Written by the Editorial Team!
This blog post was mainly inspired by our team of editors who, after reviewing a variety of books, noticed a recurring pattern: abstract book titles, book titles that fail to engage the reader, or don’t offer any real reason to pick up the book in the first place.
Editor Jasmine states: “A lot of books are really good but their title is something opposite of what the book actually is.”
Editor Lichance states: “I come across a couple of really nice books but with abstract book titles”
It’s clear: a weak title can sink a great book. So our team came together to do something about it. We asked ourselves: What actually makes a book title work? And more importantly, how can authors consistently come up with better ones?
This post is our answer — a simple guide to writing book titles that attract, intrigue, and truly reflect the story inside.
Let’s talk about how to craft a title that does your story justice — and actually gets it into the hands of readers who’ll love it:
A good book title should include three key elements
Editor Lichance states: “A strong title should do three things fast:
1. Tell you the trope
2. Hint at the drama
3. Set the vibe
Readers should instantly know what kind of book they’re about to walk into, just from the title. If your title doesn’t scream what the story’s serving, they’re not clicking. No one’s guessing, as there’s too many options.”
Editor Ava adds, explaining in detail: “Here’s how: Instead of using simple words like “Real” or “My life story” as your book title, you can craft something that gives hints about the genre or plot captivating the targeted audience with layers of suspense.
Let’s talk about crafting a compelling book title using popular books on Alphanovel for reference:
First, “My Triplet Alpha Stepbrother Mates“
—From the book title you can clearly tell the genre is werewolf, with the keywords Alpha and Mates.
—From Stepbrother Mates, you can also tell the trope is Reverse Harem.
—The title sparks curiosity like:
• Why wasn’t she mated to just any random person — but to her stepbrothers?
• Not just one of them, but all three?
• Would the female lead even accept being in a relationship with her stepbrothers?
A perfect title sparks curiosity without giving the whole story away.
Now, let’s analyze the second title: “Rejected by the Alpha, Wanted by the Lycan King“
Keywords: Alpha, Lycan King, Rejected
Genre: Werewolf
Trope: Rejected Love & Second-Chance Mate
What curiosity does it spark?
• Why was she rejected by the Alpha?
• Since she was already mated to the Alpha, can she also be claimed by the Lycan King?
• Is it a second-chance mate story?
• If the Alpha wants her back, will she return to him?
While you’re busy crafting an unforgettable plot, remember — readers usually don’t see the storyline first. What grabs their attention first is the title. Make it count!
Your Title Is the First Impression Your Story Makes
Your title is the first impression your story makes: It can intrigue a reader, set expectations, and even hint at the emotional journey ahead. But if it feels misleading, confusing, or disconnected, readers might never give your book the chance it deserves.
Editor Reliance states: “When I’m personally coming up with a title in my book, I try to keep it specific, quite brief , emotionally engaging, and aligned with the main message of the novel.
When I’m writing a dark romance, I know the title has to carry a certain weight. It should hint at the intensity and the passion of the story. I personally ask myself: What is the core conflict that drives my book? What are the themes of the novel? What particular event brought about the conflicts in the book? What are my ml and fl characters personalities?
I have a novel, “A bride for the Don”, and asking myself these questions helped me get the title. Because the core conflict was the chaotic relationship between the Don and his newly wed wife, the event that sparked the entire book’s formation was getting the Don a bride following his late father’s wish. So it helped guide me toward a title that didn’t just sound good, but felt true to the story.”
Editor Tisha adds: “Choosing a good title for your book comes down to balancing creativity with clarity. Firstly, all titles must reflect the core idea or emotion of the story. Of course, based on genre. If it’s a Romance novel, try a title that’s romantic and if the story is revenge go for a title that gives mystery vibes.”
Choose words that reflect your story’s potential
The goal is to use potential words and not some long titles that are over the top or too exaggerated. Besides, our authors are gifted with the power of words, so why not play with common phrases or make contradictory titles?
Editor Jasmine states: “I know personally, a book title must be not too long, or not too short.”
Editor Tisha: “I think short titles are often more powerful than longer titles. I have seen multiple novels on Alphanovel that have “way too long titles” and readers simply skip it. Whereas a short title is quick to read and get an idea of what the novel is about. So avoid overusing words or trends unless you have a twist — words like “dark,” “secret,” “shadow” are common — use them only if they’re central to your plot.”
Editor Alejandra adds: “The most important part of choosing a title is using strong, attention-grabbing words — but not the ones that feel overused. Your title should be easy to remember, make sense for your story, and stand out without being too dramatic or confusing.”
At the end of the day, a great title won’t write your story — but it will open the door.
You’ve got the power of words — now give them a name that readers can’t ignore.
Keep writing. Keep naming. The right readers are there, waiting for your words!
Happy writing,
AlphaNovel’s Editorial Team!
