I’d like to welcome Mimi Barbour to the Writer2Writer blog.
Mimi offered to blog about book titles, and how important they are in the process of selling your book. Thank you Mimi for your great offer!
Now, onto Mimi’s post:
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I wanted to blog about titles because of the experience I recently had just before the cover for my newest release “My Cheeky Angel” was designed. Thankfully, I caught it in time before the artist had finished it.
This is my story.
The day after I’d sent the information for my new book to the cover artist, I went to a workshop. Thankfully, the talk was about titles and whether they are important. The presenter gave us example after example of titles that really had no information in them. Titles like (I’m making these up) Steamy or The Long Road or Unforgettable.
Let’s face it, today’s media focuses on attracting people within a few seconds. We all know what the television commercials are like nowadays. Even the stimulation we often see on the computer is blinding with color – fast and to the point! It’s almost as if they know their window of opportunity to snag our attention is very short so they better make the best of it. Are they right? I know for myself, I don’t have a lot of time to browse.
Our speaker made us see that if the title of your book doesn’t tell the potential reader anything about your story, then he or she’s quite likely to turn to the next selection that does. If you’re lucky to have a cover that’s to the point, like My Cheeky Angel, which has an angel on the cover, then it might not matter, but what if that reader doesn’t see the cover? Would your title titillate, give them some clue as to what they’ll be reading about?
When it comes to buying books, often I haven’t even seen the cover, but if the title is catchy, it could grab my interest. I’m thinking of books like Eat, Pray and Love and My Sister’s Keeper to name a couple.
The group at this workshop did a little quiz with the book I’d just sent away for the new cover. At that time I was calling the story “Endless Possibilities”, which I thought suited the premise of a guardian angel quite well.
Once we asked for each person’s opinion around the table, the general consensus was that it was a book on self-motivation. Both the men and the women agreed. Then, after some discussion as to what the story involved, and a lot of brainstorming, we decided that “My Cheeky Angel” would be a perfect match.
Nowadays, many of the Indie authors have sole discretion on their titles and maybe some of us don’t give it enough attention. Keeping in mind this concept of letting the reader know something of what the story is about, it’s probably a good idea if we put a lot more thought into what we choose.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with titles? I’d love to hear your stories.
Please know that I love visiting with readers so come and say ‘Hi’ on my blog at http://mimibarbour.blogspot.com or on my website at http://www.mimibarbour.com/ and join my newsletter for a chance to win a free copy of my latest release.
Or follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/mimibarbour
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***Mimi is giving away two e-copies of her latest release. Leave your comment to be in the running!
Mimi’s latest release:
Annie Hynes is a tomboy. Naïve and love-starved, she’ll soon to be celebrating her big 3-0. Something needs to be done! Celi, her ‘down-to-earth’ guardian angel appears to help kick-start Annie’s big change—her looks, her job, her whole life. By taking a managerial position with a sophisticated shoe manufacturer, Annie becomes embroiled with her new associates and hooked on the power of big business. Unfortunately, her exhaustion from overwork forces her to ignore old friends, and her lapse places someone she cares about in terrible danger.
Social Worker, Tyler Jones, previously hurt in two relationships, signals disinterest in women, and only wants Annie in his life as a good buddy. Oh yeah! And to help with his mixed-up street kids. Perversely, once her life alters, he misses her like hell. In one sweet night of loving everything changes. But, due to an overabundance of nightcaps, she doesn’t remember the night he can’t forget.
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Here’s an excerpt of My Cheeky Angel by Mimi Barbour:
Excerpt: My Cheeky Angel
Monday morning, getting ready for the daycare became a major battle with a mocking, unseen presence. Every one of the outfits she normally wore got vetoed. Her overly casual clothes, strewn in every direction, indicated how few items in her closet would be appropriate for when she eventually became employed in a sophisticated office. The baggy style she’d stuck to for years concealed her body, and when a person strives to go unnoticed in the world, the tomboy look does the job. It isn’t chic, but it is safe.
“Didn’t anyone ever explain to you that a body such as yours warrants feminine attire?”
“A compliment? You must be in a good mood.” Annie had given up talking to Celi out loud when it was simpler and a lot less weird communicating with her mind.
“Don’t push it. I’m just sayin.”
“You must be the strangest angel in heaven. Just my luck to get a maverick.”
“Hey! I’m an Angel first class. Count yourself lucky.”
“Now I know you’re kidding. I watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ every Christmas, as I’m sure you’re aware of.”
Finally, settling on a pair of snug jeans she seldom wore, Annie wrestled over the choice of her top. A new white blouse hung from one hand, and the safer, often worn t-shirt fluttered from the other. She faced the mirror and waffled.
“Why did I ever buy this silly ruffled thing?” she grumbled.
“Because it’s pretty and modern, so wear the darn thing already.” Celi popped to life in her favorite yoga stance at the end of the unmade bed.
“Why don’t you have any wings? I’ve often wondered about that.”
“They’re at the drycleaners. Look, quit stalling and get dressed.”
“Why don’t you talk like other people? I can hear your words in my mind, but your lips don’t move.”
“Why, why, why. You’re worse than a child.”
Annie stopped what she was doing, stuck her hand on her hip, and glared at the diaphanous form.
“Fine. It takes enough energy to appear, why waste more speaking when I don’t have to?”
“It’s very disconcerting.”
“Quit stalling and put the blouse on.”
“You’re a bully!”
“And you’re beautiful. Look!” Magically, the garment draped her form. The white emphasized her tanned skin, and she had to admit that the new fashion suited her. She buttoned it and stepped back.
“It’s supposed to be worn with the top few buttons undone.”
She undid the first one.
“One more.”
“One button, okay! Two? That’s indecent.”
“Indecent? Give me a break. You look very much the way any twenty-nine-year old city girl in this century looks.”
It would be easier just to follow directions, she supposed. If she didn’t the button would unexplainably fall open all day long anyway. M
Before she could change her mind, she put on the earrings she’d bought to go with the blouse and slipped her feet into the fancy sandals that lay hidden in her closet after a shopping trip months earlier. She checked out her shiny cap of black hair, which had stiffened from the setting lotion applied earlier, and now stood up in a perky ‘do’. The darkness highlighted her unblemished skin, and brought her face to life.
Annie turned to Celi for final approval, but the angel had disappeared. “Thanks, Celi.” Only a faint fragrance of perfume answered. A scent Annie instantly fell in love with permeated the air around her hair. She’d have to ask Celi for the name of the product and wear it everywhere. It could be her personal smell for success.
A tinkling sound drew her attention to her dresser and there sat a tiny, rhinestone studded blue bottle.
“You’re the best Celi, you really are.”
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Buy My Cheeky Angel (Angels with Attitudes) on Amazon now!
Hi Mimi,
Great blog. Nice to meet a TWRP Vintage author here on Cheryl’s blog. You are so right about the title of a book. It can make your break your story.
Regards
Margaret
Great post, Mimi and Cheryl. I agree that the title has to grab a reader. It’s the first thing they see when browsing on a Kindle or NOOK.
Love the Cheeky Angel title. Much luck and many sales!
I agree on the importance of titles. When I’m browing in a bookstore, the cover art grabs me first, but if I’m shopping online at Chapters/Indigo, for example, it’s the title.
Enjoyed reading the excerpt.
Maggie´s last [type] ..Poor Tom is Cold by Maureen Jennings
Hi Mimi,
Your blog touched on one of my main concerns. I have two published books – one with a title I love and the other not so much. I was hoping for editorial assistance or suggestions for the second but my editor never mentioned it. Your post reminded me to try a little harder with my titles. SO many books out now have titles that bear no relationship to the stories. I’d rather mine not be among them.
Hi Margaret and Jerri,
How nice of you to come and visit. Since this is a self-
pubbed book, I don’t say too much about it on the TRWP loop, but I’m very proud of the work it took to accomplish it. And, I’m so glad that I changed the name at the last minute. Can’t believe how many people have said they loved the title.
The title is important. Your example of ‘endless possibilities’ is an excellent example of where the title means a totally different thing to readers. I’ll remember that one. Not sure if the title’s more important than the cover, though. I guess it all has to be a package to draw the reader in.
Greta´s last [type] ..Brahmani Kite
I wrote my first sale book as “Into the Woods,” mainly because I needed some sort of working title. When people would stress over the working title instead of critiquing the book, I kept the title–yeah, I can be pretty stubborn sometimes! Lauri Blasch at Black Opal Books gently pointed out it was as descriptive of the story as Into the Blue Frying Pan. Hmmm, okay. So I started to brainstorm with myself, and came up with four or five titles that seemed acceptable. When my fingers typed “My Killer, My Love” I got a “zing” and knew that was the right title.
I’d say yes on the title mattering even for e-books. Not so much on the cover, but a nice cover can certainly grab a reader’s eye when they’re scrolling through Amazon.
I agree titles are so important! They often attract me in a bookstore and make me pick up the book to see what it’s about.
In my own experience, my first published novel (a romantic suspense) had a working title of “Undercover Love”.
In the beginning I thought it was pretty good, as the male love interest was an undercover cop.
When I was writing the second last chapter, I typed dialogue by another character that included the words “saving Emma”. Those words jumped out at me as being much more descriptive, and a more appropriate title for the book.
Until that point I’d had nothing but rejections on the book. Changing the title and nothing but the title, my book was accepted by the next publisher it was submitted too.
Coincidence? I have no idea.
Thanks to everyone for all your great comments, and to Mimi for a terrific post.
Keep those comments coming – we love to hear your opinion!
I loved reading all your comments and how titles made a difference in your work. Since I wrote this blog, I’ve paid a lot more attention to the books I see out there online, and I truly believe that the importance is huge.
And you’ve all confirmed it for me!
Thanks so much for joining in.
Love you guys…xo
Hi Mimi and Cheryl,
Great blog – and I also agree that titles can really draw a reader to look at your book (as can a great cover).
Great topic.
Thanks for the informative blog. I agree the title is important, it should tell you what the books about and encourage the purchaser to buy the book. It’s disappointing if you’re expecting a particular read and feel let down. But I do also read the blurb and maybe some of the first page if it’s not an author I know or a genre I usually read.
Thanks Mini and Cheryl.
Mimi and Cheryl,
Thanks for the informative blog. And so true about the all important title of a book.
Regards
Elvina
Serena, Margaret and Elvina I thank you for your most welcome comments. I’m glad that the consensus is that we authors must take more care with the titles we choose…to give the reader a small window into what the story is about.
Congratulations to Jerrie Alexander and Margaret Midwood! I will be contacting them shortly to send them their free copies of ‘My Cheeky Angel’.
Once again ladies, thank you so much for your comments.
xoxo
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Thank you for the very informative writeup. in my experience things are usually more complicated. time will tell