What an interesting post! I knew that publishers often changed titles for different markets (the way Rowling’s The Philosopher’s Stone became The Sorcerer’s Stone in the US) but I never realized the degree to which working titles might be changed as a rule. One might say that publishers are in a better position to know what sells, but I find your chosen titles more evocative and interesting, compared to the ones the publisher selected!

I tend to think up the title first, though I do change it if necessary. But generally, the title is the easy part!

Titles are literally the hardest part. I really really struggle.

Interesting post. For myself, I have to have a proper title in mind before I start writing. Having decided the title ahead of time forces me to think about the WIP in more concrete terms. An aid in outlining, perhaps.

I think both of my current title’s are gripping and people have said so but I am wondering how to continue the create path. x

Unfortunately, so many authors do not understand that the title of a book is part of marketing and that traditional publishers have control over anything to do with marketing, including the title. Many traditionally published authors who have their titles changed report that they still always think of the book under the working title from when they were writing it. It’s only in the past decade, with the advent of reliable e-readers, that authors have even had the power to really choose their own titles and to sell books as self-published authors, mainly thanks to e-books and online stores. Thanks for the great post, Barbara.

I love the idea of using a poll to help choose a title! Great post—thank you!

I NEED this prize! I feel that my social media game is not where it should be. I know how important branding is but have trouble sticking to it. A consultation with the brilliant Bad Redhead would go a long way! Also, I too am a redhead. (By choice, but that counts, right?) I loved this post and my experience in the industry certainly backs it up.

Ordinarily, the title of a project comes to me along with the idea. Having the title helps me shape the story. The challenge is that I know all the details of the story, but a person who’s deciding whether to publish my book won’t. I’m beginning to think that titles have to be like any other darlings in writing-we have to be ready to kill them when necessary. This isn’t something I say lightly, because starting from scratch on a title is one of the hardest parts of this process for me.

Thanks for your article. I was interested to see the title changes for your books. For what it’s worth, I much prefer The House My Mother Built.

Sincerely,
Dana Lemaster

As an indie author I have a constant struggle when I try to divide my time between ‘running the business’ side of things and writing the next book. I have written four novels and two novellas to date and received great reviews, but translating those into sales is a whole other thing! Any advice you can provide about widening my exposure will really make a huge difference! This is a great post, full of excellent advice – I had fun with my titles, but agree that finding something original is like looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack! Thanks for the chance to enter the competition and good luck to all!

I’m fascinated with titles. I’ve seen a few changed by the publisher that I felt were poor choices (not my books, so I can’t share) and when I asked the authors if they ‘fought for their title’, not one of those I’m thinking of did. I realize it isn’t our choice, ultimately, when you are working with a publisher, but I feel as authors we should not hesitate to voice our concerns. Titles are too important… Good post. Thanks!

I could NOT agree more with this post! My first book originally had a very funny but odd title. One that made people laugh but also squirm. I realized it was making them uncomfortable and that didn’t sit well, obviously. I agonized over a new title. I was having lunch one day with an old friend who told me she knew I had my title inside me and was just scared. I paused, told the truth and when I told her my title, she got tears and said, “There it is.” I’ve had more people say they love my title. Follow your gut, just like Barbara says. Your gut knows. I’d be honored for a chance at a social media consult. I’m working hard to figure all of this out so that my new book has a solid foundation under it.

I loved his warm-hearted post from the top of the writerly food chain. Thanks, Barbara and Rachel. My next novel is currently on its fourth title – one of those long ones which, if it endures to publication, will be in stark contrast to the one-word title of my previous novel. Both feel right to me, but I’m no expert.
Barbara makes a good point that browsers might not get as far as the blurb but, given that some do, I’ve agreed with my publisher to rewrite, and simplify, the blurb. As Barbara suggests for titles, I’ve put a few options for opening lines to readers via a poll, which was fun and easy to do. But while there’s a clear winner, I’ve also learnt that not everyone likes the same thing!

Titles come to me pretty early. The perfect one can take time. You have to be especially careful when self-publishing. Having a trad pub team behind you is a gift. Thanks for stopping by, Barbara. It’s great you brake for squirrels.

Omg this blogpost makes me want to get caught up on Ms. D’s latest works! All the plots described here are interesting to me. Moreover, the style and tone of this piece is so friendly and inviting, I am even more encouraged. It’s so interesting to note that styles of titles might be in vogue or not. Of course, cover art styles change, so why not titles? I hadn’t considered this before. Blood of the Rich sounds more compelling to me than Twilight Whispers, I appreciate the original title.

I struggle with this a lot.

I would love to win this giveaway because I’d love feedback on my branding and/or social media. I feel like I’m authentic, but I’m not sure potential readers get a sense of what my writing would be like, aside from the sense that I’m passionate about reading and writing romance.