Titles that do their job

I’ve been talking about the next book for a while now, using its working title, Career Day.  And the name was fine as a place holder, but not exactly enticing, or even terribly descriptive other than giving an idea of what was going on at the school where the story is set.

But it now has a name.  Ready?

Lockdown

What do you think? Does it say, troubles at Middle School?  Does it make you wonder why the school is locked down?  Does it make you want to read the book?

If so, it’s done its job.

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14 Comments

  1. Robert on October 21, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    Lockdown sounds like the title to Reacher novel.

    • Laurie King on October 21, 2016 at 4:34 pm

      Does a bit, doesn’t it?

  2. Chris on October 21, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    I think it covers wide-ranging possibilities – I like it!! Imagination can work wonders with just one word, sometimes. 👌👍

  3. LaLine on October 21, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    The title tells me to anticipate drama and emotion. Deep emotion.

  4. V Verify on October 22, 2016 at 8:12 am

    The title is pleasingly ambiguous.

    LRK implies (above) that the primary meaning is ‘an educational institution immobilised during or after a security alert’

    but I was wondering about other possible meanings

    1. the name of a large mansion, or a school (in both UK and US senses).
    2. a large hilly area.
    3. a piece of wood which fastens something (used either literally or metaphorically) or a similar fastening made of more modern materials
    4. in manufacturing, improving quality control by stopping the machinery for improvement or calibration
    5. restriction of access to a computer system
    6.a surname
    7. various movies and songs

    I am wondering how many of these meanings, and how many other meanings, are included in the plot.

    In anticipation, and thank you to LRK for many happy hours of reading…

    • Laurie King on October 22, 2016 at 9:15 am

      We shall see….

  5. Janis Kiehl Harrison on October 22, 2016 at 2:06 pm

    What!? Not even a taste about plot, characters, etc.? Fiendish woman!

  6. Kay on October 23, 2016 at 10:54 am

    First reaction is, if I hadn’t read it in this blog or known it had something to do with schools, I’d think it’s the title of a reality type cable TV show about jails or prisons. Oops, sorry. Wouldn’t watch that show. Don’t have cable, but odds are there’s already such a show. Or am I thinking of “Smackdown?” Anyway, sounds very 21st century slangy to me. No problem, though, because I will eagerly read what LRK writes, whatever the title.

  7. Jennifer on October 25, 2016 at 1:00 am

    I would read it only if it’s about Mary Russell.

    • Laurie King on October 25, 2016 at 9:43 am

      Nope.

  8. Jim Wyche on October 26, 2016 at 9:21 am

    Miss Laurie, I wouldn’t care if you named it “Cow Chips,” if you write it, I’m going to read it!

  9. TheMadLibrarian on October 28, 2016 at 2:55 am

    If it’s not giving away too much, is this a new set of characters/standalone novel, or does it connect with any of your previous books?

  10. Tess Lecuyer on October 31, 2016 at 4:34 pm

    KM Herkes has an excellent story out by that same title!

    • Laurie King on November 1, 2016 at 6:41 pm

      So I understand, though I haven’t read it. However in the US, titles aren’t copyrighted, and unless the contents are so similar as to risk confusion, publishers don’t fret too much about it.

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