Stop! Easter Bunny, You Forgot Something!
That was the title of the first picture book I ever wrote. And guess what. It never sold. Why? Because editors couldn’t get past that title. (Okay, that’s not entirely true. The story wasn’t great, either. But I needed an introduction to this post, and that’s all I could come up with.)
No, I don’t need help finding a title for my next book…yet. But I do need help finding a title for an upcoming writing workshop. I’ll be speaking at the national SCBWI conference this August. Problem is, whenever there’s a breakout session for workshops, there are 11 or 12 workshops to choose from. And I don’t want to talk to an empty room! So I need a catchy title to lure ’em in.
My workshop will deal with adding suspense to your manuscript. Not how to write a suspense novel, but how a manuscript from absolutely any genre can become a page-turner if elements of suspense are sprinkled in.
So leave your titles in the comments section. If I use yours and you’ll be at the conference, I’ll treat you to two drinks. Why two drinks? Cuz everyone says, “C’mon, I’ll buy you a drink.” It’s a cliché…and clichés make me nervous.
If I choose your title and you won’t be at the conference, I’ll send you something autographed in the mail…and it’ll probably be something I wrote (unless you want me to autograph someone else’s book, which I have done recently).
- Jay
P.S. Here’s my favorite suspense-themed joke:
Question: How do you keep a moron in suspense?
***for the answer, check back in two hours and I’ll have it up***
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20 comments:
Aw, Jay, I wish I could hear YOUR presentation! It'll be a little weird not going to LA this year, but I don't think we're going to. I'm talking a bit about suspense in my talk too -- in the same way you are, how not all suspense is about killers at the door and such, but all the things that keep you turning the pages of a book, small things and large things. It's a great topic. Have fun with it!
How's about this title:
"Come to my workshop and I'll give you $20"
How to Keep them Hanging: Secrets, Questions, Hooks...and Screaming Meemies?
Cliff-hanging and Nail-biting: Adding Suspense to Your Novel
or:
Sleeping With the Lights On: Bringing Suspense Into Your Story
or:
Don't Look Under the Bed: How to Lure the Reader with Suspense
I'm sure I have more! ;o)
This title has a Mary Hershey spin on it:
The Butler Doesn’t Always Do It
Sometimes It’s A Care Bear
How to Incorporate Elements of Suspense in all Genres of Children’s Books
Wow, you've already gotten some really great ideas. Cool!
And it's been over two hours...when are you going to post the answer to that joke??
(I can't wait!!!)
;-)
Robin
I need a catchy title to lure ’em in.
"The Workshop Dedicated to Chris" would lure me in.
And I'm going to be there, my first conference in two years. I'll have so many workshops to choose from....
heh heh
:-)
Hi there Disco Mermaids,
Did you ever get the email I sent you you last week? My other friend did not get his email so just checking.
My picture book MERMAIDS ON PARADE/ Putnam is being released in June. The Discos Mermaids are in the books and also on the back flap.
I'll be giving 3 SCBWI workshops in Los Angeles in Aug. A breakout session will feature the Mermaid book which was in the works when I met you at the last LA conference in 2005. The DM's were a part of my research and I'm sure to bring that up in the workshop for any of your fans out there in cyberland +.
And Laini, love the pink hair dye, hope the 2005 photos of the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island that you saw in Feb 07 when we had dinner inspired the new look.
Topic titles are hard to come up with, understand.
Good luck, Jay!
Melanie Hope Greenberg
ps my book is listed on Google if anyone wants a
preview
Great ideas so far!
And I'm sorry, Robin. I don't know what I was thinking. I put up this post late last night, so two hours was a ridiculous amount of time to pick, cuz hardly anyone's on at that time. But now that more people have read the question, I'll post the answer...um...soon.
Sorry to make you wait!
- Jay
Jay,
I'm apparently not a moron because I got the joke.
Shame on you!!!
Hee. Hee.
How about
"I'm Jay Asher and you're not."
"SUSPENSE. (Two very special hotties will be at this workshop, so you should definitely come to it.)"
"I'm Jay Asher and I wrote 13 Reasons Why. 'Nuff said."
I got a million of 'em!
Pink Cosmo and a Pink Cosmo please...
Eve
Hi Discos,
Hope we get a chance to see all our great workshops. How cool is that?
In the alignment with the jokes going on, here's my dark side idea : "I'm Important and You're Not"
MHG
How about:
"Wanna Know Why I'm Giving a Workshop? I Bet You Do."
"Who's Gonna Win the DM's Latest Contest? Come to My Workshop to Find Out."
And, if your workshop is BEFORE the Theme Party:
"What on Earth Will the DM's Wear This Year?"
Lamy
Cue the Jaws music:
Building...wait for it...wait for it...SUSPENSE.
"You Gotta Leave 'em Hanging: Jay Walks You Through Rope, Tape and Funny Little Hooks of Suspense"
Get it? Jay walks? Jaywalking... Okay, if I have to explain...
But I am going to LA this year, for the first time! How cool is that?
How about...
"They picked it up, now keep them from putting it down."
Or
"A page turned is a reader earned."
I won't be there but I do live in L.A. so... : )
How about:
Come Hear Me Talk If You're NOT A NYT Bestselling Author
Listen to This And You Too Can Be a NYT Bestselling Author.
This Workshop Guarantees That You Will Become a NYT Bestselling Author or Your Money Back
Jay Asher: More Than Pat the Bunny
Suspense--Not Just for Breakfast (or Thrillers) Anymore.
HEY JAY!
OMG! LiKE iN 2 WEEKS i AM ACTUALLY GONNA GET TO MEET YOU!!!! THiS ROCKS!!!! ONLY BECAUSE YOU ROCK!!! WE HAVE A LiL SUPRiSE FOR YOU!!! i THiNK YOU WiLL LiKE iT!!! iT WAS MY iDEA TOO!!! OK WELL i AM SURE MRS.STU GONNA BE GETTiNG EXCiTED SO BETTER GET MYSELF READY!!! LOL!!!
CAN'T WAiT TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU REALLY ROCK JAY!!!!
LOVE ONE OF YOUR FAVORiTE READERS,
LiNDSEY (HMS BOOKCLUBBER)
And the title will be...
No Bookmarks Allowed: How to Inject Suspense Into Any Novel
Don't worry, I'm sure we'll have more two-drink contests before the conference arrives.
And Lindsey, I am beyond excited to come visit Alabama. (And did you say there's a surprise???) Woo-hoo!!!
- Jay
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