So, it turns out that my editor doesn’t like the title of my fourth book.
Sigh.
I was actually lucky with my first three books, The Raven Prince, The Leopard Prince, and The Serpent Prince (out in September,) because I got to keep the titles I’d chosen. I didn’t have to deal with trying to come up with a new title. Now, don’t laugh. Picking a book title is not only serious business, it’s a lot harder than you would think.
For instance, my editor wants a “strong” title. A title that’s succinct and sophisticated. Oh, and it’d be nice if the title also conveyed the fact that the book is an historical romance. I find myself wandering the aisles of my local bookstore contemplating “strong.” What exactly does that mean?
Apparently, I have no clue.
I do have the title rumors that everyone seems to know. A man in the title (The Duke’s Proposal) is supposed to sell better. Alliteration (Secrets of Seduction) is nice. And of course short titles are usually just printed bigger on the book (Lord Sin.)
The sad thing is, I’m terrible about remembering titles. I was so glad when Lisa Kleypas’ books came out with a nice season memory prompt (It Happened One Autumn, Devil in Winter.) Prior to that, I could never tell Kleypas’ book titles apart, they just all sounded the same to my ear (Then Came You, Again the Magic.) I used to have a horrible time remembering which books I’d already read. Well, except for Lady Sophia’s Lover. Even I could tell that one was about Lady Sophia—and her lover.
Help me out here. What are your favorite titles? Which are your least favorite? And how important to you are book titles in deciding whether or not to read the book? Let me know and I’ll pick one commenter to win an autographed copy of The Leopard Prince!
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Hi Elizabeth, I just love your books. The raven Prince was my favorite title.
My other faves are :
The Viscount Who Loved Me Meet Me at Midnight
Secret to Seduction Heartless
Too Wicked to Tame Untie My Heart
Not Quite a Lady Your Wicked Ways
The Devil’s Waltz
Devil Takes a Bride
The Devil Who Tamed Her
My Least faves:
As You Desire
Cowboy for Christmas
The Overlords Bride
I love reading historical and contemproary romances, so sometimes a title catches my eye. But if it’s a author I know I’ll automactically get it. I do look at the titles but to be honest Elizabeth it’s the excerpt I usually read to go by unless it’s one of my fave authors.
by Kimberly L
on May 17th, 2007 at 7:20 am
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For me it’s the blurb and the writer which make me decide whether I read the book or not. Even if the title or the cover wouldn’t be so great. There have been some, but I can’t remember a one single title I would have considered as bad one, but some of my favorite titles have been:
Familiar Stranger
Forever Mine
Soul of the Wolf
by Minna
on May 17th, 2007 at 8:00 am
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Hi Elizabeth. I am currently reading The Leopard Prince and I love it. Loved the The Raven Prince too.
I can’t think of any titles that are my favorites. I tend to be more interested in the plot than the title.
by Crystal B.
on May 17th, 2007 at 8:28 am
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I love titles, and I think they are VERY important. I like short two or one word titles. But I also like the twist on familiar titles.
Some favorites
Stray by Rachel Vincent
Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
Inferno by me
JR Ward I think hit the motherlode on her titles… Lover Eternal, Dark Lover, etc.
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison
by Vivi Anna
on May 17th, 2007 at 10:01 am
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Oh geez, I’m not all that good with titles. LOL If it’s books that people talk about alot, then I remember them, but otherwise, nope. I don’t know if men in titles sell better, but I know if I can browse the books in a store besides getting those on my list, a title will catch my eye because I know chances are, it’s a English based historical.
But you know what I like with titles. . . the best example of this is James Bond movie titles, but I’ve seen it in books too. . . when the title is uttered. I remember plenty of Bond movies they do that. And I get a kick out of it. . . even when I catch it in a book too.
Yep, I know, I have no life. LOL
Lois
by Lois
on May 17th, 2007 at 11:58 am
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I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one bad at remembering titles. This may explain why I’ve bought books by auto-buy authors that I already had just because the publisher re-released the book with a new cover. I learned the hard way that you can only trust the back cover of a book.
I think titles that include a characters name are if not memorable for me, are recognizable for me. I try not to judge a book by its cover or title, because sometimes they can both mislead you.
by Sue A.
on May 17th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
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I’m terrible at remembering titles. I blame it on my children. I feel that raising them has fried my brain to such a degree that the title has to be different and unique and even then I could draw a blank. I do remember some of Loretta Chase’s books: Lord of Scoundrels, Mr. Impossible, My Lord Perfect. One of my favorites is Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly.
by Maureen
on May 17th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
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Some of my favorite titles are Guardian of Honor by Robin Owens, Shadows of Myth by Rachel Lee, Raintree: Inferno by Linda Howard. I feel the title should reflect the story in some way. Have to admit however that a great cover will catch my interest in a book faster than a great title.
by Cherie Japp
on May 17th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
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I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who forgets titles!
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Titles that tickled:
A Restless Knight
A Man of Many Talents
The Bride and the Beast
Not so fond:
The Fires of Paradise
Untamed
Tender is the Storm
I often forget titles and that is why I have a mini notebook that I have written down titles and authors I am interested in. This I carry with me in my fanny pack and so have handy if I pop into a booksore.
by Little Lamb Lost
on May 17th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
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That’s a hard question. It’s kind of an individual thing. I hate overused titles - bride, baby, etc. or absolutely too cutsey, or books with the same titles. If it doesnt click with me then I never remember it’s name - longer titles are harder to remember. One or two words are nice.
by catslady
on May 17th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
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you’re right it is hard to forget titles, just not the authors. LOL Which is a good thing.
by Kimberly L
on May 17th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
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I’m not that good with titles like you. I don’t remember them. I have a list I keep the books I have read on. Titles don’t have much influence on my buying. I like the title, Lord of Seduction, Long Lean and Leathal and Forever in Your Embrace. I can’t find any that I would say I didn’t really like.
by Karen G
on May 17th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
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Hi Elizabeth. Love reading your books. Especially The Raven Prince. I’ve read so many titles I couldn’t possibly remember them all. It’s the book or the title that gets my attention most of the time.
by Ann C
on May 17th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
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I like titles that are memorable, relatable like: Julia London’s Material Girl, SEP’s Fancy Pants, Lori Wilde’s Mission: Irresistable, Susan Mallory’s Sizzling,Suzanne Brockman Heart Throb, Janelle Denison’s The Wilde One, Allison Kent’s:All Tied Up, Bound To Happen and No Strings Attached…
I don’t like titles that have already been used.
It’s definitely the story on the back that makes the sale for me!
by Laurie G
on May 18th, 2007 at 5:30 am
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Elizabeth, love your books (and your titles too). I don’t think titles are too important, but they are useful just like cover art in catching a new reader’s eye and peaking her interest. I think good titles are short, catchy and tell something about the story. The worst thing a title can be is boring.
by Lauren
on May 18th, 2007 at 7:04 am
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I don’t have any particular favorite titles(although “Follow the Stars Home” was a great title 
)…but in general, my favorite titles pertain to part of the book! I have read books where after reading it in its entirety I have no idea why that title was chosen. As long as the title has some symbolism for the book, I like it!
by Kathleen
on May 18th, 2007 at 11:10 am
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Hmm. Sounds like I need to go back to the drawing board with my search for a title. 
But in the meantime, my assistant has picked SUE A. to win an autographed copy of THE LEOPARD PRINCE. Sue, please contact me via my website with your snail mail and I’ll send the book to you!
And thank you to everyone for participating!
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Oh wow! Thank you so much Elizabeth! I love being surprised like this.
Have a great weekend everyone!
by Sue A.
on May 18th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
