Thursday, August 25, 2011

Please help me with my decision!

Decision Tree. Perhaps you will make one just like
this to help me with my decision, but I don't expect
or require it! 
Are you wondering what the title to the third and final book of the Disillusionists trilogy is? Well you're not alone, my friend. Hellllllllp!

It doesn't matter if you've read the first two books or not; either way, I would be so grateful to get your reactions to these titles. Sometimes all my titles get rejected, but I want to strongly recommend one.

And there's a prize!
One random person who both comments and does the quiz will win a $10 gift certificate to any online store they choose! And, the rest of you will earn my intense gratitude. Wow, this blog is just prize central this week.

Keep in mind the titles of books #1 & 2
Bk #1:   MIND GAMES
Bk #2:   DOUBLE CROSS
Bk #3:  ?

Okay, so for the third and final book, which do you prefer? 

Option #1: HEAD RUSH
Pros: Totally goes with the first two titles. Accurate to the book without giving important things away.

Cons: The first two titles are more interactive, they imply relationships and things between people, whereas Head Rush is a solitary affair. Also, may wrongly suggest an emphasis on a hypochondria storyline.

Option #2: PSYCH OUT
Pros: Again, makes a nifty set with the first two titles. Accurate to the book without giving important things away. Kind of fun.

Cons: Is it too fun? Will people think it sounds silly? The series is vaguely humorous, but not certainly not a comedy series.

Option #3: THE ART OF FEAR
Pros: I love it and think it's cool. Highly accurate for the entire series arc.

Cons: Doesn't go with the first two. Series books often have titles that sort of make them into a set. So, powers that be may not go for it. Still...

How to win:
1. Comment and do the quiz. (<--quiz over there in sidebar)
2. Make sure I can get your email addy by clicking on your name, or just leave the addy in your comment.
3. I will pick a winner Monday morning CST when I sit down to my computer to start my day of writing, I will aim to pick this winner at some point after I have my coffee, but before the boy brings me my flask of whiskey, tranquilizers, dirty magazines and opium set-up, and definitely before the dancers arrive, because I am usually too distracted by then.

Images: Not my book cover, by me, and decision tree, by T-kita from Wiki Commons

81 comments:

kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews said...

I'm definitely for PSYCH OUT. It rounds up the previous two books showing how everything escalates into madness. It has a nice ring to it - the more I say it to myself the more I like the buzz and the crazy feel of it. You can play with the title turning it into a verb describing how you feel about the book. So I guess you know my vote :)
*wink*
impy80 at hotmail dot com

Chris said...

I like Psych Out, too. :)

Anonymous said...

I like Psych Out most as well. The third... maybe if you changed it to something with two words, one being Fear? I could of course just be beyond wrong.

Laurie K said...

I'm liking Psych Out, too.

Becky B. @ Bibliognome said...

I love the title Psych Out, it does seem to fit the best and like the first commenter said, it would connect all the books well. :)

B.E. Sanderson said...

I like Head Rush. Ooo, or how about Head Trip? :shrug: Whatever it ends up being, I can't wait to read it. =o)

elaing8 said...

I like Head rush.It fits better with the other two titles.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

jill said...

I wasn't sure until I read the tage lines below books 1 and 2. Psych Out seems to fit the series best.

Liz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Liz said...

Another vote for Psych Out. But I also agree with limecello about the third title.

DevouredShannon said...

For a Stand Alone, I would love to read a book called "The Art of Fear" but for the third in the series I really love Psych Out. No matter what you call it, Im going to buy it though! Can not wait!

Karen said...

I like Psych Out too. I think it balances out the other two titles. It's also clever in that that's what they do essentially - psych out people.

Jen said...

I vote for Head Rush! It's the one that would have me reaching to pluck it from the shelf amongst the other two. :)

jen _ baggiero [at] live [dot] com

Julia Broadbooks said...

I voted for Psych Out. I like the way it sounds with the other titles. I also think there's something a bit menacing about the phrase. It can be used to describe a prank or something more dark.

jasonbeineke said...

I have to agree with the above and go with PSYCH OUT, it balances the titles.

Jason said...

Psych Out! It fits and it rocks. :)

Jackie Uhrmacher said...

I'm not helpful at all because I don't prefer any of them. I can't share what I feel the title should be because it includes the name of the bad guy, a curse word, and the promise of much bloodshed. : )

I obviously need more caffeine. Out of all of them, I think Psych Out works the best and sounds the catchiest. The end of Double Cross is basically a HUGE Psych Out, as is the premise of both Mind Games and Double Cross. It works for the story arc and the individual books.

Anonymous said...

Of the three choices, I like Head Rush the best. Psych Out fits the series, but it also makes me think of that (corny) movie from the late 60s...and your series isn't corny. :)

The three-word title I think you're right on. Even though it's accurate, it doesn't fit the two-word pattern.

Anonymous said...

...and I should've included my e-mail in that last comment. onapalestar at gmail dot com. Sorry 'bout that!

Carolyn Crane said...

Thanks you guys! This is so helpful to be reading this. I'm so glad to be getting so many perspectives!

Mariya said...

You know sometimes I don't see how authors do it, name their books. I am horrible at naming. But I would definitely go with "PSYCH OUT", It's my favorite out of the ones you listed and I think it fits with the other two book well and since this is the last book in the Disillusionist Trilogy, "PSYCH OUT" sounds kick ass for the name of the final book. I couldn't really imagine it being anything else at this point. Then I guess the next order of bussiness is that cover...arrrghhh! you're killing me here! I'm dying for the cover!!! =DDDDDDD

mystifyingparanormalreviews[at]gmail[dot]com

Squenn said...

Hey Carolyn! I really like Head Rush. It is unique and does go well with the first two titles.

Elena said...

I choose "Psych Out" I did read both novels to this series and I highly recommend using that title.It fits best IMO :)

Goodluck!

Orchidgal9@gmail.com

ruth said...

Triple Threat
Terror Trap

Where is the I don't care give me the book already vote?

zombvampire @ gmail . com

Jessica said...

I like Head Rush but I can't give you a good reason why. It just goes with Mind Games, IMO.

tjotjoc at gmail dot com

Lesley D said...

I definitely like Psych Out the best!

Thanks for the giveaway! I can't wait for Book #3, whatever the title!

drakeLa90 at aol dot com

robsad79 said...

I'm going with Head Rush. I like the sound of it and I think it fits perfectly with the other two titles.

sadler1279(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anna said...

I like Psych Out best. It fits with the story arc, characters, and other Disillustionts titles. Head Rush is catchy and I would still buy the book with this title. The Art of Fear, while accurate to the story arc, is too different from the other titles.

Limecello made a good suggestiong of dropping one word, but all I can think of is Fear Factor. *sigh* Then Shell Shock, Abstract Fear, Cry Wolf. Ok, gotta stop.

saobrien(AT)cox(DOT)net

Lelia Girard said...

Psych Out. I agree that The Art of Fear would be a spectacular title, but I also think it would be better not in this series, as it doesn't match.

Anonymous said...

I know which one I like the best...but I can't wait to see how majority rules!

Unknown said...

Psych Out is the one that I would pick.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

Alcott said...

I like Head Rush- It just seems to flow well :)

I honestly will just be happy to read it! I can't wait!

(why aren't you inviting us for the dancing boys?)

amyrhuber AT gmail DOT com

Kerry said...

I'm going to suggest Psych Out too. I think it both goes with the other two and feels more "active".

Calliope said...

PSYCH OUT. Definitely. It hints at psychic(ish) abilities, it blatantly refers to the craziness that's no doubt in store and it carries on in the same vein as the past two books.

It's perfect!

vaderfangirl(AT)gmail(DOT)com

donnas said...

I like Psych Out. Fits the other two and sounds good.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Leslie said...

PSYCH OUT - goes with first two titles. If cover art is similar to first two I don't think it will be mistaken for a comedy.

The Art of Fear I like but is sounds like a romantic suspense to me not UF.

web said...

I voted for The Art of Fear because it's quite common for series titles to change on the third or fourth, and you like it best. My ssecond choice would be Head Rush, agreeing that Psych Out sounds a little too humorous.

Catydid said...

My vote is for Head Rush. Although Psych Out may fit with the other titles, it doesn't really suit the content, at least of the previous books. To me, it sounds kind of clichéd. Regardless of the title, I'm counting down the days 'til the release!

Kiwi said...

Well I voted for Head Rush. As a person who has yet to read the first 2 *GASP* I think I would most likely pick out a book with that title, the research to find the first 2
kiwi723 @nycap.rr.com

Roxanne Skelly said...

I'm gonna go with Head Rush.

Psych Out could be somewhat comedic, and I keep on thinking of the phrase "Psych!" which I generally hear when someone offers to shake my hand or give me something....and then they take it away :( A negative image for a book.

Yup, Head Rush for me.

The Art of Fear would make a dandy mystery novel title, FWIW.

Blodeuedd said...

I do like Head rush since that is how I felt when ending book 2, but I will go for Psych Out

Tez Miller said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tez Miller said...

I voted for HEAD RUSH, but I'd also suggest BRAIN FREEZE ;-)

TezMillerOz at gmail dot com

Kaetrin said...

I liked Psych Out best. I don't think it's too humorous.

hankts AT internode DOT on DOT net

Sayuri_x said...

I like Head Rush the best. HEAD RUSH FTW!

The Reader said...

I think The Art of Fear would be the best title as a trilogy ender. You could also use "The Zenith of Fear".

Mihir

Christine said...

Hmmm... Psych Out. It fits the most with the other two titles and describes how things were ended and what needs to happen well.

christine.dunbar(at)gmail.com

Joy Daniels said...

PSYCH OUT for me. Goes with the first two and implies a fear-inducing battle of wits. Can't wait to read it, whatever the title!

Julie said...

You are too cute! Psych Out is the best one. Really truly! That's what I said the other day and I'm still thinking that. It's catchy, goes well with the other two titles and is just all around a great title! The other two just don't have the same feel or the same zing.

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

Oh these are all wonderful ideas. I like the Head Rush though. That is where we are left with Justine, and well she is going to have one hell of a head rush if, no when, she remembers. :)

Thank you!

MyWorldinwordsandpages{at}gmail{dot}com

Beth Woodward said...

I voted for Head Rush. It seems to fit best with the other titles, giving you series continuity. Plus, of the three titles, it caught, and held, my attention best.

But I assure you, even if you stick with "Kickass Title," I'll still buy the book :-)

beth[dot]woodward[at]yahoo[dot]com

Carolyn Crane said...

You guys, it is SO helpful to have you weighing in! I really appreciate you're taking the time to come over and tell your thoughts!!

Hawkeyegirl said...

I voted for Head Rush, mostly because I was used to it already.

Much like everyone else, you could call it "Justine Jones is super-awesome" and I'll buy it with a smile :)

Shiloh Walker said...

ya know...if you let me read it, maybe I can give you brilliant insight. O.o or not. ;)

I'm going with head rush. Something with fear in it would be cool, but art of fear just doesn't seem to work well for me.

K said...

I like Psych Out because the previous two titles relate to betrayal and psychological trickery, and out of the three, Psych Out is the closest fit. It does call to mind the TV show, however. Maybe 'Head Fake' or 'Fake Out'? It's hard to say without knowing more about the book.

Juli D. Revezzo said...

I always have trouble with titles too, Carolyn. Herm.... I'm voting for Psych Out, me thinks. Good luck with it!

BookCannibal9 said...

I still like HEAD RUSH the best... my vote is cast!

Amy B. said...

Well, I can't NOT vote for Head Rush. I still fondly remember that office-wide brainstorming session. :)

Jonathan Dalar said...

Put me in for HEAD RUSH. Option #2, Psych Out sounds too cliche, too commercial. Option #3 doesn't work for me at all.

Jess said...

I vote for Head Rush. :)
jessmacallan at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I really like PSYCH OUT and voted for that. I also think just PSYCH (is that how you spell that) might be even better. I also like THE ART OF FEAR, but it feels too wordy. If you could condense that one down to 1-2 words, maybe by combining it with one of the others? (FEAR RUSH?) FEAR MONGERING is two words, of course, but probably wouldn't make a good title.

KT Grant said...

Head Rush all the way. Head is perfect for Justine's fear with her brain sickness she thinks she has. Rush is the rush of the story.

Or you could do with Head Cuke Loving. ;P

Bastard said...

Head Rush is the one I like. I think it's very important to keep book titles in sets if at all possible.

Psych Out I'm a bit iffy with, could go either way, but I'd worry about it seeming silly.

FragmentsofInk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
FragmentsofInk said...

Definitely Psych Out - it continues the theme of psychological intimidation used within the previous titles of the series, it's two words, and it's totally memorably and catchy. I don't think the term is too silly, humorous, fun or anything else of the sort. To be honest, I can't think of a title that would fit the series better than this choice.

Seanna Lea said...

While I like Psych Out more than the other two, I don't really feel like it speaks to me the same way Mind Games did. I'd go with something else with the elements of psyching and bluffing.

Of course, I haven't read the second one yet, so I might have the wrong direction in mind.

Anonymous said...

HEAD RUSH. Psych Out makes me think of "psyyyyyyych" and I start giggling. But really? Don't care just want it super bad!! :P

Lisa Iriarte said...

Personally, I vote for BRAIN FREEZE, but since that's not a choice, I'll go with HEAD RUSH which is a great title. Loved the first two books, btw.

Lisa Iriarte said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bookwyrm369 said...

Psych Out is my pick - I like the allusion to their mental powers plus I think it's a fun, cool title :-) Can't wait for this one to come out!

smaccall AT comcast.net

Jill Sorenson said...

Psych Out! *fist pump* Sounds super punchy and reminds me of Psych-O. Love it.

Anonymous said...

I'm definitely voting for HEAD RUSH. I don't like PSYCH OUT only because it's too common and juvenile (that may be cultural, where I come from, the word 'Psych' is used by 14 years olds as a slang for when you underwhelm or trick someone in a cruel way, and your books do neither!), and it's a little too pat for my tastes. Your books are too wonderful and unique for such a generic title. HEAD RUSH, in my opinion, captures the spirit and energy of the books much better.

sarace (at) gmail (dot) com

Breanne M. said...

I think Head Rush works best with the first two titles.

for_rainy_days(at)hotmail(dot)com

evening-green said...

I like Head Rush best it sound really good with the other two titles and it somehow feels right. The Art of Fear sounds great too but it clashes too much with the first two titles. Psych Out sounds funny...I voted for Head Rush.

eveningreen AT gmail DOT com

LSUReader said...

Head Rush gets my vote. Psych Out would be second choice, but it sounds kind of flip. I don't care for The Art of Fear as much.

Whatever you call it, just get that book out to those of us who are not-so-patiently waiting for its release! (Email in profile.)

Anonymous said...

I like Head Rush as my first pick and Psych Out as my second pick.

Rita

Sullivan McPig said...

Head Rush is my favourite of the 3, but Gumby's Revenge would even be better ;-)

José Iriarte said...

I voted for PSYCH OUT. I think it best goes with the other two, and with the Disillusionist idea.

kylie said...

If I had to choose one of the three, it would be HEAD RUSH. Psych Out is fun but it makes me think of comics or graphic novels. The Art of Fear is so formal and serious but I was slightly drawn to it. For me, I'd read the book regardless of title!

klouie729(AT)gmail(DOT)com

amy said...

I'm all for Pshyc Out.Title fits with the other two and with the characters.
amyrc1980@hotmail.com

Edyta said...

I seem to be one of the few that likes The Art of Fear. It sounds effin cool. (Also I can't wait to read it!!!)

edytau@hotmail.com