I’ll also be taking questions in the comment section throughout the day, so please do stop by.

And for a chance to win 50% off your next order, take the hilarious quiz to see if you could survive in Mudbug, Louisiana.

A lot of writers skip skip working on a title or figure that it’s not that important because it’s only likely to change anyway.  And while it’s true that the writing is what will sell your book, the title can lay a lot of groundwork for you. 

I’ll never forget the day colleague Chris Keeslar swung by my office all excited: “I just got this proposal called THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER. I haven’t even started it yet, but don’t you just love that title?”  Fortunately, Leanna Renee Hieber‘s writing lived up to it. 

A good title will:

• Indicate the genre
• Give a sense of the tone
• Provide continuity for similar/series titles
• Intrigue the reader

Julie Kenner (The Givenchy Code, Carpe Demon) and Katie MacAlister (Love in the Time of Dragons; Sex, Lies and Vampires) are some of my ultimate heroes when it comes to clever titles.  But a title doesn’t have to be particularly clever or humorous.  Because, remember, it has to fit the tone of the book.

How to come up with a good title:

• Figure out what best conveys your style. Is it sexy? Funny? Dark? (all three?) Are you trying to convey a certain time period? 

Let’s use Jennifer Ashley’s paranormal-historical Nvengarian series as an example.  Our theme: Fairy Tales

• Brainstorm lists of words that convey the style you’ve chosen.

-         Prince Charming, Once Upon a Time, Happily Ever After

• Start playing around with those words and combining them with other aspects that make your work unique. Look for rhymes, alliteration, wordplay. Keep in mind that it needs to be able to fit on a mass-market cover and still have room for the art.

-         Penelope & Prince Charming has great alliteration and works in the fairy-tale theme.

-         The second book in the series was tougher. Nothing in the list above sounded original enough.  So Jennifer concentrated on the time period with a rhyme and came up with The Mad, Bad Duke.  It’s clearly Regency set–a play on Lady Caro Lamb’s words about Byron “He was mad, bad, and dangerous to know”—which Regency readers recognize.  It also sounds playful and sexy.

-         With the third book featuring a fun-loving Scot, we came up with Highlander Ever After, again pulling in that fairy-tale theme.

Where to find inspiration for your titles:

• imdb.com – The Internet Movie Database
• your CD collection
• rhyming dictionaries
• regular dictionary
• advertising slogans

Most of all, brainstorming should be a fun process, not a hair-pulling one–even if it feels like it sometimes.  Just stick with it,  don’t be afraid to ask everyone you know for suggestions, and go with what feels good.

And a totally shameless plug that has more to do with art than titles: Check out Jennifer’s PRIDE MATES on Clash of the Covers this week.

I was so excited about the new version of Robin Hood with Russell Crowe because I thought it would be the perfect balance of a familiar story with a new twist—billed as a prequel to the Robin Hood legend we all know.  Unfortunately, after reading a number of tepid reviews, it’s unlikely I’ll go see the movie.  The key elements of what makes Robin Hood so enjoyable—namely the slightly cocky attitude and the genuine sense of fun—seem to be missing from the movie.  I have no problem with gritty, but it also needs to be balanced with light. 

So the lesson here: If you’re going to take a familiar theme and twist it, first figure out the main elements of what makes that theme so popular and enjoyable.  Keep those!  Then twist the character or the setting or add an unexpected piece from another recognizable theme or story.

Figuring out these elements will then making pitching your project a breeze.  “It’s this but with a dash of that and set in there.”  Of course, once you come up with the right juxtaposition you have to deliver.

One project I recently acquired is a perfect example.  At the moment, we’re tentatively calling it NO PROPER LADY (April 2011) and it’s by debut author Isabel Cooper.  The juxtaposition: “Terminator” meets “My Fair Lady.”  Every time I say it in the office, people raise their eyebrows, but they always want to hear more.

Eloisa James has read my book!!!

Okay I know I am supposed to be a professional and not act like a fan and blah blah blah but ELOISA JAMES HAS READ MY BOOK. AND SHE LIKED IT. And she posted about it here for her Barnes & Noble blog/column! I read it this morning at 4:30AM before going to work and of course when I got there I immediately told my coworker all about it:

ME: It’s like every month she does a theme and she talks about books that fit the theme, and–
COWORKER: What was this month’s theme?
ME: …Um. Protagonists who aren’t very bright.
COWORKER: [after laughing quite a lot] Is one of your protagonists not very bright?
ME: Well, I never thought of him that way before. He likes classical music and studied Latin at Cambridge and stuff. But I definitely see what she means because he is pretty hapless and not good at math, and in the genre there are lots of uber-competent brain surgeons running around and–
COWORKER: Doesn’t your book take place in the early nineteenth century?
ME: Yes.
COWORKER: So maybe a brain surgeon wouldn’t be the best choice for a hero for you?
ME: You have a point.
COWORKER: The reader would think, “Ooh, a brain surgeon,” and then he’d walk on with, like, a hammer and bone saw. “I’ve discovered that this part of the lobe controls deviant behavior! Stand aside while I cut a hole in this convict’s skull!”

For some reason I am picturing this hero as Hugh Laurie’s Wooster in my head. Okay, and what’s sad is that I have such a thing for mad scientists (I’m not kidding, I think they’re dreamy!) that I would probably read that romance. Even though I have a lot of strong and negative feelings about historical psychiatry, ESPECIALLY when it involved surgery (often it was non-consensual surgery!).

Anyway, you should read James’s piece, and then check out the B&N Romance board for conversations about the piece and about my book and all kinds of stuff!

Which is a good time to mention–I will be one of the B&N feature threads for May!!!!!! I am so honored and excited you guys. My thread is here and I will be hanging around the boards and the thread all month, but especially I will be there  starting Monday the 10th, to chat and answer questions and talk about books and also probably Star Trek because this is me. I can’t wait!

Back to me now.  Rose also lists her top 10 Regency Romances at DearAuthor and has an interview at The Romance Reader in which she reveals who was beheaded on her birthday and how majors in Math and Russian led to a career writing Regencies.

You can either print them on label paper and stick ‘em on.  Or print on regular paper and paste ‘em in.  Or if–like me–you don’t dare permanently alter the book (gasp!), use a paperclip.  Your friend can end up using it as a book mark, but at least she’ll still know that book is yours.

The 2010 auction is now live.  For writers, there are 60 agent evaluations up for grabs and nearly 50 editor evaluations.  

If you’re the winning bidder on mine, you’ll receive a line edit of your cover letter, first three chapers and synopsis; a written overall critique of strengths and weaknesses and suggestions for improvement; and a follow-up phone call, should you wish you ask further questions.  Bidding goes through May 31.

There are also loads of ARCs, signed books, handbags, jewelry, art, an iPad, a Nook, and a load of other amazing items, including special promo opportunities for published writers.

Congratulations to our finalists:

ANNE MARSH – THE HUNT, Best First Book

JENNIFER ASHLEY – THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE, Best Long Historical

EMILY BRYAN – “My Lady Below Stairs” from A CHRISTMAS BALL, Best Novella

A full list of finalists can be found here.

And more congratulations go to Reviewers’ Choice Award winners Jennifer Ashley for THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE and Nina Bangs for ETERNAL CRAVING.  

The May books are here! 

Elisabeth Naughton starts a hot new series getting lots of great buzz:

• “Gripping, dangerous, and sinfully sexy, MARKED is a top-notch read! Elisabeth Naughton combines dynamic dialogue and sizzling romance with a wicked cool world. Do NOT miss this series!” —NY Times Bestselling Author Larissa Ione
• “Steamy, intricately plotted, and creatively conceived, this title gets Naughton’s ‘Eternal Guardian’ series, featuring warriors who protect their world from the daemons of the Underworld, off to a sizzling start and will leave paranormal fans breathless and wanting more.”                 –Library Journal
• “The sensuality of Sherrilyn Kenyon and the intensity of Patricia Briggs. Naughton’s foray into paranormals is deep, dark and sexy as hell.” —NY Times Bestselling Author Angie Fox
• “Naughton has a tremendous skill with steamy passion, dynamic characterization—especially of strong, multifaceted women whose friendships and family relationships play a crucial part in the story—and thrilling action.” —Publishers Weekly
• “Elisabeth Naughton’s MARKED gives an incredibly fresh spin on Greek Mythology that is full of humor, action, passion and a storyline that keeps you from putting down the book.” —Fresh Fiction

We think you’ll love MARKED, too.  That’s why it’s our Publisher’s Pledge title of the month and we’ll refund your money if for whatever reason you don’t want it for your keeper shelf.

Leanna Renee Hieber’s Percy Parker is ready for her Broadway debut.

And Gerri Russell has a fantastic introduction to her men of the Brotherhood of the Scottish Templars.