I need help with the names for Volume 1 -- BOTH of 'em!

[Jigsaw Forte]

Okay, guys - cover time! There's a few things I could use some help with, but let's stick to titles for now;

VOLUME TITLE -- Exactly what it sounds like. Current front runners are:

>> "Scouts' Honor" (Since the GGS take up so much of the second half)
>> "Be a Star -- Or Die Trying!" (little more generic, but more compelling and sticks to the reality show angle)
>> Anything else y'all think up works too!

AUTHOR NAME -- Not that there's anything "wrong" with my name, but for some reason seeing it written out bothers me.

Also, there's still concerns about whether folks care about a more "Neutral" name vs. an obviously feminine/ethnic one. So, options:

>> "Rachel Keslensky" (as is, how I've been doing it up to this point, etc.)
>> "Rae Keslensky" (still feminine looking, but not necessarily sounding)
>> "R. A. Keslensky" / "R. Keslensky" (Most androgynous)

So... ideas? Feedback? Reassurance that I'm overthinking all this? ;;

[Tapewolf]

I don't know whether this is of any interest or use but I have had people come to my site searching for your name (and finding it on the 'links' page)...

[Brunhidden]

personally the first thing in my mind for a book name was 'grist for a mill' or something, be a star works pretty good


suddenly i picture you signing off as R-Kay

[Jigsaw Forte]

I don't know whether this is of any interest or use but I have had people come to my site searching for your name (and finding it on the 'links' page)...

Not totally surprised, though the name-searches (or at the ones that find their way to me) have dropped off since last year.

I can't really do a whole lot about the last name, though obviously it's both a problem in being rather ethnic and in being hard to spell.

My main concern about the name in its current form is that it sounds, well... childish. I don't know if this is just because I've answered to it pretty much my whole life, or whether it's just excessively long. Either way I'm not convinced it's a book name.

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

To be honest, a book name is a name on a book. There's nothing special about it. Either get used to seeing your name in print, or don't publish. That's pretty much the way it goes.


I'd vote for R Keslensky, myself. If not the full name, as you've been doing it so far.

As for the book title, I'd go for "be a star", on grounds of you can use "... or die trying" for the next volume, if applicable. But then, I'm a geek like that. Failing that, I'd go for the "or die trying", since we've just learned she did...

[Brunhidden]

As for the book title, I'd go for "be a star", on grounds of you can use "... or die trying" for the next volume, if applicable. But then, I'm a geek like that. Failing that, I'd go for the "or die trying", since we've just learned she did...

but what if nobody dies till book 3? do you name book 2 '.....'?

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

I'd be happy to do so, just to mess with people's heads. ;-]

[Stupid N00bie]

Name wise: R. Keslensky sounds the most professional, so if you are going for that, there you go.
Rachel Keslensky is also good because it makes you sound less pretentious.

Title wise: With it being released as a first volume you need something that will catch eyes without sounding cheesy or too "in-croud".  For me that throws "Scouts' Honor" right out.
"Be a star ... or die trying" sits funny with me, but it could work well.
Perhaps something to do with the vampire part could also work.

[Jigsaw Forte]

As for the book title, I'd go for "be a star", on grounds of you can use "... or die trying" for the next volume, if applicable. But then, I'm a geek like that. Failing that, I'd go for the "or die trying", since we've just learned she did...

but what if nobody dies till book 3? do you name book 2 '.....'?

Oh, people'll die in book 2... Even if I have to kill a couple of the Star Org folks to do it. XD