A Tale of Two Titles

When I found the nerve to start sending the manuscript for my historical novel to agents and publishers a year ago, I realized I could no longer call it "Manuscript." I needed a book title. After writing 200,000 words, why was it so difficult to come up with three or four more?

I struggled with how to sum up the lives of a seafaring family over a forty-year period during a time of change and peril in our nation's history. I toyed with naming it after one of the ships they sailed, The Hoogly. In a moment of weakness, I considered Sailors, Soldiers and Petticoats. At long last, I borrowed a line from Mary Brewster, the wife of a ship's captain quoted in the book, and typed If the Sea Must Be Your Home in 24-point boldface type across the top of the first page.

Fast forward another year, and the manuscript has evolved into a two-book series. I wrote subtitles for each book: The Journey Begins and The Drumbeats of War. With the publishing date looming on April 24, Tara Flynn (the founder of Holand Press) convinced me of a simple fact. My original title, If the Sea Must Be Your Home, was too long for a series title.

Tara saved me the torture of thinking up a new title and did the sensible thing: she had the covers designed with her suggested series title. It took me about five minutes to realize she was right. Thus, Tales of the Sea was born.

I've spent nearly five years researching, writing and revising these books. As the author, I am so close to every word that I sometimes need to lean on others to help me see the forest for the trees. Now, when I look at the two book covers, The Journey Begins and The Drumbeats of War feel right at home under Tales of the Sea.

Publishing is a letting go process. I had to relinquish some measure of control in order to send my fledgling out into the world to be considered by publishers. Soon, I will watch Tales of the Sea escape from its comfortable nest on my laptop and take wing. As Richard Bach once wrote, if you love something, set it free.

On April 24, 2025, you'll find my two-book series, Tales of the Sea, on Amazon in print and Kindle formats. Soon afterward, the print versions will appear in select independent bookstores. If you don't see them in your local bookstore, please invite them to contact me at cynthia@cynthiaelder.com for details on sourcing the books.

Thank you for joining me on this journey!