11 Ways to Choose the Perfect Title for your Book

The Basics of Self-Publishing Part On... Self Publishing 101 : Part 2

11 Ways to Choose the Perfect Title for your Book

Today, I want to talk about choosing the perfect title for your book because I think it’s something a lot of writers struggle with, whether you’re a newbie writer or more seasoned. We start writing our stories and halfway through think to ourselves, What in the world am I going to call this? Or maybe you had a title originally picked out, but once you finish writing your book, realize that it may not fit as well as you thought. Coming up with book titles can be a struggle, so here are 11 ways to get over your slump and pick the perfect title for your book! If you'd rather watch the video on this topic, feel free to click play below. Otherwise, read on!

Before we start, I want you to keep this in the back of your mind. GOOGLE any new title you come up with. This is the easiest way to ensure that you’ve come up with an original title. Titles are not copyrighted, so in theory, you could name your novel Gone with the Wind or The Great Gatsby, but doing so probably isn’t going to help your career.

1.       BASE IT ON THEME·         I’ve talked about themes in some of my previous videos. Some common themes are good vs. evil, coming of age, love and sacrifice, faith versus doubt, individual versus society – you get the picture. Identify the over-arching theme of your book, as well as the sub-themes, and go from there. Some theme-based titles include Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, as well as my own novel, The Alpha Drive. If you’re having trouble coming up with a title based on the themes in your book, then try #2 which is…
2.       USE THE PROTAGONIST’S NAME·         There are some best-selling novels out there that use this tactic: Emma by Jane Austen, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. You catch my drift.
3.       USE THE PROTAGONIST’S OCCUPATION OR OTHER QUALITIES·         This tactic is used a lot in romance titles, and since I write young adult fantasy and science fiction, this is not one I’m too keen on using or know much about. Nora Roberts has a book called The Witness, while Danielle Steel titled her novel The Perfect Stranger. If you’re not writing romance though, I would skip this one.
4.       USE SONGS AND POEMS FOR INSPIRATION·         Many authors have used classic poems or song lyrics for their book titles. J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye came straight out of the poem “Comin’ Thro the Rye” by Robert Burns. In the mystery and suspense genre, Mary Higgins Clark is famous for titles inspired by songs, such as I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Frank Sinatra) and Let Me Call You Sweetheart(Bing Crosby).
5.       LIFT A PHRASE OR UNIQUE ASPECT FROM YOUR BOOK·         The best way to explain this one is through an example. In The Silence of the Lambsby Thomas Harris, FBI Agent Clarice Starling was traumatized as a child by the slaughter of “screaming” lambs. The lambs symbolize the victims she wants to save from a serial killer. The title comes from a dialogue between Clarice and Hannibal Lecter; it refers to her ability to solve the case. So if there is a unique aspect to your book, explore that because it just might lead you to the perfect title.
6.       GIVE YOURSELF OPTIONS·         Who doesn’t love options? Think of choosing your title in the same way as shopping for a car. You probably have a few cars in mind, maybe one is at the top of your list, but you wouldn’t just test drive that one car, purchase it, and be done with it. You’d probably test drive some other vehicles to make sure it’s the right one- the one you truly want. Same goes for book titles. Make a list of at least 5 titles before deciding on one. If you’re struggling to pick a title because you like two equally, ask friends and family, or do a poll on social media aimed at your target audience and ask them which title they prefer. Their insight is invaluable, so take advantage of it!
7.       CONSIDER VOICE AND POINT OF VIEW·         This might seem obvious, but if you’re narrating a story in the third person, don’t title your book, “My Summer Vacation”. Strong prose requires a distinctive voice and a consistent point of view – your title should do the same!
8.       USE PRECISE NOUNS AND ACTIVE VERBS·         For years, people have tried to come up with the perfect algorithm for naming a book, claiming that three-word titles sell best or that the most marketable ones contain verbs. But who really knows? Just make sure your title uses precise nouns and active verbs. For example, Eugene O’Neill’s Desire Under the Elmsis a far more compelling title than Love Under the Trees would have been.
9.       CREATE A TITLE WITH DUAL MEANINGS·         Most readers consider your title twice—once before they start reading your work, and again after they have finished. Many successful titles gain hidden layers of meaning as they’re read, so they pack an extra punch when reflected upon for the second time. Noteworthy examples include Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and John Cheever’s “The Swimmer.”
10.   DON’T REVEAL YOUR PLOT!·         If you’re writing a mystery novel or a suspense thriller, make sure you don’t give away the ending of the book through the title. Also, refrain from using either the first or last lines of your story as your title, as such “double duty” takes away the surprise of the opening hook or the dramatic conclusion.
11.   MAKE SURE YOUR TITLE ALIGNS WITH YOUR STORY AND ITS THEMES·         This is the most important rule of titling, the only one no writer can afford to break. Often we start off with a promising title in mind for our work—and we assume, once we’ve finished writing, that this title still fits. Unfortunately, the human imagination does not always conform to our expectations, so it’s essential to ask yourself, once your manuscript is complete, whether the original title still matches the story you’ve told. If it doesn’t, then it’s time for you to dig deep to find the right one.
So there you have it, 11 tips for coming up with the perfect title for your book.
In case you missed the announcement, THE ALPHA DRIVE will be part of the first ever international BookTube Tour hosted by Grace over at LovingDemBooks. During the weeks of May 21-June 4, 12 booktubers from around the world will be posting their reviews of THE ALPHA DRIVE on their YouTube channels. As the time draws closer, I’ll link all of their channels on a blog post for you to check out if you’re interested.