Generate perfect book titles
AI creates 20 marketable, memorable title options from your book concept and genre. Get titles that attract readers and fit your story.
Generate perfect book titles
River's Book Title Generator creates 20 marketable title options for your book. You describe your concept, genre, and themes. The AI generates titles that are memorable, appropriate to genre conventions, and intriguing to potential readers. Within seconds, you have diverse options ranging from straightforward to poetic. Perfect for authors who need titles that work both artistically and commercially.
Unlike random word combinations or generic suggestions, we create titles specifically tailored to your book and genre. The AI considers genre conventions (what makes thriller titles work versus romance titles), commercial appeal, and thematic resonance. You get titles that signal genre to readers, create curiosity, and feel professional. Each option is designed to work on a book cover and catch browser attention in stores or online.
This tool is perfect for novelists, nonfiction authors, and anyone who needs a strong book title. Use it when you have a working title that doesn't feel right. Use it to generate options before you invest in cover design. Great for ensuring your title fits market expectations while standing out. The AI generates varied approaches so you can test options with beta readers or target audience before committing.
What Makes Book Titles Sell
Great book titles do three things simultaneously. They signal genre so readers know what kind of book they're getting. They create curiosity or emotional connection that makes browsers want to learn more. They're memorable enough that people can remember and recommend them. Weak titles are either too vague (could be any book) or too specific (sound boring or limiting). The best titles suggest the book's essence without explaining the whole plot. They promise an experience.
Genre conventions for titles are real and matter for commercial success. Thriller titles often use 'The [Noun]' structure. Romance frequently uses possessive structure or emotion words. Fantasy uses invented words or epic-sounding phrases. Literary fiction favors poetic or unexpected word combinations. Mystery might use cryptic or intriguing phrases. If your title violates genre expectations, you'll confuse potential readers. Study bestseller lists in your category. Notice patterns. Your title should feel fresh while fitting comfortably in the genre.
Length and readability matter for practical reasons. Titles that are too long don't fit on covers well and are hard to remember. Titles with unusual words are hard to spell when searching online. Titles that are too generic get lost among thousands of similar books. The sweet spot is usually 1-5 words that are distinctive but not confusing. Test your top choices by seeing how they look on a mock book cover. Say them aloud. Try typing them quickly. A great title works visually, verbally, and practically.
What You Get
20 book title options tailored to your genre and concept
Titles that signal genre while creating reader curiosity
Varied approaches from direct to poetic, short to longer
Memorable, marketable options that work on covers and in searches
Mix of commercial appeal and artistic quality
How It Works
- 1Describe your bookProvide genre, concept, themes, and tone
- 2AI generates titlesOur AI creates 20 marketable title options in under a minute
- 3Test with audienceShare top choices with beta readers or target readers for feedback
- 4Choose your winnerPick the title that captures your book and appeals to your readers
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a title is already taken?
Search Amazon, Goodreads, and Google for your top choices. Book titles can't be copyrighted, so technically you can use a title someone else used. However, if a recent bestseller has your title, choose something else to avoid confusion. If your title has been used for an obscure book from decades ago, you're probably fine. Check that there's not a current book in your genre with the same title. You want readers searching for your book to find YOUR book.
Should my title reveal the plot or stay mysterious?
Neither extreme. Titles should hint at genre, tone, and theme without explaining plot. 'The Murder in the Library' tells too much. 'Darkness' tells too little. 'The Librarian's Secret' suggests mystery involving a librarian without spoiling anything. Good titles create questions. What secret? Why does it matter? Readers buy the book to find out. Balance intrigue with clarity about what kind of book this is.
Can I use subtitle to add more information?
For nonfiction, yes. Subtitles help clarify what practical value or information readers get. For fiction, subtitles are less common but can work for genre signaling or series distinction. 'The Name: A Thriller' clarifies genre. 'The Name: Book One of the Trilogy' provides series info. Most fiction doesn't need subtitles. A strong main title usually does the job. Subtitles can make fiction titles feel amateurish unless they're serving a clear purpose.
What if I love a title but it doesn't match my genre conventions?
Consider your goals. If you want maximum commercial appeal, follow genre conventions. Readers find books by browsing categories with expectations. Violating those expectations makes your book harder to market. However, if artistic integrity or originality matters more than sales, choose what feels right for your book. Some breakthrough books succeed partly because they break rules. Just know you're taking a commercial risk. Weigh artistic vision against market realities.
Should I test multiple titles before deciding?
Yes! Create mock book covers with your top 3-5 title choices. Share with beta readers, writing groups, or target audience members. Ask which title makes them most curious. Which they'd be most likely to click on. Which they think best represents the story after reading. Reader feedback often reveals that your personal favorite isn't the strongest market option. Be willing to choose the title that appeals to your target readers, not just you.
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