Why I Changed the Title of My Book (and What It Means!) | Author A. Jean | Embers and Shadows Becomes Bound By Prophecy

Hey everyone!

You might’ve noticed something different about my book recently... Yep, I changed the title! After much thought and reflection, I decided it was time to give my debut novel a fresh start. Let me explain why.

This book holds a very special place in my heart. It was the first story I ever wrote, the book that launched my journey as an author, and no matter how many books I write, it’ll always be close to my soul. But since publishing it, I’ve grown so much as a writer. With two more books under my belt and a wealth of lessons learned about storytelling, character development, and crafting more immersive narratives, I realized that my first book deserved a bit of a glow-up.

So, I revisited it. I polished the writing, reworked the opening, smoothed out the pacing, and made small but impactful tweaks to elevate the story. And to ensure I gave it the attention it deserved, I sent it to a professional editor for a final shine. Don’t worry—the plot, the characters, and the heart of the story are still the same. But this new version? It’s the best version of the story I wanted to tell when I started this journey.

With all those changes, it felt right to give the book a new title that better captured its essence. My original title, Embers and Shadows, was meaningful to me at the time, representing the themes of light versus dark and the struggles Aurora faces throughout her journey. Embers spark fires, while shadows consume the light—a beautiful contrast, but one that didn’t fully encapsulate the high-stakes, fated destiny that truly drives the story forward.

When I discussed my thoughts on a title change with my editor, she completely agreed. After brainstorming together, we landed on something that perfectly reflects the story’s core themes and the emotions at its heart. And so, let me officially introduce you to the revamped and improved... Bound by Prophecy.

eBook Cover of Book One

Why Bound by Prophecy?

This title highlights the fated mates trope central to the story and the high-stakes destiny that binds the characters together. It captures the tension, the sense of inevitability, and the powerful forces at play within Aurora’s journey. It’s bold, evocative, and, most importantly, feels like the perfect fit for the story I’ve crafted.

What About the Old Title?

I came up with Embers and Shadows about halfway through the very first rough draft of the book. At the time, it felt like the right choice—it represented the contrast between light and dark and the internal struggles Aurora faces. But as I wrote book two and started my new series (which ties into this one), I realized the title didn’t fully match the energy and themes of the story anymore. It was a good title, but I wanted something great. Something that would resonate with readers and do justice to the improved version of the book.

A Quick PSA: Book Two is Getting a Title Change, Too!

Since Embers and Shadows became Bound by Prophecy, I decided to give book two a matching makeover. So, Lost and Eternal will now be called... What Darkness Binds. I’m so excited about this change—it brings consistency and a stronger sense of connection between the books while staying true to the stories’ themes.

eBook cover of Book Two.

How to Get the Updated Version:

If you already have the eBook through Amazon, you can use the Kindle download update feature to grab the new fourth edition of the book.

If you downloaded the book through a BookFunnel promo, just shoot me a message, and I’ll send you the updated eBook version for free! (The Updated eBook will only be sent to the email I have on BookFunnel, I do know who claimed books through bookFunnel promo. Please don't email me asking for the free eBook if you never got the original edition.)

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Finally, I just want to say THANK YOU. Thank you for sticking with me on this journey, for reading my stories, and for being the amazing, supportive readers that you are. Your encouragement inspires me to keep growing and creating, and I truly hope you love the new version of my book as much as I do.

Here’s to new beginnings, new titles, and the same heart at the center of every story.

With love and gratitude,

AJ