Traci Borum's Blog, page 10
March 8, 2014
New Book Title!
When the publisher suggested that my book needed a new title, I panicked a little. I had already spent hours coming up with the current one, and now I needed to go through that process all over again. Eek!
Choosing a title is hard. It's a bit like trying to write poetry (which is not my forte). It involves choosing just the right words, in the right order. And it requires brevity. A title can't be too wordy. I also didn't want it to be cheesy or abstract or overly-quirky.
So, that night, I spent about four hours skimming through all 400 pages of my novel (I had just gone through content edits, so I practically knew the whole book by heart). I was looking for symbols, descriptions, dialogue -- a phrase that not only sounded good, but that also had something to do with the themes or tone of the book.
I came up with a list of about 40 possibilities (and also enlisted the help of friends and family, so add about 30 more to the mix!).
(By the way, you know how saying the same word over and over again, or looking at the same word over and over again, can render the word useless/meaningless? Yeah, that happens a little when you're looking at a list of titles, too).
Next, I spent a couple more hours checking out my enormous list of titles on Amazon, making sure they weren't already taken as other book titles. Alas, about half of them were (I lost several titles that were in my Top 10).
Finally, I whittled the rest down to about 20, sent them off to my publisher, and waited. She was getting the input of a couple of her editors. A few hours later, I got an email saying they'd all agreed on one title in particular. Thank goodness it was my top choice. I'm so excited!
Here's the new title -- drumroll............
Painting the Moon
I think it's simple, but layered, and it feels a little bit quirky. In the novel, there are lots of "painting/art" references (one of the characters is a famous recluse artist), and there's a scene between the two main characters that involves the moon.
So, I'm happy with the new title. And more than anything, I can't wait to see it on a cover!
Choosing a title is hard. It's a bit like trying to write poetry (which is not my forte). It involves choosing just the right words, in the right order. And it requires brevity. A title can't be too wordy. I also didn't want it to be cheesy or abstract or overly-quirky.
So, that night, I spent about four hours skimming through all 400 pages of my novel (I had just gone through content edits, so I practically knew the whole book by heart). I was looking for symbols, descriptions, dialogue -- a phrase that not only sounded good, but that also had something to do with the themes or tone of the book.
I came up with a list of about 40 possibilities (and also enlisted the help of friends and family, so add about 30 more to the mix!).
(By the way, you know how saying the same word over and over again, or looking at the same word over and over again, can render the word useless/meaningless? Yeah, that happens a little when you're looking at a list of titles, too).
Next, I spent a couple more hours checking out my enormous list of titles on Amazon, making sure they weren't already taken as other book titles. Alas, about half of them were (I lost several titles that were in my Top 10).
Finally, I whittled the rest down to about 20, sent them off to my publisher, and waited. She was getting the input of a couple of her editors. A few hours later, I got an email saying they'd all agreed on one title in particular. Thank goodness it was my top choice. I'm so excited!
Here's the new title -- drumroll............
Painting the Moon
I think it's simple, but layered, and it feels a little bit quirky. In the novel, there are lots of "painting/art" references (one of the characters is a famous recluse artist), and there's a scene between the two main characters that involves the moon.
So, I'm happy with the new title. And more than anything, I can't wait to see it on a cover!
Getting Closer...
Over the holidays, I went through the tedious-but-necessary process of content edits for my novel. I approached it with an open mind and was glad I did. Lots of changes were suggested (mostly regarding the timeline of plot events) and I agreed to all of them. Hard work, with several "passes" between myself and my editor. Finally, after several weeks, we had our clean copy.
My biggest relief was that my editor "got" my book. Even with her suggestions, she never attempted to change the tone, or the characters themselves. HUGE relief. This book, even after content editing, still feels very much like "mine."
And now, off to line edits it goes...
In the meantime, I've had to come up with a new title ( that was a challenge!) so it can be sent off for a cover.
Next will be line edits, proofs, a finalized cover, and...I think that's it. No release date yet, but we're getting closer.
My biggest relief was that my editor "got" my book. Even with her suggestions, she never attempted to change the tone, or the characters themselves. HUGE relief. This book, even after content editing, still feels very much like "mine."
And now, off to line edits it goes...
In the meantime, I've had to come up with a new title ( that was a challenge!) so it can be sent off for a cover.
Next will be line edits, proofs, a finalized cover, and...I think that's it. No release date yet, but we're getting closer.
September 22, 2013
I Won Something!
A few months ago, I decided to enter my newest novel into a writing contest (my first writing contest ever, eek). I followed the instructions diligently, polished up my chapter, then submitted it along with a blurb, and clicked, "Send."
Then I forgot about it.
Well, today I received news that I actually won second place for Contemporary Romance. Really?!?
What made this particularly satisfying is that I wrote this novel last semester, on every "free" Saturday I had (I'm a teacher and a "free" day isn't very common, ha). On top of that, it had been a requested novel--a major publisher had asked me to write something geared toward its new imprint. So, I did, ecstatic. And I submitted the first three chapters. And I waited and waited and waited. And finally, I got a response. Rejection. *sigh* I knew it was certainly possibility, a rejection--there was no guarantee they would publish it--but still, I was hopeful. And then I was crushed.
So fast forward all these months later, to this unexpected "win" of that same rejected book. And I don't feel quite so crushed anymore... :-)
Then I forgot about it.
Well, today I received news that I actually won second place for Contemporary Romance. Really?!?
What made this particularly satisfying is that I wrote this novel last semester, on every "free" Saturday I had (I'm a teacher and a "free" day isn't very common, ha). On top of that, it had been a requested novel--a major publisher had asked me to write something geared toward its new imprint. So, I did, ecstatic. And I submitted the first three chapters. And I waited and waited and waited. And finally, I got a response. Rejection. *sigh* I knew it was certainly possibility, a rejection--there was no guarantee they would publish it--but still, I was hopeful. And then I was crushed.
So fast forward all these months later, to this unexpected "win" of that same rejected book. And I don't feel quite so crushed anymore... :-)
June 27, 2013
Publication Announcement!
It's official
After a long, tedious, frustrating journey toward publication, the time has come. I signed a contract with Red Adept Publishing a couple of weeks ago, and I couldn't be more thrilled! The release of my book (romantic suspense novel) is scheduled for spring of 2014, around April or May. I cannot believe I just got to type those words. Seriously.
I researched Red Adept heavily before submitting my manuscript, and discovered wonderful things about them. And everything else I've learned since signing with them has only impressed me more. They're professional, competent, forward-thinking, and thorough. They care about their reputation and they're building it well, book by book. I've felt extremely welcomed by everyone there. This entire experience has been a blessing, an answered prayer.
I'll be using this page on my site to post updates about things like the cover (<--can't WAIT for that one!), blog tour info, and release dates. How surreal.
Pardon me while I "squeeee"! :-)
After a long, tedious, frustrating journey toward publication, the time has come. I signed a contract with Red Adept Publishing a couple of weeks ago, and I couldn't be more thrilled! The release of my book (romantic suspense novel) is scheduled for spring of 2014, around April or May. I cannot believe I just got to type those words. Seriously.
I researched Red Adept heavily before submitting my manuscript, and discovered wonderful things about them. And everything else I've learned since signing with them has only impressed me more. They're professional, competent, forward-thinking, and thorough. They care about their reputation and they're building it well, book by book. I've felt extremely welcomed by everyone there. This entire experience has been a blessing, an answered prayer.
I'll be using this page on my site to post updates about things like the cover (<--can't WAIT for that one!), blog tour info, and release dates. How surreal.
Pardon me while I "squeeee"! :-)
