Tuesday, July 8, 2008

What's in a name?

Sometimes titles come with the story. Sometimes it's like pulling teeth without anesthetic trying to find a title. In my experience, there is no in between. Right now, I'm faced with the latter. I have a completed manuscript just aching for a name. I wrote tagline, blurb, warning--all in an attempt to find a title. So far, no joy. So I'm opening up the floor here at Slash & Burn. I want to hear your suggestions based on the aforementioned tagline, blurb, and warning. No suggestion is too silly, too bawdy, too schlocky, too snarky, too purple. Hell, my first novel was named by one of my beta readers with the accompanying statement that "it's better than nothing". Which it was, since it made it to publication. I'll even sweeten the pot, shall I? When I sell the thing (I'm practising my positive thinking.), if it goes to print with the title you suggested, you'll get a free download. Sound fair? All right. Here's what I've got.

Title: (You tell me...)
Author: Maia Strong
Genre: M/M erotic fantasy romance

When internal conflict is mirrored by civil unrest, Jonas must choose between truth and safety.

On the surface, Jonas Vaneau's life is perfectly ordinary. He works at the law courts five days week, spends Sabbath night with his parents and every other night with his cat, and tolerates the unending string of single women his mother invites to Sabbath dinner. But his routine life cannot provide what he most desires—at least not as long as he must continue to pretend to be the person his overbearing parents want him to be.

An unusual encounter with a seemingly ordinary client causes Micah Hartshorn considerable consternation. When Jonas inadvertently and inexplicably breezes right past his emotional defenses, Micah finds himself involved in a drama that is far beyond anything for which his professional skills have prepared him. Figuring out this new puzzle isn't in his plans—especially not when he has his own issues to deal with both at home and at work.

All personal problems are swept up in political unrest when new laws change daily life for everyone in the city. Conflict grows among a population divided by new policies. What chance does one legal journeyman have to fix the city's troubles when he can't even fix his own?

Warning: This book contains drinking, sex, language, politics, and organized religion; nine-year-old civil rights activists; legalized prostitution; and foreign food.

So... Help?

7 comments:

Amanda Young said...

How about High Tension? It was the first thing that sprang to mind. :)

K.A. Mitchell said...

Ooooo. Amanda's got a good one there. I suck at titles. I can't even come up with a working title for the book I'm working on now.

Maia Strong said...

K.A., I feel your pain. I finished the rough draft of this novel months ago--like over six months ago.

Amanda, that is a good one! Esp. since that also incorporates the fact that it's high summer and the heat makes for added tension. You're good!

Anyone else have anything to add? I'll take 'em all.

JenB said...

Okay, this isn't creative at all...it's straight out of the first line...but how about TRUTH AND SAFETY?

I like coming up with titles. Most of mine end up being cheesy porn titles, but still...fun!

Maia Strong said...

JenB, no porn title is too cheesy for me right now. I'm adding your suggestion to my list. I can call it a list now that I have more than one, right? ;)

Kate Davies said...

Obviously, I'm no help at all, considering I have to beg for title help myself on a regular basis. How about a legal term? Or something like "Client Privileges" (which is a bit of a double entendre, too)? Or, piggybacking on JenB, Truth and Consequences?

I dunno. I'll give it some more thought and see what I come up with. Good luck!

Maia Strong said...

Hey, Kate, just discovered your comment. (Yeah, I'm that scattered and behind on things.) I really like "Client Privileges". It hits a lot of good notes in my mind. ;)

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