Do you judge a book by its title?

Darrach · Aug 11, 2012

I'm calling my WIP "Tainted" for now. It's an adult fantasy novel, but people have told me that it sounds like a vampire story (it's not - I don't know enough about vamps to include them in my writing).

Does this happen to you? Do you do this with other titles?

Kerosene · Aug 11, 2012

Titles are important because they allow the reader a very small, by highly detailed view into the story.

It sounds like a dark erotic novel to me. Or a dark mainstream/murder/mystery because many have on word titles.

For Fantasy, make sure the readers know they are going to read some sort of fantasy novel. Tainted doesn't rise any fantasy thoughts in my mind. Just look at what your story is about and try to title according to the story elements.

ralf58 · Aug 11, 2012

Yes, I definitely judge a book by it's title. A good title is that first hook.

I can't comment on whether Tainted sounds like adult fantasy since I'm not familiar with that genre. I do agree with the comment that it sounds like a murder mystery. Or perhaps a nonfiction expose about pollution.

WildScribe · Aug 11, 2012

All the time. A good title will catch my eyes on a shelf.

WriteMinded · Aug 11, 2012

Sounds like a fantasy novel to me or, like WillSauger said, a dark erotic novel. I wouldn't assume vampires. Keep in mind that sitting on a bookshelf it would be likely be sorted by genre.

In answer to your first question: No, I don't judge a book by its title, but its title is what prompts me to pull it off the shelf for a better look.

As for questions 2 and 3: Does what happen to me? Do I do what with other titles?

Cyia · Aug 11, 2012

Yes. Everyone does to a certain extent, which is why publishers will change titles that they feel will negatively impact a novel's sales, or titles they don't like, or titles that are already being used by someone else. They're a *very* important component of marketing.

Jamesaritchie · Aug 11, 2012

No, of course not. A good title may intrigue me, but it's what's inside that matters. I've read some stinker novels with great titles, and some wonderful novels with lousy titles.

Miss Plum · Aug 11, 2012

If I'm going to make a quickie decision, it's title + cover. Never title alone.

"Tainted" sounds like just about anything to me -- crime, urban fantasy, medical thriller, psycho kidnapper thingy. I'd look at the cover to get more info.

scarletpeaches · Aug 11, 2012

Cyia said:
Yes. Everyone does to a certain extent...

Except for His Lordship (

):

Jamesaritchie said:
No, of course not.

Me? I do. Of course I do. Title, cover, blurb, in that order. First page. If all of the above sound cool, I buy.

jaksen · Aug 11, 2012

Titles don't matter as much to me as who wrote the novel. I tend to read things by fav. authors, then I go to 'similar authors,' and lastly, reviews. I might also pick up a new author if it's in a genre I like to read.

katci13 · Aug 11, 2012

It doesn't matter if it sounds fantasy, it'll be in the fantasy section. But I don't think vampires when I see that. And I LOVE vampires. ^_^ I think Tainted sounds like something that would have the elements of a mystery in it. Or some kind of fantasy where someone's blood or skin or personality is poisonous in some way. Or they have special powers. I tend to go off the deep end when I imagine stuff though.

I judge a book by it's cover, title, random page, and blurb...in that order. But at the end of the day, the title isn't going to keep me from buying the book. The cover won't either. The random page will.

wannabe writing · Aug 11, 2012

Titles are certainly important but I wouldn't get to hung up on it for a WIP, I find the title changes as the novel progresses. Odds are you'll arrive at something by the end of the process if not before.

frimble3 · Aug 11, 2012

By itself, it sounds like a medical thriller. Something by Robin Cook. With the right cover, it could work for Fantasy. But, it's only one of several factors. Author, title, blurb, cover.

Darrach · Aug 11, 2012

katci13 said:
It doesn't matter if it sounds fantasy, it'll be in the fantasy section. But I don't think vampires when I see that. And I LOVE vampires. ^_^ I think Tainted sounds like something that would have the elements of a mystery in it. Or some kind of fantasy where someone's blood or skin or personality is poisonous in some way. Or they have special powers. I tend to go off the deep end when I imagine stuff though.

I judge a book by it's cover, title, random page, and blurb...in that order. But at the end of the day, the title isn't going to keep me from buying the book. The cover won't either. The random page will.

Close. It's about a man who becomes fatally poisoned from using a sword enchanted by a wicked spirit.

rebekahmichel · Aug 11, 2012

Somewhat, titles tend to grab my attention. Art work on the cover does too. What I usually base my decision on though is the synopsis on the back. I usually don't read the whole thing though (they give away too much) so the first sentence or two needs to persuade me.

blacbird · Aug 11, 2012

No, I don't judge the book by its title. Now, at bookstores and libraries, I have picked up books with titles that intrigued me, just because of the title (e.g.., The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil; Something Wicked This Way Comes; The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat). But beyond that, if the blurb or beginning didn't grab me, the book went back on the shelf right fast.

I'd recommend not spending a lot of angst-energy about your title, if you have the story well in hand. Titles are not inconsequential, but they also don't matter doodlysquat unless the story is engaging to the reader.

caw

Justin Bossert · Aug 11, 2012

A unique title could pique my curiosity, especially if the cover art ads to it. I'm not a marketing guy, but I would guess that a lot of readers decide pretty quickly if they're going to give a book a shot, so a unique title and cover art, along with a catchy synopsis could go a long way.

rwm4768 · Aug 11, 2012

As much as I hate to admit it, I definitely judge books by the title. I've checked out books from the library solely because the title makes the book sound cool. I am often disappointed by the actual book.

Now if I could just come up with a good title myself. My epic fantasy is without a title at the moment.

katci13 · Aug 11, 2012

Darrach said:
Close. It's about a man who becomes fatally poisoned from using a sword enchanted by a wicked spirit.

Awesome. ^_^

Augsburg's Writer · Aug 11, 2012

The title and cover first catch my attention. If I am intrigued, Iwill read either the description or blurbs. Only if Iam still interested, will I look at the body of the book.

Civic · Aug 11, 2012

I don't judge a book by the title, but when looking for a random new book to read at the bookshop, a snappy title gets me to look at the book. If I like the short synopsis on the back, then it's pretty much a done deal. Titles are important as a marketing tool.

I once picked up a book that had an interesting title and found the blurb intriguing, and now I love fantasy books because of that one spiffy header.

Jessianodel · Aug 11, 2012

I judge the title of a book first. A lot of times only the binding of the book is shown. The title needs to catch my eye before I even see the cover, and then the cover needs to get me to want to read the back, and then the back needs to make me want to read the first few pages and If I like the pages, THEN I will buy the book.

So yeah I judge books by their titles. I don't know whether "Tainted" is a vampire book, but most publishers change the titles anyway, unless they really like them. I wouldn't worry too much.

Silver-Midnight · Aug 11, 2012

I hate to say it, but I do kind of. I wouldn't say I'm strict with it though. But that's just my opinion. So, yeah, in short, a book's title does matter. :ROFL:

grover4232 · Aug 11, 2012

Miss Plum said:
If I'm going to make a quickie decision, it's title + cover. Never title alone.

Me too Miss Plum. Cover probably more so than title.

Tainted definitely makes me think of conflict.

gothicangel · Aug 12, 2012

Yes, when I see an book by an unknown author, the title is our first greeting. Whether it's a spine facing outwards on a bookshop shelf, a rec on Amazon/ebay, or a review in a Sunday newspaper.

Also, a title can tell me straight off what kind of sub-genre is. When I'm browsing the shelves - because I'm a fan of all things Roman - I'm looking for something that is recognisably Roman, so key words like 'Eagle,' 'Legion' or 'Vespasian' stick out a mile. Then titles also reveal other things like: 'The Praetorian' [military HF], 'Empress of Rome' [Romance HF] or 'Wolf Hall' [Literary HF]

Do you judge a book by its title?

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