Create a Compelling Title

One of the biggest errors I see with book proposals is the author has put little or no effort into the title for their book. They have thrown some words on the page or even submit with the words “working title.”

The title for your book should be three to five words that snap the editor’s head around and hook them into reading your proposal. It should also tell the editors what the book is about. Many first-time authors are concerned when they read the standard book contract which normally says the publisher selects the title for the book. If you have a great deal of personal attachment to your own idea for a book title, I’d encourage you to get over it. The book publisher has a far greater financial investment in the actual production costs of the book; thus, he is the final authority on the title. I always tell beginning writers that if you create a great title, it will stick throughout the consideration process. As you write your book proposal to sell, your task is to find the perfect title for your book—along with several alternative titles.

For example, I created the title Lessons from the Pit for our original book proposal that eventually received a book contract. The publisher added a lengthy subtitle, but the original short title stuck throughout the entire process.

Many times, I’ve created the title for my book and it’s been ultimately used—even though in my contract I gave the final authority over to the publisher. In particular, my nonfiction children’s book titles have remained the same. For one of these books, I wrote a short-retold Bible story about Paul and Silas in jail entitled A Strange Place to Sing. You have to admit that singing when you are thrown into jail is a strange reaction, but it’s exactly what the apostle Paul and his traveling companion Silas did in the book of Acts. A short story about Jesus and the children was titled Never Too Busy. This title illustrated the central theme that Jesus Christ is never too busy for a child (or an adult). Simple titles usually will stay throughout the entire publishing process—particularly if they are central to the content of your book.

Another factor to consider in choosing titles is whether any other book already has this or a similar title. The book publisher will look at your title with this perspective in mind. It doesn’t make sense for salesmen to present a new book to a retailer, only to have the retailer say, “Isn’t that like this book over here?” Because you can’t copyright a title, two different publishers can issue a book with the exact same title.

Years ago, I found an example of this in the fiction area. (It also happens in nonfiction.) One of the popular genres of fiction is called “Chick Lit.” Kristen Billerbeck’s novel, What A Girl Wants (Thomas Nelson), was released on March 7th in an original paperback. Later, while reading a monthly newsletter at a bookstore, I spotted the same title—from a different author and a different publisher—What A Girl Wants (NAL Trade) by Liz Maverick—a paperback novel released on March 2nd. As much as possible, publishers attempt to avoid this confusing situation.

Even without the same title, you can count on readers to confuse your book title and sometimes recall a wrong word or two. Yet you still want the retailer to be able to locate your book and sell it. Put the necessary time and energy into researching and creating an excellent title but offer several alternative titles as well.

Book publishing is not a solitary task; rather, it is a matter of consensus building. As the author, you have to convince an editor to believe in your book and champion it internally. This editor then has to convince a room full of publishing executives that they need to publish your book. In the title process, give your editor the ammunition he needs to convince the others.

An excellent title is a factor you need to consider thoughtfully before you submit your proposal. Brainstorm a series of possible titles. After years at working for Morgan James Publishing, I know your title ideas will be much more valued and accepted than at most traditional publishers. A key part of your book proposal creation is a compelling title.

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in California. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. Get a free copy of his proposal book (follow the link). Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook, his blog and LinkedIn.