Before I started writing, I assumed that authors were in full control of things like titles and covers. Little did I know that there is an entire team of publishing professionals that weigh in on these kind of decisions. Self-published authors have much more autonomy, of course, but those of us who write for traditional publishing houses must remain flexible when it comes to titles, because they often change.
A title is much like a cover where books are concerned. It is the first impression a book makes on a reader. It evokes emotion, theme, and genre in just a handful of words. Sometimes, only one. This makes it incredibly important. I am so thankful that I am not alone in making such an impactful decision. I have experts in marketing and sales, editors who know my story, and other creatives who brainstorm together with me to come up with the perfect title for each project.
I enjoy creating titles. I also have a tendency to get rather attached to my working titles. No one wants to change the name of their child right before delivery. But sometimes, it’s the right move. I’ve been fortunate to have several of my working titles be accepted as final titles by my publishing team.
Short-Straw Bride
A Worthy Pursuit
No Other Will Do
At Love’s Command
The Heart’s Charge
And nearly all of my novellas kept their working titles.
Many of my titles were still my own creation but came after my publisher asked for additional name choices to consider. I went back to the drawing board and sometimes sought brainstorming help from readers and author friends.
Jericho’s Fall —- A Tailor-Made Bride
Stealing the Parson —- Stealing the Preacher
Love’s Legacy —- Full Steam Ahead
Down to the Wire —- Heart on the Line
Eyes of the Beholder —- More Than Meets the Eye
And some of my titles were not created by me at all, but were devised by my brilliant editorial team.
Cloud by Day —- Head in the Clouds
Eden’s Garden —- To Win Her Heart
More Than She Bargained For —- More Than Words Can Say
I’m currently writing Book 3 of my Hanger’s Horsemen series, and a couple weeks ago my publishing team met to decide on a title for the story. My working title was A Warrior’s Devotion, and I have to admit that I was more than a little attached to it. It had the same rhythm and form of the previous two titles (At Love’s Command; The Heart’s Charge) and it had that slight military flavor that I wanted to keep. However, there was one key difference between this title and the previous series titles that my publishing team noticed. A Warrior’s Devotion referred to a PERSON where the other titles referred to more abstract entities like LOVE and HEART. For consistency sake, they wanted to keep the abstract focus. Unfortunately, most of the title options I supplied them used a person reference.
They brainstormed amongst themselves and came up with a new recommendation – The Force of Attraction. I certainly have attraction happening in the story between the main characters, but the love story itself is actually very gentle, so using the word “Force” didn’t sit well with me. Plus “attraction” felt a little superficial. This title just wasn’t ringing my bell. On the bright side, though, I now knew what they were looking for in a title. So I brainstormed a new series of options for them to consider. Ones that focused on the abstract but still had ties to military themes. Most of my proposed titles contained terms like duty, defense, courage, and protection. My favorite was Determined to Defend because it captured the hero’s character so perfectly. However, it didn’t have the cool ‘s pattern that the other titles possessed. In the end, they selected one of my other suggestions, one that was probably my second favorite. So I am very excited to share with you the official title for Luke Davenport’s story . . .
In Honor’s Defense
What do you think of the new title for Book 3?
How much impact does the title of a book play when you are browsing for a new read?
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You’ve stated the sometimes frustrating process of naming a book so well! I have titles I love and titles I am not very fond of. But publishers can see problems that we can’t.
So true, Lynn. I’m thankful to have help in this process.
I am so excited to hear you are writing Luke story. I have loved the Hanger’s Horsemen series. I have to admit the title doesn’t always impact my decision as much as the cover. Lately I have passed on several new novels because the cover did not appeal to me. And it goes without saying, the Author also plays in my decision. Looking forward to reading Luke’s story.
Thanks, Jocelyn. My manuscript is due by the middle of August, so I’m in the homestretch of writing it. Getting closer to Luke’s happily ever after. 🙂
I love this title! I think it was an excellent choice. I like that “Honor” and “Defense” bring to mind the military theme you were looking for, and I like how the words in the title itself flow in the same way that the other two titles did.
I agree, Emily. I’m happy with the final choice. I had to rename my document files to help me get used to seeing it. Slowly but surely I’m starting to think of it as the new name instead of the old one. 😉
I keep thinking about this (since the topic came up in The Posse). I think titles are very important and I agree that it’s right up there with cover art in how it grabs someone’s attention. That being said, when I see the title your editorial team came up with, I am expecting the heroine to be named Honor. Hmmm, I’m still attached to your original working title, but maybe that’s just me.
You’re not alone, Colleen. 🙂 And I can certainly see where having the heroine named Honor would make sense with this title. I think of it more like defending her honor instead of defending Honor. And now that I know the title, I’m trying to work in a few few subtle nods to “honor” in the narrative. We’ll see how it goes!
So interesting! Thanks for sharing how titles are created and how it played out for prior novels.
You’re welcome, Staci. It was actually fun for me to go back and try to remember what my original titles were for some of my older books. there were one or two I had to actually hunt through old notes to find. How quickly we forget. Oh, maybe just me. 🙂
I have enjoyed so many of your books, and look forward to reading those I’ve missed. I can so understand why you liked your title of choice, A Warrior’s Devotion. It’s so strong, and yet comforting all at the same time. I also think the title you settled on, In Honor’s Defense shares those same qualities! And, well…I can’t wait to read it when it comes out!! Thank you for sharing some of the behind-the-scene experiences of writing and publishing.
Thank you for your kind words, Lynn!
I love that title! Very interesting to get a “behind-the-scenes” look at the process.
I’m so thankful to have many creative minds at work besides just mine. 🙂
I thoroughly enjoyed this post, Karen! My experience with hitting upon the right title for a book has been very much the same as yours.
I think the new title is great!
p.s. The hero of my May 2022 release is also named Luke. EVERY romance writer worth her salt must have a hero of that name! 😉
Awesome! We’ll have to get our Lukes together for some kind of fun release party. 🙂
I love the new title. I can’t wait to read the book. Although I wouldn’t say the title is the first thing I look for; first is the author, then synopsis, cover design, and finally, I read the title. I would read your books even if the title left something to be desired. 😛
Not to say I don’t love a good title. You’re right, it is like naming your babies, when I title my stories it is very important to me what the title says. They have to convey the story’s message in a few words.
Can’t wait to read Luke’s story! Thank you for a window into your creative energies.
I agree with your order of importance in selecting a book, Gena. If it is by a favorite author, cover design and cover don’t matter nearly so much. And thanks for your sweet words!
Karen, the new title is fantastic! I can’t wait to read Luke’s story in book 3 of Hanger’s Horsemen!
Personally, for me as a reader- I feel bad saying this, but title doesn’t necessarily impact if I chose to read a book. If I’m drawn to the cover then I’ll read the back of the book to see if it’s something I might want to read. I feel bad saying that because I’m sure it’s hard to come up with a title.
I tend to remember covers & if the book is part of a series.
Seeing as it’s crunch time before you submit book 3 how can we as readers help you? 😉📚
Thanks for your perspective, Emilee. I will admit that for me, a poor title doesn’t bear much weight if I love the synopsis and cover. However, there have been several times that a particularly clever title has gotten me to pick up a book that I normally would have passed by, so maybe there’s a bit of advantage to a good title. 🙂
Thank you for your sweet question about how to help. At this point, I just need to buckle down and get the work done. 🙂
I love these horsemen! I think the title will be just fine. I just finished reading The Heart’s Charge and loved it! I’m sorry the next one is so far off.
The title is very important! It’s usually the first thing that catches my eye and attention. In Honor’s Defense is brilliant for Luke’s story! Love it and am anxiously awaiting it’s release! Thanks for the great stories!!
In Honor’s Defense makes me think of a chivalry 😉. I can’t wait until your next book is released. I remember the first book of yours I read was Head in the Clouds. The title caught my attention and to this day it still makes me smile. The cover complimented it, but for me title first. However, after an author catches my attention, you could pretty much call it anything you want and I’ll put it in my wish list (I have to wait shortly before release before I preorder because more than once I’ve received two copies on release day😂).
Thank you for sharing your journey.
In Honors Defense sounds great. I am not one to care for the title so much as the cover. The cover catches my eye first and then I read the blurb. If it is something I’m interested in I can tell from the blurb. My favorite authors it doesn’t matter that much because I know it’s going to be good. I give a lot of 5 star reviews because before I start a book I can if I’m going to like it. I’m very rarely wrong in my taste of books. Only a couple times I have not liked a book. If it’s interesting at all I will enjoy because I love to read.