Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Title query

This is topic Title query in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by thexmedic (Member # 2844) on :

Hi. Long time since I posted. I've been busy writing. No, honest...

Anyway, I've actually been so busy writing my fantasy novel, it's getting to the point where I'm going to have to decide on a title pretty soon.

Right now I have the working title of "Unbeliever" and it's by far the best title I've come up with so far (in my defence I suck at titles). But I'm worried that it's not a viable option because of "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant: The Unbeliever" by Stephen R. Donaldson (apologies of any misspellings there).

My 2nd option is: "In the Seraph's Shadow" (Seraphs are creatures in the books). The main problem with that one is its suckiness. It just feels cheesy and cliched and that's the thing I'm trying to avoid.

Could I get away with 'Unbeliever'? Any advice?

Thanks.

Posted by Ezekiel (Member # 3264) on :

Yeah you could get away with that,but may I suggest something like "Shadows of the Seraph" or "Shadow of the Seraph:The Unbeliver"(Sorry for Spelling!!) Or even going into a more mythological "Biblesque phrase- "The Wings of the Seraph" Anyways you can use "The Unbeliver" but I hope my suggestions help in some way!

Posted by pantros (Member # 3237) on :

Going for a unique title is like trying for a unique color.

If the title fits the story, go with it. If the publisher thinks a better title is in order after you sell the story, then change it.

The title is not going to a determining factor in whether or not you sell a story. Everyone see the title as something that can be changed on a whim.

Personally, I think 'The Seraph's Shadow' is a better title as long as your seraphs are high servants of the gods(archangels) or something similar. Otherwise you would be using a familiar term to sell your story as something that its not.

Posted by autumnmuse (Member # 2136) on :

I've been advised against one-word titles unless they are unique or make a reader stand up and take notice. In my opinion "Unbeliever" does not fit that requirement. However, if it truly is appropriate for your work, then go ahead.

I've gotten much better at titles recently, at least I hope. I used to use one word titles a lot, but I'm trying to stay away from that more now.

Though, compound words are a little different. My first two novels will be called "Outleaf" and "Maidencrone", both of which I hope are unique enough to stand out, and the shortness of them might be in their favor.

But for short stories, longer titles are almost always better. Thus a story that I might have once called "Raindrops" became "And Raindrops Softly Fell" for example.

Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :

A quick Google search turned up a movie from 1918 called "The Unbeliever" and an essay by Carl Van Doren called "Why I Am an Unbeliever." I would say that Donaldson's use of "Unbeliever" in the title of a fantasy series does not preclude your use of it for a fantasy novel---but settling on a final title should wait until after sale but before publication. If some editor takes an interest in your novel, it's likely they'll point out Donaldson's use.

Posted by wetwilly (Member # 1818) on :

How about, "The person who did not find believing to be a viable option?"

Posted by wbriggs (Member # 2267) on :

I like "Shadow of the Seraph." "Unbeliever" is dull grey in comparison (to me).

Posted by Constipatron (Member # 3183) on :

I actually like "In the Seraph's Shadow" over "Unbeliever". Though, what if you just shortened it to just "Seraph's Shadow"? That would catch my eye in the store over "In the.."

"Unbeliever" just seems too vague for me. It could imply a lot without giving much to me when I see it on the shelf.
I think the title "hooks" the reader at first, in the store, along with a really good cover. That's the first initial contact the reader has with the book. If it's an unusual name I'm more likely to pick it up, but not so unusual that I can't figure out what it's saying. Obviously, if I can't speak a certain language I'm not going to pick up books in that language, right? I think a good example of a catchy title is is "Xenocide" by OSC. Definitely one of the titles I picked up first when I went to his section. I like the title "Happiness is a Serious Problem" too, that would catch most people's eye, I think.

Posted by Ted Galacci (Member # 3254) on :

try DISBELIEVER

Posted by Ted Galacci (Member # 3254) on :

I hate "The _____ of _____" titles. I always think they were created by spinning pinwheels.