The Title Factor
From all the flash-fiction stories to be included in our anthology, I have listed the story titles that I think would make me pick up a book. Now I need help choosing which one.
Which, if any, of these titles might make you think about reading the anthology?
Please vote
How about actually calling it “Small but perfectly formed”, sub-title “Flash fiction from the south West (of England?). It seems to me that the trouble with picking one title is that it gives that story (a spurious) precedence…
I like cathaber1′s suggestion.
Okay – I’ll try and add that to the poll!
As above but I liked the original ‘Flash!…Ooh, Aaar…
Have put that on the poll, Alastair. You’re right – it was the original name, after all.
I voted for 2: Kissing Frankenstein and Neil Armstrong…. Other ideas: Small Wonder / Next to Nothing / Pinpoints South West / South West Smithereens / Confetti / South West Snippets …. but my favourite is Kissing Frankenstein and Other Stories.
Kissing Frankenstein … Sounds good to me
Kissing Frankenstein…is a great title.
I was thinking Small But Perfectly Formed – The South West Flashers
I think cathaber1′s suggestion is good, ‘Small But Perfectly Formed’ works well.
I also like cathaber1′ suggestion, ‘Small But Perfectly Formed’, reflects the contents and a bit of tribute to the writers too.
ok, that’s fun, as I ticked “small but..” and the flash fiction” one too! I would like:
Small but Perfectly Formed – an anthology of Flash Fiction from the South West
or a variation of that.
as I don’t think everyone knows what flash fiction is, and I don’t think one story, however good the title, should stand out on in front.
Agree with cathaber 1 about ‘story precedence’ I Like Small But Perfectly Formed but it’s a used expression. I’ll just add – Flashes Over the South West as an idea.
And if cathaber 1 doesn’t mind – Formed Perfectly Small
In the wee small hours, I cam up with: ‘Terribly Tiny Tales’, ‘Between the sheets’ and ‘Flash! Saviour of the Universe’. I am going back to bed now, it’s raining.
Night, night.
John
I also agree about the story precedence. I really like both of Mike’s suggestions: Formed Perfectly Small and Flashes Over the South West: as both are a bit different.
(Flashing in the South West? Might invite a different clientele than intended though!)
Sorry, we seem to be adding to the list, rather than narrowing it down at this point!
(Personally, I love a bit of ‘spurious’! Raymond Carver’s book: ‘Cathedral’, for instance, had very little to do with cathedrals. )
I think it should be named after the editor — the Flashcart Anthology. Plus I think there should be an ezine called FLASHCART and a print magazine with an annual competition… Reckon?
Flashflood?
I agree with Cathaber1. ‘Small But Perfectly Formed’ as the title rather than picking one story title for the anthology with the Subtitle ‘Anthology of Flash Fiction from the South West’
I think it doesn’t really matter if one story appears to take precedence over the rest, each story is as merit worthy as the rest. What does matter, is that the title is so enticing that it makes prespective readers want to buy the book. That is why I think Kissing Frankenstien or Neil Armstrong in Somerset have the allure factor.
Regards to all
Talia
Isn’t Neil Armstrong a very private guy, a real life person (I do believe), who shuns much media attention? In comparison, I believe Frankenstein is an absolute tart for titles.
I’ll give that one the thumbs up Martha.
But then again Martha, the fact that Mr Armstrong is a private man, as a title this arouses even greater curiosty from the potential reader/ buyer.
Maybe just ‘Perfectly Formed’ as small is implied?
I like Rachel’s comment and I do like Carver – Treehouse -
ZOOM (Not so spurious)
As author of ‘Neil Armstrong…’, I now like ‘Perfectly Formed…flash fiction from the south west’. As Reb says, ‘small’ is implied and it would fit the spirit of flash if it were succinct but loaded.
(By the way, i think there is reason why Carver’s collection is called ‘Cathedral’ – it is not entirely spurious, but then things rarely are…)
I agree with Richard that ‘Perfectly formed … flash ficiton from the south west’ is the one to go with
(I keep typing it, ‘FICITON’ too, Diane. Always makes me giggle. Not sure why…;) )
My typing is fast, but not what you’d call accurate!
Interesting. It is becoming a two horse race.
John
I wonder if an amalgamation of the two front-runners might work (as a title and subtitle):
‘Kissing Frankenstein and Other Stories – Small But Perfectly Formed Tales from the South-West.’
I do like ‘Perfectly Formed…. flash fiction from the south west’ though…
Melanie
Sounds good to me, Melanie. Could be a plan.
Best
John
A little update: I’m going to say that the author of the book is Flash-Fiction South West. So that won’t be part of the title now. Justsoasyouknow
I ticked several that I thought would grab the attention, but I think I’d be most likely to plump for ‘skimming’ or ‘nomansland’.
But, as my youngest daughter told me, I’m eccentric.
Liz Wood
oh, and ‘almost’.
I think I voted for 5!! Fat lot of help I am, with my usual decisive nature!
Thanks, Mum
two-minute tales
Fiction Flashes from the South West
I think ‘Small but Perfectly Formed: A collection of flash fiction from the west country’ (since, on the whole, anthologies have some sort of connection and the west country is it for us). But I do like Richard’s shortened version ‘Perfectly Formed: A collection etc. You don’t need ‘Small but’ because it’s hinted at anyway – which is part of the idea of flash fiction!
My vote goes to ‘Perfectly Formed’ with a tag line of ‘Stories from the South West’
Thanks, everyone. A final decision has been (thoughtfully) reached and the outcome can be read here: http://flashfictionsw.co.uk/news-and-updates/the-anthology/