Word of mouth equates for a huge proportion of books that have achieved a runaway success. If a title is memorable, it\u2019s more likely to stick in the forefront of a reader\u2019s mind when they\u2019re speaking to friends. To use our previous example, A Good Girl\u2019s Guide to Murder, <\/em>uses alliteration to great effect, and uses many of the same words in subsequent titles in the series to create a clear and memorable link. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, a bad title can be forgettable. Take Stranger from Within <\/em>for example \u2013 have you heard of that? Chances are you haven\u2019t as this title was later changed to Lord of the Flies <\/em>(William Golding), which is far more intriguing and memorable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So \u2013 what is it that makes a book title great? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Authors with an established track record can afford to take risks with their book titles. But for new and emerging authors, it\u2019s worth sticking to these tried-and-tested rules: <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s not to say that you can\u2019t call your book a name shared by something else, but it will help your title be easier to find by readers if it\u2019s unique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As readers, we can come across hundreds of books every day. Be clever with your use of words to create a title that will stick in a reader\u2019s mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can do this by generating a question for the reader, or by clearly signposting what the book is about from the title. For example, The Man who Died Twice <\/em>by Richard Osman. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a bookshop or online, this is mainly the job of the cover. But what about when the book is being spoken about in a conversation, or on the radio? Choose a book title with impact, for example, Tall Bones <\/em>by Anna Bailey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These rules sound simple, but they can be difficult to get right. There are lots of other factors that might turn a reader off, even if your title conforms to all these rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the things that concern a writer when choosing the title of their book is its length. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Titles must be long enough to be clear, unique and intriguing, but short enough to be memorable (and fit on the cover nicely). Most popular book titles are four words long, but a surprising 10% of the Amazon top 100 at the time of writing include titles over eighteen words. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, this will vary according to genre (subject-led non-fiction can stand a longer, more specific title), and also Amazon metadata (including subtitles with keywords can help a book become more searchable). But as a general rule of thumb, you\u2019ll want to be keeping your title in that magic space between too short, and too long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You should also pay close attention to the use of language in your title. With such a small space to pack an impact, every word you choose has to be pulling its weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To help, try to avoid jargon and technical terms in your title that might be hard for the average reader to remember. You should aim to provoke an emotional response and provide clarity<\/a>, whilst trying to avoid making your reader angry or hurt with the use of derogatory language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also useful to keep the title themed around your book, so that readers can easily associate it with your story long after reading. In the same way, using common genre structures found in the genre you\u2019re writing can help with this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, thriller<\/a> titles tend to be short, using emotive language: The Silent Patient, <\/em>Alex Michaelides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Romantic comedies can stand to be a little longer and can often include a name, such as Lucy in the Sky <\/em>by Paige Toon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So how can you use these tips to come up with your own book title? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before sitting down to come up with your own title, I recommend making a note of the advice above, so you can keep it in mind. In particular, it\u2019s important that your ideas maintain clarity, relevance, and stay within your genre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To help with this, the first step to creating a book title is to look at books similar to yours. Make a note of: <\/p>\n\n\n\n This step is important, as you\u2019ll want to ensure your title communicates what your reader is to expect from your book, as well as being unique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I like brainstorming on paper or on a whiteboard, but you can do it anywhere, at any time. For each of the following headings, spend fifteen to twenty minutes thinking of possible titles relating to your specific book: <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you have some keywords, try mixing them around to create something unique and interesting. Alliteration can be your friend here, as we saw in A Good Girl\u2019s Guide to Murder. <\/em>You can also employ one of the following devices with your keywords to make it unique: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re still finding it difficult, then try an automatic word or title generator<\/a>. Then, it\u2019s just the simple matter of choosing the right title for you\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best book title for your book will be one that conforms to all the rules we\u2019ve outlined here, including that it\u2019s clear, memorable, relevant, and unique. It will also be the one you feel most excited about and are most likely to remember yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Try one or two on for size in conversation. Does it roll off the tongue? What was the reaction? <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may also find that other people can be useful<\/a> \u2013 ask friends who have read the book for their thoughts and include other people in your process. In particular, agents<\/a> and editors<\/a> often bring their own thoughts to a title before publication, so be prepared to change it for the market if you\u2019re planning on traditional publishing<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For those who are self-publishing<\/a>, using social media<\/a> or reader focus groups can be a great way of testing a title before going forward with it. You may even find that the most popular title is the one you\u2019d least expect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever title you come up with, your primary goal is to make readers want to read your book and remember it long after they\u2019ve finished reading. Spend time studying book titles, mind-mapping ideas relevant to your themes and then choose the title that you feel most excited by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information on other important book metadata, including book covers, choosing your author name<\/a>, and that all-important pitch<\/a>, take a look at our vast library of free articles on our blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Makes A Good Book Title?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
* Be Unique<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
* Be Memorable <\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
* Spark Interest<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
* Grab Attention<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Long Should Your Title Be?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Does It Look On The Cover?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Language & Clarity<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Relevance<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"typewriter-and-paper-book-titles\"](\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/creating-book-titles.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow To Come Up With Book Title Ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Get brainstorming!<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
This can be a name, or a description of the character<\/a> in some way. For example, The Girl of Ink and Stars <\/em>by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Think carefully about the themes and motifs you\u2019ve used in your book. Looking at your synopsis<\/a> can be a useful reminder here. For example, Normal People <\/em>by Sally Rooney.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n
This can be interior settings<\/a>, as well as exterior. Where in this world or the next is the book set? If there\u2019s a journey, can this be used? For example, The Salt Path <\/em>by Raynor Winn.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Think dates, as well as seasons, days and time. You can also use important past or future events as a title. For example, A Week in December, <\/em>Sebastian Faulks. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nResearch<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Is there another, lesser-used word that packs a bigger punch?
<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Twist the meaning of your phrase to assign a new meaning to it, for example, Everything I Never Told You, <\/em>by Celeste Ng.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Find the hook of your story and tell it in a small space, such as The House with Chicken Legs, <\/em>by Sophie Anderson. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
Is there something about your story that sets it apart from the rest? Perhaps it\u2019s that it\u2019s a true story, or perhaps something as simple as a character name. If it\u2019s good, use it in your title! For example, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. <\/em>
<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Is there a title you particularly like? Try mixing that with some of the words you\u2019ve come up with \u2013 sometimes this can help you stumble across your own unique version, which contains all the elements of a title you love.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s no coincidence that, like with any product, there are trends with book titles. You may have noticed in certain genres, that once a book has had great success, other similar titles start to pop up. How many thrillers can you name with the word \u2018Girl\u2019 in the title? How many fantasy YA books do you know with the word \u2018wicked\u2019 in the title, or using the standard \u2018A _ of _ and _\u2019 combination?
<\/li>\n\n\n\nHow To Choose A Book Title<\/h2>\n\n\n\n