Deciding on a book title can be one of the most stressful parts of the publishing process.
Do you need to make the decision before you start writing? After the manuscript is complete? Just before publication? When you choose to finalize your title has a huge impact on your success.
There’s some good news though: There is an optimal time to finalize your book title to give yourself the best chance of success.
In this article, we’ll break down:
- Why most authors make the mistake of finalizing their titles at the wrong time
- The four key stages in the book-writing process that titles are finalized
- How to properly test and validate a book title before committing
The Problem With Picking a Title Too Early
The mistake first-time authors tend to make is… finalizing their book title before they’ve written a single word.
I get it. Picking a title makes you feel like you’re actually making progress. You now have a name you can share with others. You can start creating social media buzz. Plus, there’s nothing more satisfying than slapping that title on your Amazon author page.
But here’s the issue…
As you write your book, the title and its direction are going to change. Themes you thought were the center of the book might lose their importance. Clever wordplay and twists you planned out won’t work. The concept that made you want to write the book in the first place may change completely by the end of chapter 10.
And when that happens, you’re stuck marketing a book with a title that no longer fits.
So, how can you make sure you give your title the time and attention it needs without getting paralyzed by indecision?
Let’s break it down stage by stage…
Stage 1: Early Writing Process / Brainstorming Phase
The beginning of a project is a fantastic time to come up with lots of title ideas. But it’s still far too early to commit to one of them. Keep your title a working placeholder at this stage to keep your head on track.
This is also where a book title generator can come in handy for inspiring you to look at your topic from different angles. Playing around with title options early on is a great way to explore your ideas before you’ve written yourself into a corner.
Keep a note of potential titles in a notebook or on your phone as you brainstorm. Don’t evaluate them yet, just collect them.
Give yourself lots of options with the freedom to pivot.
Stage 2: Halfway Through First Draft
Halfway through the first draft is where most authors start to hit reality.
By now, you’ve written enough to know your book is not the book you thought it was going to be. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the working title you’ve been using accurately reflect the current manuscript?
- Have your central themes shifted in an unexpected direction?
- Would a stranger be able to guess what this book is about after seeing the title?
If the answer is “no” to any of these questions, you need to start thinking about new titles.
But don’t put too much pressure on this process. You’re still in the creation phase and it’s completely normal for things to change.
Stage 3: Post-Draft Market Research Phase
Now you’re getting serious…
After the first draft is completed, it’s time to start testing your title options in the real world. This is the critical research stage that most authors skip and the reason their titles don’t sell.
Did you know that over 90% of self-published books ever sell less than 100 copies in their lifetime? Weak titles are a big reason why.
Start by doing some market research. Visit Amazon and read through the bestsellers in your genre. Are there patterns or trends in their titles? Do they use numbers, questions, short phrases, or something else entirely?
Your title doesn’t need to directly mimic other popular titles in your genre… But your potential title should work within the conventions of the books your readers are used to buying.
Next, test out your top title options with your ideal readers. Share them with beta readers or writing groups. Instead of asking “which one do you like best?”, ask them to tell you what they think the book is about from the title alone.
Their answers will tell you everything you need to know.
Stage 4: Final Title Decision
You’ve written the book. You’ve revised the book. You’ve done your market research.
Now it’s time to make a decision.
For most authors, the ideal time to finally settle on a title is 3-6 months before publication. This gives you enough time to design your cover, print any marketing materials, and start building buzz.
Keep in mind that most successful authors change their title at least once during the writing process. There’s nothing wrong with pivoting when you realize something isn’t working.
When to Finalize Your Book Title in Traditional Publishing
If you are pursuing traditional publishing, this timing shifts dramatically. You need to know one important fact…
Chances are, your publisher is going to change your title.
Publishers are in the business of making money and the last thing they want is for a new author to walk in and hand over a book with a title that isn’t optimized for sales.
Publishers have years of sales data and marketing departments staffed with professionals. If you’ve managed to get your foot in the door with a traditional publisher, they know better than you what sells.
Translation: Don’t agonize over a perfect title if you are still in the query stage with literary agents. Pick a solid title and get an agent to sell the book. They will help you pick a great title once the book is sold.
Red Flags That Your Title Needs More Work
Keep these warning signs in mind as you’re testing your title options:
- People ask you what your book is about every time you share the title
- Your title is extremely similar to multiple bestsellers published in the last two years
- Your title is too long / too short / too generic
- You no longer love saying it out loud
Any of these warning signs mean it’s time to go back to the drawing board.
Tools and Techniques for Testing Your Book Title
In addition to AI tools, there are other methods for testing book titles:
- Share a poll on social media with your top title options
- Search each title on Amazon and see what shows up
- Google each title and look for conflicts
- Say each title out loud over and over to see if it rolls off the tongue
The Bottom Line About Timing and Book Titles
Picking a title can make you anxious, but don’t overthink it.
Generate options early in the process. Reassess your options halfway through writing. Conduct market research when you’re complete with your first draft. Make your final decision 3-6 months before publishing.
Keep in mind that even with 782 million print books sold in 2024, standing out from the crowd takes more than a great title. But choosing the right title is your first opportunity to capture the attention of a reader.
Key Takeaways for Book Titles
The title decision isn’t meant to paralyze you. Keep generating ideas throughout the writing process. Validate your favorite options with real readers before locking it in.
And remember… you know your book better than anyone. Trust your instincts.
Stop worrying about the title and get back to writing.
