My books rarely keep their working titles. This may be because the title wasn’t that great to start with, or because after the story evolves, it no longer fits.
A great title is part of what captivates readers, enticing them to pick up the book to find out more, but crafting the perfect title isn’t always easy.
I asked a couple of YA authors how they came up with the titles for their novels.
“If a book doesn’t come to me with a title already attached and I have to find one for it, I usually start by writing a list of the themes in the book and any symbolic objects. That’s how I found the titles for both Cloaked and One Bad Apple.
If that doesn’t work, I’ll search through Shakespeare using OpenSourceShakespeare.org for words and phrases that apply to the book and see if he’s got anything cool I can use.
I also sometimes search through Ecclesiastes, Psalms, and Proverbs looking for titles, often using BibleGateway.com. That’s how I found the title for My Rock and My Refuge.”
Rachel Kovaciny, Author of Western Fairytale Retellings
Stephanie Daniels, Author of YA Historical Fiction says:
“I tend to love titles with double meanings. If I can latch onto a theme that might also work as the outer goal for the character then that’s what I try to do.
I do a ton of word webbing when I brainstorm. And nothing is too obscure or ridiculous.
I also love when a character’s name can pull double duty.”
Other ideas for finding the perfect title:
Use metaphors or symbolism. For example, my upcoming release is titled The Key Collector’s Daughter. The key is a symbol of my character’s yearning for home and is an object of special significance. The literal key itself has a double meaning, because it means one thing to her father, but has an entirely different significance to her mother.
Use words that have strong emotional impact. Words like heartbreak, promise, lost, or any other word you can think of that evokes a strong feeling may be good contenders as part of a title.
Focus on setting or character. Some book titles incorporate a character’s name or the setting. As long as it’s descriptive and catchy, that can sometimes work well.
Go for a memorable title. This one can be a bit tricky. If the title is too obscure or difficult to understand, readers won’t be drawn to it. If it’s too similar to what’s already out there (or if it’s already being used) it can cause confusion and frustration for the reader. Research in your genre and subgenre to see what titles work and aim for a variation, making your title unique enough to stand out, but familiar enough so customers are attracted to it. Consider a title that hints at genre, mood, setting, or some other element to pique interest.
Keep it concise. Long titles are hard to remember. Try to come up with a title that is descriptive but catchy.
Always ask for feedback. It’s hard to give up a title we become attached to, but it’s part of market research to ask others’ advice and opinions before committing to the final title. Survey your intended market and other authors. They’ll be happy to help.
Check your genre. For writers of young adult novels, it’s important to do the research and stay up to date on what title appeal to teens today. What worked in the past, or what works for other markets may not give authors of young adult fiction the competitive edge they need to succeed in the genre right now.
Keep these things in mind, and you’ll have a head start on coming up with a great title.
Do you have any additional tips on naming your book baby? Leave a comment!
Donna Jo Stone is an award-winning author of young adult contemporary and adult historical fiction. She writes about tough issues but always ends her stories on a note of hope. Her novels are about common struggles and finding the faith to carry on through those battles. The first book in Donna Jo’s young adult series is scheduled for publication in 2025.Her short romance, A Wedding to Remember, released Feb 1st, and her adult 1960s inspy romance, JOANN: Apron Strings Books 5, released May 15th.
Stay in touch and receive the latest news by signing up for Donna Jo’s newsletter at donnajostone.com.
Both Stephanie and Rachel are members of a Facebook group, Christian Fiction Readers and Authors. https://www.facebook.com/groups/T.YA.Christianfictionreadersandauthors
To find out more about Stephanie and her young adult historical fiction, including her book, The Uncertainty of Fire, visit her website at https://authorstephaniedaniels.com/
To find out more about Rachel’s Western Fairytale Retellings and her latest releases, including her recent release, The Man on the Buckskin Horse, you can visit her website at http://www.rachelkovaciny.com/
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