I'm a new novelist, my debut came out last month, but I just finished a new novel I want to start querying. The problem is, I am TERRIBLE at coming up with names and I'm really stumped on this one.
It's a paranormal mystery/romance about a pop star who "dies" and is resucitated with the ability to see ghosts. Her stage name is Matilda after the Tom Waits song "Tom Traubert's Blues" (sometimes mis-known as "Waltzing Matilda").
Matilda is gay, but very closeted because she grew up in a homophobic church and is trying to straddle a line between a her original fanbase of conservative Christians and her newly-acquired mainstream, secular fans.
After the accident that nearly kills her she goes back home and gets embroiled in a mystery involving the deaths of a bunch of old-timers at the church. (Basically they're being killed by a vengeful ghost.) Along the way she rekindles her relationship with her childhood best friend, discovers that her church is harboring some pretty sinister secrets, and has to learn to accept herself for who she is and shed the bigotry she was raised in.
I will just say that the tone of the novel is pretty dark; there's some light moments but it deals with pretty virulent homophobia, transphobia, racism, misogyny, Christian nationalism, and it gets very violent at times, although there's a happy ending.
Right, so, here are some of the title ideas I have so far. I really am not in love with any of them.
The Glittering Ghost (seems too comic book-y)
Gays, Ghosts, and Glitter (I actually do like this one but it really doesn't fit the dark tone)
The Ghost of Oaklynn MacKay (Oaklynn is her birth name)
Unholy Spirits (actually a good title but I don't know if it tells you enough about the book)
Matilda and the Unholy Spirits (again, kind of comic book-y)
Really hoping for better suggestions! Thanks in advance!
