A good title is the title of a successful book
Raymond Chandler
As you begin the process of writing your manuscript, your working title is more than just a convenient way to refer to your book. A judiciously chosen title helps you stay focused and generates enthusiasm. At the same time, it helps convince a publisher and your target audience that your book is worth their investment.
You will probably revise and tweak your working title as you progress, and your editor or publisher may suggest some revisions. Nevertheless, it is worth investing time and creative energy in selecting a good working title now.
Some books have very long, expository titles. Others have very short, catchy or clever titles. Many books use a combination of short titles and elaborative subtitles. With a solid book idea and an understanding of what your audience is looking for, you’ll do yourself a favour by coming up with a captivating title. Why? Because it’s a big part of the first impression prospective buyers of your book will have. As such, you need to start thinking about it as early as possible.
The good news is, this doesn’t have to be your final title. Plus, you can have more than one working title. These are meant to help consolidate the main idea of your book. It is advisable to pick a working title that is unforgettable and is going to capture your readers’ attention. You could also opt for a subtitle, which offers some more detail on the title. Whether you are writing a fiction or non-fiction book, ensure the working title suits the genre you have chosen.
The Main Thing
Ideally, your working title needs to be closely related to the main message of the book. For example, although there are many chapters in an English text book for elementary school, they are all not suitable for all levels of learning. For instance, the title could be Marriage and perhaps the subtitle would be Communicating with Your Partner.
In the same way, your main idea could guide your choice of title. You may also choose to use a captivating question which your readers would be interested in.
For Inspiration
If you are feeling absolutely stuck, don’t worry. You can always fish around for ideas. One of the go-to places where you can view a large collection of books at no charge is Amazon. Look at the various categories and the related book titles. Which ones stand out? Which ones caught your attention? Better still, which ones are selling like hot cake? What do you find peculiar about their titles?
Think About It
Perhaps answering the following questions might help you develop some possible book title ideas:
- What is the one thing I want my readers to take from the book?
- What is the perspective my book gives on the subject?
- What is the main subject of my book?
- What question does my book answer?
- What problem does my book tackle?
- How does my book differ from others on the same subject?
- How can I make the title worth remembering?
Keep in mind that the titles you select now don’t have to be the final ones. They are only meant to guide you as you write. You have the freedom to change as you work along. You can also get ideas from some of the people who are close to you who will give you honest feedback. Whatever you do, have a working title to keep you on track.
It’s time to reflect!
- What other places or websites might you visit to check out some captivating book titles?
- Apart from books, are there other publications with attractive titles? What do you think makes them catchy?
- What TV programs or movie titles do you find interesting? Are there some that have great content but poor titles? Or are there some with great titles and poor content? What are your reasons for these conclusions?
It’s time to act!
Share your reflections with a partner or a writer’s group.
Writing Checklist
Did I…
- Read Day 18 Insights
- Write my reflection from today’s reading
- Write my action plan
- Share my action plan for accountability with a partner or a writer’s group