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Lois McMaster Bujold

Lois Bujold


Last Updated: 11/20/2009

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Gender: Female
Status: Single
Age: 60
Sign: Scorpio

City: Minneapolis
State: Minnesota
Country: US
Signup Date: 3/5/2007

Who Gives Kudos:


Monday, July 20, 2009 

Current mood:nominal
So...

The new Miles book, nearing completion, needs a final title.  Note that a good title should be short, easy to spell, say, and remember, not be widely duplicated, and be attractive to book browsers who don't already know what the book is about.  If you were out shopping, which of these semi-finalists would you reach for?


CryoBurn

Cold Breath

Cryopolis


Ta, L.


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Antevorte

 
Frankly, Cold Breath sounds a bit too generic, like the title of a bad murder mystery. But, it would work. Cryo-burn slightly less so, because "cryo" lends a bit of science-fiction flair which I think is good in this context.
Cryopolis is the most sci-fi sounding of the batch, although now we're drifting towards genetic sci-fi. Unless, of course, the new Miles book is dealing with a city somehow dominated by cryogenics, in which case it would be the perfect title!

 
Posted by Antevorte on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 9:37 PM
[Reply to this
Furious D
Duncan MacMaster

 
I have to go with Cryopolis, it's futuristic, ironically with its use of ancient language, and implies a big city-sized adventure.

Cryoburn sounds like the title of a Jean Claude Van Damme movie from the early 90s, where's he's thawed out in the futuristic year 2008 to fight Rutger Hauer and his gang of frost encrusted cyborgs.

Cold Breath sounds like the title of a Lifetime channel Woman In Peril TV movie to me.

Hope this was helpful.

 
Posted by Furious D on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 9:42 PM
[Reply to this
David

 
Cold Breath. Emphatically. Cryo- anything falls dead on my ear; sounds like a bad 70s movie. But beyond disliking the alternatives, I really like Cold Breath. Evocative, mysterious, potent. Yes please.
 
Posted by David on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 9:47 PM
[Reply to this
Suz

 
Cold Breath, 1st choice; Cryopolis, 2nd choice.

I'm re-reading Chalion for probably-at-least-the-tenth time and I'm still getting new bits out of it.
My only "complaint" about your writing is that it is so exactly what I like that it's much less satisfying to read anyone else (except maybe Heyer and Zenna Henderson).
Eternal gratitude, Susan in CO

 
Posted by Suz on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 9:49 PM
[Reply to this
Lois McMaster Bujold
Lois Bujold

 
Already I'm not sensing a consensus here... 

Shall wait for more responses to drift in.

Ta, L.


 
Posted by Lois McMaster Bujold on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 10:00 PM
[Reply to this
JoNightshade

 
Thrilled to hear the book is almost done! Of course that means we have to wait what, like another year before it comes out? Sigh. As long as it's not "to be continued." I just got to the end of a book I'd been anticipating for a year, and... yup, cliffhanger. Ay. It was a complicated mystery, too, so I know I'll have forgotten all the details by the time the conclusion comes out. 

Anyway...

Of these three, my vote is for Cold Breath, as I have basically the same objections to the other titles that other people have voiced. Cryopolis just sounds corny to me, like a play on Metropolis, which is kind of corny to begin with. 

I do think Cold Breath sounds a little generic though, and it doesn't really roll off the tounge very easily. The "d" and "b" right up next to each other tend to come out garbled if spoken quickly, and demand slow, careful pronunciation. (I can just see myself requesting this at the counter in B&N - "No, Col-DUH BUH-reath!")

For that reason I'd suggest some rearrangement or rewording, like "Breath of Ice" or something. Obviously I've no idea what the book is so all my suggestions are going to be lame. 

 
Posted by JoNightshade on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 10:07 PM
[Reply to this
JoNightshade

 
Okay, I just had to add... this is my husband's input, via online chat. My husband is a little... er, unique. But his opinion, for what it's worth:

plz to use puns to name Miles' book
kthxbai
well, not necessarly puns
but like
Miles Mystery and Mayhem or whatnot
Miles is a literary toy
sugar coated awesome
I do not want a serious, weighty title
I want a title that says
this is a story about a guy who stole a battlefleet once

 
Posted by JoNightshade on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 10:10 PM
[Reply to this
Milesfan

 
"Cold Breath" sounds too generic for me.  I think "Cryopolis" speaks more clearly about cryo-freeze and a big city, if that's what's about. Maybe "Iced City" conveys the idea?

Magali
 
Posted by Milesfan on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 10:09 PM
[Reply to this
Cat Dancer
Cat Dancer

 
Often in the bookstore I'll scan quickly down the row of books, looking at just titles to see what catches my attention for a closer look.  Cold Breath and Cryopolis sound vampire-ish to me, which would cause me to skip the book...  CryoBurn would raise enough of my interest that I'd look at the book to see what it was about.

 
Posted by Cat Dancer on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 10:14 PM
[Reply to this
Jeff Shultz

 
Cold Breath takes it for me. Cryoburn sounds like a technothriller and Cryopolis... too Art Deco.

Could I suggest "Frozen Breath" instead?

 
Posted by Jeff Shultz on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 10:26 PM
[Reply to this
Joy
Joy Lanterman

 
Honestly, I can see the objections raised to all of them.  None of them really sound like Miles books to me.  To the lady with the unique husband: would he be satisfied with "Freezer Burn?"  ;)

 
Posted by Joy on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 10:39 PM
[Reply to this
JoNightshade

 
Unique husband says "Oh yeah, that'd be fine." 

(His personal suggestion was "Miles Freezes His Ass Off," but I thought that rather improbable.) 

 
Posted by JoNightshade on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 11:53 PM
[Reply to this
Pattybones2

 
I vote for Cold Breath!  I like it because it sounds like a mystery Title.  I love the Miles stories where there is more of a mystery to be solved!!  Also, I know that Miles hates the Cold and it fits him perfectly to me.  Hope this helps!
 
Posted by Pattybones2 on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 10:44 PM
[Reply to this
Rebecka Gypsy (GS/DW)
Jeanette Healy

 
the vote at the healy house is for CryoBurn....  Cryopolis is too RPG sounding to me...and it really doesn't jump out at me.  Cold Breath doesn't sound as good either...it really does sound like a bad murder mystery title.

And as long as the CryoBurn stays in that format, I think it will work fine.
jeanette and brian
 
Posted by Rebecka Gypsy (GS/DW) on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 10:57 PM
[Reply to this
Ianthefrisky
Ian Moran

 
cold breath  scans best of the three but i think the term cold could do better not sure if chilled or something similar would work

 
Posted by Ianthefrisky on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 11:07 PM
[Reply to this
anna

 
cryburn is best i think.  cold breth is generic and makes me think of a bad romance novel, and cryopolis make sme think of soviet era sci fi...
 
Posted by anna on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 11:28 PM
[Reply to this
E Rocc

 
Cryo Tears? Cryo Cry Not? If about DNA manipulation involving low temperature....Cryo Genetics? Freezer Burn is good too.
 
Posted by E Rocc on Monday, July 20, 2009 - 11:57 PM
[Reply to this
Joy
Joy Lanterman

 
Cryo Me a (Frozen) River!  (Ok, now, I'm just being flippant.  Sorry, I know this isn't helpful.)

 
Posted by Joy on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 3:11 AM
[Reply to this
Seth
Seth Hadley

 
I think Cold Breath comes out the best at first, but CryoBurn is starting to grow on me. Not too crazy about Cryopolis.

Just finished reading the entire Miles series for the first time, Thanks!

 
Posted by Seth on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 12:17 AM
[Reply to this
Judy

 
Cold Breath

 
Posted by Judy on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 12:39 AM
[Reply to this
Lena

 
Cold Breath definitely sounds best to me. The others sound too generic sci-fi, Cold Breath sounds more interesting and mysterious. If I were browsing through random books on the science fiction shelf, that's the title I'd reach for.

Although, of all the other ideas suggested here, I like Frozen Breath the best.

 
Posted by Lena on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 12:59 AM
[Reply to this
Mom Lady
Cindy Naval

 
Cold Breath gives me goosebumps, so I vote that in first place, followed by CryoBurn.

 
Posted by Mom Lady on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 2:12 AM
[Reply to this
Anne
Anne Ferguson

 
CryoBurn is "it" for me.  Definitely CryoBurn of the three choices.  I can't wait!
 
Posted by Anne on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 2:38 AM
[Reply to this
Ianthefrisky
Ian Moran

 
mm hows "Fates Cold Breath"?
 
Posted by Ianthefrisky on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 3:05 AM
[Reply to this
Joy
Joy Lanterman

 
Breath of Winter?

 
Posted by Joy on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 3:06 AM
[Reply to this
Priscilla

 
I'm strongly on the side of "Cryopolis."  I would be a lot more likely to check out the blurb and give the five-page test to a book with that name.  "Cold Breath," on the other hand, does nothing for me.  I doubt I'd give it a second glance in the bookstore unless I knew the author.  It sounds woefully generic, whereas "Cryopolis" is intriguing, carries instant recognition, and would be unlikely to be confused with anything else.  I feel lukewarm (heh) about "CryoBurn," but I find it far preferable to the humdrum "Cold Breath."

 
Posted by Priscilla on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 3:23 AM
[Reply to this
The Black Clover

 
Not Cryopolis, hahaha... sounds very d-list, lol.
 
Posted by The Black Clover on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 3:38 AM
[Reply to this
Wombat

 
Of the three choices, I prefer CryoBurn.  But I don't much care for any of the three, I'm sorry to say.  The suggestion above for "Breath of Winter" is interesting, or some play on it, though it has connotations of WinterFair which may not work.

You didn't ask for suggestions but:  what about Cold Burn?
 
Posted by Wombat on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 3:57 AM
[Reply to this
Kathy

 
Frankly, if your name is on the cover, it doesn't matter what the book is called. However, my personal preference is for Cold Breath. The other two sound very "hard SF". Perhaps that is appropriate to the story though.
 
Posted by Kathy on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 4:12 AM
[Reply to this
delenn

 
Okay, I second this remark - if your name is on it as the author, I'll buy it! But, to answer your question ... my gut reaction when I read the three titles was "Oooo, Cold Breath."  Then I read everybody else's comments and realized I can't give you a good reason for my choice. My second choice was CryoBurn. I have to agree that "Cryopolis" is too reminiscent of a 1940s sci-fi title (IMHO).
 
Posted by delenn on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 4:33 AM
[Reply to this
Muse-ing

 
I think CryoBurn appeals to me as something sufficiently "science-fiction-y."  My second choice is Cryopolis, although it's not as easy to remember or spell, in my opinion.   Cold Breath feels like it could be any genre and it's not very memorable to me.
 
Posted by Muse-ing on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 4:32 AM
[Reply to this
Rene
Rene Shepard

 
Cryopolis

Cry On Miles would be better.  Could be a cry on my shoulder, could be Miles tears for himself, others. Could be genetic cold storage. Why be obvious?

Cheers.

 
Posted by Rene on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 4:37 AM
[Reply to this
Eddy

 
The title options don't really have any bite to them, as they stand :(  I think CryoBurn is a good start, though.

 Miles Melted.  hahahahaha. Sorry.

 
Posted by Eddy on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 5:49 AM
[Reply to this
G.L. Morrison
G.L. Morrison

 
Cryoburn without a doubt. 

You understand its meaning and the potential definitions of "burn" as well as the paradox are yum.

The problem with Cryopolis is only that the mind seeks to break it  as Cry opolis rather than cryo opolis and therefore it lends itself to tearful associations rather than glacial ones.

Cold Breath doesn't grab me genre-wise. It would be an adequate title for a romance, a skiing mystery, horror, western, or the memoir of a Siberian Respitory Therapist.

I would read Cryoburn regardless of who wrote it. Just as I will read your Miles novel regardless of what you call it.

 
Posted by G.L. Morrison on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 5:55 AM
[Reply to this
Shakta
Tim Phan

 
I would reach for CryoBurn.

Cold Breath: common, vague, and boring

Cryopolis: sounds cliche

CryoBurn: Not cliche, common, vague, or boring. It reminds me of gangrene.

 
Posted by Shakta on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 6:53 AM
[Reply to this
Kendra

 
I'm afraid I have to agree that I dislike all of them, for the reasons various people have mentioned. Cold Breath is least objectionable to me because precisely because it is rather milquetoast. Cryopolis is very comic-book and CryoBurn just seems a little sci-fi pretentious (what with the mid-word capitalization). Loving Miles as much as I do, a more humorous title does seem appealing (I liked Freezer Burn) but I don't know how much a title like that would appeal to someone who isn't already a fan of the series. (Although it might -- I know that a title with that bit of humor about it is more likely to draw me in when I'm browsing the SF section at the bookstore.)

Whatever you choose, however, I will of course buy it the instant it hits the store. I'm ecstatic to have another Miles book to look forward to!

 
Posted by Kendra on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 6:53 AM
[Reply to this
Susan

 
Definitely CryoBurn for me, it has a sci-fi vibe i like. 

The other two make me wince, and i wouldn't bother to pick them up unless, of course, i saw LMB as the author. Cold Breath sounds like a hokey Literary Effort detailing a failing marriage or something. Cryopolis has a retro feel, if it wasn't a Lois book i'd pick it up expecting something from the 50's-60's.

 
Posted by Susan on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 8:18 AM
[Reply to this
Lizzie Newell
Lizzie Newell

 
I like Cold Breath because it's more unusual as a SF title. Cyropolis would kind of blend in my mind with other SF titles and so I would not remember it.
 
Posted by Lizzie Newell on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 8:22 AM
[Reply to this
Tora

 

None of those sounds like a Miles book to me.  But then, I'm not ever particularly thrilled with the titles beforehand. And then they're fine.  ;-p

I like Cryopolis best of the three, seems more in line with previous Miles books.  Sounds like a place -- and of course, lots of the books are named after planets.

Just make sure it says Bujold & new Miles adventure in big letters on the spine and on the cover!! :-D

Though I do think you're still preaching to the choir here -- mostly people who will buy the book because it's got your name on it. ;-p

Maybe ask another science fiction or fantasy author friend to ask the question on their blog/list, whatever? ;-)

Best of luck with it!
-Tora
 
Posted by Tora on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 8:29 AM
[Reply to this
Marie

 
If I didn't know your books and was looking for some sf to read :

- Cold breath : Generic, if it's on sf (fantasy-fantastic etc) shelves, I'd think of vampires, and pass. On generic shelves I'd think of crime fiction and pass because I'm looking for sf.

- Cryopolis : Intriguing, but screams of something monolithic. I'd check the story on the back.

- CryoBurn : Less intriguing, but hints strongly at action sf. I'd also check the story on the back.

As myself, I'll just see your name and descend upon it before anybody else has the time to snatch it from my grubby hands (without even checking the title).

 
Posted by Marie on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 8:39 AM
[Reply to this
Anthony
Anthony Morris

 
I'm going for "Cryopolis" because it sounds as cool as its name. "The City of the Frozen" just rocks on toast. And it sounds like a Doctor Who episode, for an extra bonus.

 
Posted by Anthony on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 9:55 AM
[Reply to this
Ju Honisch
Ju Honisch

 
Cold Breath - first choice for me because it sounds more personal and imminent than "cryo+".
 
Posted by Ju Honisch on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 10:51 AM
[Reply to this
Susan

 
I have to say that none of these grab me... CryoBurn is probably the best, but when I read 'Cold Breath' I immediately thought 'dog breath', which is of course not what you want at all, and 'Crypolis' just sounded a bit too Dr Who (Logopolis) for me...   Freezer Burn is sounding pretty good to me... can we know what the quarter-finalists were?
 
Posted by Susan on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 11:22 AM
[Reply to this
Off Season Fire Sale

 
Honestly?  If it didn't have your name on it, or cool cover art, I don't think I'd reach for any of those.  CryoBurn in particular seems kinda cheesy.  Cold Breath is just somehow weird and off-putting.  Cryopolis is probably the one I'd be most likely to investigate.

I would reach for Cold Burn but (checking Worldcat) I see that there are three books with this name. Last night (before bed but after shutting down the computer) it occurred to me that Frostburn could be nifty.  There is one D&D supplement called Frostburn, and another book called Frostburn Steel which is apparently poetry.

Perhaps Frostbreath?  No one seems to have used that.  I like the idea of Frost Something because it evokes Father Frost ... but that may be wrong for this particular book, and I concede that frost is harder to say than cold.

 
Posted by Off Season Fire Sale on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 11:22 AM
[Reply to this
Joy
Joy Lanterman

 
I dunno, Frost Breath sounds like that Laurell Hamilton series with all the faerie sex...ah, here it is, A Lick of Frost.  Heh, possibly frost breath is what you get after a lick of frost!

 
Posted by Joy on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 3:10 AM
[Reply to this
John

 
I suggest "CryoBreath".  Yeah, I know, it's not one of the choices...
 
Posted by John on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 12:18 PM
[Reply to this
Chris T

 
I liked Cold Breath most on the first scan (which is what matters, I suppose...)- followed by CryoBurn- which is growing on me, but would be better as Cryoburn (without the capital B), I think.  Cryopolis says either 1930s or 1970s.

Freezer Burn is my real favourite! I think seeing it would make me think 'Huh- what's that? Have a look at it.'

 
Posted by Chris T on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 12:19 PM
[Reply to this
Antti-Juhani
Antti-Juhani Kaijanaho

 
CryoBurn is an immediate turn-off for me.  The CamelCaps style looks bad in just about every context. Even disregarding that problem, it does very little for me, evokes no imagery.

Cold Breath is inoffensive and a little bland, but then again, I think it would attract me at a bookstore precisely because of that – there's a good chance that it won't be as bland once I've read the book.

Cryopolis would probably make me take a look at the book in more detail.  The suggestion of a cold city-state is intriguing.

 
Posted by Antti-Juhani on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 1:39 PM
[Reply to this
Nancy

 
I'd look at CryoBurn.

Maybe Cold Breath based on author and cover.

Cryopolis is a distant third, for some reason I see it as cry-opolis not cryo-polis and 'cry' doesn't work for me.

Good luck with the title selection, realistically I'll buy it whatever the title.

 
Posted by Nancy on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 2:37 PM
[Reply to this
Bumbot

 
My vote is for Cold Breath. Good title for a mystery, and I think that the prefix "Cryo" is a bit overused.

 
Posted by Bumbot on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 2:50 PM
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