What's in a book title?

A little while ago, over on Instagram, I started a discussion about novel titles and what draws readers in.

Readers judge books not only by their covers, but by their titles. I hate to admit it but I’ve skipped over books (and Netflix shows) with titles that don’t appeal.

Here are some reasons why title are important:

• Titles inform the cover art of books. Cover art entices the reader. It is the first piece of marketing the reader lays eyes on. The title and therefore the cover act as a shortcut to give the reader an idea of the story, the genre, and what wild ride (or not) they are in for.
• Titles need to fit their genre. For example, you’d assume “Home is where the heart is” is a romance rather than a crime novel (although if it was a dark twisted cover, it might fit into the crime section!). You’d reasonably surmise that “Death on Danger Street” is not a young readers chapter book.
• Titles (like covers) need to give the reader a hint at what the book is about – or at least draw them in enough to make them stop and read the blurb.
• Titles need to be unique, memorable and easy to say. No-one likes to walk into a bookshop mumbling over “that book with that really long word in the title”.

So…now to my novel. I thought I didn’t care that much about the title, and I am very aware that catchy titles are not my strong suit, but after my publisher suggested a re-title of THE FUNDRAISER to something which lends itself better to the domestic thriller genre where it sits, I have almost sent myself (and everyone around me) insane.

After much to-in and fro-ing between me, the publisher, my friends, my agent, the sales and marketing team and probably the local milkbar owner, we have agreed on a title. Drumroll please….

SOMEONE ELSE’S CHILD

We are confident this will reach the right readership and feel it creates intrigue. I hope you do, too! You can read more about the details of what Someone Else’s Child is about over here.

Let me know your thoughts!