Question on titles

[frisco]

I'm a bit nervous now because as I'm writing my work in progress I realize the title might likely be the title of another books. I don't mean to say that it's called "Jaws" or "The Exorcist", but there are an awful lot of books out there and the chances that this particular title has never been used before are pretty remote. I'm not sure I want to make it a major point on concern--i'd rather just focus on writing the actual book itself and worry about the title situation afterwards--but I am curious if it is permissible to have two books with the same title.

[TrickyFiction]

It's fine. And you're right, you shouldn't worry about it. I hear editors will even change titles sometimes. So don't spend too much time fretting over it. Finish the book first and let the title come later.

If you're curious, though, try looking for your title on Amazon. If it's not there, you're a little closer to safe.

[OremLK]

Titles cannot be copyrighted. You're fine.

That said, if there's an eminently recognizable book in the same genre, with the same title, you may want to change it. If you're a science fiction author, you probably don't want to title your story Dune, even if you could get away with it legally. (Your publisher wouldn't let you do it anyway, though.)

Titles are easy, though, in a way. You can always tool around with them for hours, trying different phrases from your own text, phrases from classic literature, single words, made-up phrases that describe your work... don't sweat it too much, because you can always decide on something else later.

[Mumut]

Google your title and see what comes up. My first book has the same title of one book written some years ago and a film screened in the 30's. I didn't change it for Australian publication but it sounds too much like another book published by my Canadian publisher so I've had to change the title there. But, as OremLK says, if you feel you need to change the title you can mess about with the present title until you are satisfied.

[johnzakour]

Like others said you're fine. If the title is a problem editors / publishers can change it.

Titles are important as they are often one of the main initial drawing points of a book, but they are never set in stone.

[Joe Moore]

The publisher always has the right to change your title, and usually does. Although they will consider your input, the final decision usually falls to the publisher's marketing & sales department, not the author. Good luck.

[Susan Gable]

It's fine. And you're right, you shouldn't worry about it. I hear editors will even change titles sometimes.

.

Not just editors have input on the title. The marketing department has huge input on the title.

For my February book, I sent my editor a list of 50 possible titles.

They went with something not on my list at all. LOL.

So, don't fret too much. It's a marketing tool. And like someone else said, you can't copyright a title, so....

It's all good.

Susan G.

[Juliette Wade]

I'd say, make sure the title has resonant, intriguing and revealing words in it, and has the best fit possible with the content of your book. Though the final title will be decided by committee, a fantastic title can help you hook an agent, while a bad one might even give them a bad start on your story content. Using Google is a good test. Just keep in mind that a repeated title will bring up the content of its last use in a reader's head - you'll need to decide if that is a good or a bad thing for your book.