Bill Conrad's Blog - Posts Tagged "publishing-trends"
ALL CAPITAL TITLES
Book titles capture what a book is about. Their purpose is to break down potential reader’s resistance so they will open their wallets and hand over hard-earned money. This means that, at the core, the title is an advertisement.
How does this work? Depending on the book, titles can be clever, friendly, outrageous, or welcoming. However, their overall goal is to entice a sale. “Dear reader. You are going to love my book. Sit down and take a load off. Now, flip to the first page and enjoy my story.”
Well… Some authors have not received the friendly title message. There is a new trend of using all capital letters in a title. What is the purpose of writing in capital letters? It is to emphasize words as if they were being shouted. I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THIS!!! I suppose in a limited instance, having all capital letters does have merit for shocking titles. “AIRPLANE DISASTERS” “ROMANTIC FAILURES” “WORST MISTAKES IN HISTORY”
Note: An unwritten rule is that the title should have all capital letters on the cover. This makes a bold statement to entice readers. This is the time for an author to be confident.
The problem occurs in websites that sell books and search engines. Authors capitalize their titles to distinguish themselves. They even capitalize their names. The result reads too heavy-handed. It is like those annoying television commercials where the car dealer yells at the top of their lungs to buy a used car. Our reaction is to change the channel quickly.
To show you what I am referring to, I copied several titles with their authors listed on Amazon:
THE ULTIMATE PERSONAL FINANCE GUIDE FOR TEENS: LEARN THE SECRETS OF MONEY MANAGEMENT TO BECOME WEALTHY AND LIVE A STRESS - FREE LIFE by CARLOS A. DAVILA
WE ARE NOT IMPOSTORS!: HOW TO IDENTIFY, MANAGE, AND OVERCOME IMPOSTOR SYNDROME AS PROFESSIONAL WOMEN by JT BLACKWELL
JUST FIREWORKS : A Child’s memories of a war-torn Lebanon by Nader Barrak
HOW TO TALK TO ANYONE: Unlock Conversational Excellence: Transform Your Communication, Speak with Confidence, Connect Effortlessly, and Navigate Social Landscapes with Charismatic Grace by Rowan Becket
SEPARATION AND DIVORCE: SURVIVING WITH YOUR CHILDREN by Bridget Michaels
SCREWED-UP: BREAKING CHAINS FROM NARCISSISM: Know your Worth and break the toxic bond from a narcissist!! by Hayde Miller
VAGABOND by ATHANG RATHOD
FAYTHE OF NORTH HINKAPEE: The Saga of a Young Woman’s Quest for Justice and Love in Colonial America by James T. Hogg
INTERESTING FACTS For GENIUS MINDS: 1492 Entertaining Trivia & Facts For All Ages 8+ by Natalie Larsen
THE LITTLE BRAZILLIAN COOKBOOK by Cristina Ripley
Why is a cookbook yelling at me? Why are interesting facts shouting? Did they lose a bet?
Authors capitalizing their names? We are supposed to be a friendly bunch. “Hey, there. You seem like a great person. Why don’t you read one of my books.” The last thing a reader wants is an arrogant JERK of an author screeching at the top of their lungs, “DON’T YOU DARE READ MY BOOK! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!”
I suppose my rant about capital letters will not turn too many heads. So… What am I hoping to accomplish? If an author reads this article, please keep your readers in mind. I know it isn’t easy to stand out, but capitalizing your title is a step too far. THANKS FOR READING THIS.
You’re the best -Bill
June 05, 2024
How does this work? Depending on the book, titles can be clever, friendly, outrageous, or welcoming. However, their overall goal is to entice a sale. “Dear reader. You are going to love my book. Sit down and take a load off. Now, flip to the first page and enjoy my story.”
Well… Some authors have not received the friendly title message. There is a new trend of using all capital letters in a title. What is the purpose of writing in capital letters? It is to emphasize words as if they were being shouted. I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THIS!!! I suppose in a limited instance, having all capital letters does have merit for shocking titles. “AIRPLANE DISASTERS” “ROMANTIC FAILURES” “WORST MISTAKES IN HISTORY”
Note: An unwritten rule is that the title should have all capital letters on the cover. This makes a bold statement to entice readers. This is the time for an author to be confident.
The problem occurs in websites that sell books and search engines. Authors capitalize their titles to distinguish themselves. They even capitalize their names. The result reads too heavy-handed. It is like those annoying television commercials where the car dealer yells at the top of their lungs to buy a used car. Our reaction is to change the channel quickly.
To show you what I am referring to, I copied several titles with their authors listed on Amazon:
THE ULTIMATE PERSONAL FINANCE GUIDE FOR TEENS: LEARN THE SECRETS OF MONEY MANAGEMENT TO BECOME WEALTHY AND LIVE A STRESS - FREE LIFE by CARLOS A. DAVILA
WE ARE NOT IMPOSTORS!: HOW TO IDENTIFY, MANAGE, AND OVERCOME IMPOSTOR SYNDROME AS PROFESSIONAL WOMEN by JT BLACKWELL
JUST FIREWORKS : A Child’s memories of a war-torn Lebanon by Nader Barrak
HOW TO TALK TO ANYONE: Unlock Conversational Excellence: Transform Your Communication, Speak with Confidence, Connect Effortlessly, and Navigate Social Landscapes with Charismatic Grace by Rowan Becket
SEPARATION AND DIVORCE: SURVIVING WITH YOUR CHILDREN by Bridget Michaels
SCREWED-UP: BREAKING CHAINS FROM NARCISSISM: Know your Worth and break the toxic bond from a narcissist!! by Hayde Miller
VAGABOND by ATHANG RATHOD
FAYTHE OF NORTH HINKAPEE: The Saga of a Young Woman’s Quest for Justice and Love in Colonial America by James T. Hogg
INTERESTING FACTS For GENIUS MINDS: 1492 Entertaining Trivia & Facts For All Ages 8+ by Natalie Larsen
THE LITTLE BRAZILLIAN COOKBOOK by Cristina Ripley
Why is a cookbook yelling at me? Why are interesting facts shouting? Did they lose a bet?
Authors capitalizing their names? We are supposed to be a friendly bunch. “Hey, there. You seem like a great person. Why don’t you read one of my books.” The last thing a reader wants is an arrogant JERK of an author screeching at the top of their lungs, “DON’T YOU DARE READ MY BOOK! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!”
I suppose my rant about capital letters will not turn too many heads. So… What am I hoping to accomplish? If an author reads this article, please keep your readers in mind. I know it isn’t easy to stand out, but capitalizing your title is a step too far. THANKS FOR READING THIS.
You’re the best -Bill
June 05, 2024
