Friday, September 17, 2010

I Need Help With A Title!

Hi All. I'm stuck trying to come up with a title for my latest book and wondered if anyone out there has any ideas!

The problem is that I write my books in pairs with matching titles. So far I have Hard Landing/Soft Target, Cold Kill/Hot Blood, Dead Men/Live Fire. All good. But my last book was called Rough Justice (I know, Jack Higgins used it recently but it was the perfect title for a story about police corruption).

Now here's my problem. I need a title to pair with Rough Justice. In the book my hero (Dan Shepherd) goes undercover on a container ship being targetted by Somali pirates, and there's a sub plot about two IRA assassins on his trail.

All I can some up with is Smooth Sailing but that's too weak, no sense of menace etc. Does anyone out there have any ideas?
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40 comments:

  1. Dave Melly.September 17, 2010 at 5:55 AM

    Hi, how about "Stormy Weather"

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  2. Stephen LeatherSeptember 17, 2010 at 6:30 AM

    Yeah, but the first word has to be the opposite of Rough.....

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  3. FraserSeptember 17, 2010 at 8:52 AM

    The calm before the storm

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  4. FraserSeptember 17, 2010 at 8:53 AM

    The calm before the storm

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  5. Angus TurnbullSeptember 17, 2010 at 11:07 AM

    A couple of possibles spring to mind depending on how you read 'rough';

    Smooth Operator/Action/Execution
    Exact Revenge
    Precise Action

    I'm sure more will pop up in the dark hours!

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  6. Angus TurnbullSeptember 17, 2010 at 11:08 AM

    A couple of possibles spring to mind depending on how you read 'rough';

    Smooth Operator/Action/Execution
    Exact Revenge
    Precise Action

    I'm sure more will pop up in the dark hours!

    ReplyDelete
  7. david mellySeptember 17, 2010 at 2:36 PM

    I see, then how about "Velvet plague".

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  8. verwoodrussSeptember 18, 2010 at 1:27 AM

    Hi Stephen, try 'Easy Prey' of Tough Waters'.
    All the best and can't wait for the next read.

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  9. kyndredspyrytSeptember 19, 2010 at 3:15 AM

    Pacific Vendetta (Pacific as in pacify/calm)
    Velvet Terror
    Smooth Shot
    Shining Shot
    Velvet Marauder
    Calm Assassin
    Calm Fury
    Fine Rage

    I shall keep thinking...

    Sooz

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  10. CartoucheSeptember 19, 2010 at 3:53 AM

    'Rogue wave'. Its a deadly freak tidal wave, common in the southern ocean especially. These waves are up to 25 metres plus and can take out the superstructure on a container ship. Sorry the inner nerd is creeping out.
    Anyhow, its a two worder, also 'Ripple effect,' 'still water.

    Sure it will come Stephen.

    Cartouche

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  11. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    I know that this is not an exact oposite but as this is about a boat what about "Dead calm," or "Calm but deadly," or "Plain sailing."

    From Joy.

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  12. Andrew DawsonSeptember 20, 2010 at 8:10 AM

    Smooth Criminals

    (I know it's similar to the song title, but that's without the 'S'.)

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  13. kyndredspyrytSeptember 20, 2010 at 1:23 PM

    Are you watching Spooks tonight (20th Sep)??

    How freaky?!!

    Sooz.

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  14. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2010 at 3:57 AM

    Hi Stephen. I have just finished reading my first Stephen leather book, namely Live Fire. Can I just say what an engrossing read it was, and what made it even better is the fact that I am currently in Thailand and can relate to the small details in your book. Secondly my line of work allows me to appreciate the 'research' that has gone into your work prior to writing and this only makes reading the story so much more fascinating. With regards a title, I like the word Slick as an opposite to rough, perhaps 'Slick Operation'? Regards, Muzz

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  15. blondblokeSeptember 21, 2010 at 6:16 AM

    "Level persuit" is the best I can come up with. It avoids the word "smooth" and is still an atonym to rough. He is persuing and being persued if I read correctly, so that's the play on words.

    Hope that helps.

    djmikefunkdoctor@gmail.com

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  16. blondblokeSeptember 21, 2010 at 6:20 AM

    Christ I'm having a time here trying to get through the ID crap. Try "Level persuit" He's being chased and he is on the chase. Level is an atonym to to rough so that should do it.

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  17. Paul BeechSeptember 21, 2010 at 8:03 AM

    Hi - 'Smooth Blade' - any use?

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  18. SteveOSeptember 21, 2010 at 11:28 AM

    Sleek Infraction or
    Smooth Infraction.

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  19. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2010 at 12:40 PM

    What about Calm Revenge?

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  20. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2010 at 7:34 AM

    Hi Steve, This holds no relevence to your title! However, I have never really read books until my pal introduced me to your'chinaman', I am now utterly addicted to your books - I am really into the dan spider books but want to read the rest in order they should be - iv read hard landing, live fire, soft target and dead men - in that order. So.... Would you be able to email me with the order that all your books should be read? mostly the dan spider books - they are just amazing, cant put them down, although they have got me into trouble at home and at work as I cant stop reading them and I have a habbit of shouting at the book when hes in action!!!

    This would be greatly appreciated, just want to get stuck into the next one asap

    Many thanks
    Dale

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  21. Stephen LeatherSeptember 22, 2010 at 7:52 AM

    Hi Dale - if you go to my website at www.stephenleather.com you'll find all my books in order on the Books Page. Also at the front of all my books there should be a list starting with Pay Off and ending with Rough Justice. I hope you enjoy them!

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  22. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2010 at 4:08 AM

    Opposite of rough could be calm, even, level, flat etc.
    Given that you say Shepherd will be pursued by assasins, the only ones I could think of are;

    'Even Bait'

    'Flat Hunt'

    'Even Keel' (kill)

    'Level engagement'

    However although it breaks with the theme I prefer, 'Rogue wave' . Good luck with it.

    Cartouche

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  23. carolyn castleSeptember 23, 2010 at 4:01 PM

    Smooth Talker

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  24. carolyn castleSeptember 23, 2010 at 4:02 PM

    smooth talker

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  25. carolyn castleSeptember 23, 2010 at 4:04 PM

    Thanks for using my name in Rough Justic, my Andy Warhol moment
    Carolyn Castle

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  26. Charlie Kawczynski :)September 24, 2010 at 4:49 AM

    The best I could come up with is Smooth Passage which is similar to your title.... good luck :)

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  27. Stephen LeatherSeptember 24, 2010 at 9:10 AM

    Glad you spotted it, Carolyn! ;-)

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  28. Stephen LeatherSeptember 24, 2010 at 9:10 AM

    Glad you spotted it, Carolyn! ;-)

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  29. JanetSeptember 26, 2010 at 3:14 AM

    HI stephen, How about "Smooth passage" or perhaps "Even Keel"

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  30. MuzzSeptember 26, 2010 at 9:43 AM

    Hey Stephen, tried dropping you a message whilst in Thailand, however not sure if it worked?

    My idea for a title is 'Slick Operation'. Apart from slick being in total contrast to rough, the idea of being on a ship, with inclement weather and perhaps the deck of the ship being a slick surface, I thinks it sounds appropriate. Just bought Rough Justice and loving it, keep up the good work. Muzz

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  31. Leslie StevensonSeptember 27, 2010 at 11:53 AM

    The Dead Sea

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  32. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2010 at 12:54 PM

    smooth vengeance

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  33. gaz lomaxSeptember 27, 2010 at 1:00 PM

    smooth vengeance would be a decent title

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  34. gaz lomaxSeptember 27, 2010 at 1:08 PM

    just finished the first jack nightingale book and january cant come quick enough !! fantastic read im just glad iv now got rough justice to keep me on the edge of my seat at night !! three legends in the making DAN "SPIDER " SHEPHERD ,JACK NIGHTINGALE & STEPHEN LEATHER thanks for bringing these three people into my life

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  35. lesleySeptember 28, 2010 at 3:00 PM

    i have posted on amazon with this suggestion but how about calm tides

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  36. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2010 at 5:18 AM

    smooth revenge

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  37. mike wilsonOctober 1, 2010 at 8:28 AM

    smooth crossing
    mike
    (simple with connotations?)

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  38. AnonymousOctober 2, 2010 at 2:42 AM

    Try Dead Even

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  39. LesleyOctober 2, 2010 at 2:56 AM

    Too Much ryder Cup I Think

    But "Gulf Course" Maybe?

    Ps I hate Golf but love your books

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  40. carolyn castleOctober 6, 2010 at 2:41 PM

    Another couple of ideas
    Gentle Persuasion
    Insidious Corruption

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