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Writing Advice & Discussion > In Need of a Better Title

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message 1: by Steve (new)

Steve Edwards | 12 comments 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?


message 2: by Darya Silman (new)

Darya Silman (geothepoet) Motorcycling with death: insights into police escorts for funeral processions


message 3: by Darya Silman (new)

Darya Silman (geothepoet) And, by the way, it seems like an interesting topic to read about!


message 4: by Steve (new)

Steve Edwards | 12 comments 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.


message 5: by V.M. (new)

V.M. Sang (aspholessaria) | 59 comments I like the title Motorcycling with Death. It would spark my interest. And yes, it does sound interesting.


message 6: by Isabelle (last edited Aug 05, 2021 06:54AM) (new)

Isabelle (isabelle_reads) | 20 comments 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!


message 7: by Darya Silman (new)

Darya Silman (geothepoet) 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.


message 8: by Isabelle (new)

Isabelle (isabelle_reads) | 20 comments 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.


message 9: by Steve (new)

Steve Edwards | 12 comments Wow, thank you. It was my pleasure, with the exception of pouring rain, which it was about half the time in Portland.


message 10: by Steve (last edited Aug 05, 2021 07:31AM) (new)

Steve Edwards | 12 comments 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


message 11: by Isabelle (last edited Aug 05, 2021 07:40AM) (new)

Isabelle (isabelle_reads) | 20 comments ^^ 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?


message 12: by Steve (new)

Steve Edwards | 12 comments 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.


message 13: by Isabelle (new)

Isabelle (isabelle_reads) | 20 comments That's the exact tone I was picking up. So, what are your thoughts for the title now?


message 14: by laura8759 (new)

laura8759 (takeeachdayonebookatatime) | 76 comments I like geo's suggestion.


message 15: by Steve (new)

Steve Edwards | 12 comments 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)


message 16: by Isabelle (new)

Isabelle (isabelle_reads) | 20 comments 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...?


message 17: by Steve (new)

Steve Edwards | 12 comments How about: Tombstones and Motorbikes
?


message 18: by Steve (new)

Steve Edwards | 12 comments 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.


message 19: by Isabelle (new)

Isabelle (isabelle_reads) | 20 comments Tombstones and Motorbikes might come off too dry. How about something along the lines of Ride to the Grave?


message 20: by Steve (last edited Aug 24, 2021 04:40AM) (new)

Steve Edwards | 12 comments Ride to the Grave is a fresh, interesting thought...

How about this one:

The Tombstone Express (?)


message 21: by Isabelle (new)

Isabelle (isabelle_reads) | 20 comments To me, THE TOMBSTONE EXPRESS seems more fitting for a great fantasy (middle grade or YA). But let's see what others think.


message 22: by Harlyn (new)

Harlyn Dalfnor (harlyndalfnor) | 79 comments Shifting into 5th did it for me. Likes it. Likes it.


message 23: by Darya Silman (new)

Darya Silman (geothepoet) Hi, Steve,

You wrote me a DM, but your account settings do not allow me to answer. Plz, change them!


message 24: by Steve (new)

Steve Edwards | 12 comments Sorry, I'm new to this group and all the options. Think I was able to change the settings to be able to communicate. Please DM me that message again.


message 25: by Terry (new)

Terry | 1 comments Death's Escort, Deathscort


message 26: by Nick (new)

Nick Duberley | 44 comments Ride into the Dust


message 27: by Nick (new)

Nick Duberley | 44 comments 2 wheels and 1 coffin ???


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