Cover Photo: photo by Ryan Johnson/flickr
photo by Ryan Johnson/flickr

Count It All What? On Titling My Novel

“The idea that a title could dissuade a reader was not something I had even considered.”

My first writing teacher rarely gave any practical advice. Instead he would offer gnomic (and ultimately useful) adages like: “The work is the prize,” and “Look for the gifts you’ve given yourself.” He never talked about the publishing world. In his view, it was best to pretend that agents and editors didn’t really exist, especially while drafting.

Then

Count It All Joy—

Sports NovelCount It All JoySports Novel

Cowndidall

count

Sports Novel

Middle Distance.

Home FieldHomestretchMiddle DistanceWishbone FormationCount It All JoyHome FieldMiddle Distance

Wishbone Formation

Count It All JoyHome Field

Hannah Gersen is the author of Home Field and a staff writer for The Millions. She lives in Brooklyn.