Over beers the other night Mr. H and I got down to business on the cover for my upcoming book release. He asked me to summarize the damn thing in the middle of our favorite tavern so he could gain the necessary inspiration to create one of his cover masterpieces.
Writers, I’m sure you can agree, that explaining your entire book to anyone can be challenging. Naturally the first verbal explanation sounded like a hot mess, but we got through it.
After that, something unexpected came up…a title change.
The Bra Game just wasn’t working. The title popped into my head over a year ago during the first draft phase. Now that the work is completed (yippee!), a change was imperative to encompass the true feel of the story.
The new title is…
…drum roll, please…
NOLA FRAN EVIE
I wrote three strong, incredible main characters for this book. These women are the heart and soul of the story, and they deserve to be celebrated.
Another cool thing is that you guys out there—my lovely readers—helped name Fran and Evie last February when I asked you all to vote for your favorite character names. So, I love the way this all came together.
I’ve never changed a working title before, so this was an interesting laughable process. Silly, stubborn me cried at first (that’s right, in a freaking bar) since I had become attached to the title after such a long time. I worried that I would have to change the entire book—or bits and pieces, or the ending.
Luckily, Mr. H was there to bring me out of my theatrics. And another round of beers sealed the deal.
Now the cover is in the shop and I FINALLY nailed down an important date.
The big release for Nola Fran Evie is…
…drum roll again, please…
JULY 22!!!
Stay tuned for more details, including some behind the scenes posts in the coming weeks.
A big thanks to Roy McCarthy for giving me some valuable/awesome/honest feedback on my description. I’ve made some solid tweaks since my first description reveal.
Here is the new and improved version with the temp cover…
NOLA FRAN EVIE
They were unladylike rebels, three young women abandoning rolling pins for baseball bats to join the All-American Girls Baseball League. They changed history and that changed them. After the league folds in 1954 Nola, Fran, and Evie meet by chance on a popcorn-scented summer day where it all began…Wrigley Field, Chicago. They team up once again to fight for a pivotal cause these dames can only win by uniting as one.
Inside these ball players lies a fierce beauty, an unconventional destiny beyond the kitchen. Foregoing the American dream of sparkling cars and pastel suburbia, together they face up to the reality of nuclear drills and civil rights. Their story is uncovered nearly forty years later when Jacks Demonte discovers a trail of clues tucked away in a vintage handbag. The extraordinary lives of these women intersect with Demonte’s as she falls deeper into a heroic past.
Ta-da! Hope you’re all having a stellar week!
Britt Skrabanek 
I am so excited for you – and myself as I await the release.
Thanks, Pamela! Exciting stuff indeed!
How Exciting – I see the cats are working hard at it too – ha! – Congrats – cannot wait to read it!!! Happy Day Indeed 🙂
Haha! You know them. Those crazy felines are workaholics. Thanks, Renee!
I feel for ya! And it’s always so nerve racking anyway, in the days just before a release… Much less having to make a major decision on a title change. Hang in there! You got this!!!
It was an unexpected turn, but I feel really good about it. The previous title has been secretly bothering me for some time. That’s why it’s important to get some honest feedback from others not as close to the work. Thanks for the cheer, Stan!
Love the new name! Highlights the strong female characters and has a cool, jazzy vibe to it. I can understand why you would shed some tears though; a letting go of a vision you had to embrace a new one. Can’t wait to read your new book!
Yay! It really makes me happy that you said “cool, jazzy vibe” as I incorporated quite a few jazzy moments throughout since jazz music had a renaissance in Chicago in the 1950s. And my stubborn butt letting go of anything is always like pulling teeth. It’s something that I’m working on though in my adult years. I know some great minds, and I am trying to open up to these experiences, even if they make me bawl. : )
Sounds like a great read, and I love both titles. You’re getting closer. Kudos to you!
Thanks, sweetness! The other title was good at the time, but this one just cozies right up to the story.
The title can be such a pain. I remember going through a similar process (but without the tears). A working title, then hundreds of options, and then one just pops. That’s a good sign. Congratulations on the release date. Glad to see someone is working on their next big idea (I’m certainly not). 🙂
The title really is a pain, because like the cover and the description, that’s all we have to capture the attention of the reader. No pressure, right? : )
I’ll be taking a substantial novel writing break after this one, believe me! I miss reading books!
Sounds like you had to be strong like one of your characters to get through this name change. 🙂 Yay!
It took some courage to get off my high horse more than anything. That’s the tough thing about being indie, the stubbornness that takes over when you don’t have a team to work with. Very excited about the change…yay!
I LOVE it, Britt. And it’s nearly time (21 June here so it must be 20 June where you are – so I guess I’ll have to wait until Monday to get my copy) 😉
Yay! Oh, we still have another month to go. She makes her debut in July, so there’s time for me to get everything “packaged” up. : )
Oh no! I misread the date. Now I’m going to have to wait another month! 😦
At first I was afraid I had botched the month and panicked. No way can I release this bad boy tomorrow! : )
Exciting stuff Britt – think the title’s great – it’s unusual, intriguing, can’t wait to read it!
Thanks, hon! Can’t wait to share it with you guys.
Congratulations, doll! This is SO exciting! Something as important as a title is difficult to let go of; you become attached to it. But I’m glad you’ve found something that truly encapsulates the story it has become. All your hard work is about to pay off, my friend! Cannot wait to read it! x
Super duper exciting…thank you, honey! It was hard to let go, but I’m glad I did. Can’t wait to share it with you guys. : )
Awesome! I can’t wait to read it and since it’s being released on my anniversary, I know just what my husband can get me. 🙂
I don’t know if I could change a title. Or at least, it would always be the original name in my mind.
Well, isn’t that just awesome? It’s still a little strange, but the more I type it, the more comfortable I’m getting. : )
Congratulations! for succeeding in giving a brand new title to something you had thought of before (I like it a lot, btw), for having a release date and for your work in general! I’ll write this one down in the hope to find it on the road…
and since I truly enjoy reading your blog and adventures, I’ve nominated you to the Liebster Award! Learn more about it here http://lespetitspasdejuls.wordpress.com/2014/06/22/everyone-is-someone-favorite/
Keep up the good job!
Cheers!
Jul’
Thank you, love! I appreciate all of your sweet words. I enjoy reading your blog as well.
And, thanks so much for the award. Very kind of you!
you’re welcome! wish you well in everything and can’t wait to read more of your adventures!
Cheers!