What's In a Name? Why Book Titles Matter

Book titles matter. They must be memorable, intriguing and above all, they must say something about your book or story.

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Think of Wuthering Heights, Bleak House, Pride and Prejudice, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, War Horse . . .

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Name titles are also good – when the name is perfectly chosen of course - Matilda, Skulduggery Pleasant, Charlotte’s Web, Judy Moody, Artemis Fowl, Huckleberry Finn . . .

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But how do you find the right title for your book or story? And how do you know that it is the right title?

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Coming up with a good title isn’t easy, especially with deadlines looming. Ask Amy Green – I love this as a series title. It’s simple and it has a nice ring to it. Amy is my Everygirl, an average 13 year old girl that readers can identify with I hope, so I gave her a name that I love (my daughter is called Amy) and a surname that lots of girls have – Green. She’s an agony aunt and likes to solve problems, so I though that ‘Ask’ was appropriate – as in you can ask her anything and she will try to help.

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I also like the individual book titles very much – especially Boy Trouble, Summer Secrets, Bridesmaid Blitz and Dancing Daze (out in September) – which each give a good flavour of what the book is about. I like the title Love and Other Drama-ramas, but it's not my favourite – and boy did we have trouble with that title!

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It was originally to be called Party Drama-ramas but as the book changed, the title had to change too. I would have liked to get more of Bailey’s story into the title (the book is largely about his struggle to find his place in the world), but it was really difficult. I quite liked Mystery Male as a title, but it wasn’t quite right.

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Other titles we tried were Dates and Other Drama-Ramas (too like Cathy Hopkins great Mates, Dates series), Double Drama-rama (too vague), Dublin Drama-rama (again a bit vague). So we decided on Love and Other Drama-ramas which we were all happy with (my editors, Annalie and Gill help me with titles if I’m stuck). And the book is about love – family and romantic - and the problems it can cause, so it does fit nicely.

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I love the title DANCING DAZE - the new Amy book, out in September. And if you read the book you'll find out why! ;)

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So, in short, make your title simple, memorable and make it say something about your book. When I’ve cracked it 100% myself, I’ll let you know! What’s YOUR favourite book title and why? I’d be most interested to know.

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Yours in books,

Sarah XXX

(A version of this post first appeared on the Girls Heart Books blog)

Summer Holiday Reading 2012

I’m off on my summer holidays in July and I can’t wait. To me, holidays are all about three things: reading, sailing and kayaking, and eating. OK, four things! Five if you count hanging out with the kids – building sandcastles, paddling, rock pooling (I can happily spend hours poking around rock pools with my 9 and 6 year old), camping, messing around in boats. I feel lighter just thinking about it.

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For me, reading plays a huge part of any holiday. Usually life is pretty busy and I don’t have all that much time to read. So for the few months leading up to my summer holiday I put aside books that I’d really like to read. All kinds of books.

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Here is a photo of my book pile for summer 2012!Novels, reference books, short story collections, books about writing, YA books, books by friends . . . it’s all in there. Every year I re-read two old favourites, Are You There, God, It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume and Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. Both books mean a lot to me, and I read them every year, along with Harriet the Spy.

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Do you have a favourite book that you read over and over again?

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And what’s in YOUR summer holiday reading pile?

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Yours in books,

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Sarah XXX

All I Want for Christmas . . .

Hi All,

This was first posted on the Girls Heart Books site - do check it out for a great read!

Not long now until Christmas! And I for one can’t wait. Every year I ask my friends and family for one present, and one present only – book tokens!

Walking into my local bookshop – Dubray Books in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin – and knowing I can treat myself to those hardback books I’ve been gazing longingly at all year makes me so happy.

In case some of you also get book tokens for Christmas, or are looking for a brilliant read over the holidays, I’ve collected together a few of my favourite books of the year below.

I read a lot of books which are supposed to be for children or teenagers as they’re so darn good! I was a children’s bookseller for years and now I review children’s books for The Irish Independent, but to be honest I’d read them anyway. I like strong characters, clever, original plots and a sense of hope, all of which I get in books for young readers.

My Book of the Year: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

I love, love, loved this wonderful book. Part time-travel novel, part family and friendship drama, it’s original, compelling and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s set in New York too, and I love books set in NYC. It’s a cracking read.

I also loved Skulduggery Pleasant: Death Bringer by Derek Landy, a fantasy-horror adventure about a skeleton detective and his teenage side kick. It’s a hilarious, rip roaring read and I’d highly recommend the whole series. If you like something a little different, this book is for you.

Eva’s Holiday by Judi Curtin is just perfect for girls who like warm, funny reads. Eva loves fashion and hanging out with her friends, so when she has to spend the whole summer in a cottage down the country, she’s not happy. But soon she finds out that there’s more to life than clothes and having the right friends.


And I also adored Marshmallow Skye by Cathy Cassidy, the second in her warm, sweet Chocolate Box series. And finally another wonderful book is The Real Rebecca by Anna Carey is the story of Irish teen, Rebecca and her ultra embarrassing mother.

What will YOU be reading this Christmas?
Happy Christmas to all! May 2012 bring you many wonderful things . . . including brilliant books!
Yours in books,

Sarah XXX

The First Book I Ever Read

Here's a quick q and a I just did for the Readathon - can you remember the first book you ever read? SarahXXX

Can you remember the first book you ever read by yourself?

I was a late reader, I didn’t read fluently until I was 9 ½ but as soon as it all started to click I flew through all the Enid Blyton school stories. But the first book I can remember being read aloud to me is A A Milne’s poetry books.

What was your favourite book as a child?

As a child and now, my favourite books are Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, and Are You There, God, It’s Me, Margaret by the wonderful Judy Blume.

Is there any children’s book which has been handed down through the generations in your family ?

Yes, lots – Richard Scarry books, The Secret Garden, Ballet Shoes, Fairy Tale collections and my prized possession, a signed Mary Lavin ‘The Second Best Children in the World’, a brilliant picture book.

What is your favourite book of all time?

See above!

Is there a reading or book related memory/tip that you would like to share with young readers around the country?

In my job as a children’s bookseller I’ve been very lucky to meet a lot of authors over the years – including J K Rowling, Jacqueline Wilson and Judy Blume. And they all have one thing in common, they are all passionate readers. So if you’d like to be a brilliant writer like Jo or Jacqueline, read, read, read!

My Fave Review of the Week - Thanks MB!

Here's my favourite review of the week - and thanks to M B for letting me post it - you rock!

SarahX

Amy Green, Teen Agony Queen Series.

This is my definite favourite EVER book series! I’m not joking, every time I pick up these books to read I fall in love with them again! These books explain the life of a typical Irish thirteen-year-old living in Dublin. Amy Green has all sorts of challenging problems; school, her parent’s divorce, her dad getting married to some one she hates, her mum’s boyfriend who she is not too fond of, boy trouble and two terror toddlers. But then Amy's breath taking aunt Clover finds a job in the magazine the Goss and Amy can’t believe her luck! To even be around Clover is a laugh and amazing fun but Clover asking Amy to help her is an honour and a fantastic experience. And even though Clover is only seventeen she needs the eyes and ears of a thirteen-year-old to help her. And, as Clover gets more into the job and is getting asked to do an interview with a certain famous actor she needs some one to go to America with her…....and maybe answering other people’s questions may find the answers to Amy’s…..

I really enjoyed these books, you feel that you can relate to them, it’s as if the story was about you in some chapters and I feel that the author, Sarah Webb captured that very well! The book is written very thoughtfully and a lot of effort probably went into this to make it as good as it is now. It’s very funny, and will have you giggling through out the book. The two books out at the moment are Boy Trouble and Summer Secrets, there is the third novel named Bridesmaid Blitz being released in October and Sarah is currently writing the fourth book named Party Drama-Rama. My favourite book would be the first one, boy trouble but I enjoyed the other one thoroughly too. I definitely give them all 5 stars.

News on Amy 3 - but in the meantime you could read . . .

Hi folks, Amy here again!

Lots of you have been asking when the new book featuring my most excellent and thrilling adventures is out - well, that would be October. Sarah tells me it's finished and it's absolutely fab if she says so herself.

It's called Bridesmaid Blitz and all the old gang are back - Amy and Clover obviously, Mills, Seth, and the ancients - Polly, Sylvie, Gramps, Dave. Plus a rather mysterious new character called Bailey.

But in the meantime if you just have to read something and you've already devoured Boy Trouble and Summer Secrets dozens of times (that would be you, Michelle C, don't deny it!), check out Threads: Beads, Boys and Bangles by Sophia Bennett. Set in the London fashion world, it's full of cool dresses, cute ballet boys, mad friends and Indian adventures. I LOVED it.

And more news - Sarah is touring Ireland with Sophia and another fantastic Irish writer, Judi Curtin in October - the Armed, Pink and Dangerous Tour 2010. More details soon.

Talk soon,

Amy XXX

Meet Sarah in September 2009

Books 2009 Festival - Dublin City Centre

Sarah will be hosting a Magic Writing Workshop for all those interested in writing in the Shaw Room at the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin at 1.30 on Sat 19th Sept. She will also talk about how she came up with the idea for Amy Green and answer questions on writing. Numbers are limited so do book asap if you'd like to join her! Age 9+
Check out the details here: www.bookevents.ieHere is the booking link: http://www.bookevents.ie/event-details.php?prod=SarahWebb

Sarah will also be appearing at the Mountains to Sea Festival in Dun Laoghaire on Sunday 13th September in Dun Laoghaire Park. The Books in the Park event starts at 1.00. Sarah will be on at around 3. Other authors include Marita Conlon-McKenna, Joe O'Brien and Oisin McGann. Check out www.mountainstosea.ie for details Admission free! No booking needed.

Bisto Irish Book of the Year

Hi there,

Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd won the Bisto Irish Book of the Year Award yesterday. It's for teenagers and is set in Northern Ireland. I liked it, but I really wanted Eoin Colfer's Airman or Kate Thompson's Creature of the Night to win.

Eoin Colfer's an amazing writer and a lovely guy - so funny! I adore his Artemis Fowl books and Airman is an amazing book - set in Wexford - about a boy who escapes a prison island by making . . . well, I won't spoil it in case you want to read it one day.

Book awards are great for getting people talking about books, aren't they?
What's your favourite book of the year so far? Do you have one?
Do let me know - sarah@askamygreen.com

Always delighted to hear from fellow book fans!

SarahXXX

Where the Wild Things Are Movie

Hi All,

Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak is one of my fave books of all time - and the film will be out on 16th Oct - I can't wait. Here is a sneak preview - from You Tube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--N9klJXbjQ

It's one of the greatest picture books ever!

Enjoy. Great song too - Arcade Fire I think.

Sarah X