Finding the right title for your story is more of a process than you might think. 

Titles vary as much as the styles of writers. Some titles are short, especially in certain genres. Other titles are longer; primarily explanatory titles found in academic journals. Whatever a writer’s genre and audience, a title is powerful leverage for enticing a reader into your work. A working title helps direct and shape the story – but can be refined as the story moves along. Readers notice titles as much as they notice covers.

Writers will want to consider these questions.

Does my title need to meet certain parameters?

Within a particular publishing outlet, follow the expected length, style, and word choice in the titles. For books, titles may also aim to evoke a certain mood, setting a hook. Think about the number of allotted characters in an entry blank for a contest submission – on the cover or – on the spine. Consider general parameters that might exist for your project.

Does my title need articles and prepositions?

Small words may or may not be necessary for a title. The word ‘A an, the’ are articles, and directional words like ‘in, of, on’ are prepositions. These words can add clarity to titles. Consider the stylistic differences of eliminating them: 

  • The Quick and the Dead vs. Quick and Dead
  • Into Thin Air vs. Thin Air
  • In Cold Blood vs. Cold Blood

Slight changes like this can help a writer choose the title that ultimately achieves the desired impact.

Does my title need punctuation?

Since punctuation carries meaning, different marks can create different effects next to words. Consider these titles with punctuation:

  • Play it Again, Sam
  • Are You There God?
  • It’s Me, Margaret
  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Comma usage can create a bold statement, as can other marks of punctuation. Maybe your title needs a subtitle. Subtitles offer a greater explanation to readers. A subtitle is separated from the title with a colon. On a book cover, a subtitle may be in a smaller font. 

  • You Just Don’t Understand: Men and Women in Conversation
  • Loose Woman: Poems
  • Tess of the d’Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented

Consider whether or not you need a double title. 

  • Moby Dick; or, The Whale
  • The Tempest; or, The Enchanted Island
  • Blood Meridian; or, The Evening Redness in the West

Double titles are memorable, and they are certainly stylistic.

Numbers, foreign words, or unique characters?

Titles can include more than words.

  • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
  • Miracle on 34th Street
  • #Girlboss

The use of numbers, foreign words, or unique characters may affect alphabetizing or indexing in libraries. Standards for punctuating titles will differ based on style guides. If including your title inside the story or if writing it in other forms of correspondence, default to the preferred style guide for the situation. Titles are subjective. Ultimately, writers need to be comfortable with their titles. Try different combinations and consider the questions above, they can help ensure they leverage titles to their fullest potential.

You will know when you have a good title. To quote a line from When Harry Met Sally, “you know the way you know about a good melon.”

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“Linda has published twenty books. She blogs about the publishing world, posts useful tips on the challenges a writer faces, including marketing and promoting your work, how to build your online platform, how to get reviews and how to self-publish. She has mentored many authors and edited their work.” 

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