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Write your best book title: Editor's Notes #405 November 29, 2023 |
| Hello, —Katerina Stoykova In this issue: 1. Write your best book title 2. Tickled my funny bone 3. Interesting Web site 4. Writing prompt 1. Write your best book title Much writing instruction pays a great deal of attention to the opening of a book, and this is good because if a reader is not gripped by the opening, the rest of the book may never be discovered. But before the reader gets to the opening, other parts of the book come into play. The first is likely to be the title. If the spine of the book faces out, the title is the first impression. If books are presented in a list, titles feature prominently. A good title grabs attention and invites the reader to explore the book at least a little further. Your best book title is original, memorable (which means it should either be short or a phrase that piques interest), truthful (which means it accurately portrays some aspect of the book) and, if it is to be sold online, contains at least one important keyword for the search engine bots that help people find what they are looking for. It is vital that nonfiction book titles contain important keywords that make clear the topic or the purpose of the book. In this case, the title shares space with a subtitle, with one being original and memorable and the other highlighting the keywords, purpose or topic. Although the reader usually encounters the book first through its title, the writer need not decide on a title until the book is finished. Many writers use something bland and unexciting as a provisional title simply to have a way to refer to the book. When considering the best book title, list as many ways possible to describe the theme, purpose, takeaway point, emotions, or calls to action. Turn the list into as many combinations you can think of. Take your time here. Remember that this is your first encounter with your reader and you want to make it count. As you rework your text, do at least one reading where you intentionally look for the best book title hidden within your text. I am often asked to write a title for a book. In most cases, it is my job to draw the writer’s attention to the title within the text. You may have more than one such candidate. If this is the case, use the ideas in this article to help you choose the best title for your book. A publisher may give your book a different title than the one you gave it. Publishers make a living out of selling books. Unless you have some compelling reason not to, take their advice. =========== 2. Tickled my funny bone A student answer: Miguel Cervantes wrote "Donkey Hote." =========== 3. Interesting Web site Goodreads has complied a list of "eye-catching, clever, or distinctive book titles." Wouldn’t you like to one day make such a list? https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/276.Best_Book_Titles =========== 4. Writing prompt I stumbled upon this generator and thought you might enjoy a writing challenge that changes on the fly. https://thestoryshack.com/writing-exercise/ =========== Join Writer's Helper Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WritersHelperEditor Follow me on Twitter @AudreytheEditor Link on LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/audreyowen (Email me first so I know how you know me.) =========== If you know a writer who would appreciate receiving Editor's Notes, forward this issue. If someone has passed this on to you, you can get your own free subscription by signing up at https://www.writershelper.com/newsletter.html |
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