Suggest a series name (and win an ARC, and a chance to win a copy of another book)!
CONTEST TIME AGAIN!
I received a few ARCs from my publisher, and the one I’d marked for AAR … well, they already have a copy. So I unexpectedly have a print ARC to send to one lucky winner!
I do want to live up the the ARC name, though, and make it serve its purpose — Advance Review Copy. If you win the book, puh-leeze (honestly) review/talk about it by January 15th or so. And if you don’t have a blog to post a review on, I’ll post it here (even if you hate it). If you hate it, but don’t feel comfortable saying you hate it on my blog, I’ll make arrangements for the review to be posted at someone else’s blog.
It’s all about getting people to read and talk about the book.
So this is what you have to do to enter:
I’ve been desperately trying to think of a name for this series. My problem is that I can’t even title a book (I just called them by the first character name I come up with until my editor and I brainstormed a bunch of different possibilities) — titling a series is quite simply beyond me. So I need suggestions (anyone who comments gets a chance to win the ARC, but if we actually use one of the suggestions, I’ll send that person a copy of the finalized book (or DEMON MOON, or your name in an upcoming book if that person already has or will buy DEMON ANGEL by the time I’ve chosen a series name)).
So, all you have to do to enter the contest is to reply in the comments with your suggestion for a series name. Or! if you can’t think of one, tell me if you like any of the names I suggested in the first post I made on this subject. And if someone comes up with a name in the comments that you really like, feel free to echo it, because what I’ll probably do is take a selection of the suggestions and send them to my editor to see if she likes any of them (or marketing likes them). If one is a favorite, that will be more likely to get on the list (although the original poster will be the one who will get the second prize if we choose that series name).
I’ll choose a winner by random drawing at midnight, December 21st.
To help you out, here are a few basics about the world I’ve built (this may include spoilers, but if you’ve read “Falling for Anthony” you’ve heard most of this before):
I’ve been strongly influenced by Milton, Poe, Stoker, Dante, Polidori and Shelley (both Shelleys). Shakespeare and Marlowe, too, but who isn’t? A nod to them, a phrase from their work wouldn’t be out of place.
The series is kind of dark, and my characters completely messed up. Totally messed up. Some tortured (often literally.) Have you read the excerpt? Yeah. That’s the end of Part One. A light series name might be misleading. Oh! and they’re all sexy and hot and stuff.
The Guardians are humans who’ve been transformed into angel-like beings after they’ve sacrificed themselves to save someone’s life/soul from a demon (think Lucifer, the rebellion in Heaven, and Milton’s version of Hell, with some bits of Dante), nosferatu (think Nosferatu and Max Schreck, but bigger and deadlier), or vampire (think cold and blood-thirsty, but mostly still human).
Blood is important, vampires become important, but the series revolves around the Guardians and their actions on Earth (and in Hell, and in their home realm Caelum).
There is a set of scrolls called the Doyen Scrolls which include all of the rules for Guardians to follow, and their history.
The idea of “falling” is important, for both Guardians and demons. Gates (portals between realms) are important. Bargains are important.
Hmmm…I’m sure there’s more that might help, but I can’t really think of any right now.
Okay, so to sum up: suggest a name or say that you like an existing suggestion, and get a chance to win the ARC.
If you suggest the name I use, I’ll send you a copy of DEMON ANGEL or DEMON MOON, or put your name in an upcoming book or something (there’s no guarantee you’ll live long, but I’ll try my best).
So, throw any idea out there. We’ll see if it sticks.
What about something with Shadows in the title? As these beings all live on the periphery of our world, I always see your characters as these elusive beings, that are there, but not, kind of like shadows, but it’s early, and I’m still thinking..
Ah, I like that idea.
Another of the important themes that seems to run through the stories so far is the idea of being caught between two worlds or identities — this is especially true in DA and DM — and the vampires, Guardians and Lilith are all half of something.
Hee, in my head, I call them my “halfling” books. Alas, when I mentioned this to my editor, we had to agree that The Halfling Series didn’t exactly convey the idea I was going for….
Shadow; a remnant or vestige: ‘a shadow of one’s past self’; ‘a person who trails another in secret’; ‘a threatening influence’ I can see these all in your story..
by the way Meljean, thank you for recommending J.R. Ward, I can’t wait till you are able to read these books, they are ‘amazing’ and you aren’t wrong about that ‘strong voice’, she does have that.
Oh, good! I’ve just heard great things, so I’m glad they worked out. And, yeah, I can’t wait ’til I can read them, either! :brickwall:
Half-shadows? Just a thought..
As ‘shadow’ in archaic terms was to protect or shelter and your characters are doing just that I thought ‘Shadowed Angels’ for the series title.
I like the word “Constellation” for use as a grouping or assemblage — and was thinking of “Demon Constellation”, but that sounds too much like one of the titles and too much like Demon Moon, one of the titles. However… “Shadow Constellation” has a look-and-feel that I like, so that’s my offering.
Alternatively, I thought of going from “Constellation” to “Zodiac”, which led me to “Circle”, so “Blood Circle” or “Guardian Circle” would be other choices…
It’s almost finals and there’s lake effect snow and I think I have exhausted my creative brain cells for now.
Dr. Phil
Hmmm… Dark Watch? Dark Watchers? Or, if you are attached to Shadow, then Shadow Watch could be an option.
Personally, I prefer simple series names, nothing too fancy. Thinking of things like Marjorie’s Dirk and Steele books, Jo Beverley’s Malloren novels, PBW’s Darkyn books. All simple, and one or two names. Most longer ones can sound pretentious. The only exception to my rule is JR Ward’s over the top Black Dagger Brotherhood series name, and let’s face it, although I love, love, love them, those stories are screamingly over the top, so it fits.
A nice classy logo (ala PBW’s Darkyn books) that says “A novel of the Shadow Watch/Dark Watch/ers” or “A Shadow Watch/Dark Watch novel” on the covers would be all kinds of cool and classy. Oh, and it goes without saying that the word “watch” is meant to draw a sort of connection/comparison to the Black Watch of Scottish fame. In other words, a sort of big, dangerous, elite group of protectors.
shadow scrolls?
I’m really stuck on shadows.
Hi Meljean!
I’m thinking more if they are dark books too, using the Demon in the series name, Even Demon Shadows or Demon Guardians.
I’m still thinking on this. I’m not good at doing this too, but I like to know a series name. It helps me with the reading order and all. WHich I’m dearly looking forward to these.
Shadows Of Demons?
I hope i’m on the right track. Your books are new to me (Can’t wait)
Came in through Marjorie Liu’s blog. I peered at the excerpt and I immediately thought “The Guardian series” because theres a header in there under the excerpt saying The Guardians. But I see you aren’t satisfied with that one.. And then I thought: the “Demon series” because the titles have that word in them. But that’s just as plain.. So how about “The Demons and Guardians series”? Or is that really boring and obvious sounding? I like something obvious so that a reader can immediately know what books you are referring to versus something that isn’t so obviously connected to the books. I am a simple soul that way. “The Guardian’s of Caelum”? I kind of like that one.
Oh I like that too with The Guardian’s Of Caelum! or even The Demons of Caelum?
This is fun!
The Eclipse of Blood….Guardians of the Eclipse…Eclipse of Balance…Caelum’s Eclipse. Don’t know why eclipse is the one word that sticks out for me. It means change from light to dark, cast shadows with light. darkness back to light. Can’t have an eclipse without light. Eclipses are symbols of harmony and contradiction but it is never permeneant.
Swords and Shadows
The Scrolls of Caelum
Shadows of the Otherworld
Tales of the Others
The Guardian Scrolls
Read My Book Or I’ll Kill You
My Career Depends Upon You Buying This Book
Suggestions for series title:
Demon Dark
Dark Descent
Shadows Embrace
Guardians from/of the Dark(ness)
Depths of Darkness
The Bonds of Eclipse, had to shoe-in one more title. =)
Just jumping in to add (these are all great suggestions — I can already see I’ll have quite a few to send off to the editor) that I don’t know if it’s boring or not…I’m absolutely no judge of these things. So if it seems intuitive to call it The Guardian series, it’s definitely worth thinking about. I wouldn’t rule any word/idea out because of something I’ve written … because I’m clueless :joker:
“Read My Book Or I’ll Kill You
My Career Depends Upon You Buying This Book”
*rofl*
Shadow Demon
The Caelum Fallen
Guardian Realm
Dark Guardians
Since the Guardians’ rules and history are from the Doyen Scrolls, perhaps something along the lines of “Book/Scroll I of the Doyen Scrolls”, “an excerpt from the Doyen Scrolls”, or “A Doyen Scrolls Text”.
Hmm. Here are a few ideas.
The Defenders
Dark Defenders
Fallen
Fallen Ones
The Protectors
If I think of any others, I’ll post them.
I wanted to play but I’m pulling an absolute blank although as a reader I don’ t know how to pronounce Caelum so it’s not exactly catchy and Doyen is too strong/sharp a sound? Know what I mean? Not fond of Shadow but only because I think another author has that in her series.
Also, for Ward’s series I just call it The Brotherhood and skip the rest.
The Spirit Guides – think it’s been done and sounds to happy
The Demon Scrolls – hmm, did someone already suggest this?
The Guardian Scrolls – too happy?
The Messengers – yes, I used a thesarus
The Reluctant Guardians (too long?)
CindyS
Dark Shadows
Not really happy with the Shadows theme. I think because I can’t get over the phrase, “What evil lurks in the hearts of men?” Listened to WAAAAy too many classical radio program tapes when I was a kid.
I like scrolls and chronicles, but I think the series name can get overblown.
Guardian Chronicles.
Guardian Scrolls
Caelum’s Guardians.
ANd then I wouldn’t worry too much about it–you’ve got linked titles anyway, and that works as a series indicator on its own. Just my opinion….
Heya Meljean, My partner in PW crime. The previous poster is probably right. The linked titles might well make everyone call it the ‘Demon Series’ Like Feehan’s “Dark Series”.
Especially cause I’ve heard such good things about you!
But hey, I’m game for a freebie.
Maybe you should call it The Crying Game because that’s what you did to me with just one excerpt. Dang it.
Real suggestions:
Saints and Sinners (or is there one of those already?)
Tempted Souls
Caelum’s Crossings
Revelations Series (ooo I like that one best)
Jacki Frank
I like “The Guardians” or “The Guardian Series”
I also agree that the “Demon series” might be a natural fit (that’s how I think of them, because of the linked titles). I think the key is to limit the name to two words, like “Shadow Warriors” or “Demon Lovers” or “The Guardians” — easier to remember and “brand” that way, IMO.
Shadows of the moon
Guardian Heart
Deep Shadows
I just read your story in Hot Spell and absolutely loved it! Can’t wait for Hugh’s story!!!
I honestly wish I had a creative series title suggestion for you, but I really like The Guardians.
Simple series titles make it easy to remember (like the Dark Hunters, Black Dagger Brotherhood, or Immortals After Dark which are my 3 favorite series). It also makes it easy to find at the bookstore. When I called Borders about Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Side of the Moon all I had to do was say Sherrilyn Kenyon’s new Dark Hunter book and they grabbed the right one for me.
Kat
Guardians of Shadow
Y’know Meljean, I like “The Guardians” too, it’s simple, too the point and memorable.
hmm….how about “Guardians’ Fall”, “Gates of the Fall”, “Fallen Chronicles”, “The Fallen”?
you know….i could think of more book titles than series titles….=) oh well.
i really like some of the others that have been suggested as well, especially “The Guardians”…its simple but it says alot.
I’ve heard a lot of buzz already about your Demon Angel so I hope to get a copy of it over here in Italy…!
Seeing as you mentioned “falling” is very important as well as the role of the Guardian in sacrificing themselves – I thought of:
The Guardian Redemption series
which could also be a play on their emotional states (and transformations) as well as their roles.
Hope this helps!
Here are some suggestions:
Fallen Angels
Secrets of the Doyen Scrolls
Wicked Demon
Wicked Guardians
Dantes Inferno
Fallen Redemption
A Demon’s Chance
Shadow Guardians
The Scrolls of the Guardians
The Guardian’s redemption
Legends of Caelum
Tempted by a Guardian
Hot to the touch
A bargain with the devil
Hot Guardians
Guardians on fire
The Shadow Gate
I wouldn’t use a title with Dark, because of Christine Feehan’s Dark series.
Coming in late with some ideas:
- Free Fall
- The Master’s Gate (Taken from the Blake quote: “A dog starved at his master’s gate, Predicts the ruin of the stateâ€)
- Fallen Creatures
- Such as Angels (from Milton: “Tears such as angels weep”)
OOH. Maybe:
- Fall of Rain, Fall of Blood (from Poe’s SILENCE–A FABLE: “It was night, and the rain fell; and falling, it was rain, but, having fallen, it was blood.”)
Ooh. Ooh, I love that last one.
How about:
The Secrets of Caelum
The Guardian’s Sacrifice