Hey everyone,
I'm mulling over a new story universe name for the Aeldstorm Saga books, and I'd love your gut reactions.
The name I'm considering is Himingrath.
For context: Think Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere (or the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a more mainstream example). There would be multiple worlds, different stories, all connected within one larger universe. The Aeldstorm Saga would be one series within this broader setting, but there will be other stories, other worlds, different mythologies and pantheons, all linked together. I'm also planning to expand and rewrite my Spellbinder stories to fit into this universe.
I'm trying to decide if Himingrath works as that overarching universe name, or if it's too obscure/hard to remember/doesn't quite land.
So, quick poll:
Does "Himingrath" sound intriguing or confusing?
Is it memorable, or does it feel like a mouthful?
Does it make you curious about what it means?
Would you pick up a book if you saw "Part of the Himingrath universe" on the cover?
No wrong answers here, I genuinely want honest reactions. If it doesn't work, I'd rather know now than after I've committed to it across multiple books!
Drop your thoughts in the comments. Bonus points if you tell me what vibes/imagery the name gives you.
Thanks for indulging this bit of authorial anxiety!
Comments
"And I will call it George"
It's your 'verse. it should be your right to name your brainchild. That said, maybe a link to a site with a short synopsis of each book in that Universe? And as for the poll?
Confusing, Suffers from lack of context
Both, While memorable (unique comes to mind), it's also a mouthful
My first thought? "What's a Himingrath?"
How many books in each part of the series? Is there a planned end? A defined number or open-ended? Many authors IRL use the Universe concept while building on previous works in the series by referencing them (think "From the author of "), maybe something like that?
I am not an author in the sense of a professional like you, and have no desire to be one. My muse is fickle, very fickle. And demands too much chocolate! And, yes, I do envy your writing skills.
I guess what I would need to do would be to find a list of your works in said 'verse and read the first book in the series. If it's as good as your other stories AND is of a type I find interesting, then I would probably read the rest. You certainly have found yourself in a most unique dilemma. I could probably venture a guess, but I lack any points of reference and anything I offer would still be only an uninformed guess. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, I really wish I could be of more assistance. Best of luck!
Hugs
Diana
I'd love to suggest something but...
The Marvel cinematic universe confuses the doo-doo out of me, let alone the scifi book series you spoke of.
Then my sci-fi book experience is along the lines of Tolkien, Douglas Adams, Mark Twain, HG Wells and the ilk.
Or Frank Zappa if you're into round vinyl things with grooves.
Great concept from what you said.
Go with your gut.
This is FICTION you know (grin).
Best of luck.
John in Wauwatosa
Uni
Tradition here, say whoever discovers a planet names it. Of course if you live there before you were discovered by strangers, you might have simply called it home and you were the people.
So are you the strangers naming “your” discovery or simply travelers asking “the people” what they call it?
Universe name?
For me the name is quite a mouthful as several different pronunciations come to mind, e.g. him-in-grath, hi-min-grath, hi-ming-rath or himing-rath. Each brings to mind different ideas of what the universe is about. Having not seen or read any stories in that universe makes the name confusing.
Now once you have several various stories under your belt in the universe, which I am positive will also give the reader clues to the overall name, readers that enjoy the stories will in fact look for titles in this universe.
As for first impressions of the name? If I only saw “Part of the Himingrath universe" on the cover I would not pick it up. But then again, once I saw “Daniela Wolf” on that cover I would pick it up as I do love your writing.
We the willing, led by the unsure. Have been doing so much with so little for so long,
We are now qualified to do anything with nothing.
different mythologies
I thought I'd answered you before, but I must have neglected to hit the save button.
I think that "Himingrath" is a mouth full to try to say and has no contextual meaning, nor is there any reference that two different search engines could find..
I looked up the etymology of mythologies. Here's what I found on the Merriam-Webster web site:
I would suggest borrowing the name of that book "Mythologiae" for your universe. If a person has a question as to what it is, a quick web search will tell them.
"The Mythologiae Universe" is my suggestion.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin ein femininer Mann