How to Write the Best Title for Your Book

A book’s title is likely the first thing a reader will see, and it’s arguably even more important than the book’s cover art. A great title determines a potential reader’s first impression of a book. The best book titles provide an intriguing hook for the reader without revealing too much of the plot. Choosing the perfect title is both an artistic decision and a book marketing decision; a great title can be the thing that prompts a potential reader to purchase a book.

Though one person’s idea of a good title can be subjective, the best fiction titles and nonfiction titles have certain common traits. These are some of the characteristics shared by the best types of titles:

1. 1. A great book title grabs the reader’s attention. The title of a book should instantly stand out to a potential reader. The best titles are provocative, intriguing, stimulating, and maybe even controversial. The bestselling self-help book The 4-Hour Workweek, for instance, immediately provokes the reader through the surprising premise suggested by its title.
2. 2. A great book title is easy to say out loud. When choosing the title of your book, you should pay special attention to how the title sounds when spoken aloud. At the end of the day, people need to be able to talk about your book. Overly complicated long titles can make it hard for people to engage with the book.
3. 3. A great book title is memorable. A good book title sticks in the reader’s head long after they’ve left the bookstore or library. Short titles of books are particularly effective because they’re easy to remember and are often more powerful and evocative than long-winded or wordy titles.
4. 4. A great book title is informative. The perfect book title should provide the reader with an indication of what your book is about without giving away too much of the plot.

Coming up with possible titles for your first book, short story, or novella can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you brainstorm original title ideas for a new book:

1. 1. Make a list of titles that you like. If you’re struggling with book title ideas, make a list of fiction or nonfiction book titles that you love. What do these titles have in common? What makes them effective? Seeing the commonalities between other popular book titles can help you generate potential titles of your own.
2. 2. Try using a character’s name. A character’s name can serve as a compelling title of your book. J.K. Rowling named the Harry Potter series after the main character of her novel. Do any of the characters in your book have unusual or evocative names that could serve as the title of the book?
3. 3. Experiment with literary devices. Sometimes, literary devices like alliteration can heighten the memorability of best-selling titles. Pride and Prejudice, for instance, uses alliteration to create a title that sticks in the reader’s head.
4. 4. Consider genre. Different book genres have different titling conventions, and oftentimes your genre will dictate the feeling or tone you want your title to convey. A thriller, for instance, will likely have a different title than romance or mystery novel titles.
   
5. 5. Be careful with one-word titles. A one-word book title may make it harder for your target audience to find your book in a search engine, or it may mistakenly lead potential buyers to different titles that relate to your book’s subject.
   
6. 6. When in doubt, try a book title generator. Book title generators are online services that can help generate title ideas or compare your working title with the titles of similar bestselling books. Whether you’re self-publishing or trying to pitch a book title to a publishing house, book title generators can be an invaluable tool to enhance and evaluate your work.

Become a better writer with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by literary masters, including Neil Gaiman, Dan Brown, Margaret Atwood, David Baldacci, and more.