Friday, May 22, 2020

What’s in a Naming Contest?




A rose by any other name… will still cut you if you aren’t careful about the thorns.  But would you look to buy a rose if it was labeled “thistle”? Would you even look at a rose scented candle if it was labeled “skunk”?  The same is true of a book title.

Will Clarey: A Kerryville Summer is a descriptive title that might not reach the middle grade reader as effectively as I hope. Thus, I am looking for a little help.  

Here’s the scoop:

How you enter:

Read the teaser below.
If you need more information, are brave, and don’t mind having major plot lines revealed, read the spoiler synopsis. 

Send title suggestions to me at rabbitonshire@gmail.com (Wil’s friend Hannah’s email address in the book and a real address for this contest).

The Prize:

If a publisher goes with your title suggestion, your name will appear on the acknowledgement page as the creator of the title. The same will happen if I eventually decide to publish independently.

The rules:

Ummm, no money prize so no rules. No age limit for submissions. Sorry, no royalties. If you have amazing suggestions, we’ll talk. I can always use new ideas. Just keep in mind that I am not currently making any money from my writing and may or may not make much in the future.

The non-spoiler teaser (from the back of the draft cover above):



The spoiler synopsis:


WARNING: SPOILER ALERT – DO NOT CONTINUE READING IF YOU DON’T WANT THE PLOT SPOILED FOR YOU









       Wil Clarey’s life is turned upside-down when his mom gets a new job that forces him to move from Los Angeles to his grandparent’s farm in rural Kerryville, Virginia for the summer.

At first this seems like the end of the world. Chores, limited internet, and far too friendly people nearly crush this 13-year-old boy who is on the autism spectrum. 

On just his second day on the farm, Wil is called upon to lead the neighbor’s 2000-pound bull back to its barn. There he meets Hannah, a very outgoing girl his age. 

       Despite Wil’s initial reluctance, the two become fast friends. She helps him adjust to the country life and introduces him to other friends.  

       Wil’s grandpa introduces him to photography which reveals a hidden talent Wil didn’t know existed.

       Wil’s popularity explodes when he catches a 6-year-old child falling from the farmhouse roof. The story is picked up by the local paper, then the regional TV news, and finally the Today Show. Wil, his grandpa, Hannah and the 6-year-old and her mom are flown to New York to be interviewed. With Hannah and Grandpa’s encouragement, Wil speaks up for those with High Functioning Autism. Hannah also get the surprise of her life when One Direction plays a concert on the Today Show and she is called on stage and sung to.

       Several other adventures bring action, suspense, and humor to Wil’s summer.

       The summer climaxes with the Annual Kerryville Agricultural Fair. Hannah exhibits her rabbits and Wil enters the photography contest. They both come away winners.

       Wil’s grand prize also comes that day, but that’s one spoiler I will reserve for now.

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