title too cliche?

[writeshiek33]

Ok, I am dusting off an old short stories series that I want to continue with. It's a new modern twist on red riding hood, which i named Red, but I'm wondering if it is too cliche. Think of a mesh of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Birds of Prey, and Red Riding Hood rolled into one.

I like the title, but I'm wondering if it's too cliche. Red is a title like Slayer for Buffy, for example.

 

[Mythopoet]

The problem is not that it's cliche. The problem is that there are many book for sale right now called "Red". You want something that will stand out and not be confused with other books. I'd pick a different title.

 

[RonCNieto]

Mythopoet is right in that there're several Red books out there at the moment. However, while I would tell you to try something different, I would also tell you to keep it as "cliché" as possible.

Why? Because retellings and versions are all the rage right now. If you use a title that allows readers to identify your work as a reimagining of a classic fairytale (and a favorite of many at that) and you pick a cover design that lets them feel the new feel and general "kickass-ery" of the story, then you have half your marketing done.

I'm terrible at titles (and names...) so I'll refrain from suggesting (Riding Red? Interesting, but might be genre misleading), but I'd really encourage you to play around with something that does bring Red Riding Hood to mind.

 

[FarmerBrown]

Honestly, Red Riding Hood is one of the first things to pop in my mind with the title "Red", but both Mythopoet and RonCNieto bring valid concerns in that not everyone associates "Red" with RRH like me (and it's a very popular title so your book would not stand out well), and the benefit of being cliche at this point in time....but what about five or ten years from now when the retelling rage is over?

I'd suggest adding to the title, like "Red's ______" i.e. "Red's Revenge" or "Red's Retribution", something that fits with your version of the story and provides something new while acknowledging the origin.

 

[Fyle]

The problem is not that it's cliche. The problem is that there are many book for sale right now called "Red". You want something that will stand out and not be confused with other books. I'd pick a different title.

Hmm. This is a good point.

I myself like simple names, but confusion is not good.

 

[spectre]

I wouldn't call it cliché, but it doesn't stand out well although it could with an appropriate piece of cover art the purpose of which is of course to accent and supplement the title. That being said you could always accentuate it, I can't say that my title would be great but there are always the basic English literary tools like repetition, rhyme, alliteration, solliliquoy (or however it's spelled) or finding a theme to instill in your title, or a feeling to impose. The truth too is that Red is a popular color for many reasons, and I'd read the blurb based on the title *probably*. There might be a day though red is just boring to me. It's hit or miss.

 

[writeshiek33]

after bit of thought decided to name after the one of the protagonists "Amber"

 

[Laurence]

after bit of thought decided to name after the one of the protagonists "Amber"

Bare in mind there are already two books named Amber on the first page if you search Amber in Amazon Books! Maybe you should mull over the name until after you've done everything else?

 

[writeshiek33]

how about Amber next gen of the Red

 

[psychotick]

Hi,

I'd be more worried that it's been trademarked. Do a USPTO search on it before committing to the title.

Cheers, Greg.

 

[Snikt5]

The girl under the hood.

Little Red

Amber riding hood.