One word title

[Glen Wheeler]

I have been told that a one word title of a book is a no go area. Mine is one word. Is this a total fail or should I go with my instincts? and a thumbs up from a friend.
Also, sorry guys I'm the clueless new kid on the block, if my book which I term as a biographical fantasy uses historical characters though for some their outcome changes, then should it be termed instead an historical fantasy? Any input gratefully received.
G

 

[Kitty]

Who told you that?

Take a look around the shelves of your local bookshop - I think you'll find that one word titles are quite popular. If you have a strong single word title that is attention grabbing then go with it. Of course, once you have interest from an agent or publisher the might suggest a change of title but for now I wouldn't worry.

And 'historical fantasy' sounds fine to me.

 

[Glen Wheeler]

Who told you that?

Take a look around the shelves of your local bookshop - I think you'll find that one word titles are quite popular. If you have a strong single word title that is attention grabbing then go with it. Of course, once you have interest from an agent or publisher the might suggest a change of title but for now I wouldn't worry.

And 'historical fantasy' sounds fine to me.

Thanks for your input...

 

[Bluma Bezbroda]

I agree with Kitty. One word can be more powerful than a complicated sentence, so if you found a fitting one stick with it. And, of course, I'm not saying that because two of three of my titles are also one word only

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Stephen King 'Carrie', 'Cujo.' Character name. (Poor rabid dog)

Anya Seton 'Katherine'. (Erm, won't insult anyone, pointing out the obvious.)

'Dragonwyck' Anya Seton. Place name.

There is clearly a place for the one word title.

Historical Fantasy sounds OK to me...looked at these Amazon Fantasy genre headings? Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing: Get help with self-publishing your book to Amazon's Kindle Store

 

[Carol Rose]

Jeez. Who told you that? One word titles have been around a long time.

 

[KG Christopher]

I love Robert Harris

Fatherland
Enigma
Lustrum
Pompeii
Dictator

I do think, though, it seems to be only for well-known publishers, it's going to be harder to pull off if you are a new author.

 

[Glen Wheeler]

I love Robert Harris

Fatherland
Enigma
Lustrum
Pompeii
Dictator

I do think, though, it seems to be only for well-known publishers, it's going to be harder to pull off if you are a new author.

Ok thanks but I will pursue it and Celine is much more emotive Perhaps not

 

[AgentPete]

Quite sexy, in fact. Nicely fits the oblong shape of a book. Finding a memorable one can be tough, tho'.

 

[Nicole Wilson]

Look around the books in your genre. I write thrillers, and one word titles are EVERYWHERE. And, as everyone else has pointed out, other genres use it often as well.

 

[Robinne Weiss]

Quite sexy, in fact. Nicely fits the oblong shape of a book. Finding a memorable one can be tough, tho'.

I agree, but make sure your one word is unique. I had a brilliant one-word title for one of my novels...only to find FIVE other novels with the same one-word title.

 

[KG Christopher]

I agree, but make sure your one word is unique. I had a brilliant one-word title for one of my novels...only to find FIVE other novels with the same one-word title.

Bugolicious?

 

[Robinne Weiss]

Bugolicious?

No. The novel in question hasn't got a single insect in it...

 

[Richard Turner]

I have been told that a one word title of a book is a no go area. Mine is one word. Is this a total fail or should I go with my instincts? and a thumbs up from a friend.
Also, sorry guys I'm the clueless new kid on the block, if my book which I term as a biographical fantasy uses historical characters though for some their outcome changes, then should it be termed instead an historical fantasy? Any input gratefully received.
G

Worked OK for Dick Francis.

 

[Richard Turner]

PS - what's the word?
Where is the Itchen river in your biog.?

 

[Paul Whybrow]

And don't forget Rider Haggard's 'She', though that does have a rarely used subtitle. I'm surprised that hasn't been made into a Hollywood movie for 50 years, considering how much the studios are scraping the bottom of the barrel with superhero flicks.

 

[KG Christopher]

And don't forget Rider Haggard's 'She', though that does have a rarely used subtitle. I'm surprised that hasn't been made into a Hollywood movie for 50 years, considering how much the studios are scraping the bottom of the barrel with superhero flicks.

I love the film, never read the book, I think its Ursula Andreas? in the lead role, Bernard Cribbins?

Tonight I am watching Lawrence of Arabia on a projector in my friends house, looking forward to it.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

S

I love the film, never read the book, I think its Ursula Andreas? in the lead role, Bernard Cribbins?

Tonight I am watching Lawrence of Arabia on a projector in my friends house, looking forward to it.

Strange to think that Lawrence could have been played by Albert Finney, who was director David Lean's first choice. He was a virtual unknown as an actor at the time, yet didn't think the film would be a success, so he turned it down.

 

[Jay Aitch]

Word!

 

[Jay Aitch]

Cheesecake ... or as I almost typed: Cheekcakes

 

[Alistair Roberts]

Dune ! and a zillion more lol

 

[Octopus Messiah]

Trainspotting, anyone?
Perfume?
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban?
Oh, wait, that's seven words...