Book title generator that checks what's already on the shelf
A good title has to fit the genre, promise the right thing and not be taken by a bestseller. This prompt has your todo.is agent read your blurb, look at how hit books in your genre are titled, and suggest titles (with subtitles for nonfiction), checking online for clashes.
The prompt
- Suggest 30 titles for my book. Type and genre: [GENRE]. What it's about: [BLURB]. Readers: [TARGET READERS]. Comparable books I like: [COMP TITLES]. First, search the web for current bestsellers in my genre and tell me in 3 bullets what their titles have in common. Then give me titles in several styles (short and punchy, phrase from the story, a key object or place, a bold promise for nonfiction). For nonfiction, add a subtitle with the main benefit and keywords people search for. Check each of your top 10 online and note if a well-known book already uses it. Rank the top 5 and explain how each would look on a cover at thumbnail size. Save everything as a Word file.
What to change
- [GENRE]: e.g. "psychological thriller", "cozy fantasy", "self-help about money for freelancers", "memoir".
- [BLURB]: A short summary or back-cover text. You can also attach the manuscript or synopsis.
- [TARGET READERS]: Who will buy it, e.g. "women 30-50 who read Liane Moriarty" or "first-time managers".
- [COMP TITLES]: 2-3 similar books, e.g. "The Silent Patient, Gone Girl". Write "none" if you're not sure.
Example result
- Your book
- Nonfiction. Money for freelancers: how to smooth irregular income, pay tax on time and stop panicking in slow months. Readers: freelancers in their first 3 years.
- What bestselling titles in this genre do
- • Short main title (2-4 words) that names a feeling or a promise
- • A subtitle with the reader, the result and a search keyword ("money", "budget", "freelance")
- • A number or method name in many of them ("The 4-Step...")
- Top 5
- 1. Feast or Famine No More: The Freelancer's Guide to Steady Money, Lower Stress and Tax Without Tears: names the exact problem in words freelancers already use. Reads well at thumbnail size if the main title is large.
- 2. The Paycheck You Pay Yourself: A Simple Money System for Freelancers and the Self-Employed: the core method in one line; good for search.
- 3. Slow Month Proof: How Freelancers Build a Buffer, Budget and Plan That Survives Any Client: punchy, but test it out loud.
- 4. Income, Smoothed: short and calm; needs a strong subtitle.
- 5. Freelance Money Without the Panic: plain, very searchable; slightly generic.
- More options
- • Steady: Money Habits for People Without a Salary
- • The Buffer Method
- • Invoice to Income
- • Your Money, Your Boss (flagged: a similar title exists)
- • The Self-Employed Safety Net
- • Profit, Pay, Tax, Repeat
- Flagged
- • Your Money, Your Boss: close to an existing personal finance title
- • The Freelancer's Bible: already used by a well-known book
- Next steps
- • Search your top 2 on Amazon and Goodreads yourself before deciding
- • Mock up both on a simple cover and look at them at phone size
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and add your genre, blurb, readers and comparable books.
- Attach the synopsis or manuscript if you have one, then send it from todo.is or your agent on WhatsApp.
- Your agent researches genre patterns, writes 30 titles and flags any that clash with existing books.
- Reply with the ones you like and ask for variations, or a quick cover mockup image of your top 2.
Tips for a better result
- Fiction titles signal genre more than plot. Ask the agent which words thrillers, romances or fantasy books in your niche use most.
- For nonfiction, put the search keywords in the subtitle and keep the main title short and memorable.
- Test titles at thumbnail size. Long titles shrink to unreadable on online store pages.
- Tell your agent "remember my book" so later you can ask for a blurb, chapter titles or ad copy without re-explaining.
book title generator: FAQ
- Can I use a book title that's already been used? In most countries book titles can't be copyrighted, so it's usually allowed. But a title tied to a famous book or a trademarked series can cause confusion or problems, so pick something distinct when you can.
- How long should a book title be? Main titles of one to five words are easiest to remember. Nonfiction often adds a longer subtitle that explains the benefit.
- Should I pick my title before finishing the book? A working title helps you stay focused, but many authors choose the final title near the end, once they know the book's real theme.
- Does a title affect sales? It's one of the first things a buyer sees with the cover. A title that clearly signals the genre or benefit helps the right readers click.
JavaScript is required to use the todo.is app.