Choosing a Title

The Importance of Choosing the Right Title for a Nonfiction Book

Claire Gerus — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 17:50:51 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Claire Gerus on 9/16/2019 5:50:51 PM

A nonfiction book title cannot be just an afterthought. For literary agent and book development consultant Claire Gerus, it’s one part of the book she particularly enjoys brainstorming. Gerus says the title needs to be able to draw potential readers in. When you look at the titles along the spines in a bookstore, what is going to stand out? These are the factors Gerus considers when developing a title. For nonfiction, she prefers something with an edge to it, something that is more exciting than “The Story of…”. Choosing an effective title for a nonfiction book is one of the best ways to attract and pull in readers.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheImportanceofChoosingtheRightTitleforaNonfictionBook.mp4

Tags: Nonfiction, Subscriber, video

Book Title: 5 Considerations for Picking a Good Book Title and Subtitle - article

Michael Esser — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 20:24:20 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Michael Esser on 4/16/2019 8:24:20 PM

After all the hard work that goes into taking an idea for a book from conception to completion, the one thing you don't want to happen is that no one gives it a chance simply because you weren't able to sell it with your title.

While the process for choosing that perfect title can be different for each author, the end result has to help project your finished work forward and out into the marketplace.

1. Start with a mind map of all the key elements you feel stand out in your story.

This can simply be an exercise in exploring the traditional five w's.

Who is this story about? What takes place during the tale and what is the moral or point to it? Where does it take place and is that place unique and central enough to mention? When is the story happening and could that influence the audiences choice to read? Why are the characters doing what they do and why should anyone care to go along for this journey with you?

2. Use your list to create a few working titles and research if those titles are taken.

After you've created your list, highlight those elements that could make potential titles and select the ones you feel have the most promise. Then it is time to do a little market research.

Get onto Amazon and search out those terms. You're looking to see what is sitting on the virtual bookshelf where you'd like to be. If you really like a particular title but it is already taken, ask yourself if there is a way you can change it around to fit your needs without being confused for another book.

3. Put your best ideas for a book title to the test, does it make you want to open the cover?

The truth is that you want your book title to have a sense of mystery to it coupled with the promise of pay off.

You can very much so use the time you spend researching to see what is already working and see how you can use a little bit of that for your project. Because after all, if they aren't stopped in their tracks while scanning the shelf either in person or online then they'll never pick up or click on your title and crack the cover.

That's just not acceptable.

4. How does it fare with the search crowd?

Once you've gotten to this point you've found the essence of what your book is about, seen what the competition has done, and instilled an actionable element to your project. Now it's time to see just what kind of web traffic your top title contenders can expect to be competing for.

You can use a few different tools to find out if your title is "search friendly."

For starters, run your top picks through Google AdWords Keyword Search to see how much traffic the keywords in your title are getting. This will also show a level of competition for those terms as well as some additional suggestions. Then, head over to Google Trends and input the keywords with the highest traffic and lowest competition rates to see what the current trend is for them. If all checks out you're ready to move on. (Another cool free tool is to use Facebook Ads to see how many users have listed in their profiles your topic, genre, and keywords.)

5. Is it easy enough for fans to remember and catchy enough to grow legs when shared through social media?

Finally, you need to know that one of the key ways businesses in general are seeing success these days is through the interaction via social media. Sure, you've come up with a nice, tight list of titles for your latest project, but are they catchy enough to pique the interest of a potential reader in 280 characters or less?

In some instances you will have developed a self-explanatory title that will work well in the world of tweets and posts, but if you feel you've fallen a little short then go back through your notes and develop a sub-title or single sentence using the same process that can accompany your title on its journey to your new found readers.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Title: 5 Considerations for Picking a Good Book Title and Subtitle - article

Michael Esser — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:16:46 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Choosing a Title by Michael Esser on 12/10/2018 4:16:46 PM

While the process for choosing that perfect title can be different for each author, the end result has to help project your finished work forward and out into the marketplace.

1. Start with a mind map of all the key elements you feel stand out in your story.

This can simply be an exercise in exploring the traditional five w's.

2. Use your list to create a few working titles and research if those titles are taken.

After you've created your list, highlight those elements that could make potential titles and select the ones you feel have the most promise. Then it is time to do a little market research.

3. Put your best ideas for a book title to the test, does it make you want to open the cover?

The truth is that you want your book title to have a sense of mystery to it coupled with the promise of pay off.

That's just not acceptable.

4. How does it fare with the search crowd?

You can use a few different tools to find out if your title is "search friendly."

5. Is it easy enough for fans to remember and catchy enough to grow legs when shared through social media?

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Tips For Choosing The Right Title For Your Book - video

Kathy Ide — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 17:46:23 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Kathy Ide on 11/1/2018 5:46:23 PM

Author Kathy Ide shares the importance of a good book title and the key elements to consider when naming your book. Whether you are self-publishing or going through a traditional publisher, the title of your book is what's going to grab the attention of a reader, an agent, or a publisher. The way in which a title is constructed can be the most powerful marketing tool at your disposal. A title should reflect genre of the book, give a hint of what the book is about, and use the hot topic words that will tap into today's public consciousness. Watch this video to find out more about how to structure a title, what to take into consideration before titling a book, and some insider tips on what makes the absolute best title.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TipsForChoosingTheRightTitleForYourBook1.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, video

Tips For Choosing The Right Title For Your Book - podcast

Kathy Ide — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 17:45:39 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Kathy Ide on 11/1/2018 5:45:39 PM

Author Kathy Ide shares the importance of a good book title and the key elements to consider when naming your book. Whether you are self-publishing or going through a traditional publisher, the title of your book is what's going to grab the attention of a reader, an agent, or a publisher. The way in which a title is constructed can be the most powerful marketing tool at your disposal. A title should reflect genre of the book, give a hint of what the book is about, and use the hot topic words that will tap into today's public consciousness. Listen to this podcast to find out more about how to structure a title, what to take into consideration before titling a book, and some insider tips on what makes the absolute best title.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TipsForChoosingTheRightTitleForYourBook.mp3

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, podcast

Lisa Beazley on Creating the Title and Cover for Her Book, Keep Me Posted

Lisa Beazley — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 15:30:31 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Lisa Beazley on 7/20/2018 3:30:31 PM

Like many authors that are traditionally published, Lisa Beazley was asked to propose ideas for a new title for her debut novel. Her editor initially wanted the word "sisters" in the title to align with the book's story of two sisters that decide to reconnect through old-fashioned letters, but the sales department at her publishing house disagreed with this direction. It was up to Beazley to come up with a new title that met everyone's expectations, and under a tight deadline. She reached out to her family to help brainstorm, receiving some well-meaning, but unhelpful suggestions. She thanked her mom in an email that she ended with, "I'll keep you posted." This sparked the idea for Keep Me Posted as the book's title, which was approved by her publishing team. Once the title was finalized, Beazley's publisher drove the cover design for her book, but did ask her for initial input. She trusted their expertise and was very pleased with the final outcome.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Lisa-Beazley-on-Creating-the-Title-and-Cover-for-Her-Book-Keep-Me-Posted.mp4

Tags: Commercial Fiction, fiction, video

Kaitlin Solimine on the Title and Cover Design for Her Novel Empire of Glass

Kaitlin Solimine — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 17:23:09 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Kaitlin Solimine on 6/21/2018 5:23:09 PM

Kaitlin Solimine's award-winning debut novel Empire of Glass was originally titled The Soap Tree because of a tree that is native to the town in China in which her novel is set. The part of the story that made this title relevant was removed during the editing process so she had to create a new title before publishing. Solimine's book chronicles the lives of Li-Ming and her husband, Wang, a glass grinder in pre and post-revolutionary China. Wang had inherited his father's profession, which he called a "quiet empire of glass". She felt that using a part of this quote from the book as the title related well to her book's themes of power and fragility. Solimine wanted the cover design to demonstrate these themes as well, and while she didn't direct the design of the cover, her publisher hired a designer that provided several options, one of which was a perfect fit.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Kaitlin-Solimine-on-the-Title-and-Cover-Design-for-Her-Novel_2C00_-Empire-of-Glass.mp4

Tags: fiction, video

Writing Great Titles - podcast

Nat Gertler — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 14:54:33 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Nat Gertler on 3/10/2017 2:54:33 PM

Book titles are important. They are the first chance that you have to inform the reader about your book and capture their attention. Nat Gertler, author of "The Factor," offers his expert tips for writing a great book title. Powerful titles should amaze or spike curiosity in readers. Listen as Gertler shares ideas for creating powerful titles, including many wonderful examples.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../NatGertlerWritingGreatTitles.mp3

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, podcast

Writing Great Titles - video

Nat Gertler — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 14:54:23 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Nat Gertler on 3/10/2017 2:54:23 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../NatGertlerWritingGreatTitles.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

Tips for picking a good book title and sub title - article

Molly Blaisdell — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 09:38:03 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Molly Blaisdell on 3/4/2017 9:38:03 AM

A book title has one purpose, and that is to get readers to open up your book and read it. Titles must captivate your audience to make your book standout in the marketplace. Awareness is key. Your title is a powerful tool. It may evoke controversy and debate. It may give readers the "warm fuzzies." It may shock readers to the core. A good title will target a specific audience and draw them in. A well chosen title is difficult to forget. It hooks readers, making your book impossible to ignore.

To understand how titles draw in readers, take a look at the New York Times Best Sellers lists and check out Indie Bestsellers Lists. Think about the titles. Most titles include a powerful specific noun. There is usually one modifier, if any. Some titles use alliteration to draw readers in. Many titles are one, two, or three words in length; few are longer. A strong title is one that will be remembered and shared with friends, so obscure or difficult to recall titles should be avoided. If verbs are used in the title, they are generally forms of active verbs and not "to be" verbs.

Non-fiction books often have titles paired with sub-titles. A strong title and subtitle will indicate on some level the benefit to the reader. Enthusiasm for your subject is welcome in a title. Many choose a provocative title with an explanatory subtitle. The title whets the reader's appetite and the subtitle hooks the reader. The title shouldn't be too obscure and offer a clue to the subject matter of a book, even if it is paired with a subtitle. If no clue is offered, the book is unlikely to reach its intended audience.

Some prolific authors use similar titles for all their books. For example -- Sue Grafton's alphabet series of mysteries of novels -- readers immediately know that many more of the same books are available. Janet Evanovich uses a similar title model for her Stephanie Plum series. By giving books with similar titles, the author is able to draw readers in, not for just one sale but multiple sales.

Finally, there is another important consideration when choosing a book title. Titles show up in search engines. You want to avoid titles that are too general. If searches turn up lots of different links, readers will not waste time to find your book. A unique title will bring your book to the top with every search, something you really want.

In closing an evocative title will put you in front the competition in the marketplace. Take the time to choose well.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book title: What's a good length? - article

Molly Blaisdell — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 09:36:48 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Molly Blaisdell on 3/4/2017 9:36:48 AM

What's the right length for your book? The answer is simple. There is no "right" length. You must research the marketplace. There are clear trends within it that will help you decide what works for your book.

To get a basic sense of what works in terms of sales, it's important to check out best sellers. Three popular list sites include: The New York Times Best Sellers lists, Indie Bestseller Lists, and USA Today's Best-selling Book List. Perusing these lists makes it clear that many titles have three or fewer words. Shorter titles are the norm.

Don't stop with studying the length of best-selling books. Look at titles similar to what you want to write. You will find extensive book databases at Goodreads.com and WorldCat.com. Both of these sites list most books published in every genre. Take time to list 10 books that are similar to yours. What is the length of each title? Your book title length should be somewhere in the neighborhood.

Fiction titles tend to be much shorter than non-fiction titles, but only because non-fiction titles often include subtitles. As a rule of thumb, a non-fiction title should be 5 words or less. Subtitles are generally three to seven words in length. For non-fiction, the title is shorter and the subtitle is longer. In non-fiction if you choose a long title, your subtitle must be longer. Try to choose titles with subtitles that have up to a balance of 10 words. Remember, subtitles are rare in fiction. Here, titles are often 1 or 2 words, 3 words is also common, but overall, fiction titles are 5 words or under.

There is one more special case for title length. Some authors write multiple books with similar titles. Each of their titles has the exact same word count or a very similar word count. This works well for authors who write series and may fit your work.

For more title length help, Title Generator by Aabashenya may assist you in creating a strong title that is a perfect length.

In closing, the most important thing to takeaway about title length -- shorter is easier to recall.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Titles: When Are Subtitles Necessary? - article

Molly Blaisdell — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 09:36:39 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Molly Blaisdell on 3/4/2017 9:36:39 AM

Sometimes a title isn't enough to draw in readers. A subtitle will help you position your book in the marketplace. This example driven article will help you decide if you need a subtitle.

Have you ever picked up a book and had no clue what it is about? Subtitles clarify, expand on and define titles. They are a tool of the non-fiction writer and are rarely used in fiction. The following three examples will help you decide if your book needs a subtitle.

Some non-fiction books have unusual titles that don't reveal much about the book's subject matter. For example in Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell reveals the uncommon term "outliers" with a simple subtitle. Readers are tantalized with the unfamiliar term but are drawn in with clarity of the subtitle. Is your title unusual too? Clarify it with a simplistic subtitle. You interest the reader with your oblique title and hook them with the subtitle.

Other non-fiction titles may misdirect some readers, and subtitles helps position them in the marketplace. Consider the title and subtitle: Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps and the 10th Dimension by Michio Kaku. Author Kaku offers direction to hungry readers by expanding on the one word title. Readers immediately know this is no sci-fi book but a read for those interested in theoretical physics. A carefully chosen subtitle will help the right readers snap up your book.

Some non-fiction titles are provocative in nature but don't really reveal the subject matter of a book at all. A subtitle is absolutely necessary to connect these books with readers. Think about this title: Some Assembly Required - A Journal of a Son's First Son by Anne Lamott and Sam Lamott. The title could cover a myriad of subjects. It's interesting but broad in scope. Without a subtitle, this book might be manual on how to make homemade beer to a book on parenting. The title evokes a feeling in the reader, but the subtitle is the hook. Your provocative title might need a subtitle to target your readers. Consider adding one to more effectively market your book.

Tip - Create the best subtitles through collaboration. Survey supportive individuals with a list of possible subtitles. Ask them which one they like best. This not only helps you chose a great title but you've also begun to engage others in the creation of your book. A good thing when it comes time to market it.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Title: 5 Considerations for Picking a Good Book Title and Subtitle - article

Michael Esser — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 09:10:05 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Choosing a Title by Michael Esser on 3/4/2017 9:10:05 AM

While the process for choosing that perfect title can be different for each author, the end result has to help project your finished work forward and out into the marketplace.

Start with a mind map of all the key elements you feel stand out in your story.

This can simply be an exercise in exploring the traditional five w's.

Use your list to create a few working titles and research if those titles are taken.

After you've created your list, highlight those elements that could make potential titles and select the ones you feel have the most promise. Then it is time to do a little market research.

Put your best ideas for a book title to the test, does it make you want to open the cover?

The truth is that you want your book title to have a sense of mystery to it coupled with the promise of pay off.

That's just not acceptable.

How does it fare with the search crowd?

You can use a few different tools to find out if your title is "search friendly."

Is it easy enough for fans to remember and catchy enough to grow legs when shared through social media?

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Your Book Title: The Basics - article

Suzette Conway — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 15:34:15 GMT

Current Revision posted to Choosing a Title by Suzette Conway on 2/20/2017 3:34:15 PM

Your book’s title is, in the simplest terms, how your reference your written work. You’ll use it on the cover, on your web page, in interviews, blog postings, marketing materials, book catalogs, agent submissions, and more. But the title is more than a reference tool. It has a distinct purpose and should not be overlooked as one of the most important aspects of your writing efforts.

Your book’s title is its first marketing and selling tool. It’s what captures a reader’s attention and helps them decide if they want to learn more about it… and these things ultimately lead to the buy decision. The title is also part of what captures the attention of an agent, editor, publisher, the media, book clubs, and book buyers at bookstores and libraries and more!

The title also helps your target audience find your book. There are so many books on the shelves (virtual and real shelves). Most potential readers scan the vast selections… rather than evaluating every book one at a time for several minutes. They might give your book a few seconds, less than 10, to capture their attention. Potential readers can tell from the title if it’s meant for them or if it’s something they should pass over when scanning the shelves. They have a logical and an emotional reaction to it. Logically, they surmise from the title if the book’s content is interesting to them – does it solve a problem, speak to a hobby of theirs, feed their love of mystery, fill a need to escape reality for a few hours? Emotionally, the title helps them connect with the content at a deeper, often sub-conscious level. Do they read the title and become outraged, amused, intrigued? Does it make them nostalgic? Will reading it make them feel important, smarter, happier, or hipper? Emotional and logical responses help drive purchasing decisions. It’s true of every product in the world, including your book.

Some authors define the book’s title before they even begin writing, some wait until the manuscript is complete, and some fall in the middle. A good rule of thumb is to develop a strong working title as soon as you can so that you have a way to reference your “forthcoming book”. The working title should meet all the same criteria as the final title, no skimping. To that point, regardless of when you define the title, you should be prepared to research it, edit it, and even discard it completely. Don’t get emotionally attached to it. It has a purpose and it should be refined or replaced repeatedly until it fulfills that purpose… to attract and keep a reader’s interest. There are distinct techniques for creating an effective title that fulfills its purpose. Read other articles here on the Author Learning Center for more details on applying those techniques.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Tips For Choosing The Right Title For Your Book - podcast

Kathy Ide — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Choosing a Title by Kathy Ide on 1/9/2017 12:00:00 AM

Author Kathy Ide shares the importance of a good book title and the key elements to consider when naming your book.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TipsForChoosingTheRightTitleForYourBook.mp3

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, podcast

Tips For Choosing The Right Title For Your Book - video

Kathy Ide — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Choosing a Title by Kathy Ide on 1/9/2017 12:00:00 AM

Author Kathy Ide shares the importance of a good book title and the key elements to consider when naming your book.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TipsForChoosingTheRightTitleForYourBook1.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, video

Writing Great Titles - Video

Nat Gertler — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Choosing a Title by Nat Gertler on 12/14/2016 12:00:00 AM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../NatGertlerWritingGreatTitles.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

Book Title: 5 Considerations for Picking a Good Book Title and Subtitle - Article

Michael Esser — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Choosing a Title by Michael Esser on 12/14/2016 12:00:00 AM

While the process for choosing that perfect title can be different for each author, the end result has to help project your finished work forward and out into the marketplace.

Start with a mind map of all the key elements you feel stand out in your story.

This can simply be an exercise in exploring the traditional five w's.

Use your list to create a few working titles and research if those titles are taken.

After you've created your list, highlight those elements that could make potential titles and select the ones you feel have the most promise. Then it is time to do a little market research.

Put your best ideas for a book title to the test, does it make you want to open the cover?

The truth is that you want your book title to have a sense of mystery to it coupled with the promise of pay off.

That's just not acceptable.

How does it fare with the search crowd?

You can use a few different tools to find out if your title is "search friendly."

Is it easy enough for fans to remember and catchy enough to grow legs when shared through social media?

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book title: What's a good length? - Article

Molly Blaisdell — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Choosing a Title by Molly Blaisdell on 12/14/2016 12:00:00 AM

For more title length help, Title Generator by Aabashenya may assist you in creating a strong title that is a perfect length.

In closing, the most important thing to takeaway about title length -- shorter is easier to recall.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Titles: When Are Subtitles Necessary? - Article

Molly Blaisdell — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Choosing a Title by Molly Blaisdell on 12/14/2016 12:00:00 AM

Sometimes a title isn't enough to draw in readers. A subtitle will help you position your book in the marketplace. This example driven article will help you decide if you need a subtitle.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction