Hello Everyone,
12×12 has been a part of my writing journey, and I am so glad to share a blog.
I am so excited about my debut, DIWALI IN MY NEW HOME.
I’d like to share my story of this manuscript being rejected several times, and then at one point, I rebranded the manuscript. Just like a business rebranding itself, a book can be rebranded too.
I did two things. I changed the title, and I changed the character names.
The title, DIWALI IN MY NEW HOME, was earlier titled DIWALI AWAY FROM HOME. Even though the story is the same, where the main character is celebrating a holiday in a new country, the words used in the title evoke different emotions. As the title expresses the book’s mood, ‘Diwali Away from Home’ gives an expression of sadness, whereas ‘Diwali in my New Home,’ gives an expression of possibilities.
As per Carol Mann “Your title is a ten second advertisement”. So, make your title spark.
The title of a show, a movie, or a book is what gets anybody’s attention. When you submit a manuscript to an agent or editor, they are more likely to pick up a manuscript to read because of its title. Never underestimate the title of your book.
If you are struggling to come up with a book title, here is an exercise you can try:
- Make a list of keywords that relate to your book. These keywords are a list of nouns, verbs and adverbs. You might want to consider key characters, events, or phrases.
- Now combine the different keywords. You can add filler words, or you can also combine two words and make a new word.
- Come up with at least ten titles.
- Say these titles aloud and try to keep the ones pleasing to the ears, catchy, and strike with your book theme and plot.
- Share the list with your critique partners and select the best one.
I asked a few authors to share their process of picking titles.
Natasha Kazi, author of MOON’S RAMADAN: “The first title an author chooses for their book is rarely the final published title. But Moon’s Ramadan was my debut picture book’s first and only title. I knew I wanted my title to speak to the story’s heart. My kids love the imaginative elements of holidays, Santa Claus during Christmas, and spooky things during Halloween, and I believe they deserve some holiday magic during Ramadan. Moon was the perfect imaginative element. Adding Ramadan summarized the book perfectly, Ramadan from the perspective of the Moon. Of course, I had to do my due diligence and research existing titles on Google and Publisher’s Weekly Right Report and make sure my desired title was not taken. To my surprise, it was available and differentiated enough to live alongside the other Ramadan books in the marketplace.”
Stacy B. Davids, author of SIMON THE HUGGER: “Since the main character in my picture book, SIMON THE HUGGER, is a sloth who keeps hugging the other animals and needs to learn about consent, I originally named him Cuddles. It was a cute name, but it seemed overdone, and I wondered if it would be off-putting for some readers. So, I made a list of formal-sounding names and said them aloud, along with the other words in the title. I also liked the alliteration in the book’s first sentence: “Simon the sloth hugged everyone and everything.” I didn’t struggle with the full title of this book. I kept plugging in different names before “the hugger” and chose what sounded the best. I did the same for the main character’s name in my gender-themed picture book, ANNIE’S PLAID SHIRT.
Kelly Swemba author of MISSING VIOLET: “I named the main character Mia, which means beloved or darling. This was perfect because even though this character was sweet and little, she experiences and expresses a rainbow of emotions. The use of color then led to naming her best friend Violet. My book was originally titled THE COLORS OF GRIEF. After entering it in the Rate Your Story contest for a critique, the lovely judge suggested something more character focused like MISSING VIOLET. This was a perfect suggestion and really encompasses the heart and feeling of the story. I’m grateful this came together how it did and really opened my eyes to how much a title can tell us about the story.”
Caroline Fernandez author of THE ADVENTURES OF GRANDMASAURUS: “My publisher wanted a dinosaur book with a grandmother character in it. I thought grandparent/dinosaur might = ageism. Instead, I thought Grandma = magic. Thus, she’s a GRANDMASAURUS. The Adventures of GRANDMASAURUS title came together because I knew it was going to be a series with many adventures. However now that we are on book four…it’s a long title + subtitle. I suggest brainstorming a title which alludes to the theme of the book. For me it was Adventure + GRANDMASAURUS.”
Dan Gutman, author of JOHNNY HANGTIME, in one of his books shares that his son told him to change the title ‘Johnny Hangtime’ to ‘The Stunt Kid’. Dan ignored him and titled it Johnny Hangtime. He regrets that the book didn’t sell very well and should have titled it as The Stunt Kid.
Next time you revise your story, I’d say give some thought to the title of your book. It’s as important as your story. It’s what conveys the mood and theme of your book.
If you book has been rejected several times, try rebranding your story and give it a fresh new name.
Here is a checklist for a title:
- No book with the same title exists
- Captures the mood/tone/theme
- Pleasing to the ears
- Easy to say
- Ask your kids for suggesting
Happy writing and keep creating those beautiful stories with fun titles.
Shachi Kaushik is a bilingual Hindi-English children’s media enthusiast who is passionate about sharing stories. Part of the Children’s Media Industry, she creates content for children that is entertaining, enlightening, and educational. Raised in India, Shachi currently lives in Vancouver with her husband. Shachi loves taking walks on the beach and eating gelato.
- Website: storiesbyshachi.com
- Twitter: @KaushikShachi
- Instagram: @storiesbyshachi
- LinkendIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shachi-kaushik/
Shachi is offering one lucky 12 x 12 member a Diwali Kit as this month’s check-in prize! The Diwali Kit includes: Shachi’s book Diwali In My New Home, bookmark, stickers, coloring sheets, and other fun Diwali surprises! Get those new drafts written and those old ones revised for your best chance to win at the October check-in!
114 Responses
Great advice on finding the perfect title. Congratulations on your debut book!
Thank you, Shachi, for your info-packed post! You have given us great suggestions on how to choose the best title for our books and I love that you also shared insights from other authors as well as the titles of their books. You’ve given me lots more to add to my list of books to read and I look forward to your debut book.
Sometimes I have trouble coming up with the right title for my stories. Thanks for your suggestions on brainstorming!
GREAT advice! Thanks for sharing!
Great prompts to get our title juices flowing! Thank you for sharing, Shachi!
This post was very helpful. Thank you so much for the advice. This is my first 12×12 year, and with each new post or webinar, I’m learning so much about the industry and writing process. Thank you again, and congratulations on your debut!
Great post & advice! Love your title!
Congratulations on your book, and thanks for the great advice about titles.
I love the idea of the title as a ten second advertisement – and this article is packed full of such helpful
information , so thank you! Congratulations on your book – I can’t wait to get my own copy.
Congratulations on your book Shachi. I find choosing a title so difficult and really appreciate your thoughtful tips. Also it was good to read what other authors said about choosing a title. I look forward to reading Diwali in My New Home – it’s an enticing title.
Great post, Shachi! I recently had to change a title for a book because the marketing team thought it sounded a bit sad. So, great advice. And I love what you said- never underestimate a title! Congratulations on your new book.
Great Post! Titles are sometimes more difficult than the first draft! Often I have the words “Working Title” so I don’t stress. After I’ve finished several drafts, I try to figure out a title. Now I have some strategies to help. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the great advice and information. I really enjoyed reading how others develop titles. It can be a challenge!
Great post Shachi. I struggle with titles. So much so that I think of it as my personal writer’s block. Thanks for the tips. I will definitely give them a try!
I had a PB manuscript that I shared with my critique partners and I knew it had a terrible title, but I was truly stumped as to how to improve it. Then one of the other writers in the group made a suggestion and “POW” it was perfect. I was so appreciative of the help. Thanks Shachi for all of your great tips and best of luck to you with your debut book.
Great suggestions! Diwali in my New Home definitely gives a whole new feel to the book. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you – this is a wonderful, simple idea to tidy up a manuscript that isn’t getting picked up.
I will save this list and use it when I’m stumped-great article!
I love the idea of rebranding your book by rethinking its title! We often hear titles aren’t that important and will often get changed in the end, but I agree that a great title creates immediate interest, whether it be from an agent, a publisher, or a book buyer. And I love your suggestions for coming up with that perfect one. Thank you so much for a great post!
Fun to hear how authors come up with their titles. I will keep these suggestions in mind.
Congratulations on the release of DIWALI IN MY NEW HOME!
What a helpful post! Titles are not easy for me. I love thinking about it as rebranding! I think it’s time for me to go back and play with titles!
Thanks!
Awesome suggestions. Thank you for including the stories of other authors. That was really eye-opening. Also, great suggestion to think of new titles for a story that isn’t doing well. I have a few stories that might need a title refresh.
Thank you for sharing this! I struggle with titles.
This is a timely post for me. I’m working on changing up a title for one of my stories. I will be thinking about this article during the process. Thanks!
Wonderful advice on finding the perfect title! I am in need of a little rebranding right now for one of my MS. I am going to do your suggested exercises tonight and can’t wait to see what options I uncover! Thank you for the inspiration!
Very true words- I have done this several times over the years. I find that renaming a manuscript also helps me to change the tone of the story if that is what is needed. Thanks for the kind words!
Oh thanks for reminding me about looking at ideas for new titles. I must also remember to run them past my critique group. Thanks for the tip and good luck with your book.
Such awesome ideas for selecting titles that hit the “brand” mark. I will keep this list and refer to it with every book. Thanks for sharing.
Can’t wait to try your title transformation ideas out on my next story! Thank you for the tips.
Sometimes finding a title is even more difficult than writing the manuscript. Thanks for the great suggestions.
Thanks for sharing title tips. Sometimes the title comes to me before I even begin, but for some of my drafts, I struggle to find a good title. I’ll try your suggestions. I’ve put DIWALI IN MY NEW HOME on my Want To Read list and have also requested a copy from my library.
I have always viewed my titles as working titles likely to be changed. The idea that rebranding by changing the title is something I’ve never considered–and now I will. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing! It’s so interesting to hear how you rebranded your book and learn how others approach creating titles.
This is such a timely post. Thank you for sharing these great ideas. Congratulations on the publication of Diwali In My New Home.
Thanks for the sharing tips on how to come up with a great book title! And Congratulations on your debut book, Diwali in My New Home!
I love that changing the title made so much difference! I recently changed the title of my manuscript (plus some of the content) and am hoping to spark more interest now.
Really makes you think about a title. Rebranding is great!Thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed reading about you and your choices–and the insights you had from other authors.
Thank-you for focusing on title-choosing in your post. Sometimes a title for a story comes right away when a story idea is born, but other times I can get really stuck. I’ll certainly try your ideas when that happens.
Congrats, Shachi! Excited to read this!
Love the checklist for the titles! Thanks for this because I struggle finding a good title!
Congratulations on your book, Shachi! The struggle for a title that fits is real. Thank you for sharing your tips and other author’s approaches. These ideas are a great reference.
Thank you for shedding light on the multi-layered process of creating a story title! Your tips are very helpful.
Shachi,
Great information and food for thought on titles!
Thank you!
Lucy
Thanks for such good advice. I have a difficult time coming up with a title. I also think of how someone will search for it on Amazon.
Titles are such an integral part of the story. Thank you for your tips and insight.
Great advice. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for advice on picking a title and for taking the time to do this interview for the blog!
Brilliant. I had not worked through title generating in just this way before. I love the idea of rebranding! Thanks for this lovely post.
Thank you for the great writing tips and for sharing your story!
Thank you for sharing!
Truth right here. “Never underestimate the title of your book.” I love that you changed the characters’ names and the title and got different results. Congrats!
Thank you for sharing! This is something I have not put a lot of focus into and now I will. Going to back to review titles now!
Love your insights about the importance of titles, thanks Shachi!
Congratulations on your debut! I love this idea of rebranding!
Love the tips on the book titles.
Thanks so much for this excellent post – titles are so important! So interesting to read about how lots of authors chose their titles!
Great ideas for help with choosing a title, and congrats on your book!
Thank you for the insightful suggestions. Including other writer’s experience expanded to even more perspectives.
Congratulations on your debut picture book and thank you for sharing your tips (with other author examples) for generating “a ten second advertisement.” So Important!
Title are fun! I love coming up with crazy titles and using them to write my picture books. I never thought to check and see if someone else has the same title. Very good advice. Thank you.
Great information on choosing a title — and I love your new book!
Such good advice! I feel agents and editors don’t talk about the titles enough and what they are looking for when it comes to a manuscript. I’ve thought of revising my title for one picture book and this made the decision easier to do. Sometimes us writers hold on to a title just as much as all the other darlings we need to send away!
Thank you for the information. I struggle with titles.
Great advice! Thank you for sharing tips for crafting the perfect title!
I love the concept of rebranding your manuscript and choosing the perfect title is so important. This interview gave so many examples and strategies for choosing titles, I can’t wait to try them.
Wow! Thank you. I struggle with titles and you gave me steps to help choose!!!! Thank you, Congratulations on your publishing success.
Currently struggling with a title—love your practical tips, Shachi!
This is a great post. Thanks for the insight and advice on such an important element of our story!
Thank you Shachi for your post. It was so informative and detail oriented. I know a title is very important for a PB, however after reading your post I love the tips and suggestions that were displayed. Congratulations on your book I look forward to reading about Diwali.
Hi Shachi,
Congrats on your debut book! I plan to read it as soon as I can get a copy. Continue your journey with great success!
Thank you for suggesting a new look at the title of the story I am writing at whatever time. And trying to work it into the mood or tone and is easy for a child to say. I am taking a new look at many of my stories.
Thanks for sharing this – love your idea for title generation and your emphasis on the importance of titles!
I love your rebranding ideas! It really puts the title challenge into perspective. And congratulations on your book.
Love this post about rebranding, especially the title! 🙂 Love that your title has a lot of emotion too! 🙂
Loved this post Shachi! So far, I’ve been very lucky with naming my books. But I loved the suggestions for coming up with names. Best wishes with your new title. Congratulations!!
Love all the title suggestions. I love creating titles and love your different ideas for coming up with new ones. Thank you!
Glad to see a post about titles. I totally see how yours benefited from rebranding. Congratulations on your book!
Thank you for this practical reminder, Shachi. It’s a list we all can use again and again.
Thank you for the title tips, Shachi. I love your new book, DIWALI IN MY NEW HOME. Congratulations!
Yes! The power of a title can’t be underestimated. I think of my favorite titles: The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, in PB, and Other Voices, Other Rooms, in adult….and so many more. Thank you!
Love the concept of rebranding your manuscript/book by giving it a better title. Never thought of it that way before. Great tips on how to do this too. Congratulations on your new book, DIWALI IN MY NEW HOME.
Such wonderful advice for choosing a title! 🙂
Rebranding is a huge effort, wow! Thanks for sharing!
Great tips. I especially like the reminder that the title already sets the stage for mood.
Thank you, Shachi, for your great tips on ‘rebranding’ a manuscript! Congrats on your new book!
Thanks for the great story titling ideas and congrats on your book.
Congratulations Shachi! Thank you for the advice!
Awesome tips on titles. Thanks so much.
Titles that spark emotions and imagination; a winning recipe. Thank you, Shachi!
Great information on title selection; I’m saving it for future reference. Thank you!
Love all of these concrete examples of titles and their genesis, thank you! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Diwali.
What a fantastic post! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your practical, thoughtful advice. Love that you crowd sourced some ideas for us, too. I’ve had some title struggles of my own lately. I’m currently working on a manuscript whose title ticks almost all the boxes except that it might be tough for readers to say. Another manuscript of mine has a title I really loved and which got people’s attention, but the story failed to fulfill the promise made by the title–a big no no. This post has made me want to keep working on it to see what I can do. Thanks so much and congratulations on your debut picture book!
Great post. I always struggle with titles. I made some notes to help me! Thank you. Congrats on your book!
Congrats, Shachi, and thanks for sharing these ideas!
Branding through title is an important concept. Thanks for giving us a new way to look at our titles. I’m looking forward to playing around with mine!
Thanks for sharing your ideas and your story, Shachi. I wish you much success in your writing endeavors.
Thank you for the advice. I generally forget the title after I start writing and I think I can do better.
Great information…thank you !
This is a great idea, and a fun exercise – I’m going to try it with my WIP. Thank you!
Rebranding! a brilliant idea! Congratulations on your book – it looks wonderful.
Wonderful tips, thanks for sharing!
What a fun exercise! Titles can be tricky. Thank you.
A title is a promise. Thanks for showing your journey and asking other writers.
I found Sachi’s post very insightful and helpful. I need to give more thought and energy to the titles of my stories. Her suggestions, as well as the suggestions from the other picture book authors, were fantastic.
Thank you so very much for this post! So helpful! And congratulations on your debut.
Excellent post. The title really is a ten second advertisement. I need to keep that in mind. Congratulations, Sachi, on your debut picture book! Lovely cover.
Thanks for the rebranding idea! Thank you so much! Blessings to you!
Yours, Maureen Murphy Houser
Wonderful advice! Thank you so much. I love coming up with titles, so I can’t wait to try your tips.
Thanks for this inspiring post!
Thank you for this wonderful post!
Bookmarking this! Titles are So hard ro me and I love this exercise!
This is wonderful and so practical! Also, I was introduced to Diwali through my workplace, and I love the festival of lights!