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In Need of a Better Title
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Steve
(new)
Aug 05, 2021 05:16AM
I've written a memoir of my days spent doing police motorcycle escorts for funeral processions, a very little known niche job. I've had a working title for it for ages, but know there's something more catchy and memorable out there. Could anyone offer up some ideas?
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That's an interesting take. Thanks!And I'm glad you think it's interesting. People keep asking me what's my demographic and it's hard not to say, "People who like interesting stories?" It's definitely not just for people who ride motorcycles.
I like the title Motorcycling with Death. It would spark my interest. And yes, it does sound interesting.
I like where Geo is heading (and I like the suggestion). Depending on the tone you're taking on with the memoir, here are some other options to play off of:(1) Confessions of a Police Escort: Insights into Final Funeral Processions
(2) Their Final Procession: Insights into Police Escorts for Funeral Processions
(3) As the Crow Flies: Insights into Police Escorts for Final Funeral Processions
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Edit: After looking at your book cover, I think Geo's suggestion would work best!
Hehe, I wasn't even thinking about motocycles. But I have never heard of police escorts on funerals, maybe, saw only in movies and didn't pay attention.
I also want to thank you, Steve, for your services. It's an odd, surreal feeling being in that procession for a loved one who's gone, and just having someone look out so all of us could stay together during that time... it's a lot. So, yes, thank you.
Wow, thank you. It was my pleasure, with the exception of pouring rain, which it was about half the time in Portland.
As The Crow Flies is a gem. Love it. Will kick that around some. Geo's suggestion got me to thinking, how about:Death and Motorbikes - Adventures in Police Funeral Escorts
^^ You're very welcome. Now, with Death and Motorbikes, that initial part of the title could make it seem like the book is going to be about death caused by motorbikes (meaning, readers who are passing through a list of books might get the wrong first impression and not reach the subtitle of "Adventures in Police Funeral Escorts").By the way, what tone does the memoir hold overall? Humorous?
Good insight. The overall tone is one of humor and the struggles and ups and downs of doing such work. It's never meant to be outright funny, but I do have a humorous perspective. It's understandably about mortality, what it's like to be perceived as a cop when you're really a civilian and what that feels like, and what it's like to go from a riding novice to a much higher skill level.
My thoughts on the title for now are still brewing, I like Death and Motorbikes, or something like that, something catchy, simple and memorable. Geo's suggestion was great food for thought, but it sounds like a college thesis, too on the nose and almost clinical. Other title ideas I had before I made the original post were:
Dying to Ride
Shifting Into 5th
Rides in Passing
Riding the Rocket (working title)
I like Shifting into 5th the most. My only hesitation with that (and the other options) is it doesn't immediately give an impression of what the memoir is about—but maybe the subtitle would be enough to help with that...?
Isabelle wrote: "I like Shifting into 5th the most. Steve Edwards:
I like that one too, but it comes into conflict with the fact that most processions are really slow and we rarely get into fifth gear.
Tombstones and Motorbikes might come off too dry. How about something along the lines of Ride to the Grave?
To me, THE TOMBSTONE EXPRESS seems more fitting for a great fantasy (middle grade or YA). But let's see what others think.
Hi, Steve, You wrote me a DM, but your account settings do not allow me to answer. Plz, change them!





