What’s in a name – and what’s the best way to choose a title for your book? This article reveals how the rules for naming a book OR business are essentially the same.
And it shows you how to do both.
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Orgasm Chocolates
Did I get your attention?
Of course I did…
And that’s exactly why Julie Whitcomb (one of my former coaching clients) took my advice to rename her chocolate company from “Ziva Chocolates” (which didn’t mean anything) to “Orgasm Chocolates” (which gets immediate attention and implies a sensual experience). Since then, Julie’s been featured on FOX news (a 7-minute segment), gotten interest from QVC, and her company has been scrambling to keep up with the increased demand for her tantalizing treats.
You might not like hearing this,
but it’s true and you know it:
The words you use to talk about what you do are just as important as what you do; the words you use to describe your book… are just as important as the words inside your book.
So, if you’re not using the right words,
you’re taking some serious risks:
- People won’t understand what you do
- They won’t understand the value of what you do
- They won’t take action
- Or they won’t even notice you
So, today I thought I’d share some tips to help you choose the best words for your book, website domain, company, etc. You might not be able to make all of the following guidelines work for your name (but it’s a good goal). Put “Orgasm Chocolates” to the test (for example) and see if it satisfies all of the following “requirements.”
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Create a Spectacle
You don’t have to be risqué and use a name as racy as “Orgasm Chocolates,” but you shouldn’t use a name like “Quality Chocolates” either. Boring! Do something creative to get attention (if it’s also entertaining in some way, even better).
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Make Me Curious
You can use simple, straightforward language and still create curiosity. If I was developing a product to help writers get published, I might call it “How to Get Published in 30 Seconds or Less.” People would say to themselves, “That’s impossible!” Then they’d read the subtitle to learn what the hook is. There they’d learn that agents often decide if they’re interested in your work within the first 30 seconds of reading about your book.
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Make a Promise
When I used to be a literary agent (helping authors get published), I sold a book to Random House called “The Marriage Plan: How to Find Your Soul Mate in One Year or Less.” Being direct can be powerful. I’m not sure the book would have ever gotten published if it hadn’t had that clever title and promise.
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Be Memorable
One of our coaching clients had a TV show called “The Effortless Productivity TV Show”. His personal mission was to help people get out of “busyness” and get down to business. I suggested that he change the name to “The Busyness TV Show” or “The UnBusy TV Show” (much more memorable). And, oh yeah, the latter idea includes a “promise” (note the previous strategy above).
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Easy to Spell
Don’t get too clever (something I have to fight as well). Don’t invent new words, use weird spellings, or strange names that would require you to spell them out every time you say them to someone else. Companies like Google with lots of money to put into advertising can pull it off. But names like that don’t SHOW UP in search engines like Google because no one is looking for them.
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The Think & Feel Test
Be clear about what you want people to think or feel. I’ll mention the “Orgasm Chocolates” example again here because it elicits all kinds of thoughts and feelings when you hear it. When you first heard the name, you probably thought two things: 1) “Did he really just say that?” and 2) “Those chocolates must be really good.”
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Get Help, But Not Too Much
Nothing kills good names (and good marketing ideas), like getting too many people involved. I’ve seen great names end up in the trash because of this, and awful names end up being used… with disastrous results.
Choosing the right name can truly make the difference for your book (or business). But it has to be the right name. So get help. There are many more things to consider when it comes to naming, than the few I was able to fit into this short article. And, for every rule or guideline I can tell you about, there are important exceptions to the rule.
Now, what do YOU think about all this?
What’s one of your favorite book titles of all time (and why)?
Tell me below…
– Mark
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MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
It was on fire when I laid down on it by Robert Fulgam. “Makes me just say hmmmm, why would somebody do that??”
Hi Tammy, that is probably one of the best ever. I’m going to post the top 100 in the near future. Have to look around on the web to see what I can come up with. Thanks for posting this and have a great Friday! Mark
I like “And the Mountains Echoed”. It’s a title that leads me to ponder what happened to make them echo, why did they echo, what did they echo?
Hi Rinda, I like that… and because I know you a little bit… I completely understand why YOU like it. Works for you on several levels. Thanks for posting… and have a great Friday and weekend. Mark
Hi Mark.
Funny that you should mention it, because that thought has crossed my mind a few times.
People usually have to ask me twice when I tell them the title of my book, though, when you began to read it you’ll know why.
I am really considering it for my next set of queries. What do you think?
Hi Juanita, it might be the fact that I’m thick-header, or it’s getting late, but I’m not following you here. The good news is that I’ll be talking to you tomorrow so you can explain then! See you in a bit. Mark
Catcher in the Rye and Shadow of The Wind. You have to read quite a bit of both to discover the true earning of the title.
Hi Laura, well now you’re introducing a whole new concept… the idea that the title should actually mean something and be relevant to the content of the book. Ha ha ha. I should have talked about THAT in my article. 😉 Have a good night and see you soon! Mark
Then there are the meaningless one-word titles favored by prolific authors like Dick Francis and Robin Cook. After reading them, I can barely remember which title belongs to which book. I guess the author name is all that matters in those instances.
In that case, I wish they’d simply title the books Dick Francis #1, Dick Francis #2, Dick Francis #3…
That would be so much more helpful when I visit the library.
True, they’re trying to be different and stand out be being Zen. But if the word isn’t original, a one word title falls flat. Mark
(First, the eight “relevant” responses I mentioned have since multiplied.)
My favorites are “The Best Years of Our Lives,” a powerful movie in the aftermath of WWII, and Steinbeck’s “The Winter of Our Discontent.” I hadn’t thought of this before, but perhaps the appeal lies in the subliminal use of “Our” in both titles. It implies the viewer or reader is among those impacted by the stories. And that’s true. Everyone at the time could relate to “Best Years…” and it was an Oscar-winning smash.
Hi David, I’m glad to see I’m not the only word nerd here. I love looking at these things, too. I think you’re right about the subtle effect of the word “our”. Good observation. Now I’m going to see that work in every book title where it appears and think about it. And you. 😉 Mark
I always appreciate your responses to your followers’ comments — how time-consuming that must be! You’re doing a terrific job raising interesting topics and providing the kind of education that writers may not be getting anywhere else.
Hi again David, and thank you for that. Here’s my little secret that drives me to reply to every comment. At least for now. It is getting pretty busy lately so we’ll see. My secret is that, part one… I love doing it. That helps. Part two is that it’s good business. When I do get tired (it happens) I remind myself that this kind of interaction is a big reason I’m having any success with this business. Not only is this back and forth with authors fun, it builds trust and it lets me demonstrate what I can do. So, I’m not that nice of a guy. Partly yes, but not as much as I get credit for. Oh, it also helps that I type fast. 😉 And most of the people who post comments and questions are nice. Have a great weekend and get those queries out! Mark
Hunt for Red October. Kinda left me wondering what the title meant and I wanted to find out more.
Hi Dick, that is a good title… and of course it’s in your genre. 😉 Thanks for posting and have a great Friday and weekend! See you soon. Mark
sickly perfect. It was meant to be. How can you be sick but perfect. Not two things I would put together. How sick and why perfect. Why was it meant to be. What happened how can it be meant to be. Thank you very much mark for asking this question. The title is of my autobiography and got me thinking about how to continue and what to write.
Sickly Perfect is fantastic. How can you resist picking up that book to see what it’s about? Kudos to you, and thank you for posting! Have a great Friday and weekend. Mark
Interesting, that among the eight relevant responses so far, two liked the word “blood” in titles and one liked “Twilight.” Are vampires taking over America? They seem to be everywhere these days.
I made the mistake of choosing “Deadly Dividends” for a title, inspired by an intriguing article I’d read in reference to World War II. But Google and other search engines were associating that title with the dry business of investment management — a very deadly place to hide a thriller novel.
Hi David, yes… blood seems to be the trend in all of entertainment lately. Soon it will shift to, hopefully, something that doesn’t involve bodily fluids. By the way, I enjoyed you sharing your experience with Deadly Dividends. You made me laugh out loud, although I’m sure you weren’t laughing at the time. Thanks for posting, and have a great Friday and weekend. Mark
Thank you, Mark. Laughter often is the best cure for a setback.
I know what you’re saying. A title is very hard to come up with. Sometimes I sit and just brainstorm titles. I have a friend who named her picture book “Sam the Seagull.” I changed it to “Sam’s Rescue” but then toyed with the “The Great Leg Rescue.” My friend wasn’t sold on the idea, and that was probably a good thing. Now I’m thinking “Seagulls’ Rescue” but that one has its own issues. So I’m still working on the working title.
Sam Seagull has company, so might work for you. Scottish Sam Seagull is in Snopes http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/seagull.asp true news headliner. Literary-speaking, Jonathan Livingston Seagull is up there. So “Sam Seagull” has strong positive associations that help you. Competition here: Seagull Sam: Katie Clark, Amy Huntington: 9780892727155: http://www.amazon.com/Seagull-Sam-Katie-Clark/dp/0892727152 concept fr JLS lacking credibility factor. S.Seagull, Storm Survivor; Breaks a Leg
Hi Jen, I like “Sam, the One-Legged Seagull”. But I have no idea if Sam has just one leg. Ha ha ha. I just know a good title when I hear it. 😉 I know you’ll come up with a home run title. Keep at it. And have a great Friday and weekend. Mark
Hi Mark – Great article! One of my favorite book titles is “Lord of the Flies” – It works on so many levels – dark, powerful, intriguing – how could you see that title and not look at the book? The fact that it happened to be a dark, powerful and intriguing read as well doesn’t hurt!
It’s important to remember when you decide on a title, such as my first published novel, “The Book of Daniel,” that you want to stand out. When people google it, you don’t want 250,000 hits. Oops!
Hi Lynn, you’re right… another great title. Hmm. I might need to start a list. Nah, I bet there’s one out there somewhere. Going to Google it right now. And great point about wanting something that doesn’t get lost in a million or more Google search results. Live and learn! 😉 Mark
Wonderful Column Mark! I seem to conjure up vast DOG names each day, and must really stop, as it leads to me adopting just way too many dogs! A favorite book title of mine though, is “Blood, Bones, & Butter!” That passes your suggested system/test and just begs me to seek out more from it! (And I put my own manuscript’s title through that list of yours just now, and am humbled to say that it does measure up as well)! You’re a great teacher, and I do learn so much from you! Thank you tons!
Hi Leah, you are too funny… and kind. Dog names, who knew. We adopted our two cats from a shelter and they were named Fudge and Ginger. We decided the names were fitting and let them be. From one foodie to another, I thought you might enjoy that story. I like the title you posted by the way, “Blood, Bones, & Butter!” Didn’t tell you this earlier but I love your title as well. A lot. But I tend to be a fan of all that you do. Thanks for posting and see you again soon. Mark
It’s hard to choose one title. Bloodroot by Amy Greene is a title that conjured all kinds of images in my head. Wild by Cheryl Strayed, the title says it all. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is a title that sets the feeling of the story before you open the book.
Hi Johnny, great title Bloodroot. Not familiar with it but now I want to be. Wild is good as well. And the Grapes of Wrath. Thanks for posting these. I can see from all the comments this article generated that this is a hot topic, so you’ve given all the other authors reading this more ideas. Have a great Friday and weekend and I hope to see you again soon. Mark
Hi,
I’m not trying to be disrespectful or snarky, but I’m asking seriously, “What benefit does a literary agent give a writer?” At best an agent will sign a debut author to a publisher that pays little or no advance, does not edit, and does not promote the book. So what does the author get for the commission? He or she gives up money and gets little value-added.
I’m a marketing and sales guy. My largest sale was $51 million. We’ll see if my skills transfer to publishing.
Best wishes. Wes
Hi Wes, great question. And I don’t mind you asking. I have an article that explains: https://literary-agents.com/guide-to-literary-agents/literary-agents-pros-and-cons/. Take a look and let me know what you think. Sounds like you’ve had a bad experience with an agent or know someone who has. I hope you don’t let that stop you from finding a GOOD agent. You might be able to get a publisher without one due to your background, but it’s like the lawyer who represents himself. Mark
Amazing insights. Thanks for sharing.
A rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but if the name doesn’t evoke a sensual experience, readers lose interest in the blandness.
not really– possibly repels as many people as it attract. Orgasm Chocolates sound revolting to me. It appeals to specific group of people which is good marketing sense. However “Belgian Chocolates” or “chocolate indulgence” might sell larger market. Doesn’t have “sex shop” appeal, but also don’t feel like you need to bring home in brown paper bag. Sexing something up might make it “hot” but also has its creepy factor. Orgasm Chocolates w/ Vaginal Strawberry Creme. ugh… not for the office.
Hi Frog, being bold and/or risqué isn’t right for everyone and it isn’t right for every brand. Your right that no name will appeal to everyone, and all names have risks as well as benefits. Also, there’s a way to make a name more creepy or less creepy depending on how you present it visually, etc. But I’m glad you’re thinking of different perspectives. Just don’t assume that I haven’t also done the same. All my best. Mark
Also, “Beligian Chocolates” or “Chocolate Indulgence” are good. But they’re just good. Other people are already using them. The domain names likely won’t be available. And, worst of all, no one will remember them if you tell them the name and then ask them what it was two days later. Mark
Hi Lyndsey, thank you for that. I appreciate your kindness… and the poetry of your response. I believe one of the five worst things a writer can do is be boring. Hmm. I need to write an article about that, and ask everyone what THEY think is the worst thing a writer can do. Anyway, thanks for posting! Have a great Friday and weekend and I hope to see you again soon. Mark
This is so true! A title can lure the reader into the first pages, which may be just intriguing enough to make you buy the book!
Hi Yvonne, good to see you on my website. And thanks for posting. Here’s to good titles, good writing, and a great Friday and weekend. Hope to see you again soon. Mark
I love the idea to “make a promise.” Promise is powerful tool in a book title or website
Hi Stephen, it makes perfect sense you’d like that one… considering the name of your new website. 😉 I hope everything I sent you made sense and it’s all coming together. Drop me an email to give me an update when you have a moment. And have a great Friday and weekend! Mark
I already have an interested agent. I was asked to do slight modifications, and expect a contract.
Hi Frances, that’s fantastic. Congratulations. I don’t hear those stories often enough, so thanks for sharing the good news. Let us know if and when you get a publisher as well, so we can help you celebrate. Mark
Perfect timing for this piece, Mark… It’s like you and I talked! 🙂
I always talk about TWILIGHT… What a great title. Had nothing to do with wolves or vampires, but it drew you in. No matter how you feel about the books or the movies, the TWILIGHT series was sheer marketing genius, start-to-finish.
Hi Craig, that’s a good example. It’s the less is more approach. Mysterious. 😉 Thanks for posting and joining the conversation. Hope to see you here again soon. Mark
Do you have advice for naming children’s books? How to catch their eyes?
Hi Vicky,
As a mother of five and children’s writer myself, I can answer this:
Same rules apply. Children today want it fast, intriguing and on their level. I wrote a picture book about a girl named Freedom with a loose tooth. At first my title was “Freedom’s Loose Tooth.” Then I read that “loose” is a 3rd grade word, but “floppy” is 1st. I decided that “Freedom’s Floppy Tooth” is a much better title.
I Recommend “Children’s Writer’s Word Book” by Alijandra Mogilner for finding grade level words
good thing Dr Suess trashed those guidelines. The stock supply of “approved words” can be incredibly boring. Ever listen to a little kid? They love biggest hardest words they can find. They absorb language quickly. Why the dumbing down? I thought, “see dick run-run, dick, run…” was finally dead. I read my father’s college lit books on mythology in 3d grade. When limiting kids’ vocabulary to prescribed set of words, you stunt growth and intellectual curiosity.
worst of all, kids say, “Dad I have a loose tooth!” not “I got a floppy tooth”. Wear a “floppy hat”, “have a loose tooth” is idiomatic English even if it doesn’t make it on sombody’s dumbing down America educational vocabularly list. Very glad my father skipped first 3 yrs of school & left early for college. Very typical of his generation. I think he might have had 5-6yrs of schooling before college because he came from pre-WWII cornfield when education was valued. (-very opinionated frog)
Hi frog,
I agree! In the manuscript, I call it a loose tooth. But I wanted to grab attention with the title.
All of my children read about 3 grade levels higher than their age because I never tell them it’s too hard.
That said, when you are WRITING for children, you need (imo) to know at what grade level your book is going to be marketed.
Funny you mention Dr. Seuss. Actually he did write from a word list, almost every time. When he didn’t, it’s a “read to” by adults and 6th grade level.
–JEN
Hi Frog, you make a really good point. That said, when replying to other people’s comments in the future… people will be much more receptive to your feedback, and appreciative of it, if you’re a little less sharp when you make your points. Please don’t stop sharing your opinions though, because you have a unique perspective that lots of people can learn from. Mark
Hi Jen, great comment and consideration. Age appropriateness is important to consider. Although you can break those rules, too. But, as they say, it’s always good to know what the rules are before you break them. Thank you for posting thoughtful and supportive comments! Mark
Hi Vicky, I agree with Jen here. The general guidelines I mentioned in this article are a good start and apply to most genres. My only frustration is that I could spend a whole day or write 100 pages with additional guidelines for naming. It’s a lot like branding. Many options, and just as many exceptions! Thanks for posting and I hope you enjoy this week’s article that will be going out soon. Have a great Friday and weekend. Mark