What’s In a Name? Things to Consider When Titling Your Book
Choosing the perfect title for your book can feel surprisingly stressful—and for good reason. Your title is often the first impression your book makes. It helps set expectations, attract the right readers, and make your book memorable.
Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, picking the right name for your precious work-in-progress is more than just creative wordplay—it’s a strategy. Below are a few things to keep in mind when naming your book.
1. Consider the Message
Your title should reflect the heart of your book. Ask yourself: What is this book really about? What’s the central theme, message, or emotional thread that ties it all together?
For nonfiction, this is often straightforward. A title like Atomic Habits by James Clear clearly reflects the book’s focus on small, powerful changes. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up tells you exactly what to expect.
Fiction titles may take a more creative route but should still offer a hint at the content. Take Jurassic Park, for instance—while not overly descriptive, it immediately signals dinosaurs and intrigue. The Shack by William P. Young hints at a key location central to the story and invites readers into something mysterious and meaningful.
Avoid titles that feel disconnected from your content. A book titled Five Ways to Get to Wisconsin that has nothing to do with Wisconsin is confusing and misleading—unless it’s metaphorical, which should still be grounded in the book’s core message.
2. Consider the Genre
Your book’s genre should strongly influence its title. Readers browsing in a specific category (mystery, romance, fantasy, self-help) are looking for certain cues—and your title should help signal what your book is.
In nonfiction, Suze Orman’s The Ultimate Retirement Guide for 50+ does this perfectly. It names the audience, the topic, and positions itself as an “ultimate” resource. In fiction, Met Her Match by Jude Deveraux immediately suggests romance, likely with a strong female lead and possibly a playful tone.
If you’re writing a thriller, a title like Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell suggests suspense and psychological depth. Cozy mysteries might use puns (Death by Dumpling, Murder, She Knit), while epic fantasy titles lean more toward the grand or mystical (Mistborn, The Name of the Wind).
Tip: Try searching your book’s genre on Amazon or Goodreads. What patterns do you notice in the titles that stand out?
3. Consider Your Brand
Your book is part of your platform—even if it’s your first one. What do you want readers to associate with your name? What tone or personality do you want your title to reflect?
Comedians-turned-authors like Mindy Kaling (Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?) and Rachel Dratch (Girl Walks Into a Bar…) crafted titles that immediately reflect their voices. The titles are quirky, personal, and perfectly aligned with their public personas.
Even if you’re not a public figure, your book should feel like an extension of you. If you’re writing curriculum, memoir, or lifestyle nonfiction, this is especially important. Your title is often your first chance to express who you are to a reader.
4. Consider What’s Worked Before
Think back to the books that caught your attention—especially as a child. Sometimes nostalgia helps us recognize what works. Maybe it was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie or Charlotte’s Web. Or maybe, more recently, it was Where the Crawdads Sing or The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*.
Look at what you love and what’s trending. Ask:
What stood out to me about that title?
Was it short or long?
Did it make me curious?
Did it make a promise?
Did it speak directly to me?
Search Amazon and your local bookstore’s new release section to see what’s working now. Take notes on titles in your genre that grab your attention and analyze why they do.
5. Additional Tips and Tools
Here are a few bonus ideas to help you brainstorm the perfect title:
Use a subtitle. Especially in nonfiction, a subtitle can clarify or expand on a creative main title. (Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert is a great example.)
Play with alliteration, rhyme, or repetition. It can make your title more memorable.
Make a list of keywords related to your book. Mix and match words and phrases to generate ideas.
Try title generators. Tools like Reedsy’s Book Title Generator or TweakYourBiz can help spark ideas.
Ask others. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes (or ears) can instantly tell you which title hits hardest.
Make sure it’s available. Check that your title isn’t already in use—especially if you’re self-publishing. A quick search on Amazon or Google can save you a future headache.
Final Thought
A great title is more than a label—it’s an invitation. It stirs curiosity, reflects your story’s tone, and sticks in a reader’s mind long after they’ve finished the book. Take your time, test your options, and remember: the right title doesn’t just sell your book—it honors the work you’ve poured into it.
Resources You Might Like
Story Genius by Lisa Cron
Reedsy’s Book Title Generator
Amazon Bestsellers by Genre (scan for patterns and trends)
My own services for writers