Why is a book’s title so important?

Why is a book’s title so important?

Never underestimate the power of a book’s title. It’s the first impression a reader gets of your writing, so it should never be an afterthought — which is why you’re going to start brainstorming ideas now, before you’ve even begun to write the story and while its big picture elements are still fresh in your mind.

Whether you intend to self-publish or go the traditional route, your book’s title will be one of the most powerful marketing tools you have at your disposal. It has the power to get a browsing reader’s attention — even if the cover isn’t spectacular, a good title can lure a reader in enough that they want to find out more about the story. They might pick up the book and read the blurb, perhaps open to the first page, and suddenly, your story has a chance to entice them. 

Check out this list of eye-catching, clever and distinctive book titles on Goodreads and tell me you wouldn’t be interested in reading some of them! My favourites are:

❤ I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley

❤ The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

❤ As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

❤ How to Shit in the Woods: An Environmentally Sound Approach to a Lost Art by Kathleen Meyer (I mean, c’mon! What camper wouldn’t buy that book?)

And look at the first two comments from readers:

Like I said, never underestimate the power of a book’s title.