June 19, 2007 08:46 PM EDT
(Updated: June 19, 2007 08:49 PM EDT)
My publisher and I have been going back and forth on a short list of possible titles for my fourth book, a paranormal mystery planned for release later this year. My working title was The Green Marble, but my publisher wanted something with more pizazz that would leap off the shelves and grab readers' attention. Of course, the cover art is still being designed, and that's just as important, but for now, we're asking for your help.
We'd like you to vote for one of the titles at the end of this article. After reading the synopsis, please scan the titles and let us know which one "grabs you," as well as seems to represent the story the best. I have my favorites, as does my publisher, but I'm not breathing a word until I see your feedback!
Here's a synopsis of the first book in the Moore Mystery Series:
Sam Moore's little brother Billy disappeared fifty years ago. Riddled with guilt, Sam still hasn't recovered from the loss that locked him in a mental institution as a teenager. Life as a country doctor has helped soothe his soul, but he mourns for Billy each day and is obsessed with thoughts about his fate. What happened to him? Was he kidnapped? If so, why didn't he come home when he reached adulthood and subsequent freedom? Sam doesn't like thinking about the alternatives, and at the age of sixty-two still feels a strong link to the eleven-year-old boy who slept in the bottom bunk.
Retirement allows Sam more time in his sumptuous gardens. One day, while struggling to eliminate the rapacious Japanese Knotweed from the grounds, Sam discovers a glowing marble. It warms to his touch and whisks him back in time to his childhood. Billy and Sam's childhood pals appear beside him - breathing, sweating, laughing - and very much alive. Sam is drawn into the strong young body of his twelve-year-old self to re-experience his past.
When Sam pops back into the future, he believes it must have been a dream until the next time the marble warms in his hand and flings him back to his youth. Thrust back and forth through time, Sam tries to untangle the mystery of Billy's disappearance. Demonic teenager Manfred Healy tortures the boys, exactly as he did in Sam's youth. Recently released from prison in real time, Healy haunts Sam and becomes a prime suspect. Did he murder Billy? Or were Sam's childhood friends involved? What about his old buddy, Bruce MacDonald, who'd risen to N.Y. State Senator and was about to be tapped for the Presidential nomination? Or Doug Smythe, the most annoying guy in the world? It couldn't be Harvey Allen, that puppy dog of a man with the shock of white hair who staunchly served his country in the Marines. Could it?
Sam's beloved wife Rachel frets when Sam "falls asleep" outside while journeying to the past. Stricken with multiple sclerosis, she harbors a fierce desire to maintain her independence. Sam cares for his wheelchair-bound wife between the events that escalate, although he's afraid to admit the truth about the marble. With her dry wit and persistent love, Rachel gently helps Sam stay afloat.
When Sam uncovers the skull of a young boy in the knotweed patch, the FBI flocks to his property, sifting through the soil to search for evidence. Sam is sure it's Billy's body, but he's astounded when he learns that the bones belong to a young boy who disappeared five years before Billy. Aging FBI agent Mac Stewart befriends Sam and reveals the history of a serial killer who engaged in ghastly crimes for the past fifty years, and who may return to the scene of his first crime to make his final kill. Boys have been murdered every five years since Billy disappeared. Was Billy one of his victims?
As the deadline for the next murder rapidly approaches, Sam worries about his grandson Evan, who fits the profile of murdered boys. Billy's old toys mysteriously reappear in the present. Someone attacks the sixty-two year old Sam, shooting him and bludgeoning him in a nearby cave where the boys used to play near a waterfall. When Evan experiences the same "dream" as Sam, all hell breaks loose.
Little by little, Sam relives the past, following Billy until the day he disappeared. Horrified, he follows his brother's spirit to its final destination. Now, armed with knowledge that may save his grandson, Sam struggles to prevent Evan's murder and is shocked when confronted by the true killer during a raging thunderstorm for the final showdown.
Okay - that's the story. Now here are the titles we've winnowed down from a long, long list. I want to know if you don't like any of these, too. But if you find some that appeal to you, give me your top three votes in the comment section below. Also, if you find a combination of the titles below you think would work better, suggest it. (Actually, all of them would likely be followed by "a Sam Moore mystery" as a subtitle.)
I'll post a pareto chart with the answers, and hopefully we'll come up with the best one that is sure to sparkle and grab readers' attention. ;o)
Thanks in advance for being willing to participate in the voting. We value your opinions and feedback! And if you've time, please ask your friends and Gather connections to vote, too. The more, the merrier!
List of names:
1. Betrayal
2. Cat´s Eye
3. Coward Falls
4. Going Under
5. Healey's Cave
6. Rustle of Green
7. The Disappearance of Billy Moore
8. The Marble
9. Unearthed
10. Unholy Pact
That's the list! Now choose your top three and let us know what you think. ;o)
***
Author and his grandson
In addition to a passion for photography, Aaron Lazar works as an engineer by day, but can be found on weekends in his gardens with his two toddler sidekicks, grandsons Julian and Gordon. His passion lies in writing, where he has created eleven books with characters of depth, color and substance. Lazar entices readers with intricate plots, lush imagery, breathless action, gourmet meals, classical music, bountiful gardens and surprising romantic moments.
Mr. Lazar also writes monthly columns for the Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine, Voice in the Dark newsletter, and has been published often in Absolute Write. He lives in Upstate NY with his extended family. Visit his websites at www.legardemysteries.com; www.mooremysteries.com, and his blog at www.aaronlazar.blogspot.com.
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Comments: 175
Otherwise, I'd go for "The Disappearance of Billy Moore" from among the alternatives.
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Jim Swan's "None-Too-Great Hits" now on iTunes.
Un-HOT!!! un-lewd, un-mindless. Not the usual Top-40 stuff.
Good luck, though... I realize that chosing a book title is an important part of marketing. If people don't stop and pick the book up, they ain't buying it.
Jerry
Choice two would be Rustle of Green, with number 3 being The Disappearance of Billy Moore.
2. Unearthed
3. The Marble (but I would ask your publisher to change it to BILLY'S MARBLE)
Let's us know what you ultimately decide.
Sounds like an interesting story.
it sounds more like a mystery.don't you?
I absolutely HATE Betrayal, Going Under, Unearthed
I abhor Unholy Pact, Coward Falls, Healy's Cave
Cat's Eyes being my first choice...your editor is correct...The Green Marble doesn't cut it.
"Holding on to the Cat's Eye " "The secret of the cat's eyes" "The eye of the cat"
then of course "Green Marble Eyes"
oh Aaron, this is ridiculous...your asking someone who doesn't even read mysteries though I did try to buy Trembolino por whatever at Barnes and Noble a couple of weeks ago and the clerk was quite inept and told me there was no mystery writer by your name!
I'm with the pack who likes your original title.
Second choice: The Disappearance of Billy Moore
The Disappearance of Billy Moore
this has a mysterious sound to it and gets me intrigued as a reader. The name it self sort of tells a story and a feeling that something is happening. Even for a reader not familier with the series or knowledge of who Billy Moore is, will be drawn to this title.
My choices:
Unearthed
Going Under
The Disappearance of Billy Moore
The Disappearance of Billy Moore is the next best.
Cat's Eye is suggested because it's the name of the marble? That as a title just doesn't do it. There's no voice or tone in the phrase 'Cat's Eye' the way there is in The Green Marble. There's a hint of mystery in The Green Marble. Cat's Eye is just a name.
I don't like any of the other choices! Sorry!
Hands Down!!!
1. Cats Eye
2. The Disappearance of
Billy Moore
3. Unearthed
Good luck to you Aaron.
The Disappearance of Billy Moore
Unearthed
Cat's Eye
Liz
Unearthed
Disappearance..
A teasing look into your book, Aaron! I want to curl up with on the couch right now!
Sorry it took me so long to get here..I hope my vote still counts!
1. The Green Marble (I still like this one.)
2. Unearthed
3. The Disappearance of Billy Moore
I also thought Mystic Marble would be eye-catching and intriguing. Just a thought.
Interesting story. I definitely would pick this up to read. Let me know what you decide for the title.
I agree!
The Green Marble is a real keeper!
There's no time limit on this, friends. Feel free to keep adding. I'll probably wait a few days until I share the final tally.
Cat´s Eye
Coward Falls [Only if it's the name of a place in the story]
Healey's Cave
And I like The Green Marble because it says, "Pick me up and read the back to see what the hell that means]
But, I'm not as thrilled with any of them as I'd like to be, and as I can't find the "Off" switch on my brain, here's are three more modifications:
Past Betrayal [ties in the time eras]
Serial Betrayal [foreshadows the killer]
Billy Moore and the Green Marble [a little Harry Potterish, not that there's anything wrong with that]
Whatever the hell you call it, I'll read it.
Good luck.
--- is the only one I like, aside from "The Green Marble" which I thought a fine title.
Before I was finished reading your synopsis, I drug my hubby over to the computer and asked him to look at the titles. Before I gave him a quick description of the book he blurted out, "The Disappearance of Billy Moore." My husband doesn't read books, so, if that caught his eye, it might be a good title.
I looked at all of the titles before reading the synopsis in order to make a comparison of my thoughts after I read the synopsis. At first glance I threw out titles 1, 9 and 10. I detest one word titles. I believe "Betrayal," is probably the worst of the titles, because betrayal as real and abundant as it is in real life is overdone in contemporary literature. I can't really explain why, but also "The Unholy Pact," just didn't appeal. Titles 2, 4 and 6 had me wondering what the book might be about. "The Disappearance of Billy Moore" is my first and only choice because it made me want to know who Billy Moore is. Since I've read the synopsis, I now know who he was, yet I still think it's a good title because if this book is sitting on my shelf several years from now I'll STILL know what the book is about and this will make it easier for me to decide to read it again. (I know; I'm strange.) But I really like "The Green Marble." Not all marbles are green, so what is the significance with a green one? Read the book and find out! LOL
Hope I've helped!
I am not a fan of the others but Cat's Eye would be my second choice.
Next I would possibly consider The Green Marble.
1. The Disappearance of Billy Moore
2. Healey's Cave
3. Cat's Eye
1. Even though the 'detective' is the primary character, as I read the synopsis, I felt for the lost childhoods of all these children and the fight to protect his grandson's childhood and he has been grieving the loss of his brother's childhood. To me, the title should reflect a child-centeredness.
2. As I read the synopsis, the old song " Oh where have you been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? Oh where have you been, charming Billy?" began to circle in my head. Again, a child's song.
3. the 'Disappearance of Billy Moore', did not attract me, as it seems rather routine, turns Billy into an adult. Also, many mysteries are about or involve the 'disappearance' of someone. I would not be intrigued.
4. Could you, of course you would most likely need copyright, integrate some of the words of the song? as in "Where are you, Billy?" if not some derivation of this, then I suggest the "Disappearance of Billy".
5. And finally, my third suggestion, go with marble, these are boys, correct? who have been disappearing and boys and marbles do so go together.
I like the title Green or Green Years but neither of them really hits me the way the synopsis does. I believe Green Marble is better than the others but I would keep looking for a title that is as strong as the story. Good luck
Maryanne
I like to pick titles that will have a natural marketing tie in...the disappearance would hook into many breaking news stories and give you something to spin.
The name "The Incorporeal Informer" popped into my mind. Otherwise, I'd vote for "The Marble". Not having read the story (which I really would like to do), Unholy Pact and Betrayal have no meaning for me, though just the fact they are offered as choices Tells me that the synopsis isn't giving me enough to go on, and "Unholy Pact" would most likely grab my attention on the bookshelf, and might likely be my choice if I knew more of the story's background. "Betrayal" has been overused way too much. All that being said, WHEN am I going to have a chance to read the whole fascinating story, and will you make sure I do?
I would simply preceed the subtitle with "Dissapearance"
Second choice, just use "PACT"
The Disappearance of Billy Moore
I am really looking forward to read the Novel ....plz let us know by what name it finally got published
1. The mystery of the green marble
2. The disappearance of Billy Moore
3. The secret in Healey's cave
Blessings and good luck - S.
Unearthed
Coward Falls
BTW, since Cat's Eye is the name of a novel by Margaret Atwood, I think I'd stay away from that one!
Otherwise I would go for The Disappearance
I am always on the other side of the fence...heheheh
hope it helps
How about the BLUE MARBLE. Kidding of course!!
I like
The Disappearance of Billy Moore
Good luck, Aaron :Þ
I also liked "The Marble."
I'm not sold on any of the choices. possible alternatives:
Disappearance
The Disappearing Summer
Back in Time
History of a Disappearance
2. some like "Back to Healy's Cave" or "Back to Coward Falls" suggesting time travel, a least a little.
3. of course there's always "Serial Childhood" suggesting both the murders and his travels through time - just something I thought I'd throw out there.
4. I like The Green Marble too, it seems to fit.
1. The Disappearance of Billy
2. The Green Marble
3. The Cat's Eye Portal
What about 'Cat's Eye Traveler'? (Time travel...)
I know I didn't answer your question but to be truthful I feel the titles don't represent this story.
I suspect the title has not evolved.
What came to mind was "Under the Knotweed" but, like Trish A., I think the title might still be evolving.
Unearthed; The Disappearance of Billy Moore
I think that the word disappearance will catch readers' eyes--Unearth and Cat's Eye sound mysterious and create great visual possibilities. A question did come to mind: Would these title suggestions be considered too long?
Can I change my vote?
1. Healey's Cave
2. The Marble (i do like "the green marble" better, though) and,
3. Going Under
I didn't like "The Disappearance of Billy Moore". I think it sounds too much like a childrens' book. I also did not like "Betrayal". I think it was an interesting title, but kind of misleads the reader, because, in the synopsis at least, i didn't see any type of betrayal i just saw confusion and a little bit of helplessness over Sam's love for his lost brother.
All in all, there are some great choices to choose from, i hope you appreciate my suggestions, and good luck with your new novel! I can't wait to read it!
Idea: Past Perfect
("The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.")
Good luck!
All the best.
From your summary of the story, it appears as if the "marble" plays a very important part in the plot. I would go with something denoting the marble. Of all the titles listed, "The Green Marble" seems to stand out. Maybe it's because I used to read and watch "the Green Hornet". "Healey's Cave" would be my second choice and the Disappearance of Billy Moore, is okay. But I still think a title centered around the "marble" would be more intriquing. Just my thoughts.
Or, even something like Billy's Ghost. Just some thoughts. Good luck!