*Insert Title Here*

I think many authors will agree that coming up with a good title for your book is one of the hardest parts of writing. I find either a title comes to me very quickly and I love it, or I struggle for weeks brainstorming and thumbing through my dictionary trying to find the right words. I have to rename the new book I’ve written (I’ll post more about it in the coming weeks!) since someone at my publisher has unfortunately used the title already. (Most inconsiderate!)

Obviously you want a title to attract readers. In a recent study on Harlequin titles over the past several decades, researchers found:

…the most frequently used word in the title was “Love,” which appeared 840 times. “Bride” was close behind at 835. “Baby” was slightly back at 696, followed by “Man” at 672 and “Marriage” at 612.

Since I’m writing gay romance, there are likely to be far fewer brides in my books. But plenty of men, that’s for sure. And a few marriages and babies, perhaps!

What attracts you to a title? Do you like it to spell out exactly what the book is about? (For example, a Harlequin-style title, such as The Billionaire’s Pregnant Bride.) Or do you like something more creative? What are some of your favourite book titles? One I’ve always loved is The Outsiders, although this alternate suggestion for the title is quite apt.

I also really enjoy this romance title generator. The Nordic Paper Company Sales Representative’s Buxom Captive is not to be missed!