I really like cool titles. Some people say that a title should be simple, and some people say that they should be witty, and some people say that…well, you get the point. I never feel comfortable about a book until I have the perfect title (or, at least my idea of the perfect title) picked for it. My agent and I talked a little about the manuscript that she’s shopping around, and we decided to go with my original title of the book. I actually submitted the manuscript to her with a different, darker title, but she liked the original one better (so did I). Of course, I’m not going to reveal the title (you know how authors are with their silly superstitions), but I will list a few contemporary YA novels that I think have great titles.
An Abundance of Katherines – Okay, so I don’t even know what the book is about, but I love the title. That being said, I loved Looking for Alaska, and I have the feeling that I’ll love anything that John Green writes, even if it’s a grocery list. The title screams witty, funny, and charming. I really wish I was going to BEA in Washington so I could get my hands on a galley.
Stargirl – This is a perfect example of a simple title that works really well (I will admit that I think the cover had a lot to do with the charm of the book as well). Stargirl (aka Susan) is, well, a stargirl. I don’t know if there’s another title that would be better for the book.
Teach Me – The title really tells a lot about the book. The title implies that the book is a little dark, a little naughty…it sounds forbidden.
Life is Funny – So, I don’t know how much this title actually applies to the book, but I love the passage in which the title is quoted in the book. I guess if I were a scholar, I could say that the book teaches you that life doesn’t always end up how you’d want or how you’d imagine it, sort of like “Life is Funny” as in “Life is Strange” or “Life is Unpredictable.” But then again, the only English class I took in college was Technical Writing, so I’m no where close to being a scholar.
A Red Polka Dot In A World Full of Plaid – Hey, don’t act surprised. A little shameless promotion never hurt anyone.
I especially liked: When Kambia Elaine Flew in from Neptune. Odd sounding at first, but made so much sense when I read the book.
Even though titles can I change, often my titles are what help me drive the book. Weird, I guess.
And it’s not so much that my title explains what happens in the book, but it sets a tone for the book (for me, at least).
A title I like is “The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things.” It captures the angst of teen girl hood perfectly.
Funny story. I despise those Finding, Chasing, Being ((insert name here)) title’s. My first YA is a coming of age novel and my agent is suggesting Becoming ((insert name)). I almost died.