but didn't get chosen as the final title. I'll reveal it once I get the go-ahead from my publicist!
It made me so anxious writing about being in the middle of the process, but I always tell my authors to enjoy each part, to be wholly present for each step. So here I am, in the throes, right there with you. Good luck figuring yours out!
I always get too attached to my WIP titles, and then have to practice detachment when the powers that be have other ideas.
I absolutely love the idea of Title Gardening. So much metaphor. The composting, the surprise element, the brief forays into disappointment, and then, once the title has blossomed into its final form, the harvesting. Picking the book with its final title and cover off a shelf in a bookstore and savoring it.
For the record, I still love The Serinette. But all things birdsong are truly lovely as well.
As one of the powers that be, changing a title has always felt like possibility and joy, like really digging into the content and then finding a phrase to communicate how amazing the book is. But as an author, I have definitely felt too attached! And the stakes are so high with titles, aren't they? Thank you so much for your input on the first list. We may end up circling back to one of those, or spiraling toward something completely different. It's exciting and scary to be here. I know how my authors feel now!
As a writer, I feel I'm terrible at titles. But as a reader, for my newsletter Oenobooks (excuse the plug), titles are my second line of decision. Usually, I've read an early review or know of the author somehow, something, and then I add said book to my list. But when going back to the list to decide, that's when reading the title can really make a difference. Something has to stop me and say 'this one', so that I investigate more. But I also think that many readers never read reviews, do choose by title and jacket copy. I know my adult daughters do.
So that said, of all your title ideas, the one that stopped me was Canary Song. Why? Because I've known people who keep canaries, both in Iran and here. So Canary attracted me. And song is odd. People I've know have tried, and failed, to train their birds. So Canary Song made me really curious.
I love hearing your perspective on where a book's title really matters to you. Not at first, making the list, but when you are deciding which to pursue, which to actually spend time with. Canary Song is such an elegant option. My agent suggested that one! I have no idea if any of these will make the final cut, become THE title, but it's so cool to hear your thoughts and have a conversation about the options! Thank you, Mary.
The one thing that's really struck me on this side of the equation is how scary it can be to let go of an old title, one that's been with you for a long time. Especially when you don't have a pocket full of other options. But making the lists has been a reassuring and joyous creative process. One that has brought me back into my novel from a different standpoint.
I love hearing about this process. I know you will end up loving whatever the title will be (and so will we all, because it will be the title of *your* book!!!)
Personally, I love How to Tune a Songbird and The Mechanics of Birdsong. They make me most interested in picking the book up to see what it's about and if I'd like it.
Some of my favorites too! The marketing meeting for my book netted a version of one of our shortlist titles that is now THE title. After all the thinking and musing, it was scary and exciting to narrow it down to one. I feel certain that the one the Lanternfish team championed is the correct title for the book and will make people want to pick it up. I will share when my publicist says I can!
I can't wait to know!! So exciting, Laura!
What good ideas for finding just the right title for your book. My working title has received both yeas and nays; I expect to be on the hunt, too and will use your method of doing the research, making the list and throwing everything against the wall and seeing what sticks. PS My favorite of your suggested: THE MECHANICS OF BIRDSONG.
It's such a big process--between letting go of a working title, and letting new ideas fill the empty space. My working title was on the shortlist, still, but didn't get chosen as the final title. I'll reveal it once I get the go-ahead from my publicist!
We'll look forward to that.
I'm in the throes of coming up with a new working title - it's encouraging to know I'm not the only one struggling!
It made me so anxious writing about being in the middle of the process, but I always tell my authors to enjoy each part, to be wholly present for each step. So here I am, in the throes, right there with you. Good luck figuring yours out!
Thank you!
I always get too attached to my WIP titles, and then have to practice detachment when the powers that be have other ideas.
I absolutely love the idea of Title Gardening. So much metaphor. The composting, the surprise element, the brief forays into disappointment, and then, once the title has blossomed into its final form, the harvesting. Picking the book with its final title and cover off a shelf in a bookstore and savoring it.
For the record, I still love The Serinette. But all things birdsong are truly lovely as well.
As one of the powers that be, changing a title has always felt like possibility and joy, like really digging into the content and then finding a phrase to communicate how amazing the book is. But as an author, I have definitely felt too attached! And the stakes are so high with titles, aren't they? Thank you so much for your input on the first list. We may end up circling back to one of those, or spiraling toward something completely different. It's exciting and scary to be here. I know how my authors feel now!
As a writer, I feel I'm terrible at titles. But as a reader, for my newsletter Oenobooks (excuse the plug), titles are my second line of decision. Usually, I've read an early review or know of the author somehow, something, and then I add said book to my list. But when going back to the list to decide, that's when reading the title can really make a difference. Something has to stop me and say 'this one', so that I investigate more. But I also think that many readers never read reviews, do choose by title and jacket copy. I know my adult daughters do.
So that said, of all your title ideas, the one that stopped me was Canary Song. Why? Because I've known people who keep canaries, both in Iran and here. So Canary attracted me. And song is odd. People I've know have tried, and failed, to train their birds. So Canary Song made me really curious.
Good luck. Thanks for sharing your process.
I love hearing your perspective on where a book's title really matters to you. Not at first, making the list, but when you are deciding which to pursue, which to actually spend time with. Canary Song is such an elegant option. My agent suggested that one! I have no idea if any of these will make the final cut, become THE title, but it's so cool to hear your thoughts and have a conversation about the options! Thank you, Mary.
Working on this very thing, Laura. Thanks for the inspiration.
The one thing that's really struck me on this side of the equation is how scary it can be to let go of an old title, one that's been with you for a long time. Especially when you don't have a pocket full of other options. But making the lists has been a reassuring and joyous creative process. One that has brought me back into my novel from a different standpoint.