Yesterday I printed out the almost final draft of my new book. It is tentatively called POPULAR BY ASSOCIATION. That’s how it will go to my agent anyway. I’ve learned a bit about titles lately though. My agent’s assistant contacted me last week to ask if I minded if we changed the fabulous (I’m the one who thinks it’s fabulous) title I had chosen for my first book which will go out sometime in the near future. I said okay because I’m easy to work with. Also, she assured me that once I have an editor I might be able to suggest the fabulous title then. We did come up with one I really like though, so it’s all good.
Things to remember when choosing a title:
1. Quirky is fun, but clever or wordplay can backfire by being distracting.
2. KISS – Keep It Simple Sweetie
3. Hard to say or hard to remember doesn’t help you, even if it is very, very clever/funny.
4. (I learned this on my own earlier) Imagine people asking you the name of your book…say it out loud…how does it sound? Or better yet, don’t imagine it, actually do it. I had what I thought was a fabulous title for one book and every time I told people what it was, they’d say, “Huh? What was it again?” On paper it looked great, but verbally it sucked. You’re going to say it a lot, so make sure it’s something that you enjoy saying and don’t have to spell out or explain.
5. Think about possible reviews and how they can slam you by making a play on your words. For example, I had a book called NOT SO GREAT EXPECTATIONS. It was clever and appropriate because the character didn’t expect anything to work out in her life AND the book GREAT EXPECTATIONS was a running theme throughout my novel. However, when I got a rejection from an editor and she referred to the book’s title in her letter as “NOT SO GREAT”, I began to see the headlines for nasty reviews! That title was changed quickly.
Are you good at picking titles? If not, how do you come up with one?
P.S. I’ve heard (although I haven’t seen it yet) that my article Red Hair is not as Uncommon as You Think – Twenty things that show up in YA over and over again is in the new SCBWI bulletin. Check it out and tell me what you think!
Hey Joelle,
Loved your article and wanted to ‘friend’ you on lj. But I can keep track of you here, too.
Had to laugh at your #1 – I critiqued a friend (and very talented one at that)’s manuscript and when I told her I thought the list thing had been done b4, she was bummed. Then I started 2nd guessing myself. Glad to see I was right!
Titles- having my own struggle.
Found one that several people involved like – now just to convince one more person!
Crossing my fingers:)
Write on!
Hi, Joelle! I just wanted to make friends because I really enjoyed your “Redheads” article in the Bulletin. It was an especially meaty issue – and I promise I’m not just saying that because I have an article in there, too (about MySpace, lol). Great job! It’s funny, I notice those things on a subconscious level (Oh great, another Hannah! Another parent and/or teen writer!), but you really nailed them. I’m actually starting my second YA right now, so it was perfect timing. I feel like I mostly dodged the bullet with the first. Hopefully. I’m waiting to see what happens with it. Good luck with your writing adventures, and thanks for responding!
Holly