Book Title

By Team Azuni

Your book title is one of the most important marketing tools you have. It’s the first thing potential readers will see, and it’s what will make them decide whether or not to pick up your book. That’s why it’s so important to get it right.

A killer book title is one that is:

Attention-grabbing. It should make people stop and take notice.
Memorable. It should stick in people’s minds long after they’ve seen it.
Relevant to the book’s content. It should give readers a good idea of what the book is about.

Here are a few tips for writing a killer book title:

Use strong verbs. Verbs are action words, and they can help to create a sense of excitement and energy in your title.
Be specific. Don’t be afraid to get specific about what your book is about. The more specific your title is, the more likely it is to appeal to potential readers.
Use numbers. Numbers can be a great way to add interest and intrigue to your title.
Ask a question. Asking a question can help to create a sense of curiosity and intrigue in your title.
Create a sense of urgency. Use words like “now,” “quick,” or “limited time only” to create a sense of urgency in your title.
Use humor. A funny title can help to make your book stand out from the crowd.
Be creative. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your title. The more unique your title is, the more likely it is to get noticed.

Here are a few examples of killer book titles:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The Martian by Andy Weir
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
The Help by Kathryn Stockett

These are just a few examples of killer book titles. By following the tips above, you can write a title that will help you sell more books.

Here are some additional tips for writing effective book titles:

Test your titles on others. Ask friends, family, and beta readers for their feedback on your titles. Get their honest opinion on which titles they like the best and why.
Avoid clichés. Clichéd titles are often boring and forgettable. Try to come up with something original that will stand out from the crowd.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to writing book titles. Experiment with different styles and see what works best for you.

With a little effort, you can write a killer book title that will help you sell more books and reach a wider audience.

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Brian A. Klems is the former Senior Online Editor of Writer’s Digest, and author of Oh Boy, You’re Having a Girl (Adams Media/Simon & Schuster). Follow him on Twitter @BrianKlems.

You’ve found the perfect title for your book but come to find it’s already been used by another author. Can an author copyright a title? Can you still use it?

Searching the Internet, I found a published thriller with the same title I plan to use for my own thriller. Can I still use it, or is that illegal?
—Gilbert G.

Much like names, slogans, and ideas, titles are not protected by U.S. copyright laws (which is why so many books have the same titles). To qualify for copyright protection, a work needs to possess “a significant amount of original expression”—and while “a significant amount of original expression” isn’t fully defined by hard-and-fast rules, the courts have ruled that expressions as short as book titles do not qualify.

This doesn’t mean that you are free to title your next book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, though. Some titles qualify for trademark protection (specifically, series titles like Chicken Soup for the Soul, Harry Potter, Encyclopedia Brown, etc.). The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states that a trademark protects words, phrases, symbols or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others. So once a book becomes successful enough to be considered a recognizable brand, it could be eligible for trademark protection.

Think of it this way: If your book is tentatively titled One Moment in Time—a general phrase that really doesn’t separate it from the pack—and another book shares that name, you’ll likely be OK. But if you were planning to title your thriller The Da Vinci Code—a specific title associated with a bestselling series—you’d better make other arrangements.

As for whether or not it’s a good idea to go with a title that’s already been used—and in the same genre, no less—that’s a question best suited for your editor. However, if you have other title ideas that aren’t already in use, I’d recommend considering a change—if only to alleviate confusion in the marketplace down the road.

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Authors Blogging Together

How to Write a Killer Book Title

Can You Use a Book Title That’s Been Used Before?