It is a huge accomplishment to write a book, and such an achievement deserves a fitting title. A catchy, memorable title is essential for making your book stand out from the crowd and capturing readers’ attention.
Here are some tips and tricks for crafting an appealing title for your book.
Is there a perfect title for a book?
Along with your cover and blurb, the title is going to help sell your book. But how do you know if you’ve chosen the perfect name for your work?
A book title should grab readers’ attention and make them want to read more. It should be unique and memorable but not too long or overly complex.
Your book title should hint at the book’s subject matter, style and tone. It should also give the reader some context or clue about the genre of your story. There are plenty of things to consider.
Let’s dive into book titles and why they’re important.
Why is your book title important?
The book title is the first thing that people see and the first thing that they judge. So, it’s no surprise that a book title can make or break a book’s success.
There are thousands of books out there, and you want yours to jump out from the rest. That’s why a unique title can help your book get noticed and attract more readers.
Writing an attention-grabbing book title
Choosing a book title can feel pretty overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The right title can really help attract readers and show what your book is all about. Here are some tips to help you come up with an eye-catching book title:
- Ideation: Take some time to sit down and compile possible book titles. Write down any ideas that come to mind, even the “weird” ones.
- Research: Explore other books in your genre to get an idea of what book titles are popular. This can also give you some inspiration for your own book title.
- Keep it simple: Keep your book title short and punchy. Long titles can be hard to remember and may not fit on the book’s cover.
- Use alliteration: Alliteration is a great way to make a book title stand out. (Alliteration is when two or more words begin with the same letter or sound, e.g. Peter Pan, Gone Girl, and The Lies of Locke Lamora.)
- Use puns: Puns are a fun and creative way to make your book title stand out. They are ideal for books with a humorous tone, e.g. Equal Rites and Fool Moon.
- Be creative: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your book title. Think outside of the box and be open to trying new things.
- Pique the reader’s interest: Raise a question that intrigues them just enough that they’ll pick up your book (think The School for Good and Evil, The Pyramids of London, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs).
Common mistakes to avoid when creating a book title
Not every title you come up with will be winners. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Too many words: Try to keep your book title to a few words.
- A contrived pun: Puns have a place, but don’t overdo it. A confusing pun can be hard to understand and will put off readers.
- Trendy words: Avoid popular modern words or phrases that might quickly become outdated.
- Don’t be too vague: Your book title should give the reader some context. Don’t be too vague or use obscure words. This might not attract readers as you’d hoped.
- Don’t use clichés: Avoid using clichés that have been done to death.
Using book title generators
There are plenty of book title generators available online that can help you come up with the perfect book title. Interested in trying one out? Then take a look at this book title generator by Reedsy.
Generally, a book title generator is easy to use. They can provide book title ideas almost instantly. All you have to do is enter a few keywords that describe your book, and the generator will do the rest. Result!
Using a book title generator is a great way to get some inspiration for your book title. However, these handy tools are just a starting point. You should still take the time to research and compile book title ideas. That way, you can craft a unique title that’s relevant to your work.
Examples of book titles
Now that we’ve gone over some tips for creating a book title, let’s look at some of my favourites:
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
They’ve grabbed your attention, right?
These book titles have something in common: they’re unique and they grab your attention. They even reflect the content of the book.
Craft a book that stands out from the shelf
I hope you’ve enjoyed these top tips for choosing the best name for your story. Remember, you should make sure that it’s unique and relevant, catchy and memorable.
Beyond the book title, you also need a story that shines. Want to hear more? Well, I’ve got you covered. With editorial services like proofreading and copy-editing, you can get help in sharpening your writing. Find out more over on the Writing Hub.
