Choosing a title for your book

Choosing a title for your book

When we begin writing a story or poem, we usually give it a placeholder title – the quick label we save it under on our laptop. Often, that working title captures the central theme or idea well enough, and sometimes it even ends up on the final cover. But what if it doesn’t?

Even though the publisher has the final say, it’s far better to offer a strong, thoughtful title than to wait for someone else to invent one that feels “marketable.”

I’ve reached that stage with my own manuscript: it’s time to find a title that looks good on a cover, conveys the heart of the story, and entices readers to pick it up. Realising a title has to carry so much weight can feel overwhelming. So, in my usual fashion, I scoured the internet for guidance. Here’s what I found helpful.

1. There are no hard and fast rules

Trends come and go. There are patterns, preferences, and what’s currently “in,” but none of it is mandatory. Still, understanding these tendencies can help you generate ideas. Not every strategy will suit every book, but one of them might spark something for you.

2. Understand your story: character-driven or plot-driven?

Character-driven novels

These often take one of two approaches:

  • Title based on the central theme
    Pride and Prejudice, Atonement

  • Title based on the protagonist’s name or identity
    Outlander, Frankenstein, The Book Thief

Plot-driven novels

These offer a wider range of possibilities:

  • Secondary characters or archetypes
    The Alchemist, The Giver

  • A group or collective
    The Fellowship of the Ring, American Gods

  • A distinctive setting
    Jurassic Park, Under the Dome

  • A pivotal event or ritual
    The Hunger Games, The Eyre Affair

  • An important object
    The Golden Compass, The Da Vinci Code

  • A meaningful phrase from the book
    Beautiful Creatures, A Game of Thrones

  • A recurring motif
    Shadow and Bone, Sharp Objects

Understanding the engine of your story helps narrow the field.

 

3. Go global: What’s the overall impression?

Think about the emotional atmosphere or overarching feel of your story. Is it melancholic, fierce, whimsical, tense, nostalgic? Sometimes the “global” mood points directly towards a title.

 

4. Go local: Look inside the story

Often, the perfect title is already hiding in your manuscript.
Look for:

  • Catchphrases or repeated lines

  • Objects, symbols, or settings that recur or carry weight

These small details can hold surprising power.

 

5. Use metaphor or symbolism

A symbolic image can capture the essence of your book without being literal.
Examples include The Catcher in the Rye or The Shadow of the Wind—titles that evoke theme rather than plot.

 

6. Borrow from poetry, songs or folklore

If a line from a poem or song encapsulates your theme, consider using it.
For my first manuscript, I drew inspiration from the old Bosnian poem Hasanaginica and used one of its lines as my title: Little Care for Sorrows.

 

7. Play with sound: alliteration, cadence, rhythm

Sometimes the beauty of a title lies in how it feels in the mouth.
Think of Angela’s Ashes or On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous – titles that linger because of their musicality.

 

8. Consider current trends (but don’t be ruled by them)

There’s a growing trend towards long, sentence-like titles. If your book contains a standout line or phrase, this might work for you.
Generally, though, shorter titles, one to three words, are easier to remember and market.

 

9. Avoid clichés

Titles like The Someone’s Daughter or Someone from Paris blend into a sea of similar books. If your title feels familiar, it may not stand out on a shelf.

 

10. When in doubt, use the rule of six

This is my go-to method:

  • Brainstorm titles until you have at least six.

  • Review them.

  • Cross out the weak ones.

  • Generate six more.
    Repeat until nothing feels silly anymore and you’re left with a strong list of contenders.

 

I have found the following sources useful in relation to this topic:

·       Authors’ Publish has a great video presentation with slides in their 2025 lecture series: https://community.authorspublish.com/c/the-2025-lecture-series/the-power-of-titles-strategies-for-choosing-the-right-title-for-your-stories-poetry-with-emily-harstone

·       A reflection of one author on how the choose their titles: https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2016/05/25/title-fights/

·       Some great ideas and examples: https://www.writermag.com/improve-your-writing/nonfiction/finding-the-perfect-title-for-your-writing/

·       Very straightforward advice: https://www.well-storied.com/blog/title-your-novel

·       Reedsy provides advice and a checklist: https://reedsy.com/blog/how-to-title-a-book/

·       Some great advice about what a good title is and what it is not: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-the-best-title-for-your-book

·       The rule of six: https://vahidaberberovic.com/craftofwriting/2024/11/22/the-rule-of-six

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