A question of titles

[MrDisco88]

Actually I suppose it's two queries, one general, one specific.

What have been your processes for finding a good title for your novels? Was it something that just came to you, or did you work at it (and if so, how?).

I submitted to Pop-Up submissions and received feedback to the effect that my title and series title were underwhelming. I have started the process of trying to come up with titles with more impact, and would love to hear any feedback on my current shortlist of suggestions! I have kept the original title in the list as a point of comparison.

The book is Middle-grade. I have decided not to post any information about the novel here at the moment, because I'm looking for feedback on the titles (book and series) in and of themselves, but if it would be more helpful to have that information then let me know and I can put it up here!


Secrets in The Sky
Book 1 of The Tellurian Legacy

Secrets in The Sky
Book 1 of Barnaby Tellurian and the Dark Side Legacy

Moon Shadows
Book 1 of Barnaby Tellurian and the Tranquillity Chronicles

Moon Shadows
Book 1 of the Tellurian Legacy

Secrets in the Sky
Book 1 of the Tellurian Apocalypse

Amber Wolf
Book 1 of the Full Circle

 

[Tim James]

Secrets in The Sky
Book 1 of The Tellurian Legacy - OK

Secrets in The Sky
Book 1 of Barnaby Tellurian and the Dark Side Legacy - too long

Moon Shadows
Book 1 of Barnaby Tellurian and the Tranquillity Chronicles - too long

Moon Shadows
Book 1 of the Tellurian Legacy - OK

Secrets in the Sky
Book 1 of the Tellurian Apocalypse - Best of the lot, maybe combine with "Moon Shadows" rather than "Secrets of the Sky"

Amber Wolf
Book 1 of the Full Circle - Not sure, seems very different from the others

 

[MrDisco88]

Thanks both!

I will have a think about " Secrets in the Sky, Book 1 of the Tellurian Apocalypse" and "Moon Shadows, Book 1 of the Tellurian Apocalypse"

Tim, you are right RE Amber Wolf. This was the original title, and I want to move away from it, but kept it in there as a point of comparison.

 

[Tim James]

Amber Wolf sounds like it might appeal to YA, but it was the Full Circle bit that sounded, ironically, a bit empty, perhaps? Nothing to stir any interest.

 

[Tim James]

BTW I like "Moon Shadows", it reminds me of a Mike Oldfield song.

 

[Carly]

I like:

Secrets in The Sky
Book 1 of The Tellurian Legacy

or

Moon Shadows
Book 1 of the Tellurian Legacy


Good luck with whichever title you choose.

 

[Amber]

I’m no good at titles but I can give you sort of general feedback.

I liked all of them but the word my brain trips over is Tellurian.