Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Titles

I'm working on putting together a new short story collection, and I've been thinking a lot about titles. My first two collections were Lowering One's Self Before Fate, and other stories and Marionettes on the Moon, and other stories. In both cases, I used one of the stories in the collection as the main title, but I'm not sure if I want to go that route this time.

So, I thought I'd throw it out for discussion, what sounds better to a reader...a title incorporating one of the stories, something that tries to sum up the theme (although there really isn't one), or something a little more random.

Your feedback is valued...

4 comments:

Keith said...

You have to break out of the standardized naming conventions. A friend called his collection Cyber Tales. An OK title, but not memorable. You have to stand out.

I am putting together an anthology because I need a cheap generic Christmas present for people that show up unannounced around the holidays. I am calling it: "Channeling Murray Leinster". I wanted the title to be the opposite of a Generic title.

Your two previous collections have great non-generic titles that have a good spec-fic kick. It doesn't matter if the anthology title is also a story title unless the story is so great it justifies purchasing the collection.

BTW, almost half the titles that I am including in my anthology were published at SDP.

Mystiqeye said...

I came across your blog by accident when I hit the next button. lol

I just wanted to reply to your question. When I am choosing a book to buy or read, the title of the book is what catches my eye but if I get the book and the title has nothing to do with what is in it, I will just put it back.

So, I guess in my prospective I would want a title that leaves me wanting to read to find out more.

Good luck.

J Alan Erwine said...

Thanks for your feedback. Anyone else?

Cellophane Queen said...

If you've got a good story title for the collection, then use it. Sometimes the simplest solution is also best.

If there are no memorable, distinctive story titles, maybe you should change them. Not set in stone are they?

Without a unifying theme, the only thing I could think of is "The Best of J Alan Erwine"

Man, I'm not help!