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I'm currently struggling with naming my PhD collection which won't be out in the world (if it ever is) until at least 2026. I posted on Facebook the other day about the ideas I had for a title and was given responses to them as well as some alternative ideas. A few people said it was too soon to name it, but I want to make it real in my head, make it a thing. I know when I find my title that I'll get that feeling inside that tells me it's the right one and perhaps I haven't written the poem yet that will name the collection whether it's from a line or the actual title of a poem. Thanks, Kim, this is all stuff to think about.

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Hi Gill - I think in terms of PhD study, I would maybe have a title in your head, but also keep an open mind, as the research can change things so much. In my case, my theme didn't change, but my relationship with my themes did. Another thing I found interesting was that I had to eventually think of the thesis and the collection as two different things - I assumed the collection would be my thesis and vice versa, but they are actually two different animals that have very different purposes in the world....

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Good advice. Yes, I've always seen my collection and thesis as separate things but that merge and mingle with each other. Looking at your relationship with your themes is axgoid way of looking at it, too.

Thank you

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Oct 24Liked by Kim Moore and Clare Shaw

Really helpful post, Kim -- I have always been too scared to name a pamphlet or to truly breathe it into the world. Look forward to the next posts in the series.

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Perhaps you can start by just naming it for yourself. I wouldn't necessarily tell everyone until I was quite far down the publication route. But I think naming it to yourself is really powerful, even if you don't tell anyone else!

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Oct 21Liked by Kim Moore and Clare Shaw

Interesting, certainly something to think about. Enjoyed reading this.

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Thankyou!

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Oct 20Liked by Kim Moore and Clare Shaw

That makes me want to write a pamphlet just so I can birth it via the magic of naming it, I love & totally get that. Twenty poems. hmmm. I hope the buttery glow has prevailed.

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Go for it Deb!

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