Help pick a name for my short story collection

This is a blog post about how I'd love a little of your help with the short stories I'm writing and self-publishing. If you'd rather read about something travel related then I can recommend this post about the first (female) tour guides of New Zealand or this post about my first experience of an earthquake in Bologna, Italy I recently sent out my newsletter and in addition to some photos of Brighton, some words on sunshine and a full overview on the beauty and benefits of Evernote, I asked my readers for help.

For I do indeed need your help as I get ready to self-publish my first short story collection. (Did you just hear a strange noise? That was me gulping.)

Please will you help me decide on a name for the collection?

As long ago as October 2011, I already had a name in mind for the collection. It's the name of one of the first stories I wrote, it's travel related and I may have even mentioned it to a few of you. However, I have started to question this. I also want to include my readers on this journey; you've all been so supportive and encouraging of my writing, I want you to have a say in what the collection is called. 

Here are the possible choices:

Shy Feet: Short Stories Inspired by Travel

The Road is Long: Short Stories Inspired by Travel  Left Luggage: Short Stories Inspired by Travel

The Flowers Sleep Tonight: Short Stories Inspired by Travel  All the beaches are made of pebbles: Short Stories Inspired by Travel

You can let me know your favourite in the comments or by emailing me.

And equally as importantly, I'm also looking for beta readers. 

If you are happy to give up a little time to read one (or more) of the stories and give honest feedback, I'd love to hear from you

The stories range from 2000 - 5000 words so depending on how fast you read, it shouldn't take long for you to finish a story or two. They are all similar to See the Amalfi Coast insofar as they are character-driven stories about people who travel for (very) different reasons. I've tried to keep the language light, funny and occasionally emotive and I want the stories to be very readable and relatable, even if the twists and  story lines  are a little quirky at times. You will receive a credit in the final ebook as well as a mention on my blog (including a link, if you have a website or something to promote). Again please email me if you're keen to read one of these stories before anyone else.

And thank you again to anyone who has already downloaded, read and reviewed See the Amalfi Coast. I've received some wonderful messages from people who related to Martin and his wife's journey to Naples and that's probably the best compliment I could receive as a very new, very scared first time author. (You can still download the story for free by clicking on the following links; Download as a mobi (for Kindle), an epub (for other eReaders) or as a pdf to read on your phone, tablet or desktop. Or purchase for around $1.00 USD from the Kindle store and you'll be donating a small amount of money to a charity close to my heart)

Frances M. Thompson

Londoner turned wanderer, Frankie is an author, freelance writer and blogger. Currently based in Amsterdam, Frankie was nomadic for two years before starting a family with her Australian partner. Frankie is the author of three short story collections, and is a freelance writer for travel and creative brands. In 2017, she launched WriteNOW Cards, affirmation cards for writers that help build a productive and positive writing practice. When not writing contemporary fiction, Frankie shops for vintage clothes, dances to 70s disco music and chases her two young sons around Amsterdam.
Find Frankie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+.

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