Title Time

Part of the fun/agony of producing the ebooks I've been working on is coming up with good titles. Perhaps I've acquired some stodggy habits being an English professor for so many years, I tend toward Blah, Blah, Blah, and Other Stories. See for instance, my Killing Ways: Stories. It does the basics - it tells you there's some killing, and it tells you it's not a novel but a collection instead. but it doesn't grab you like I'm Gonna Git You Sucka*.

I've got another collection coming up. Six stories. (Makes me consider something like Revolver, but it's not like a gun plays a part in every story, just 4 out of 6). I've described them before, so I'll do it again:

Two "Stoop the Thief" stories, one published in CRIMESPREE MAGAZINE years ago and the other published in an anthology from Bleak House called UNCAGE ME! The marvellous Jennifer Jordan accepted both stories for which I'm grateful. The second story was even nominated for a prize which was an honor. It also got me a very nice mention in Publisher's Weekly.

The next two stories would be Ray Cruz stories. Ray's a meanie. In any event, the first was also published in CRIMESPREE, the second came out in PLOTS WITH GUNS.

Then there'd be another CRIMESPREE selection: "Elena Speaks of the City, Under Siege." This one actually won a prize and it may well be the only second person story you'll ever love. Or read even. They're kind of rare.

And finally, a story that was published in BRONX NOIR from Akashic Books and edited by SJ ROZAN: "Early Fall." It's quite dark and based on a real person I knew. It's sort of a tribute to a real street battler who dedicated her life to helping prostitutes and addicts get off the junk and get clean.

The title I've got so far is Stoop the Thief and Other Urban Heroes Note the slight variation on the usual style. But since they're all urban stories, I'm wondering if something like "No Mercy Zone: City Stories" or "Killer City: Stories" Or "The Pitiless Street: Stories" Or...well, you see I'm no good at this. Help me out. Give me a title I can use, and if I use it, I'll send you a book. Not one of these fake electronic books either. A real book with a signature in it. Not my signature. Maybe It'll be Alafair Burke's signature. Or Laura Joh Rowland. Or Maybe SJ Rozan. Who knows? Talk to me.


* Taken.