The Ten Book Title Clichés We All Know And Cherish
Ever noticed how book titles come in Mexican waves? One year, if they’re not one-word, publishers will say “that’s not snappy enough”; the next they’re all so lengthy that it’s a wonder they fit on the book jacket. Here’s your quick guide to identifying the ten main book title groups (and the genres that go with them). Which one’s yours? (And yes, I've probably used all of them, too.)
Examples are (as far as I know) imaginary.
1. The One-Word, Multi-Syllable Punch: as loved by horror and action writers everywhere. Doesn’t much matter what the word is, as long as it has plenty of syllables; just stick in block type and enjoy. Examples: INTRUDER; REGULATOR; DISCIPLE; AVOCADO.
2. The One-Word, One-Syllable Punch: Gritty, urban, artsy: Examples: BLACK: STONE; CRACK; PISS.
3. The Random Juxtaposition of Words: Attention-grabbing device, which works by placing an everyday word next to another word that has nothing to do with it: Examples: COFFEE MONKEY; MEAT THISTLE; FRIDGE BABY.
4. The Whimsical, Rather Over-Long Title That Tells Most of the Plot: Much loved by writers of cosy fiction. Examples: THE PANDA WHO STAYED FOR BREAKFAST; THE LITTLE OLD LADY, NOT WANTING TO DIE, WHO LEARNED HOW TO LIVE FOREVER.
5. The One that Sounds Kinda Like Latin: It doesn’t have to be real Latin, just a vague approximation. Favoured by writers of pseudo-intellectual thrillers and exorcism fiction: Examples: EXCELSIOR; THE NECROSCOPTICON. MAGISTERIUM; PODEX.
6. The One That Makes You Feel Clever: By including a reference in the title to some well-known artist, poet or philosopher, the writer subtly manages to convey to the reader the the illusion of being an intellectual, whilst concealing the fact that there’s nothing remotely clever about the book. (PS: If you can get some Latin in there too, you’re made.) Examples: PLATO’S ARMADILLO; THE SARTRE SUPREMACY; THE REMBRANDT CODEX.
7. The One With the Cat in it. It doesn’t have to be a cat; but research has shown that a reference to cats in a book title will guarantee more readers. Also works with weddings and chocolate. Examples: THE CAT WHO LOVED CHOCOLATE: THE CHOCOLATE CAT: THE WEDDING CAT.
8. The One That Sounds A Lot Like Something Else. (It goes without saying that the Something Else is always something that did very, very well in the bookshops.) So what if readers confuse it with another title? What the hell, it just means more sales, right?
9. The One With The Botanical Theme: Preferably an exotic one: Examples: THE AGAPANTHUS TREE; THE JUNIPER BUSH; THE QUADRIFOLIA LAWN; THE MAGNOLIA MEADOW.
10. The One That Gives You a Sugar Rush: Before CHOCOLAT, I don’t remember these being a Thing. But nowadays, food-themed titles are everywhere. Examples: WALKING OVER MELONS; THE PECULIAR MELANCHOLY OF CARROT CAKE; HALF A GRAPEFRUIT; COSMIC JELLO.
Examples are (as far as I know) imaginary.
1. The One-Word, Multi-Syllable Punch: as loved by horror and action writers everywhere. Doesn’t much matter what the word is, as long as it has plenty of syllables; just stick in block type and enjoy. Examples: INTRUDER; REGULATOR; DISCIPLE; AVOCADO.
2. The One-Word, One-Syllable Punch: Gritty, urban, artsy: Examples: BLACK: STONE; CRACK; PISS.
3. The Random Juxtaposition of Words: Attention-grabbing device, which works by placing an everyday word next to another word that has nothing to do with it: Examples: COFFEE MONKEY; MEAT THISTLE; FRIDGE BABY.
4. The Whimsical, Rather Over-Long Title That Tells Most of the Plot: Much loved by writers of cosy fiction. Examples: THE PANDA WHO STAYED FOR BREAKFAST; THE LITTLE OLD LADY, NOT WANTING TO DIE, WHO LEARNED HOW TO LIVE FOREVER.
5. The One that Sounds Kinda Like Latin: It doesn’t have to be real Latin, just a vague approximation. Favoured by writers of pseudo-intellectual thrillers and exorcism fiction: Examples: EXCELSIOR; THE NECROSCOPTICON. MAGISTERIUM; PODEX.
6. The One That Makes You Feel Clever: By including a reference in the title to some well-known artist, poet or philosopher, the writer subtly manages to convey to the reader the the illusion of being an intellectual, whilst concealing the fact that there’s nothing remotely clever about the book. (PS: If you can get some Latin in there too, you’re made.) Examples: PLATO’S ARMADILLO; THE SARTRE SUPREMACY; THE REMBRANDT CODEX.
7. The One With the Cat in it. It doesn’t have to be a cat; but research has shown that a reference to cats in a book title will guarantee more readers. Also works with weddings and chocolate. Examples: THE CAT WHO LOVED CHOCOLATE: THE CHOCOLATE CAT: THE WEDDING CAT.
8. The One That Sounds A Lot Like Something Else. (It goes without saying that the Something Else is always something that did very, very well in the bookshops.) So what if readers confuse it with another title? What the hell, it just means more sales, right?
9. The One With The Botanical Theme: Preferably an exotic one: Examples: THE AGAPANTHUS TREE; THE JUNIPER BUSH; THE QUADRIFOLIA LAWN; THE MAGNOLIA MEADOW.
10. The One That Gives You a Sugar Rush: Before CHOCOLAT, I don’t remember these being a Thing. But nowadays, food-themed titles are everywhere. Examples: WALKING OVER MELONS; THE PECULIAR MELANCHOLY OF CARROT CAKE; HALF A GRAPEFRUIT; COSMIC JELLO.
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Susan
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Jan 30, 2015 09:59AM
Cliche #11 - Historical fiction about So and So's Wife/Daughter, usually a trade or title but sometimes a proper name: The Shoemaker's Wife, The Aviator's Wife, Cleopatra's Daughter, The Heretic's Daughter.
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Susan, I was going to add that. Honestly I am getting rather sick of that one.
Hehe. So I guess my idea for my next novel, THE CHOCOLATE-MAKER'S DAUGHTER, is out? :-)
COSMIC JELLO - ahahahah! :'D I would definitely buy that one!Joanne, it's not the idea that's out - it would be great to read a story of one of Vianne's daughters! It just needs a different title... ;-)
