A big thank you to all who participated in the book giveaway! It was fun mailing books to Kentucky, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, and even Canada:) I can hardly wait to do it again come July when I'll be sending out quite a few copies of Courting Morrow Little. So please stay tuned. I might even host another giveaway between now and then.I'm happily working on my third book and have my first ever critique partner who shall remain a mystery because that's the way I think she'd like it:) I can see the value in having someone else read your writing. Even when you try to be very careful with edits you do overlook things. She's also something of an 18th-century historian in her own right so that doesn't hurt:) When I pen something decidedly 19th-century she calls me on it...or will.
So now that I'm back in Roxanna's world, I need some help coming up with a winning title. If you don't remember I once called her book, The Scrivener's Daughter. Most people probably don't know what a scrivener is (or care). And it sounds a bit dull. Like it might gather dust. And I don't want that! Because a locket figures so prominently in the story, I changed the title to The Locket. That sounds a bit better. Kind of intriguing and old-fashioned. But lately I've been wondering if I shouldn't rename it once again. Third time's a charm, as they say. So I'm now calling it, or at least thinking of it as, The Colonel's Lady.
So if you were to wander into a bookstore and saw two books spine-shelved, which would you pick up based on the title?
The Locket
The Colonel's Lady
Maybe neither? Come on now and be honest and tell me. I'd love to know what's rolling around in that reader brain of yours:)
The Colonel's Lady - it sounds more like a historical love story.
ReplyDeleteThe Locket, is a beautiful title, but it isn't as descriptive as TCL.
I hope that helps! I LOVE to give my opinion. :) lol
Oh Stacey, I LOVE to get your opinion as much as you love to get it:) Thanks so much for this. I really like your reasons behind your choice. Score one for The Colonel's Lady!
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely go with The Colonel's Lady. Didn't Richard Paul Evans write a book called The Locket? Not that it should be a determining factor or anything, but TL just sounded like something I'd heard before.
ReplyDeleteAlso - and I know your 3 books aren't a proper trilogy, but I like the way the titles sort of mirror each other - The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel's Lady. #1 & #3 especially - I just like the symmetry, I guess, of having the woman figure in each title.
I vote for The Locket!
ReplyDeleteThe Colonel's Lady makes her sound second-class or at least secondary and in today's world could prick the consciousness of quite a few women that I know...
I second that. I like the sound of The Colonel's Lady. I have read a book called The Locket by Richard Paul Evans who is very popular, but it is not a historical. I tend to think of that when I hear your title. I do like the title, however, but TCL is a little more intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThat's great news on your new critique partner! I hope you have a great working relationship together.
I was sitting there thinking I would definitely choose between The Locket or The Colonel's Lady and then those were the choices. So... I kind of like The Locket better. The Colonel's Lady sounds alright but The Locket is more intriguing, I guess. Honestly, either are better than The Scrivener's Daughter. And both books sound like historical genre books. Also when I'm at the bookstore I usually go by pictures first and then I read the back, so the title is like the third thing I notice.
ReplyDeleteCarla, Thanks so much for chiming in here. I know for a fact that you are good at thinking up titles as I love the ones you've chosen for your own WIP's. So I was curious as to which you would like:) Another vote for TCL!
ReplyDeleteAdge, I know you're a big reader and this helps answer what goes on in a reader's mind when they're looking at books. You said something really important - the cover is what you look at first, then the back blurb, then the title last. A killer cover, or the lack, can really make or break a book! Thanks for your input. One vote for TL:) I do think it sounds intriguing like you said.
ReplyDeleteChris, You are my token male:) And I think you have a valid point! One more for TL!
ReplyDeleteRuth, You read and review so much I'm glad to hear from you. Yes, I think Evan's did write TL and pubs seem to shy away from reusing titles. When I submitted CML it was Red River Daughter which was too much like Lauraine Snelling's Red River series (a very popular one, I might add) so I liked CML much better.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you in that I love symmetry or some common thread even with stand alone books like mine. Another thumbs up for TCL! Bless you!
Seeing the author's name, "LAURA FRANTZ" will serve well enough for me. I'll know what I'm getting :-)
ReplyDeleteBut, as far as just looking at titles, I like THE COLONEL'S LADY best.
Hi, Laura. I'm sure you'll pick the correct title! :) When I read that a locket plays a big part in your next story, it reminded me of finding a delicate silver locket in an antique store. It was beautifully crafted with little flowers and a swirl, and it had the name "Ella" inscribed on it. I tried to imagine who Ella was, who gave her the locket, and what Ella's life must have been like. Surely there was a story behind it! I had to buy it!
ReplyDeleteLinda, If we lived closer we could go antiquing:) Your find sounds wonderful. I, too, love lockets and have 2 very old ones of my great-grandmother's. One has a little church etched on the front and a moon and stars on the back. The other opens to pictures of her husband and herself. And one bears her name, Louise, just like your Ella. By the way, I really like the name Ella:) A good story behind that, indeed!
ReplyDeleteBritt, You are a sweetheart! What a thoughtful thing to say! It means so much to have you for a reader. And now we have another vote for TCL! Bless you:)
ReplyDeleteCan there be a third option? Like, how about "The SOMETHING Locket"? Or maybe "Roxanna's Locket"?
ReplyDeleteI have a favorite antique locket so maybe that's why I can picture a really good cover featuring a locket!
I don't really care for "The Colonel's Lady". It sounds very generic. HOWEVER, I would read anything by YOU, Laura!
I can imagine that it is very difficult to imagine how shoppers in a bookstore would react to a certain title.
I think "The Colonel's Lady" is a good one and I know Paul Evans did write a small book called "The Locket" because I have it.
ReplyDeletemamat2730(at)charter(dot(net)
Mary, Thanks so much for the vote of confidence - I needed that today! I think you're right - it's hard to judge how bookstore shoppers react. I have to agree TCL sounds a bit generic. I love the mystery of TL but it's been overdone, too. Will be interesting to see what Revell comes up with. It's always very different that anything I can think of! I do like Roxanna's Locket very, very much. Hmmm....
ReplyDeleteEdna, Thank you - I'm becoming so curious about Paul Evan's book! We'll cross The Locket off for that reason alone as it sounds like it's also Christian fiction. Bless you today!
ReplyDeleteThe Colonel's Lady sure has a neat ring to it. I'd pick that one!
ReplyDeleteI need to get into your book, Laura. I've been so dissapointment with the LI's I've tried to read that I've had way too long of a rest of reading. Time to pick yours up me thinks.
Eileen, It's wonderful to hear from you. I never have enough time for reading either. And it means a lot that you even want to try my book as I know you write and read more contemporary fiction! I tend toward historicals, no surprise there, I guess, though I did enjoy Susan Meissner's The Shape of Mercy last year. I admire anyone who can write contemp stuff and am amazed at writers who churn out both:) Have a great reading/writing week up there!
ReplyDeleteI prefer the title, "The Locket".
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see what the book finally becomes!
After reading other comments, I see that there is already a book titled The Locket. I like the idea of adding another word to that........ as the suggestion "Roxanna's Locket" or maybe "The Locket's Secret" or the Hidden Locket.
ReplyDelete,,,,,,,,, although I'm not sure that the locket has a secret. It's kinda hard to think up a title without knowing much about the book.
Lisa, So good to hear from you. I really like Roxanna's Locket, too. You and Mary may well be onto something! It is hard to decide on a title without knowing much about the book! Can't wait to find out the official title. Think I'll submit these names and see what happens:)
ReplyDeleteMary got me thinking with her idea of "The SOMETHING Locket." The first that springs to mind is "The Silver Locket." But then, the name of my first novel was The Silver Brooch, so that's probably why. Must say I'm partial to the rhythm of it, so The Silver Locket sounds dandy to me. I'll keep thinking on it though.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there's another option in this somewhere. I'm going to pray for you, Laura. That the absolute perfect title will just fall into your brain and you'll know for sure that's it. Is there another theme you want to bring out?
ReplyDeleteI'm praying...
Oohhh, The Silver Brooch sounds lovely to me:) Even better than The Locket, I think. I must admit I'm dismal at titling books. Glad the final say isn't mine!
ReplyDeleteMyrna, It's wonderful to hear from you - I hope your holidays were merry and blessed! This title business is kind of silly, I guess, but I love to hear what readers think. Am sure it will be changed by my pub once the book is in their hands. Thank heavens for that! I sure treasure your prayers for anything at all. Thank you for that. Praying this year brings you all sorts of unexpected blessings!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment on my WIP titles! I kind of like Mary's idea of Roxanna's Locket. It makes you wonder who Roxanna is and why is her locket important. And as Ruth said, the symetry of having the women figure into the title seems good.
ReplyDeleteQuestion. When you submit the ms do you include all of your title suggestions?
Wow -- have you kept a tally, Laura? Every time I read a comment I'm swayed their way and then the next one is totally opposite but I agree with them as well. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI think I like the idea of The 'Something' Locket. If I was scanning a list of titles I'd be tempted to check out the locket title rather than The Colonel's Lady. The Something Locket sounds intriguing, while The Colonel's Lady sounds a bit ordinary...maybe Recenyish?
When I'm in a bookstore I'm drawn by covers, but I search for favourite authors as well so either way I'll find your book and read it!
Good question, Carla:) When TFD was originally titled Dogwood Winter, my editor asked me for several other titles ideas as readers don't like sad themes or winter, as my working title implied. I'm afraid my other title suggestions didn't make the cut either. The editorial team surprised me mightily when they came up with TFD even though it fits the book to a T. It took me time to get used to it, though. They didn't ask me for extra titles when Red River Daughter came up. But I just love CML as much as I do the cover. And I hope readers do, too!
ReplyDeleteKav, I love hearing what readers think and how they make book selections:) I'm like you and usually go with the cover but do seek out my favorite authors. I'm finding a killer cover can sell a mediocre book while a crummy cover can kill a great one.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tallied but think The_____Locket is winning, or Roxanna's Locket is ahead:) I like all of them, actually! Will be interesting to see what the titling committee comes up with. I sure like Lorna's new title, Making Waves:) Sounds sassy and intriguing and I'd certainly pick it up!
Hello there! Oh, so fun to find your blog. I'm reading your book now, fresh from the library! What a wonderful, wonderful book, right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteAs for titles, I'm thinking "The Locket" sounds very intriguing. I would definitely pick it up!
Heather, So happy to meet you here! And thanks so very much for reading my book! I hope you like Morrow's story just as much.
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for The Locket!
You have two wonderful blogs yourself. I just might have to take up knitting after visiting you over there:) Hats off to Oklahoma artists!!
Laura, if the story involves a strong romantic element, I'd vote for The Colonel's Lady. If, however, the focus is more on Roxanna and her journey, I'd vote for Roxanna's Locket. As you've said, Revell will have final say, so anything you choose is really just a working title.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what the title ends up being, I'll buy your book because of the name on the front cover: Laura Frantz.
Keli, You always inspire me to do my best with your very gracious comments! And you're on Baker's list for my next book so you won't have to order or go the store:) I'll never forget your wonderful interview for me when TFD first came out.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your opinion because you know what makes a book tick. I think the distinction you've made here is very insightful and, based on what you've said, I should probaby call it The Colonel's Lady. For now, anyway. Revell usually has a more fitting title in the end.
BTW, I'm learning a bit from my romance writer friends:) This third story is truly a romance. The hero appears early on in the book (poor Ian waited in the wings for quite awhile). But then I like to think he was worth the wait:)
Bless you today!