Book titles - What jumps out?

by David Shoesmith
27th July 2015

Hi all. I would be really interested in anyone's views (or struggles) with devising a 'killer' title for their book (or if they're aware of any previous posts/discussions on the topic on this site that I could look at). I initially titled my book (about terror attacks in the UK), 'GATEWAY' then binned it as it sounded like a 1980's supermarket chain. I subsequently changed it to 'CRITICAL MASS' so my question is: What image (if any) does that conjure up?

My intention was to create 'urgency and a feeling of an overwhelming onslaught gathering unstoppable momentum but i'm conscious that it could also be interpreted as a really important gathering of a Catholic congregation. You can see my dilemma!. Any views would be appreciated.

Replies

Hijacking of this thread: Grace Gotts, you write that you're a child. I have sent you a "connect" request. NOT because I stalk children on Internet, but because you're here on W&A as a WRITER, and my publishing concern is very interested in the idea of books BY children FOR children. Please get in touch. (Visit http://la-granota.com to confirm that I'm on the level.)

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Jimmy
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Jimmy Hollis i Dickson
02/08/2015

Maybe "[Main character] and the terror attack", Do not criticized me as i am a child

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Grace
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Grace Gotts
31/07/2015

Don't spill the beans in your title.

If you have already written the blurb you may find an idea for a title there.

Also, write down the underlying theme, the tension of your novel in a sentence. That may give you ideas.

Write down in a sentence what your protagonist hopes to achieve by the end of the novel. Ideas may come from that.

I hope that helps.

Good luck.

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Adrian Sroka
27/07/2015