“Coming up with a great book title is easy!” …said no writer ever. Creating the perfect title for your self-published book can be just as hard as writing the entire book! Yet choosing your book’s title is one of the best perks of self-publishing: In traditional publishing, an editor will determine your manuscript’s title before it’s published—not you. Keep in mind, your book’s title is also a marketing tool: It should intrigue your potential readers while also offering hints about the story. The experts at Self-Publishing Relief have 3 surefire strategies for coming up with great book title ideas.
How To Come Up With Great Book Title Ideas
First…Consider Your Genre
Keep your genre in mind when thinking up ideas for a book title. Different genres tend to have different conventions for titling books. For example, while a rom-com’s title might be whimsical and witty, a thriller’s title is more likely to be sinister and foreboding. Readers who are faithful to a certain genre will expect your title to follow those unspoken guidelines. Choosing a title that fits into your genre will help readers—and book buyers—find your book!
3 Tips For Creating the Best Book Title
- Choose a meaningful word or phrase from the text. Readers always get excited when they recognize the title within the book, especially if it comes from a pivotal scene! This is sometimes referred to as a “title drop.” Extra tip: While you don’t have to take a phrase from the very end of your book, it’s a good idea not to choose a title that readers will immediately find early in the text. Examples: To Kill a Mockingbird; It Ends With Us; Little Fires Everywhere; Brave New World.
- Consider including your main character’s name. An outstanding character is always a hit with readers. If your self-published book revolves around a strong, loveable protagonist (especially one with a great, memorable name!), consider taking advantage of that in your title. Examples: Delilah Green Doesn’t Care; The Picture of Dorian Gray; Get a Life, Chloe Brown; Amari and the Night Brothers; Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine; Less.
- Feature your book’s setting. Is your self-published book’s setting a key element of the plot? Work it into your title! Using a specific place name is a great way to intrigue readers. Plus, if you use the name of someplace a reader wants to travel, they’ll be that much more likely to pick your book off the virtual shelf! Examples: The Light of Paris; A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café; Seoulmates; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Once you’ve settled on the perfect title, do some research. You’ll want to make sure your selection isn’t too similar to an already popular self-published or traditionally published book title. If your title is easily mixed up with another book’s title, readers looking for your book may inadvertently end up on the wrong page—and accidentally buying the wrong book! Though it may initially be upsetting to lose out on a title you love, giving up one that’s identical or close to another title will avoid confusing your readers!
These simple strategies will help you come up with a book title that will grab your readers’ attention and draw them in. And when you’re ready to self-publish your book with that awesome title, Self-Publishing Relief can help! We can guide you through the entire process from manuscript to a professionally finished self-published book you’ll be proud to put your name on. Schedule your free consultation call with Self-Publishing Relief today!
Question: What’s your favorite book title and why?
