My latest release is called Private Party, and damn, I love that title. It’s catchy, fun, sexy without being trashy. And I can add “in my pants” to the end, which appeals greatly to my juvenile sense of humor.
If only I could take credit for it. But that honor goes to my editor, the ever brilliant Hilary Sares, who came up with the title last summer after forcing me (not that it was hard) to nix my own working title which was Nice Girls Do. But there are tons of nice girls, good girls, and bad girls doing and not doing all over the shelves already. My original title, The Best Man’s Bride, wasn’t even an option, for obvious reasons. Luckily Hilary was there to come up with something good, because I was coming up empty.
It’s a problem I often have with titles. I think of all the books and novellas I’ve written, I’ve only had titles for – three of them when I started the books. Of those three, only one has ever stuck – Stripping it Down, the first novella in my Taste of Honey anthology. The other two titles 
were slapped on right before I turned the novellas in.
I’ll just put it out there: I suck at coming up with titles. You’d think after spending months on a story and the characters, I’d have an idea of what to call them, but just as I suck at an elevator pitch, I suck at coming up with names for my books.
Here’s an example: when Hilary told me I needed a title for my novella in the Built anthology, my suggestions included, Who Are You Calling a Hoe and She puts the “Whore” in Horticulture. Hey, the hero is a landscaper, so it was kind of appropriate. And when my friend and fellow author was busy trying to come up with titles for her Highlander trilogy, I helpfully chimed in with, Highland Man Meat, which I’m sad to say never made to her editor’s desk.
Exchanges like these force me to admit that while I may amuse myself, these titles are not going to appeal to the masses.
Which leads me to my latest quandary. I’m about two weeks away from turning in my first book for Brava, a romantic suspense that will be out next fall. I’d love to tell you the title… but somehow I don’t think you’ll remember to look for Jami Alden Brava Book #1 on the shelves.
So, you readers out there, any suggestions?
I need something sexy, smart, sharp, suspense-y. Preferably with a hook that will lend itself easily to the next two books in the series, which are course titled Book #2 and Book #3, respectively. I can’t promise Kensington will use any of the suggestions, but this time around I’m hoping to contribute something to the process, rather than just waiting for the email from Hilary that says, “By the way, we decided on a title. BIG MEN WITH BIG GUNS.” (In their pants.) 🙂
Whoever comes up with my favorite gets to choose a book from my backlist.
Titularly yours,
Jami Alden
ohhhhhh I like to mock… I think you have to be prepared to be mocked for that title. BUT I do it with lurve 🙂
Chantal you did better than I did ;). And you must like dangerous things in pants *g*.
I sowry I am spending wayyyyyyyyy too much time around bev and gwen. They have warped my fragile lil mind!
You caught me. I have a dirty mind, hehe.
Sure, sure blame it on Bev and Gwen, lmao.
I didn’t read the titles suggested (if I do that all I can think of are the ones I read already!) so, if any of mine are repeats~Sorry!!
Run To Me
In The Dark
The Search
Running Into Danger
I play the game when I read fortune cookies of adding “in bed” to the end. My favorite was when I got a fortune cookie that said, You will find great pleasure in this day” (in bed) *snickers* So in light of that…
Hide and Seek
Loaded Gun
Loaded Guns
Run Away to Me
Backing You Up
You go in Low, I’ll go in High (you always hear that in the movies/tv when they’re going to burst in on the bad guy/girl)
Going Low, Shooting High
Going Low
Back to Back
Running Blind
Blind Search
thanks jami.
BIG BAD BOINK
GUNS AND ROSES
HOT LOVE ROD MAN
KILLING ME HARDLY
Actually, we do have a winner…three winners! CAUGHT, KEPT, and UNLEASHED but not with THE GEMINI MEN as a prefix (there will, however, be a cover look and logo that will make the series link clear). Database boggles for three titles with identical phrasing otherwise.
so I guess that makes Zara the winner, with 2 for 3! good work. email me your snail mail and pick a book!
Congrats Zara!
Thanks so much Jami and Hilary! I’m sending you an email now Jami.
Thanks Jennifer, for the congrats!
wtg zara
WTG zara.
This post has been hilarious to read.
Congrats, Zara!!