BOOK TITLE REVEAL! And, what's in a name?

THE GREAT TREE OF IRIS (TGTOI)!

People always ask me about the writing process, and I have some thoughts about choosing book titles.

As I was drafting and editing my story between Dec. 2022-Dec. 2023, the title haunted me like the leftover cheesecake on the top rack of my fridge right now (Oreo from Cheesecake Factory. The best. 👍🏻).

I tried all the things. I kept a running list of 30+ (I just counted) possible titles. None of them really fit. I tried all the generic-sounding fantasy book formulas: _____ of ______ (like Game of Thrones), A _______ of ______ and _______… etc.

I searched Google and Goodreads/Storygraph for similar adult epic fantasy titles. I read articles like this one (on how to choose a book title). I looked at charts of common fantasy elements (this is older but still provides food for thought). I asked my beta readers.

Advice from writers said: you’ll know the title when you see it. It will come to you. And this one did. Ultimately, THE GREAT TREE OF IRIS is an epic fantasy story that all comes back to one tree that heals folks from a disease. It is the being that Lia, my main character, wants to preserve as long as possible. She and her 6 companions go on a quest to save it (yes, I’m still being vague about the plot. I promise I’ll share more soon!).

Some titles I really like but ultimately will not use:

“The Nights Had Always Been Theirs” - if this was a fantasy romance (romance in a fantasy world) instead of a romantic fantasy (fantasy with romantic subplots), I would use this one in a flash. It has a deep meaning to my story, and it’s a quote from near the end of the book. But it’s too romance-focused imho. (BUT I LOVE IT) (BUT…)

“Queen of Sunflowers” - there’s so much queen/king stuff out there, and I wanted to be a bit more original. Plus, the sunflower fields of the elves are an important part of my book, but not as important as the tree.

“The _________ and the Great Tree” - something like this felt more childish than adult fantasy, though I do like it (the blank could be filled with several different titles but they’re a bit too spoiler-y for this moment).

Ironically, I came up with a title for my third, totally unrelated pirate/princess book (currently in first draft mode) VERY quickly. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Anyway, I was super stressed about finding a title for this THING I was spending hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours on! You’ll find me using it now when I talk about my book. That being said, if my book does get picked up for traditional publishing, the title may change. If I end up self-publishing, it will probably stay. I really don’t think I’m going to come up with anything that fits the story better, and I love it.

In the words of my partner/alpha reader: “I don’t know what you would name it if NOT this.” So, there you have it!

What questions do you have about TGTOI, or choosing a title? Hit “reply” and let me know, and I’ll get back to you!

-The Great Tree of Iris is in (final?) revisions. It’s going really well. I think the STORY itself is set in stone. A little bit every day gets the work done. I was sick on-and-off throughout March so that has forced me to slow my pace, which is fine. I’m hoping to start querying agents in May, unless the final two read-throughs reveal major issues that I need to revise and get feedback on. So I’m focusing on sentence flow and minor errors.

-I just featured as one of 30+ poets at Poetpalooza II at Barnes and Noble in Easton, PA. This was for National Poetry Month! We had five minutes to read, and I chose a poem that’s among my best: “My Body.” I haven’t published it online or anything yet, and I’m not sure if/when I will. While writing it, I went on a journey of examining my body throughout my life. What it has felt like to live in it, all the good and bad and in between. Ultimately, it’s healing for me to read aloud.

Here’s a really brief snippet: I know it’s temporary, my body, in/Many ways./It moves me. I would not be here/Without its volume, its weight/Its sheer magnitude./I relish these thighs, this belly/This weight. If I don’t have a problem/Why do others?

Watching: Girls 5Eva on Netflix - it’s about a girl band (think Backstreet Boys/*NSYNC) from the early 2000s who restarts the band in their forties. I love Sara Bareilles and Renee Elise Goldsberry, so that’s been a fun, easy watch. I laugh out loud more than I initially expected!

Listening: I’m still on a Florence and the Machine kick. And I made a playlist because I’m GOING TO LONDON with my best friend soon, so I’ve been listening to that when I need a pick me up!

Crafting: I’m working on a couple of surprise quilts. I’ll probably have a picture or two to share in May but for now, my lips are sealed. Quilting is like this a lot, especially because I make a lot of gifts. Someone has to be quilt-worthy, though (many are)!

Reading: A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske. I keep hearing amazing things about this queer historical fantasy romance trilogy, and I think it’s going to be the perfect breath of fresh air.

I love me some epic fantasy (and I need to read widely within my genre), but my brain feels very jumbled and overwhelmed at the moment. That being said, I still started The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty on audio, because so far, it’s been easy to follow. Excited to read about an older female main character and her pirate-y adventures. 🙌🏻 Again, I’ve heard so many good things about this one.

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