How do I craft the perfect title for my story?

A great technique for brainstorming titles is to answer generic questions about your story. Consider these examples:

Who is the novel about?

  • Example: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  • Example: The French Photographer by Natasha Lester

What is the novel about?

  • Example: The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
  • Example: Truths I Never Told You by Kelly Rimmer

When does your novel take place?

  • Example: While You Were Reading by Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus
  • Example: Summer of Serenity by Nicola Marsh

Where does your novel take place?

  • Example: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
  • Example: The Cafe by the Bridge by Lily Malone

Another technique for brainstorming titles is to use a phrase that gets the reader asking questions, such as:

  • Example: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (Do they, though?)
  • Example: Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes (What does Rachel need to do again?)

Or you might get in touch with your inner Emily Dickinson and brainstorm titles that are a little more poetic, like these:

  • Example: House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
  • Example: Go Tell the Bees that I am Gone by Diana Gabaldon