After much brainstorming, emailing, considering, and discarding, my book officially has a title. All the necessary people have signed off on it, so I can tell you here. My debut novel is called:
The Clockwork Three
I really like it. The challenge was coming up with something that worked for the whole book. I came up with lots of great titles for each of the three story-lines that weave through the novel, but finding a title that reflected all three proved to be very tricky indeed.
I actually have a spreadsheet with dozens of titles in different columns and categories. I’d think of several ideas and email my editor. She’d reply, sometimes positively and sometimes not. None felt quite right to either of us. It became something of a running joke at the SCBWI conference, where several people asked what my book was called and I had to just stand there and shrug.
When I thought of The Clockwork Three (I just love typing it!) I said to myself, “That’s it.” When my editor liked it, and my agent liked it, and all the other great people at Scholastic liked it, I felt relieved and excited at the same time.
Now I can actually start to picture the cover. And when people ask, “What’s the name of your book?” I’ll have an answer. It’s called (one more time!) The Clockwork Three.
8 responses to “What's in a name?”
Yippee!!!!! It’s as close to perfect as you can get. Except of course for How to Steal a Disembodied Head.
Great choice Matt. I have the unfortunate habit of judging books by their titles/covers- maybe from working at a book store when I was a kid. But I would read something with that title- if it has a good cover. 🙂 Can’t wait to read it.
Well, I have seen a sketch of the cover, which I can’t show you. But I can say that I love it, and I’m super excited to see the finished artwork!
Great title, Matt! It has a really nice ring to it. I love how it points toward all three main characters’ stories and the clockwork that binds them together. Can’t wait to see the cover!
Rebecca
Love it! And just so you can answer again…
Hey Matt- What’s the title of your book?
Thanks, Bodi! The Clockwork Three! Pass it on!
Wish I could show you the sketch, Elena. But I was sworn to secrecy.
Yay! It’s great, Matt. You’re right- it’s even better than my favorite, Green Violin, which had nothing to do with your other two characters. I’m excited for you. Sure you can’t cheat on the sketch?