The power of a book title cannot be overstated in the publishing world. As Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell discussed in a recent podcast episode, a book’s title is both a promise to readers and a strategic marketing tool. It can make or break your book’s success. Surprisingly, after years of discussing book covers and Amazon optimization, the hosts realized they had never dedicated a full episode to book titles — a curious oversight given how vital this element is.
Book Title Mistakes That Can Sabotage Your Success
A well-crafted title should capture attention, convey genre or subject, and invite a deeper look. However, many authors unintentionally undermine their books by falling into common book title mistakes. From unclear phrasing to confusing wordplay, these missteps can bury your book in obscurity.
Mistake #1: Titles That Lack Clarity or Are Hard to Pronounce
One of the most common book title mistakes is sacrificing clarity for cleverness. This issue spans both fiction and nonfiction:
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Nonfiction authors must ensure that their titles clearly communicate the benefit or problem the book addresses.
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Fiction titles should immediately hint at the story’s tone or genre.
When readers can’t pronounce a title or understand what the book is about within seconds, it creates a disconnect. Penny noted that many authors try to be mysterious or artistic with their titles, hoping to spark curiosity. Unfortunately, this often confuses readers and undermines discoverability, especially on Amazon.
Mistake #2: Made-Up Words and Unwise Title Duplication
Another frequent pitfall is the use of invented words, obscure spellings, or titles that resemble other well-known works. The podcast highlighted a real-world example where an author unknowingly used the title of a blockbuster movie, resulting in avoidable marketing problems.
Even worse is the tactic of copying famous book titles in hopes of hijacking their search traffic — like mimicking a Stephen King novel. While book titles can’t be copyrighted, this kind of strategy can frustrate readers and damage your credibility.
Mistake #3: Generic Titles That Get Lost in Search Results
Generic titles may sound appealing in theory, but they often get lost in the clutter of Amazon’s search engine. Amy pointed out that most shoppers don’t start their searches within the “Books” category — they just use the main search bar. If your title is something vague like Good Things, it might show up alongside snack foods, toys, and unrelated products.
To avoid this book title mistake, the hosts recommend researching your potential title in an incognito browser window to see how it performs in Amazon’s search results. A unique, descriptive title helps ensure your book shows up for the right audience.
Mistake #4: Titles That Only Make Sense to the Author
Personal attachment can cloud an author’s judgment. This is especially common with memoirs, where titles may have deep personal significance but offer no clarity to a reader unfamiliar with the story.
Penny shared a coaching session where she spent nearly an hour persuading a business author to rethink a title that was meaningful to him but confusing to potential buyers. If early reviews mention that the book isn’t what readers expected based on the title, it’s a sign that the title may need reworking.
The Good News: Book Titles Aren’t Permanent
Among all the book title mistakes authors make, the most hopeful takeaway is that titles can be changed. While it’s more complex when working with a publisher — involving new covers and metadata updates — it’s a viable option if a title is limiting your book’s discoverability or performance.
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