Support for Indie Authors discussion

I'm not here to discuss the book at length or promote it in any way, but I'd like to find out what title you personally prefer and/or think would sell better. It's a fantasy/horror so I'm looking for a title that will give off the best impression or simply has a good ring to it.

Here are the three working titles I'm considering, please let me know your thoughts and which title you think sounds better.

1. Desolation of Dormere

2. Dormere

3. Desolation's Reach

The first one was my original concept title but I was worried that if anyone was trying to find the book, they'd only find "Desolation of Smaug" from the LotR series, however I'm still considering it.

Let me know your opinions on which title you think is the best!

Choosing from those three:
Dormere: I don't know who/what it means, and while I am somewhat curious to know, I'm not super curious.
Desolation of Dormere: Probably this one. It tells me something bad is going on with Dormere and has more of a high fantasy ring to it.
Desolation's Reach: this sounds modern, maybe because of Jack Reacher. So if it's high fantasy it doesn't give me that impression.

Reach could work by itself, it can be a noun or a verb so it sets up that question, but it also sounds modern to me.

M.L. Roberts:

Thanks for the feedback!

I'd agree with M.L. In addition, 'Desolation of Dormere' feels closer to your specific work as it mentions the place where it happens (if I understand it correctly) while Desolation's Reach feels less specific.

I prefer Desolation’s Reach. It makes me curious. Desolation of Dormere sounds too on the nose. I’m never a fan of titles with a character’s name or a location in it. They seem lazy, in my opinion, right up there with using “Rise of the . . .”, “Dawn of the . . .”, or “Fall of the . . .” in the title.

Phillip wrote: "They seem lazy, in my opinion, right up there with using “Rise of the . . .”, “Dawn of the . . .”, or “Fall of the . . .” in the title."

Slightly off-topic maybe but I'd say that "Rise of [something]" is good for a prequel.

I'd say either #1 or #3.

#3

I like #1.
Not really knowing what the book is about, this one sounds dire and maybe a good fit for fantasy/horror.
I also like the alliteration.

I like #3. I think it makes you wonder. I'm of the belief that a title should allude to the story as opposed to hitting it on the nose.

I like #1. #3 could be used for the sequel

My vote is #3 as well. The other two seem lacking or cliche’d

I'd go for #3.

Desolation's Reach

Desolation's Reach is the best of those. It sounds cliché enough that you can tell it's fantasy (cliché isn't meant to be derogatory, just very on-trope-ish if you get my meaning) ... and fortunately a quick Google search showed no other books with that title, which kind of surprised me.

I like Desolation's Reach as well. Two words that I immediately understand. Two active words. A strong verb in reach. And a word combo that seems in opposition which causes me to wonder.

I prefer Desolation’s Reach.

Number 3 for me: it makes me wonder.

3

Desolation's Reach

I would use Desolation's Reach- has a better ring to it. It can be a dilemma choosing the correct title to explain your book, took me a while. Good idea posting on here to get feedback from this fine body of bookworms.

#3

I was really drawn to Number 1. It just has a nice ring to it. :)

_
Desolation of Dormere; - makes me wonder who or what Dormere is and how it was desolated.
Thrilling!

I like 1, 3 is too generic I think.

I prefer Desolation's Reach,
Personally, I wouldn't use 'Dormere' in the title because, it's a made-up word, I just had to check the spelling twice, it might make it harder for readers to find your work.

I like 3

No. 3

Dylan wrote: "I'm not here to discuss the book at length or promote it in any way, but I'd like to find out what title you personally prefer and/or think would sell better. It's a fantasy/horror so I'm looking f..."

I prefer Desolation of Dormere. I feel that it describes your content best. Also, there is something to be said for it sounding like something they've heard before. It's a psychological signal to their subconscious that says I recognize this book, even if they don't.

Desolate Reach may sound better.

You didn't give the following option, "Desolation Dormere" but I like this, having removed the "of." Reminds me of the movie Damnation Alley. Desolation of Dormere could work though because Dormere could be a person or place.

I like # 3

It could be an advantage to be near the search for Lord of the Rings.
My name sits next to JK Rowling in the bookshops and I'm quite happy! Desolation of Dormere sounds fine to me - at least no-one else will have used that title.

I like #3