Titles

Back in 2005, when I first started the manuscript for Splattered Beauty, I had a completely different title in mind--Slashers & Scream Queens. As a horror fanboy, I loved this title. I thought it not only went hand-in-hand with my ode to my favorite ladies of the genre, but it also fit the story well. After all, it involves a scream queen who spends the vast majority of her career running from slashers only to in turn become the slasher in her own life. I thought it worked and worked well. Not only that, but I was certain those who appreciated the genre as much as I did would get a kick out of it.

As I started floating the title around to close friends and acquaintances, I noticed a pattern—those who appreciated the genre as much as I did loved it. Those who didn’t thought it was somewhat humorous, but that’s about it. I thought long and hard about this and ultimately decided to take the suggestion of someone who, at the time, was very close to me and changed the title. I was glad that other fanboys had an appreciation for the title, but it wasn’t only them I wanted to reach. I had envisioned my book being embraced by the masses, not just an audience of devoted genre followers.

So, shortly after the novel was finished, I changed the title to Splattered Beauty, which references a subplot introduced midway through the book. Though it works on some levels, I’ve come to find that it is also a bit misleading. Readers who’ve judged the novel on the title alone have come to assume it’s an Edward Lee-style gorefest. It isn’t. Don’t get me wrong, there are some pretty visceral scenes in the novel, it’s just not by any means an over-the-top blood and guts romp.

The more I thought about it, the more I began to miss the Slashers & Scream Queens title and the more I’ve regretted changing it. The only thing I can think of that would right this wrong is if, down the road, I’m approached by a publisher who wants to do a reprint. Then I can have the opportunity to change the title back. It would be nice to see my novel published under the title I originally intended.

There’s a lesson to be had here--always go with your gut. I sure wish I had. What do you guys think? Which title works better? Please feel free to leave your comments below.