Titles....

Okay, let's face it, whether we like it or not, readers initially are attracted to a book by the cover or the title (if you're not a famous name or someone they are already familiar with).

I'm a sucker for a time travel, so when I was in the local Walgreens and saw Tumbling Through Time I had to pick it up, even though the cover didn't jazz me that much. I read a bit and brought the book home, because the writing delivered, IMHO, on the promise of the title. This is from a debut author, so that makes it even more fun. I love discovering new, favorite authors, so looking forward to diving into the book and hoping it does all it promises.

But it did make me think about my titles. Do they say "pick me up?"

Because I'm not in marketing, I really have no idea. I pick them because they suit the book or tell the reader something about the story. For instance, my new release The Key is perfectly titled for the premise. Keys are very important throughout the story, in a variety of ways. The same could be said for Missing You. That title works on a lot of levels, but I don't know if it makes people pick the book up and read a bit of it.

Because if they don't pick the book up, if they don't try it, they probably won't buy.

So basically all this puts the author part of me at odds with the business/marketing person. My next book is tenatively titled Invasion, which is, I think, going to work for the book thematically, but doesn't even hint at the humor, the high adventure, the romance of the book. It's possible that in the writing, another title will float to the top, but it's bound to be more about the book and less about selling the book.

So, what's your take on it? Do you prefer books with pick-me-up titles or books that fit the theme and style of the story?

And wouldn't be wonderful if you could find a title that does both?

Perilously yours,
Pauline

Pauline Baird Jones
The Key, Fall/2007, LL Dreamspell

“Dang.” Briggs looked at her. “I said it before and I’ll say it again. You fly like a girl.”

Sara grinned. “I crash like one, too.”