A book title might not seem important when starting a WIP (work in progress), except perhaps as a directional aid. A working title helps maintain plot focus. Whenever a creative block rears its ugly head, writers can think of the title and leverage it to produce more ideas.

Once a book nears completion, however, a definitive title becomes increasingly important.

This post will help writers create a distinctive title that engages readers.

Create a Title Before You Begin

As mentioned in the introduction, this step can help you focus on your storyline, especially if you know how the book will end.

Pay Attention to Important Phrasing as You Write

Even if you start with a working title, you might decide to change it. Key phrases incorporated in titles provide aha! moments for readers when they realize the true meaning of those large words on the cover of your book.

Avoid Titles That Have Already Been Used

Whether it’s a book, a song, a video game, a movie, or a product, never ride on the shirttails of others. If you try to capitalize on their popularity by copying or creating similar titles, people will object. Rather than gain readers, you might alienate them.

Always do an internet search to see whether your title has already been taken by someone else.

If You’re Stuck, Consider a Year in Your Title

1984 — one unforgettable word. This has stood the test of time, and just about everyone in the world knows that George Orwell is the author.

2001: A Space Odyssey has done the same.

That might make you think 2020 would be a good title. Probably not. Even if you don’t find 2020 yet, it’ll probably surface soon. I predict a glut of 2020 titles to appear soon in the marketplace, or phrasing that incorporates it.

2020: The Unforgettable Year
2020: Coronavirus Chronicles
Pandemic 2020
2020, the Year That Never Was
The Diaries of 2020
2020: To Mask, or Not to Mask
The Anti-Maskers of 2020

… etc., ad nauseam.

Maybe a Character Name Would Work

Some of the most memorable book titles have included character names:

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Carrie by Stephen King
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
Emma by Jane Austen
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Silas Marner by George Eliot
Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Search through a site like Who’s Your Baby? ® Baby Names and Meanings and assign meaningful names to your characters.

Here’s one: Augeas, a male name with Greek roots that means “bright” Unfortunately, several books incorporate the name.

How about Begley, a male name with Irish roots meaning “little hero”? Begley has the potential to be an advisor, a philosopher, a teacher, or a social worker. I didn’t find any book titles including the name, so it might work — unless you don’t want readers to think of Ed Begley Jr.

Remember My Mention of Duplicate Book Titles?

Here are just a few of many books that share the same title. Will you stand out if you use them?

Fire and Ice
Firestorm
Glass House
Open Season
Paradise Lost
The Institute
The Memory Game
The Third Witch

Let’s Follow the Creative Process of Three Writers

Jeremy

A villainous protagonist in Jeremy’s WIP has a temper about as long as his little finger. He relishes lopping off the heads of those who disagree with him.

Working title: The Head Lopper

A lopper is a set of pruning shears with long handles. Does Jeremy’s main character use a set of loppers, or is lopper a creative use of lop: to amputate, cut off, chop off? Readers will want to know.

Jeremy’s internet search (including quotes) for “The Head Lopper” reveals a comic book by that name.

Instead of The Head Lopper, he does some head scratching and mulls over Severing Heads for Fun or Profit. That’s unique, but not what he was looking for.

Back to brainstorming. The Headsman? Taken.

The Cleaver? No books, games, or other clashes. There was a TV show that ran from 1957 to 1963 about a family named the Cleavers (Leave It to Beaver), but Jeremy decides the minor conflict shouldn’t be a problem. In fact, he decides to rename his villainous protagonist Cleaver.

Edith

In Edith’s novel, the storm of the century overwhelms a mountain chalet with snow, trapping everyone indoors, where they are inundated with personal problems, a murder, and an avalanche.

Working title: The Inundation

An inundation can refer to an overwhelming abundance of anything: problems, protests, emotions, votes, etc. It can also mean a literal flood or blizzard. The title provides a bit of mystery.

Edith’s search for “The Inundation” looks promising. Oops. Nope. The title has already been claimed by other writers.

Avalanche of Blood is the name of a band, but A Tide of White or Avalanche of Fools might work. She settles on Avalanche of Fools.

Alex

Alex’s book features a heroine who braves a galactic storm to be the first woman in history to survive the ravages of a spatial anomaly that sends her into a black hole. With her scientific knowledge and a huge dose of ingenuity, she cobbles together a way to escape.

Working title: Galactic Survival

Does survival refer to the survival of the galaxy or the heroine? Alex decides to titillate booklovers.

Darn. “Galactic Survival” is the name of a video game.

Should Alex change Galactic Survival to Celestial Survival? Nope. Celestial Survival is a Minecraft server. Stellar Survival? There’s a book called Stellar Survival Quest.

Cosmic Survival? There’s an app by that name.

Quantum Survival? Yes!

The Process involves brainstorming, searching, and more brainstorming — until you develop a title that’s unique and memorable.