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Choosing a title for your book can feel like naming a child. It’s personal. It’s permanent (usually). And it’s pivotal to how readers first experience your story. Whether you’re writing speculative fiction, romance, memoir, or thriller, your title is often the first hook—a handshake across a crowded bookstore or an eye-catching phrase on a scrolling screen. But how do you choose a title that not only fits your book but also stands out?
Here are some practical, proven tips to help you find a title that works hard for your story:
1. Start With Your Core Themes
Before you brainstorm titles, revisit your story’s heart. What is it really about? Is it about redemption, survival, love, identity, betrayal? Titles that resonate with a book’s emotional core tend to stick.
Tip: Write down three to five words that capture your story’s essence. Use those to spark title ideas.
2. Keep It Short—Or Purposefully Long
There’s power in brevity. Short titles are punchy, memorable, and often easier to market (e.g., Dune, Gone, It). However, deliberately long titles (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, We Were Liars) can also stand out—especially in literary or YA fiction.
Ask yourself: Would your title look good on a thumbnail? Would someone remember it if they heard it once?
3. Use Evocative or Unusual Words
A standout title often contains one or two words that spark curiosity. This could be a metaphor, a twist on a familiar phrase, or a word with rich imagery or emotional charge.
Examples:
The Midnight Library—combines time and mystery.
Mexican Gothic—sets genre and cultural tone instantly.
Project Hail Mary— adds irony and tension with a phrase normally tied to desperation.
4. Think About Genre Expectations
Certain genres trend toward specific types of titles. Cozy mysteries might use puns, thrillers tend toward stark or action-based words, and fantasy often leans into world-building terms.
Tip: Look at your comps (comparison titles). What types of titles are common? Then tweak the formula to feel fresh but familiar.
5. Play With Structure
Some popular structures include:
The [Adjective] [Noun] (The Silent Patient, The Cruel Prince)
[Character Name] and the [Object/Event] (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
A question or phrase (Where the Crawdads Sing, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?)
Experiment with variations. You can even create a list of “title stems” and swap in key words from your story.
6. Check Availability (and SEO)
Before you get too attached, do a quick check:
Is the title already taken by a bestselling book? (You can still use it, but it might be confusing.)
Is the domain name or social media handle available if you’re planning promo?
Does it bring up wildly unrelated results on Amazon or Google?
7. Say It Out Loud
Read it aloud, ask friends to repeat it, and imagine someone recommending it to a friend:
“You have to read The Starless Sea.”
“I’m obsessed with Before We Were Strangers.”
A good title flows well, doesn’t feel awkward, and evokes an emotional or visual image.
8. Let It Marinate
Sometimes, the best titles reveal themselves late in the writing process—or after. Keep a list as you go. You might find the perfect phrase buried in your own dialogue or narration.
If you’re torn between a few options, test them with readers, critique partners, or even through a quick poll. A fresh perspective often reveals which one truly resonates.
Final Thought: Your Title Is a Promise
Your title sets the tone. It hints at what kind of journey the reader can expect. Make it count.
In the end, a good title doesn’t just describe your book—it sells it. So give it the time, intention, and creativity it deserves.
Want help brainstorming titles? Drop your genre and premise in the comments, and let’s workshop it together!
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