At the end of last week I'm delighted to say I signed a contract with 280 Steps for the publication of a new novel. The working
title has been 'Saving Siobhán'. However, I need a new title for a few reasons -
outside of Ireland no-one is quite sure how to vocalise 'Siobhán' without having
heard it first, or might not even knows that it's a name; plus the spelling and
fada is not good for search and discoverability; plus it's not really reflective of
the screwball noir style of the book. Other than that, I like it!
The simple solution is to change
it to something like 'Saving Sinead', but I suspect it needs something
entirely new. Below is the working back cover blurb - it's not a lot to
go on, but maybe it might spark an idea. A pun or phrase would be good.
Take a look and if something springs to mind then I'd love to
hear your suggestions. Once the book is published I'll send a signed copy to whoever suggested the new title. Not the greatest of prizes but I'll think of some other goodies to put in the package.
"It is election time in Ireland and a lot more is about to change for
Grant, a new arrival from England, and his wheelchair-bound friend Mary,
than their political representatives. Patrick has disappeared and his
sister, Siobhán, kidnapped.
Charged with tracking them down, Grant and
Mary are soon caught between a vicious Dublin gangster seeking the
return of a valuable package and an ambitious politician determined to
protect a secret that might harm his re-election chances. To
make matters worse, when someone they confront is found floating face
down in the River Liffey, Inspector McGerrity Black, Dublin’s finest
rock-a-billy cop, is soon hot on their trail.
With election day looming
and Siobhán’s fingers turning up on a regular basis they race through
County Kildare suburbia, Dublin’s saunas, Manchester’s gay village and
rural Mayo, crossing paths with drag queen farmers, corrupt property
developers, and sadistic criminal gang members, as they desperately seek
a way to save themselves and their friends while all the time staying
ahead of the law.
As first dates go, it’s one hell of a rollercoaster
ride for Grant and Mary."
There's a fair few chases, role reversals, general confusion and mayhem,
etc. Ideas?
13 comments:
The first suggestion I've had offline is 'Fingers and Foes', which is the kind of thing I'm looking for. Other suggestions welcome!
Taking you up on the rockabilly angle (and the farmers), there's an old song by Sid King and the Five Strings called "Sag, Drag and Fall".
In such circumstances I usually turn to a book of quotations. Starting with Grant, I found 'Grant us thy peace, all the days of our life' or 'A civil denial is better than a rude grant'.
Rob - Oh, I'm so glad to hear your novel will be published! That's wonderful. At the moment I'm not inspired with a great title, but I'll think about it...
How about Roller Coaster Ride
Congratulations Rob!
How about something breezy like 'Catch As Catch Can.'
A Finger in the Mail
The cover must have an element of humor to relieve the title but working together a title like this might get across the over-the-top sensibility.
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'm going to let some more to come in (hopefully) then ruminate on the suggestions.
Er, The Last Finger?
My vite: THE LAST FINGER Ha!!
Oh dear, I meant my VOTE: The Last Finger
Very funny
Other suggestions I have are:
'Sticky Fingers'
'Stumped', which works on a few levels: with respect to cut off fingers; confusion; political stump in election; Mary's condition.
Finger This
or
Tear it Up (rockabilly song)
or
Fickle Fingers
or
Fateful Fickle Fingers
Post a Comment