Saturday, I woke up as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. Connecting with readers--in person, or online--inspires me to roll up my sleeves and go to work. After last night's Hot M.A.M.A. Land Holiday Giveaway Days Kick-off Party, I'm still riding high off the positive energy from my fellow Hot M.A.M.A.s and all of the wonderful readers who participated. My mind is buzzing with ideas about the new contemporary romance series I'm planning for 2015 and beyond.
I'm super excited about this series because for more than a year, I knew I wanted to go indie. A friend, who is a successful indie author, suggested that I be prepared to release at least three books in a short period of time, before going indie. Preferably a series.
The task felt monumental, especially since I hadn't completed a project since my last published novel.
Several months later, I still hadn't settled on a series. When a new idea came to me for a New Year's Day-themed novella, rather than adding to the chaos inside my head, it helped me pull it all together. I'd been wanting to write about a fictional small town in North Carolina. The New Year's Day story fit perfectly. And that's when it hit me...with a few adjustments, several of my works-in-progress would also fit into this small town series.
When I sat down to plot out this series; everything fell into place. In less than two hours, I'd planned out a series of eight books--six novels and two novellas--from current works in progress or ideas from my story ideas notebook. The only completely new story, will be the New Year's novella.
Voila! I have my series.
The title for each book came to me easily. However, I would love your help naming the series. The fictional town is New Soundhaven, North Carolina. Here are the ideas I've had for series names:
- New Soundhaven
- Home to Carolina
- Love & Other Seaside Adventures
- Coastal Carolina
- Gone to Carolina
- Carolina on My Mind
Post your favorite(s) in the comments below. Don't like any of these? Offer your recommendation instead.
As a special thank you, and as part of the Hot M.A.M.A. Land Holiday Giveaway Days, I will randomly select one commenter to win a copy of the Hot Christmas Nights anthology featuring stories by Farrah Rochon, Tera Little and Velvet Carter (or a $5 Amazon/Barnes and Noble/iTunes Gift Card). If I choose your series name, you'll get the chance to be a Beta Reader for the first book in the series, which should be ready early next year, and I'll thank you in the acknowledgments. Lastly, all commenters will be entered into our grand prize drawing.
You've got 48 hours to enter. I look forward to hearing your ideas. Good luck!
Couple on beach photo courtesy of Ryan G. Smith.
Hey Reese! Is location the only thing your stories/novellas have in common? Any common characters? Are they intermingled standalones? In a pinch, "The New Soundhaven Series" works, but not sure I'd include the word 'new'. Overall, to me, it doesn't bring thoughts of love or romance to mind. "Seaside Affairs" and "Coastal Affairs" keep running through my mind too. The clock is ticking...I may be back! LOL! Looking forward to the series.
ReplyDeleteHey, Felicia! Dropping "New" is an option. I really like your two suggestions of "Seaside Affairs" and "Coastal Affairs." The location is the prime linking factor. Each title will be able to stand alone. However, there will be common characters who show up throughout the series. Thank you for your comment!
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ReplyDeleteWhat about Steamy Carolina Nights or Carolina Dreams?
ReplyDeleteOut of the options you have I like Home to Carolina.
Alicia, I like both of those options, too. I think Steamy Carolina Nights is my favorite thus far. You all have way better series title ideas than I did. Thank you so much for sharing these option.
DeleteI like Home to Carolina
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Mary!
DeleteThose Carolina Ladies
ReplyDeleteHey Joyce! You made it on! Now that you're signed in, you shouldn't have a problem going forward. Still, I want to thank you so much for the effort that you put into participating today!
DeleteHey Reese. Out of yours, I like Home to Carolina and maybe adding a word to #4 - A Coastal Carolina Romance.
ReplyDeleteSheryl Lister
Thanks so much for your feedback, Sheryl!
DeleteHow about "Cool Carolina Days and Hot Nights", " Moonlight and Carolina Nights" or " Carolina Loving".
ReplyDeleteHi Keicia! I like the Hot Nights. You've also given me an idea for an individual story title with the "Moonlight and Carolina Nights." Thanks for your input!
DeleteOkay, I'm terrible at these kinds of things but what about "Carolina Nights"? Good luck:)
ReplyDeleteI don't know why, but the book titles I can always do. I find the series titles so much harder. Thanks for your suggestion, Quanie!
DeleteHi Reese,
ReplyDeleteIt's always great to read/hear about an author's excitement for their upcoming work. Congrats to you for expanding your publishing options and putting in the work for a series.
I'm not sure if there is one word that appears in almost every title of the individual books but let's say for example you have the location's name in every title then it may be that the key is to keep it simple. The Soundhaven series. OR Romance in Soundhaven series.
If each title doesn't connect automatically other than to be a part of this fictional town. Then perhaps some of the following will encompass the entire series:
Seduction in Soundhaven series
Finding Love in Soundhaven series
Seaside Adventures in Soundhaven series
Discovering Love in Soundhaven series
Best of luck to you!
Shantal
Thanks so much, Shantal. You've given me a lot to think about for this series, and the next few--already in mind.
DeleteHi Reese!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about the new series and I love Carolina On My Mind but I have a few other suggestions: Carolina Haven, Carolina Love (or Love, Carolina) and Sound Haven
Thanks for sharing my enthusiasm about the series. I appreciate it, and your suggestions!
DeleteCarolina Casanovas
ReplyDeleteOoh, that would be a good series titles. Hmm...storing that one away for the future. Thanks, Regina!
DeleteThanks for the Cover Carss. Got them today....
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I'm glad they made it to you so quickly.
DeleteHome sweet Home or Southern roots
ReplyDeleteHome Sweet Home is nice, especially since a few of the characters will be returning home to Soundhaven. Thanks for the suggestion!
DeleteI like Home to Carolina
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback, Sue!
DeleteI like Home to Carolina or Carolina on my mind. :) Can't wait to read your new series.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Robin. That makes me want to get to work writing, all the more. :-)
DeleteNew Soundhaven would be a very good name for the series. It just has this unique ring to the name.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like the town name, Kai. There will be a bit of history behind that which lends to the town's diverse makeup.
DeleteCarolina on My Mind is my favorite
ReplyDeleteI do love that one. Probably because I also love James Taylor. :-) Thanks, Jodi!
DeleteI like Carolina on My Mind.
ReplyDeleteI love that you'll be giving me more to read.
Good luck with the new series!!!!!!
Thanks so much for your feedback on the series title and your kind words, Judi. I appreciate them!
DeleteI like Carolina on my Mind too!
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of catchy, probably mostly because of James Taylor. But, I do really like it, too. Thanks for your input!
Delete"Home to Carolina" is my pick. However, I do love the suggestions above from Felicia: "Seaside Affairs" and "Coastal Affairs."
ReplyDeleteAlso, so happy to see you're taking the Indie plunge.
Thanks, Demetria. I'm privileged to know so many talented authors, like you, who have done it already and who are willing to offer guidance. Thanks for your feedback on the series title!
DeleteMy three favorites are in this order:
ReplyDeleteCarolina on My Mind
Gone to Carolina
Love & Other Seaside Adventures
Thank you so much for your input, Leni!
DeleteThank you, everyone, for participating. The series name and winners are announced here: http://hotsouthernwriters.blogspot.com/2014/11/and-name-that-series-winners-are.html -- Be sure to check the post to see if you're a winner.
ReplyDelete