Some authors wait until finishing the first draft to title the book. Some, like me, need at least a working title before the idea can even begin to gel. Traditionally published authors may not have much say in their book’s final title. Independent authors sometimes have too much say. Whatever camp you fall into, your title shouldn’t be chosen lightly. Today, let’s consider some of the factors that should inform that decision.
5 Elements of a Good Book Title
Take a moment to consider some of your favorite titles. Write a list. What elements within these titles particularly attract you? More than a few of your titles will probably fall into the following categories:
1. Catchy: Neverwhere
2. Humorous: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
3. Poetic: Something Wicked This Way Comes
4. Curiosity Inducing: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
5. Genre Reflective: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
7 Questions to Ask About Your Book Title
As you’re planning your book title and throwing around ideas, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Is This Book Title Unique?
Although titles can’t be copyrighted, you always want to think twice about choosing a title already in use (and check to see if it has been trademarked). At the very least, you want to seek a title that won’t have to compete for search engine rankings or cause readers to confuse your book with someone else’s by the same name.
2. How Many Words Is Your Book Title?
The number of words in a book title may depend on its genre. Thrillers and suspense novels often have titles of a single word. Literary and humorous novels might have titles that consist of half a dozen or more words. Shorter titles are often more memorable and more convenient for cover design; longer titles are often more unique and descriptive.
3. Is Your Book Title Specific Instead of Vague?
Which of the following books are you more likely to pick up?
Lunar Colony or The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress?
Loving a Scoundrel or Gone With the Wind?
Trouble in a Small Town or What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
4. Is Your Book Title Memorable?
Readers probably won’t snap up your book the first time they see or hear your title. But if that title is an earworm that sticks in the backs of their brains, they’re much more likely to pay attention the next time they run across your book.
5. Is Your Book Title Consistent With Your Brand?
Remember: titles are marketing. Particularly if you’re writing a series, but even if you’re not, you want to choose a title that fits in with your previous books and overall brand. Consider Janet Evanovich’s use of a number in every title in her Stephanie Plum series or Sue Grafton’s use of letters in the titles of her Alphabet Mysteries.
6. Does Your Book Title Suggest Good Cover Image Ideas?
Your cover image may end up having no obvious connection to your title. Indeed, sometimes that very contrast is a good hook. But as you’re brainstorming titles, consider how each one would look on the book cover. What images would you envision seeing beneath or behind each potential title?
7. Is Your Book Title Cool?
As marketing expert Rob Eager puts it:
Would a reader feel cool if someone saw them reading a book with that title? Readers have egos, and titles that people deem offensive or out-of-date can hinder sales.
5 Tips for Brainstorming the Perfect Book Title
Now that you have an idea of the components of a good book title, what steps can you take to come up with your own perfect title?
1. Research Book Titles in Your Genre
Visit Amazon and take a look at your genre’s bestseller list. What do the top twenty titles have in common? Write down those that particularly pop out at you and note the elements that make them attractive. How can you replicate their effect?
2. Consider Your Book’s Text
Your title makes a promise to readers about what they will find inside the book. So why not look inside the book itself to find the title? Are there any lines that pop off the page? Any particularly memorable or unique phrases? What one line in the book best sums up the theme, premise, or protagonist?
3. Look Up Words in the Dictionary
Open your dictionary to a random page. Do any words pop out? Make a list.
4. Analyze Songs/Poems/Books
One of my favorite techniques is to pull vivid imagery from songs, poems, and old books (the King James translation of the Bible is particularly full of strong and unique words). Make a list of the best phrases and start playing with them. A little clever wordplay can go a long way toward making your title stand out. (Of course, it should go without saying that you should not borrow phrases without attribution.)
5. Free Write
Scribble down every title, word, or combination of words you can think of. I often cover pages in my notebook with various title ideas. Most are dumb, but there’s always one that finally pops as the perfect representation of the book.
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Book titles can be both fun and difficult. Don’t feel pressured by their importance, especially early in the process (you can always change titles later on). But don’t discount their importance either.
Wordplayers, tell me your opinions! What is your process for brainstorming a book title? Tell me in the comments!
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