Comments on: Your Title is Bad, But You Can Fix It (Part 7) http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/ How to write a superhero book, comic book or superhero novel and get it published Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Wings http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-148705 Wings Thu, 01 Sep 2011 02:05:44 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-148705 I knew what a philosopher's stone was in passing when I started reading HP, but then again I was a fairly unusual kid. Though ANon has a point. It's not the worst title ever, but there are better ones. - Wings I knew what a philosopher’s stone was in passing when I started reading HP, but then again I was a fairly unusual kid.

Though ANon has a point. It’s not the worst title ever, but there are better ones.

- Wings

]]> By: B. McKenzie http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-148651 B. McKenzie Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:29:24 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-148651 I think "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is reasonably effective. The Sorcerer's Stone sounds pretty interesting--more so than Harry Potter, I feel. <br /> (I'm not quite feeling Philosopher's Stone, because I don't think that most readers would know what it is, so it could mislead readers. That feels plausible to me, anyway. However, I don't know of any specific cases where somebody mistook HP-PS for a philosophical book). <br /> I don't feel "Harry Potter" by itself would have made a very interesting title, although that might not be an issue for well-established authors. If you're a less-established author, you probably don't have tens of thousands of people specifically searching for your books and/or recommending them to friends, so I'd imagine that it's more important that your title give readers a good reason to pull it off the shelf. A really effective title is one way to stimulate impulse buys. (Alternately, you might get lucky with some really incredible cover art, but most authors don't have a say there). I think “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is reasonably effective. The Sorcerer’s Stone sounds pretty interesting–more so than Harry Potter, I feel.

(I’m not quite feeling Philosopher’s Stone, because I don’t think that most readers would know what it is, so it could mislead readers. That feels plausible to me, anyway. However, I don’t know of any specific cases where somebody mistook HP-PS for a philosophical book).

I don’t feel “Harry Potter” by itself would have made a very interesting title, although that might not be an issue for well-established authors. If you’re a less-established author, you probably don’t have tens of thousands of people specifically searching for your books and/or recommending them to friends, so I’d imagine that it’s more important that your title give readers a good reason to pull it off the shelf. A really effective title is one way to stimulate impulse buys. (Alternately, you might get lucky with some really incredible cover art, but most authors don’t have a say there).

]]> By: ANon http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-148624 ANon Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:39:11 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-148624 What about: Harry potter and the Philosphers (Sorcerors) Stone? Who's Harry Potter and why should I care. Just saying! Or is this acceptable for YA readers? :D What about: Harry potter and the Philosphers (Sorcerors) Stone?
Who’s Harry Potter and why should I care.
Just saying!
Or is this acceptable for YA readers?
:D

]]> By: Phantom J http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-72364 Phantom J Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:59:04 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-72364 I've written a few short novels (About 100 pages each. I refuse to call thm "novellas". It just sounds demeaning. Like "Ha-ha! Your novel is GIRLY!".) -Prison Break- not based off of the TV show, which I've never seen. It's the first in a trilogy. Two groups of five teenagers attempt to find one another in a machine-run postapocalyptic future. (There are prison-domes involved.) -Prison Break 2: Search for Safety- Ten teenagers attempt to find their parents, while time travel brings two of them into a hunt to the death. -Prison Break 3: Aborting Cibotrix- UNFINISHED. Ten teenagers, two time-travellers, and two MORE time travellers attempt to overthrow the regime of the machines. -Real Life Heroes- A team of teenage superheroes (write what you know...) battle their ancient foe and try to save the Earth five times over. I’ve written a few short novels (About 100 pages each. I refuse to call thm “novellas”. It just sounds demeaning. Like “Ha-ha! Your novel is GIRLY!”.)
-Prison Break- not based off of the TV show, which I’ve never seen. It’s the first in a trilogy. Two groups of five teenagers attempt to find one another in a machine-run postapocalyptic future. (There are prison-domes involved.)
-Prison Break 2: Search for Safety- Ten teenagers attempt to find their parents, while time travel brings two of them into a hunt to the death.
-Prison Break 3: Aborting Cibotrix- UNFINISHED. Ten teenagers, two time-travellers, and two MORE time travellers attempt to overthrow the regime of the machines.
-Real Life Heroes- A team of teenage superheroes (write what you know…) battle their ancient foe and try to save the Earth five times over.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-6717 Anonymous Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:35:29 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-6717 Thanks! I must get back to actually writing now. I appreciate all your helpful advice, and I will certainly take it into account. Thanks! I must get back to actually writing now. I appreciate all your helpful advice, and I will certainly take it into account.

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-6702 B. Mac Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:39:54 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-6702 "Smart but stupid." That sounds like an absolutely excellent premise for a race. “Smart but stupid.”

That sounds like an absolutely excellent premise for a race.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-6695 Anonymous Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:44:47 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-6695 Okay, thank you for your help. I personally thought that I should change some aspect of the Yinyusi, make them more diverse from humans and not basically a Mary Sue of them, but I didn't bother doing it for my project because only my teacher will be reading it. It's mentioned passively in my project that they are a very, well, not evil, but ignorant. Smart but stupid. For example, they want to make life easier so start wars over resources, but end up losing much of the population in city bombings, and thus have less workers to actually manufacture items from the objects they gain. So they start more wars to capture prisoners to do it for them, but end up getting even MORE Yinyusians killed/captured. It's a vicious cycle. As a contrast to this Isaac is more of a greenie and human rights activist. Think charity events and vegan food. This is also due in part to his father having to work in an abattoir to be eligible to foster him. I think the idea about the series of pictures is really good. Why didn't I think of that? I knew I couldn't use my excuse from my project (That the Yinyusi can read from birth), because then Isaac would be the epitome of Gary Stus and people would be chasing him with pitchforks and torches. Thanks for your advice! I'm going to recommend this website to all my friends! Okay, thank you for your help. I personally thought that I should change some aspect of the Yinyusi, make them more diverse from humans and not basically a Mary Sue of them, but I didn’t bother doing it for my project because only my teacher will be reading it. It’s mentioned passively in my project that they are a very, well, not evil, but ignorant. Smart but stupid. For example, they want to make life easier so start wars over resources, but end up losing much of the population in city bombings, and thus have less workers to actually manufacture items from the objects they gain. So they start more wars to capture prisoners to do it for them, but end up getting even MORE Yinyusians killed/captured. It’s a vicious cycle. As a contrast to this Isaac is more of a greenie and human rights activist. Think charity events and vegan food. This is also due in part to his father having to work in an abattoir to be eligible to foster him.

I think the idea about the series of pictures is really good. Why didn’t I think of that? I knew I couldn’t use my excuse from my project (That the Yinyusi can read from birth), because then Isaac would be the epitome of Gary Stus and people would be chasing him with pitchforks and torches.

Thanks for your advice! I’m going to recommend this website to all my friends!

]]> By: Cadet Davis http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-6692 Cadet Davis Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:10:41 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-6692 "The Yinyusi are us, though... more more athletically and intellectually advanced." That strikes me as a <a href=http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/15/problem-characters-homo-superiors/ rel="nofollow">Homo Superior.</a> It may help to flesh out his species beyond human-but-better. <br /> Also, I think you'd have to spend some time explaining how he can read the letter from his military. Unless he's learned the language within the first two weeks of his life, he (at least as far as I can see) wouldn't have much opportunity to pick it up later. (One way you could get around this is by making the letter into a series of pictures, which he could then attempt to decipher). Or you could include a computer with his ship (or whatever) that will translate it into English. <br /> Aside from these quibbles, I think this story is pretty good. “The Yinyusi are us, though… more more athletically and intellectually advanced.” That strikes me as a Homo Superior. It may help to flesh out his species beyond human-but-better.

Also, I think you’d have to spend some time explaining how he can read the letter from his military. Unless he’s learned the language within the first two weeks of his life, he (at least as far as I can see) wouldn’t have much opportunity to pick it up later. (One way you could get around this is by making the letter into a series of pictures, which he could then attempt to decipher). Or you could include a computer with his ship (or whatever) that will translate it into English.

Aside from these quibbles, I think this story is pretty good.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-6685 Anonymous Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:57:38 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-6685 Well, the book is about a teenager named Isaac, the Guardian. He was a test subject for a machine capable of transporting the Yinyusian (more on them in a bit) military between places for their battles. At two weeks old, he was put through to test transport between universes. He survived the ordeal and was left a letter in his native language telling him where he came from and to avoid drawing attention to himself. Otherwise he'd be dissected by the humans. The Yinyusi are us, though a different version. They are more athletically and intellectually advanced, with the ability to fire mental pulses which they can also use to fly in a slightly shaky but easy way. Isaac is the average of them. He is put into foster care. At age sixteen he is in the city, just finishing his homework. He realises that he forgot his jacket on the roof of the building, and goes back to get it. He finds and slips it on as a girl he knows falls off the top. He rescues her, his hoodie keeping his identity a secret. The media goes nuts and gives him his superhero name, derived from "guardian angel". Then he feels under pressure to continue what he's doing, even though he is battered around like a punching bag every day, trying to keep it a secret from his friends and family. It's mostly about his struggle to balance his life and other peoples', avoiding being shot or stabbed during his escapades and keep up good grades to reward his foster parents for looking after him. He feels guilty about not telling them where he's from, and in his own words, wishes to be "a good investment". It's the first in a series, and the Yinyusi will come more into it further on. So, what do you think? Well, the book is about a teenager named Isaac, the Guardian. He was a test subject for a machine capable of transporting the Yinyusian (more on them in a bit) military between places for their battles. At two weeks old, he was put through to test transport between universes. He survived the ordeal and was left a letter in his native language telling him where he came from and to avoid drawing attention to himself. Otherwise he’d be dissected by the humans. The Yinyusi are us, though a different version. They are more athletically and intellectually advanced, with the ability to fire mental pulses which they can also use to fly in a slightly shaky but easy way. Isaac is the average of them. He is put into foster care. At age sixteen he is in the city, just finishing his homework. He realises that he forgot his jacket on the roof of the building, and goes back to get it. He finds and slips it on as a girl he knows falls off the top. He rescues her, his hoodie keeping his identity a secret. The media goes nuts and gives him his superhero name, derived from “guardian angel”. Then he feels under pressure to continue what he’s doing, even though he is battered around like a punching bag every day, trying to keep it a secret from his friends and family.

It’s mostly about his struggle to balance his life and other peoples’, avoiding being shot or stabbed during his escapades and keep up good grades to reward his foster parents for looking after him. He feels guilty about not telling them where he’s from, and in his own words, wishes to be “a good investment”. It’s the first in a series, and the Yinyusi will come more into it further on.

So, what do you think?

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-6519 B. Mac Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:06:16 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-6519 I think the word "guardian" has great potential, but I have a few concerns. <br /> 1) Colons in titles are a bit awkward. In this case you have two words separated by a colon. Changing the title to "The Guardian's Origins" would probably resolve this awkwardness. <br /> 2) Who or what is the Guardian? What's he guarding? Why will audiences care? <br /> 3) The title's slightly generic. I don't feel like I have a good sense of the setting and/or genre. The guardian could be the king's top knight, or a superhero, or a Secret Service agent, etc. These three stories would have a different ambiance and probably a different audience. I think that clarifying the genre a bit will help make the sell. <br /> I'd love to offer some possible substitute titles, but I think I could probably be more useful if I knew something about the book. Could you summarize the book in a sentence or two for me? I think the word “guardian” has great potential, but I have a few concerns.

1) Colons in titles are a bit awkward. In this case you have two words separated by a colon. Changing the title to “The Guardian’s Origins” would probably resolve this awkwardness.

2) Who or what is the Guardian? What’s he guarding? Why will audiences care?

3) The title’s slightly generic. I don’t feel like I have a good sense of the setting and/or genre. The guardian could be the king’s top knight, or a superhero, or a Secret Service agent, etc. These three stories would have a different ambiance and probably a different audience. I think that clarifying the genre a bit will help make the sell.

I’d love to offer some possible substitute titles, but I think I could probably be more useful if I knew something about the book. Could you summarize the book in a sentence or two for me?

]]> By: Cadet Davis http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-6518 Cadet Davis Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:16:54 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-6518 Ah, thanks for the clarification on Baba Yaga. I think you did a better job of selling the story than the author did. Ah, thanks for the clarification on Baba Yaga. I think you did a better job of selling the story than the author did.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-6495 Anonymous Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:02:11 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-6495 Oh, and Baba Yaga is a legendary old hag who lives in the forests of Russia. She is said to live in a house that runs around on chickens' legs. She walks through the forest, to look for children to eat, and carries a broom to sweep away her tracks. Yeah, we were studying myths and legends in class last term. Oh, and Baba Yaga is a legendary old hag who lives in the forests of Russia. She is said to live in a house that runs around on chickens’ legs. She walks through the forest, to look for children to eat, and carries a broom to sweep away her tracks. Yeah, we were studying myths and legends in class last term.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-6494 Anonymous Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:58:38 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-6494 I have a book in mind, based off my school project for this term in English. I was thinking of calling it "The Guardian: Origins". Does that seem okay? I like it, but I want an outside opinion. Thanks. I have a book in mind, based off my school project for this term in English. I was thinking of calling it “The Guardian: Origins”. Does that seem okay? I like it, but I want an outside opinion. Thanks.

]]> By: Cadet Davis http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-5694 Cadet Davis Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:37:34 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-5694 Thanks for bringing that to my attention. An extremely brief Google search showed me that Satan got 50 million hits and Lucifer got 15 million. By comparison, Baphomet scored fewer than 2 million, which suggests to me that he might be too obscure to identify the niche to the average reader of religiously-themed fantasy. I think "Satan's Brotherhood" or "Lucifer's Brotherhood" would be an acceptable title, but probably not Baphomet. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. An extremely brief Google search showed me that Satan got 50 million hits and Lucifer got 15 million. By comparison, Baphomet scored fewer than 2 million, which suggests to me that he might be too obscure to identify the niche to the average reader of religiously-themed fantasy. I think “Satan’s Brotherhood” or “Lucifer’s Brotherhood” would be an acceptable title, but probably not Baphomet.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.superheronation.com/2008/08/27/writing-titles/comment-page-1/#comment-5688 Anonymous Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:51:26 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1048#comment-5688 Baphomet in Christianity was a powerful demon. Baphomet in Christianity was a powerful demon.

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