Before I started writing, I assumed that authors were in full control of things like titles and covers. Little did I know that there is an entire team of publishing professionals that weigh in on these kind of decisions. Self-published authors have much more autonomy, of course, but those of us who write for traditional publishing houses must remain flexible when it comes to titles, because they often change.
A title is much like a cover where books are concerned. It is the first impression a book makes on a reader. It evokes emotion, theme, and genre in just a handful of words. Sometimes, only one. This makes it incredibly important. I am so thankful that I am not alone in making such an impactful decision. I have experts in marketing and sales, editors who know my story, and other creatives who brainstorm together with me to come up with the perfect title for each project.
I enjoy creating titles. I also have a tendency to get rather attached to my working titles. No one wants to change the name of their child right before delivery. But sometimes, it’s the right move. I’ve been fortunate to have several of my working titles be accepted as final titles by my publishing team.
Short-Straw Bride
A Worthy Pursuit
No Other Will Do
At Love’s Command
The Heart’s Charge
And nearly all of my novellas kept their working titles.
Many of my titles were still my own creation but came after my publisher asked for additional name choices to consider. I went back to the drawing board and sometimes sought brainstorming help from readers and author friends.
Jericho’s Fall —- A Tailor-Made Bride
Stealing the Parson —- Stealing the Preacher
Love’s Legacy —- Full Steam Ahead
Down to the Wire —- Heart on the Line
Eyes of the Beholder —- More Than Meets the Eye
And some of my titles were not created by me at all, but were devised by my brilliant editorial team.
Cloud by Day —- Head in the Clouds
Eden’s Garden —- To Win Her Heart
More Than She Bargained For —- More Than Words Can Say
Book 3 of my Hanger’s Horsemen series will release in June, and the journey to a title for this one had a few more twists and turns. You might have noticed in my lists above that the first two books in the series kept their working titles (At Love’s Command and The Heart’s Charge). My working title for Book 3 was A Warrior’s Devotion, and I have to admit that I was more than a little attached to it. It had the same rhythm and form of the previous two titles, and it had that slight military flavor that I wanted to keep. However, there was one key difference between this title and the previous series titles that my publishing team noticed. A Warrior’s Devotion referred to a PERSON where the other titles referred to more abstract entities like LOVE and HEART. For consistency sake, they wanted to keep the abstract focus.
They brainstormed amongst themselves and came up with a new recommendation – The Force of Attraction. I certainly have attraction happening in the story between the main characters, but the love story itself is actually very gentle, so using the word “Force” didn’t sit well with me. Plus “attraction” felt a little superficial. This title just wasn’t ringing my bell. On the bright side, though, I now understood what they were looking for in a title. So I brainstormed a new series of options for them to consider. Ones that focused on the abstract but still had ties to military themes. Most of my proposed titles contained terms like duty, defense, courage, and protection. My favorite was Determined to Defend because it captured the hero’s character so perfectly. However, it didn’t have the cool ‘s pattern that the other titles possessed. In the end, they selected one of my other suggestions, one that was probably my second favorite.
In Honor’s Defense
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Pre-order print from Baker Book House.
How much impact does the title of a book make when you are browsing for a new read?
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
The title only affects my selection if it “turns me off” in some way. I can’t remember selecting a book because of it’s title. but I do understand that titles are important to the story. I hate it when I read the book and decide the title was misleading.
I agree that the title needs to reflect the story and not mislead readers. Writing is all about fulfilling a promise to the reader, and if the title makes a promise that the story doesn’t deliver, then we are setting the reader up for disappointment, which is never a good thing.
What a great insight to how titles are chosen. I truly think titles do help me decide on books by authors, I’m not familiar with reading. I do often think titles especially harlequins are horrible. I think the author knows their books far better than anyone, so I think you all should get to choose your books titles.
I also love zinger titles. They seem to grab me.
Ex: Where The Crawdads Sing, that is a cool title. Shanna Hatfield has cool titles for her books, EX: Learnin’ The Ropes, Barreling Through Christmas, Linda Broday’s title Catching A Texas Star, Texas Redemption
I’ll be honest with all of you. I HATE Mail Order titles, it’s over used and not original.
Unless it’s my favorite author that I faithfully read, I will pass over Mail Order Bride titles Every-time.
I do love 1 word or 2 word titles.
Thanks for letting us know how titles come to be and it’s often out of the authors hands.
What great comments, Tonya!!
I saw your Mail-order-bride dislike coming from a mile away. I guess these titles draw in those that love M.O.B. books and turn around away readers that are tired of them. I agree they aren’t very original. Maybe M.O.B. should only be in the series title and nor each book.
I love hearing your insights, Tonya. I’m a sucker for a catchy, zinger title too. Or one that makes me laugh. I also like a clever play on words in a title. I have been known to pick up a book based solely on the title. I might not always follow through and purchase if the blurb doesn’t capture me, but half the battle is getting the reader to pick it up to start with. 🙂
I read one of your books and loved your style and sense of humor. Had my daughter read it and we’ve been hooked ever since. ?
I have found some titles will make me look further.
Me, too, Debra. Especially if they are clever and unique.
A title can entice me, but I usually go by author, blurb, and trope.
I agree, Denise. A fun, catchy title will get me to pick up a book, but I have to like the blurb to actually make a purchase.
Not much. It’s the burb that gets me interested.
The blurb is the main selling point for me, too. A fun title is one thing, but I need to know that I’ll enjoy the actual story.
Not much. I buy by author.
And boy do we love reader loyalty. 🙂 Thank you, Estella!
I mostly read by author and book recommendations so titles do not affect me much at this point in my reading journey. I think authors should have more input into picking titles & book covers. I have seen some hedious book covers. Covers have become so beautiful in the past few years though so if I see one that’s not becoming I wonder why. Very interesting blog post. Thank you for sharing.
I agree that the author should have say in the title process, but sometimes authors don’t know best, despite their intimate knowledge of their characters. Sometimes marketing and sales know what type of titles new readers are more likely to pick up. That’s why I’m glad its a partnership.
Well, I love that title so much that I went on over and one-clicked it, but you knew I would. LOL
I love you, Kari! 🙂
A good, strong title always pulls me in.
It certainly sets a mood, doesn’t it, Melanie? I love a clever title!
Titles don’t mean much for me when picking out books. The blurb or author are what grab me. Titles just help the fun of the book. But in saying that I know I have probably picked up a book because the title was clever or made me laugh so I had to see what it was about.
Your description is exactly how I operate, Susan. 🙂
A title does attract me to the book, but the cover and the back blurb are what draws me in and makes me purchase the books. It has to have a good story line to grab me
I agree, Kathleen. The title might get my foot in the story, but the story makes the sale.
thank you for sharing this wonderful post today. you have some amazing titles for your books. I really have enjoyed them. For me personally, I look at the title and then decide if I want to go further in checking out the book. Second is the author. Third is the picture and Fourth is the blurb in the back. I got burned numerous times so am now very picky and cautious.
I agree with your need to be careful, Lori. Since I basically have two full-time jobs (day job and writing career), my reading time is very limited. Because of this, I am extremely picky with my books. I just don’t have time to waste reading a book I don’t love. Thank you for your kind comments about my titles. I do enjoy the process even if it can be a little frustrating at times.
The title and cover may get me to glance at the book, but it’s the author and blurb that make me want me to read!
I find I’m much the same, Trudy. Cover and title carry more weight with new-to-me authors than with my tried-and-true favorites.
I am not sure how titles make me purchase books but I do love them. I love a good catchy title and it does draw me to the book.
I agree, Quilt Lady. A clever title never fails to make me smile.
Thanks for the insight on books’s titles. Very interesting.
You’re welcome, Kari!
Hi, I actually read the title first , look at the cover and then I read the back of the book. I enjoyed reading your post , thank you for sharing it with us. Have a great rest of the week and stay safe.
The title is often the first impression a book makes. Thanks for joining us today, Alicia!
A good or interesting title will draw my attention. It has to blend well with the cover, which is what usually attracts me first. In addition, it needs to reflect to a degree, what is said in the blurb. If I finish a book and find the title was misleading or didn’t fit the story, I will not necessarily trust the title reflecting the story of other books by that author. I realize that it won’t always be the author’s fault, but the effect is the same.
I agree, Patricia. The title should accurately reflect the story. Thanks for sharing your impressions.
I usually pick a book by my favorite author first, then I notice the cover and title. Thanks for your description of how titles are chosen. I think yours are very well named.
I am drawn to certain types of covers. I don’t care for graphics, I like more true to life. And the flowery script is overdone and sometimes unreadable!
I agree with you about fancy fonts sometimes being too fancy, Paula. That can impair a title’s impact. I love pretty, but it’s got to be easy to read as well.
Interesting post, Karen. The title doesn’t influence my reading choice. I choose my reads based on author.
Thanks, Caryl!
Titles don’t make a difference with me. I go by the blurb and author.
The blurb and author are the biggest decision-makers for me, too, Kathleen.
I would say that a title would come second or third to me when purchasing a book. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
You’re welcome, Debbie. A title is an attention grabber to me, but I rarely buy a book based on title alone.