We always hear that we should not judge a book by its cover, but what about its title? We don’t often think about it (or even admit it as much), but book titles influence our decision to pick up our next to-be-read novel. So, if you are struggling to name your book, here is a step-by-step guide on how to write a bestselling book title, including some tips.
Crafting Titles With Formulas
The A-B-C-D Formula
Creating a captivating book title can make a huge difference in attracting readers, and the A-B-C-D formula—Attention, Believability, Care, and Desire—is a straightforward and effective approach to crafting a title that resonates. Here’s how each element contributes to an unforgettable title:
A – Attention: Grab the Reader’s Interest
The first job of a title is to stand out and catch the eye. To capture attention, think about powerful, intriguing words or phrases that resonate with your book’s theme or genre. For example, titles like Atomic Habits or The Silent Patient instantly spark curiosity. Aim for words or concepts that feel bold, vivid, or even mysterious to make a potential reader stop and look.
B – Believability: Make Your Title Credible
Once a title has captured interest, it must also feel authentic and credible. Readers want to feel they can trust the book to deliver on its promises. For nonfiction, especially, a clear, honest title reassures readers of its value. Titles like The 4-Hour Workweek or How to Win Friends and Influence People feel achievable and trustworthy because they give specific, believable outcomes. Avoid exaggeration or claims that feel too good to be true, as these can undermine credibility.
C – Care: Offer a Benefit or Promise the Reader Cares About
Your title should address a need, desire, or interest the reader already has, offering something they care deeply about. To do this, think about the main benefit your book provides. Fiction books might promise an emotional journey, an escape, or a thrilling adventure. Nonfiction books often solve problems, offer guidance, or share insights. For example, Think and Grow Rich taps into a universal desire for wealth and success. When readers see a title that promises something they care about, they’re more likely to pick up the book.
D – Desire: Create a Want for Your Book
Finally, your title should evoke a sense of desire—making readers feel that they need to know more or must have the book. This can often be achieved by hinting at secrets, exclusivity, or transformation. A title like The Secret or You Are a Badass creates a sense of empowerment and discovery, making readers eager to open the book. Tap into readers’ aspirations or challenges to create a title that feels irresistible.
Putting It All Together
A well-crafted title using the A-B-C-D formula can be a powerful way to connect with your audience on multiple levels. By grabbing attention, establishing credibility, speaking to a need, and creating desire, you increase the chances of your book standing out in a crowded marketplace and resonating with readers from the start.
Other Book Title Formulas
The A-B-C-D formula is just one formula you can use to create a great book title. Below are some other templates you can use to generate book title ideas.
- The [Adjective] [Noun] of [Character/Place]
- [Number] Ways to [Accomplish Goal] Without [Common Obstacle]
- How to [Achieve Desired Outcome] in [Timeframe]
- [Adjective] [Noun]: A [Genre] of [Theme]
- [Verb] Your Way to [Desired Outcome]
- The [Emotion] of [Adjective] [Noun]
- What Every [Audience] Should Know About [Topic]
- From [Start Point] to [End Goal]: How to [Verb] Your [Noun]
- [Number] [Adjective] Secrets of [Successful Character/Industry]
- [Adjective] Enough to [Verb]: A Guide for [Audience]
- [Verb] Like a [Character Type/Expert]
- [Noun] for [Audience/Professionals]: [Result or Outcome]
- [Noun] That Changed My [Aspect of Life]
- [Adjective] [Noun] for [Life Stage or Situation]
- The Ultimate Guide to [Goal or Problem]
- [Adjective] [Noun]: How to [Verb] and [Result]
- [Number] [Adjective] Habits of [Successful Group]
- Mastering the Art of [Noun]: [Audience Benefit]
- [Character’s Name]: The [Noun] Who [Achieved Outcome]
- [Emotion or Outcome] is a [Noun]: [Subtitle with Insight]
- [Verb] the [Noun]: A [Genre] on [Challenge or Theme]
- [Number] Simple Steps to [Goal or Desire]
- [Desirable Outcome] in the Age of [Challenge/Problem]
- The [Emotion] Guide to [Topic or Issue]
Tips for Generating Great Book Titles
1. Get Inspiration From the Top Books in Your Genre
Poetry, autobiographies, fantasy, and romance all have different styles and titles that can tell you what genre you are about to read. Type in “best selling [your genre] books” into your search engine and check out the structure and feel of their titles.
You can also check the Wall Street Journal or New York Times bestseller list and visit your local book library or book shop and review the ‘competition.’ Are there patterns or themes in your genre? Do they have subtitles? Are they mostly single-word titles?
Tip: Checking books in your genre can help you discover whether or not somebody else has already used your title or if it’s too similar to a popular one on the market.
2. Consider the Theme, Plot, and Characters
Pull ideas from elements of your story. We know this sounds obvious, but focusing on one key detail can help with the title. A theme of acceptance can lean toward a title like “Finding Myself.” The story of a murderous king could be “The Crowned Killer.” You can also use any recurring symbols from your book, especially when you intend to release a book series. Alternatively, you can use the name of the main character in your title, similar to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
3. Consider Your Target Audience
As much as you want everyone to read your book, you know who your audience will most likely be. Understanding their interests and preferences can help when choosing a title. For instance, romance readers might want a hint at what kind of love lies ahead, whereas non-fiction readers want a title that is straight to the point.
4. Differentiate Your Title
Now that we listed a few ideas about how to fit in with your genre, it’s time to stand out! Your book is going to sit with plenty of others in your same genre. Going against the grain could work in your favor.
For instance, if the majority of your genre is full of one-word titles, perhaps go a little longer. You could even consider using another language (think “Amor” for a romance book set in Spain).
5. Brainstorm Problems and Solutions
This tip is for nonfiction book writers, especially in the self-help genre. What problems does your book aim to solve? Giving away what your book will do for the reader makes a great title. For instance, “Saying No” for a book on people-pleasing or “From the Foundation to the Shingles” for a book on building your own home.
6. Check for Relevant Keywords
Most everyone is familiar with how the internet works now. Keywords can get your articles and blogs at the top of Google searches. You can utilize that same strategy for your book.
7. Utilize Literary Devices
Alliteration, rhymes, and oxymorons keep readers interested. They also make great, eye-catching titles! There are many literary devices you can play around with. Combine these with some of the other tips from above to create something unique and memorable. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen is a great example.
Read more about literary devices.
8. Use Powerful, Emotive Words
One of the first things you learn while writing is how important word choice really is. For instance, instead of “love,” you can opt for “Silent Yearning” or “An Instant Flame.” Another example is: “Someone Lied,” which feels a lot less dramatic than “To Be Betrayed.”
9. Create Several Title Options
Staring at a blank page is the enemy of inspiration. Write down all ideas as they come to you. Cross off the ones you decided against and highlight the ones you really like. You can then create a short list of your top title ideas.
10. Test Your Ideas
Your friends and family offer a fresh set of eyes that can be helpful when picking a title —even your own eyes can help! Try reading your title and then your first chapter and see how you feel. Give your family and friends a quick run-through of your book and present your title options (even better if they have already read your book).
11. Get Professional Opinion and Feedback
Lean on those who have written books of their own. Publishers and other authors can offer some great insight. If you are going the traditional publishing route, many agents will be well aware of what will catch the reader’s eye and be true to your book.
12. Add Elements to Your Title
Adding specific elements to your book title can make it more engaging, genre-appropriate, and memorable. Here are some elements to consider when crafting your title:
Genre-Specific Words
Using words that fit the genre can immediately communicate the book’s style and tone. For example, thrillers might include words like “secret” or “shadow,” while romance novels might feature “heart” or “love.” Think about the language that resonates within your genre and subtly signals the book’s style to potential readers.
Adjective + Noun Combinations
Adjective-noun pairings, like The Silent Patient or Atomic Habits, create powerful images and feelings. Choose adjectives that evoke emotion, intrigue, or clarity about the book’s content, and pair them with a noun that strengthens that image.
Numbers
Numbers in titles, such as 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, are attention-grabbing and make the content feel structured and digestible. Readers are often drawn to numbers because they imply a clear, step-by-step approach.
Character Names or Roles
Including a character’s name or role in the title can add a personal touch, especially in novels or memoirs. Titles like Percy Jackson and the Olympians or The Time Traveler’s Wife make the story feel more intimate and focused on specific characters, drawing readers into their journey.
Locations or Time Periods
Setting a title in a specific place or time can add atmosphere and a sense of adventure. Whether it’s a fictional place, like The Chronicles of Narnia, or a real-world setting, like Midnight in Paris, this approach immerses readers and gives them a sense of the book’s world.
Alliteration or Rhythm
Alliteration (repetition of consonant sounds) or rhythm in titles makes them catchy and memorable. Examples like Pride and Prejudice or The Fault in Our Stars use sound patterns that are pleasing to read and easy to recall.
Questions or Commands
Titles phrased as questions or commands can pique curiosity, like Who Moved My Cheese? or Think Like a Monk. A question invites the reader to explore answers, while a command urges them to take action.
Curiosity-Inducing Phrases
Titles that hint at something mysterious or unknown, like The Secret or You Are a Badass, create curiosity and make readers feel they’ll discover something valuable or transformative. These phrases build intrigue, encouraging readers to open the book to satisfy their curiosity.
Using these elements thoughtfully can strengthen your book title by creating intrigue, setting expectations, and evoking emotion, all of which help your book stand out in the marketplace.
Types of Book Titles
While there isn’t solid rule of thumb for crafting a good book title, you’ll notice that bestsellers (non-fiction and fiction books) have these attributes:
Benefit Driven
Self-help books with benefit-driven titles tell the reader what they will be getting out of the book immediately. This not only helps the reader find a book on the problem they are looking for but also “sells” it with the solution.
- Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lysa TerKeurst
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
Appeals To Emotion
Tapping into the emotions of the reader is incredibly important when building that first connection. Appealing to emotion doesn’t mean labeling what you want your reader to feel but loaded language that can bring up feelings of love, loss, hope, or fear.
- Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks
- Surviving The Holidays Without You by Gary Roe
- Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
- If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen
Simple
Simple titles can be easily remembered by readers. You don’t want more time spent analyzing what your title means. You can pick the main theme of your book or use alliteration.
- Dracula by Bram Stroker
- War by Bob Woodward
- The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny
Easy to Say
In line with the last tip, make sure your title is easy to say. The best way to determine this is to read it out loud. Be careful when using words that are spelled the same but have different pronunciations (homographs).
- Lights Out by Navessa Allen
- Spare by Prince Harry
- Like Mother, Like Mother by Susan Rieger
Original, Intriguing, and Memorable
Have you ever noticed that most best-selling books have catchy, unique, and intriguing titles?
Take, for instance, Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.” It stands out from the rest because the title conveys a powerful message while setting the tone and content of the book at the same time.
Here are other books with original, intriguing, and memorable titles:
- Good Lookin’ Cookin’ by Dolly Parton and Rachel Parton George
- The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette For Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon
- “Me Talk Pretty One Day” by David Sedaris
- “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn
- “Why Fish Don’t Exist” by Lulu Miller
Why Do Book Titles Matter?
Book titles matter because, alongside the design of the book cover, they grab the attention of your intended target readers. They also set the tone and expectation and give a preview of your story and genre.
Remember, titles act as a preview of what your book is about. Is your title rigid and straight to the point (like you would see for a book meant to convey important information)? Or is your title humorous while mentioning love (perhaps for a rom-com)?
Tip: Aside from catching the attention of your readers, having a good book title is great for marketing purposes, whether you self-publish or get a literary agent.
Final Thoughts
Crafting a bestselling book title takes time, creativity, and a deep understanding of your writing. By using the strategies in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to crafting the title of your book that grabs the attention of readers and helps you stand out from the competition!
A book title generator is our final piece of wisdom. You can use this to start brainstorming, but who knows, you might find your perfect title in one click!
