Support for Indie Authors discussion

Hello, friends. I'm in a bit of a pickle and could really use the advice of a few authors who are more clever than myself.

I finished writing this mystery book and now I'm nearly done with 1st pass copy edits, yet I still don't have a title for the book. It's one of those things where I figured I would just keep writing and the title would reveal itself to me, but that never actually happened and now the cover needs to be made.

I've narrowed it down to a few titles, though even those I'm not in love with. Here is a concise synopsis:
The book is set in Los Angeles and follows a music journalist, David, as he goes to concerts and interviews musicians. David's side hustle is selling drugs to the rock stars he interviews. One day, a Keith-Richards-type of character collapses on stage just before he is supposed to be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. The official cause of death is drug overdose, but we soon find out that there is actually a serial killer going around town, killing musicians and making it look like they OD'd. David then has to catch the killer. The book is also a subtle commentary on the drug culture within the music industry; there is also a prominent love story in there.

Here are the working titles:
1. The Secret Life of a Music Journalist
2. Confessions of a Music Journalist
3. Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n' Roll & Murder

I know, all 3 are pretty terrible. I'm really grasping at straws here guys. Could someone please give me some direction? I would appreciate it like you wouldn't even know.

Cheers,
Ryan

Make sure your title doesn't give away who the murderer is unless that is what you'd like the reader to know.

Ryan wrote: "Hello, friends. I'm in a bit of a pickle and could really use the advice of a few authors who are more clever than myself.

I finished writing this mystery book and now I'm nearly done with 1st pa..."

How about:

1. Killer Songs
2. The Sound of Drugs and Murder
3. Power Chords of Death (A David __ Musical Murder Mystery)

Just a few ideas. I can see why it would be tough.

Fear the Reaper

You could also play with that root:

Some Fear the Reaper
Rock N Reaper
The Reaper's Deadly Encore

Here are the working titles:
1. The Secret Life of a Music Journalist
2. Confessions of a Music Journalist
3. Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n' Roll & Murder

The most important thing is that it is obvious what type of book it is so that it appeals to readers that like that genre. From that point of view your 3rd tittle is the best, as it is not obvious what genre the first 2 are - they sound a bit like memoirs - whereas 3 does sound like a murder mystery. The 3rd title still doesn't seem quite right though as it is a bit long and unwieldy. I like Jeffery's idea of adding "(A David __ Musical Murder Mystery)" after whatever title you choose.

Killer Songs

I’m one of those who would encourage you to create your own unique title for your novel. Something that speaks to the true message behind your story and perhaps carries an image that is important to the plot. If your story were about a child who was abused and lived his whole life overcoming that trauma (perhaps having been taken into a room with a red door every time he/she were abused), you might name the novel The Red Door. Something that stands out and makes you feel something. In my opinion only, I try to steer away from using other’s ideas in naming a book I worked so hard at writing. It’s definitely not a bad thing at all. I know of many great authors who give credit to friends or family for the awesome title of their books. That’s totally fine if you want to share that credit with someone, especially if it’s truly a great title! I just suggest diving deep inside your story and writing a few things that first comes to mind and then try creating titles from those things. Then maybe using the advice of other authors on how they formulated their titles. But again, there’s nothing wrong with having help creating a title either.

Music to Die By? Music to Kill By?

The Music Killer
Death and Rock and Roll
Music, Drugs and Death: The Rock and Roll Murders
The Chord of Death

LA Downbeat

Of the ones you have listed, I think I like the 3rd best. But they are all a little similar to titles I've seen before. They remind me of like a segment on VH1 or something (I don't mean that in a mean way, just my opinion.)

Killer Chords?

The one probably isn't too great either. lol. Titles are hard.

Wow, you all had some amazing suggestions and have given me much to think about. I would hate to pick a title pre-maturely, but the cover is supposed to be done this week.

By the way, and I probably should have mentioned this earlier, but the book is told in first person past tense, entirely from David's point of view. I don't know why, that's just how the story wanted to be told.

Also, I've explored a lot of different cover options, but I'm going with a picture of the Los Angeles Theatre, where the marquee will be the title of the book. If you've ever seen an old theatre with a sign above the entrance that says who is performing, that's basically the LA Theatre.

If anyone has more titles, I'd love to hear them. Once I figure out what I'm going with, I'll post the cover here. Thanks again.

Is there something metaphorical you can use that describes an important scene or recurring situation in the story? Maybe even something obvious and blunt, like “Pills for a Story.” “The Little Bag in My Pocket” Something thought provoking.

Death at the Theatre?

I'm sure you have several pithy comments made my the characters in the book. Pick one that describes the story.
Ashley Lee London

How about rock songs about murder or death in general? You could pick out a lyric or song title that fits your story. For example: Psycho Killer by Talking Heads.

Or maybe there's a song that's frequently referenced in your book?

Here's a couple more, okay how bout three:

Staged Murder
Encore of Murder
Stage Dive

Now you're tricking us into reading your book - Ha !
Sounds like a good story and good luck with the cover

Monkey Man

How about; The rock and roll murders; the riff of death.

Don't Spook the Roadies.
The Music Will Last Forever.
Pocketman.
The Plectrum Killings.
Keith Can't Play Rio.
Volume to 11.
Murk and Chaos in Rock & Roll.
Sound Bites.
Wearing Sunglasses, When it's Cloudy.

Faith wrote: "Volume to 11."

*thumbs up*

If you look at great titles in past books, some seem to have nothing to do with the story like To Kill a Mocking Bird or Grapes of Wrath or The Stand, you shouldn't limit your thinking. The title should only be intriguing or interesting. With that in mind how about;
The Seamy Side

You always want your titles to be short and carry a punch. Something "Keynote"

S.E. wrote: "How about; The rock and roll murders; the riff of death."

I personally just love "The Riff of Death" or maybe even "The Riff of Murder"

Rock Bottom
Tuned Out
Falling Flat

Staging a Death.

Riff of Death - The Encore Murders - Book One

What about, Classified: Murder? I know you have been given a lot of choices, so here’s a tip I use. Take all the ideas, write each on a stickie note, then toss all of them in front of you. One of two things may happen. You will select the one closet to you and go with it, or there is one that you hope would have dropped close to you so go with that. Either way pick one and run with it because, you don’t want to be delayed by a title. I do have other ways, if interested send me and email.

I think if you reflect on your motivations for writing the book, a title will grab your attention. It might be one from the many suggestions already given, or from the three you've listed.
Here are my suggestions:
Murder of a Rock Star
Flying High
Deception in Dealing

What kind of Drugs are we talking here? Is there a particular drug that has prominence in the book?

Cocaine:
Star-spangled Powder Rock

Heroin:
When the White Nurse Comes Calling

Methamphetamine:
The Blue Devil's Tune

Non-drug related Titles:
Rock 'n' Roll Overdose

The biggest issue with the title and cover is probably that the story is about the world of rock ( I assume), but the main character is not a musician.

If you give the impression that the MC is a rock star it may keep some away, while others may be disappointed to learn that the MC is actually a drug dealing journalist.

I have no suggestion, sorry, but maybe look at the serial killer and his/ger motivation?

Intro to Murder
Songs to Watch Murders go by
Death March
Tuned to Violence

Any help?

Hi
I agree with Leah that the best titles will come from something intrinsic to your story or character.

For example, if the killer is e.g. a hasbeen or down-and-out who is resentful of the rock stars's success you could go with:
Deadbeat

of if s/he just hates the noise, why not:
Dead Quiet
or even
The Silence of the Jams ;-)

Some more generic music/drugs ones might be:
High Notes
Murder from O – D
Tunes to Die For

Good luck.