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Speaking for myself, a 'killer' title isn't necessary - but it definitely helps. Personally, I'm more likely to pick up books by authors I'm familiar with. But if an interesting title catches my eye, I might pick it up, too - then I might get a new favorite author...
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I choose a book by reading the blurb - I did used to have favourite authors but then after a while I realised I was annoyed by one constant style and feeling of predictableness (sp?) I have read a book by recommendation but again I felt that I had to be positive to match my friends view - the biggest surprise was an odd book my brother sent me and with not much enthusiasm I read it only to be pleasantly drawn in. With short stories and competitions I still stand by the first line or two being real killers but at the end of the day some of its good old fashioned luck.
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Think about it from the readers point of view. You're an unknown author to them. Assuming that there's been no reference from a friend towards your work and they know nothing about it then it stands to reason that a title and an attractive cover would be the most important things to them.
As for a killer title - the best anyone can do is try to find a title that would attract your target audience. A title that attracts one person will repel another. It's the same with genres. People judge before they know the details as with anything in life.
It's common practice for people who are looking for a new author to sample the first paragraph or page of the book and from that they will decide whether to read on. I'm digressing slightly from the point of the article but the same allies. Readers will judge one level at a time and, whilst you are unproven, failure at any stage will turn them away from you.
Happy writing.
JD
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Thank you all, an interesting debate. I could have simplified the original question by just asking; what attracts you first, the title or the author? Bearing in mind you only see the spine of the book on the shelf.
Reiner.
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I for one am not attracted to titles at all. I don't get anything about a story from the title. There are so many ways to make a title for the same story. I tend to like one word titles more simply because it is easier for me to remember the book title years down the road that way.
The first thing that catches my eye is the cover picture. I buy random books all the time. The next thing I do is read the first page or so and get a feel for how the writer writes (I don't even know who the author is yet). Certain styles bother me and I won't attempt the book. I just buy random books. I'm probably the one who gives new authors a chance more than not. If the style fits my comfort area, I'll read the blurb to find out a little more and buy it or not.
Many times I find books by authors who have only one or two books published. I remember reading the first book by Dan Brown long before he became a hit with Angels and Demons. I can't remember the name now.... It was a one word title also. It will come back to me. haha.. See what I mean. I like simple titles.
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Thank you, very interesting.
Reiner.
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I think the high number of reads on articles past could come from the fact that, in the past, you could vote for yourself - over and over !!! :)
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That would explain the high scores in the hall of fame then. Good to know.
JD
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Like JD, that is good to know, although I believe in the integrity of those that are riding high in this month's competition; they are good pieces.
Reiner.
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I generally look at anything that has less than two warnings on it and less than five pages of type, simply because-even though I read fast- I have very little time and like to read everyones. Titles don't matter much to me. I rarely read poetry and comment on it, because I'm such a horrible poet. If I don't know enough to write a decent poem, then how would I know how to improve one? I do try to read everyone's short stories, and I do wonder how much a title matters. Hope this helps.
Dragonwriter
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Very much so, Dragonwriter, thank you.
Reiner.
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It only seems logical to me that if an interesting lead-in paragraph, page or chapter is needed to capture a reader's attention to continue reading an author's work, then an equally interesting title would be needed to capture the potential reader's attention to want to pick up the book (or begin reading a work) in the first place.
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Hi Don. I totally agree with you. Although can be difficult to come up with a 'smack in your eye' title.
If I peruse a bookshelf with only the spines showing, it is the title that draws me in, even though I could well miss a brilliant book by passing by a title that holds no interest for me.
Reiner.
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To some readers, yes; to others, no. Me personally, I read a sypnosis first to see if it interests me. I'll read any genre, so that's the reason why I read the sypnosis first. Titles just don't help me anymore. I remember getting Eragon because of the nice cover and title, but I hated it because all the rip-offs to Star Wars, Lord of the Ring, and other fantasy authors I may not have read. A Tale of Two Cities, though it has a crappy title, is actually one of the best stories I've read in school, especially during book three. So to answer your question, some readers look for a title to interest them, while others look at the features before buying. It's like buying two different brands of of the same tool. That's all I have to say.
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