If you can, aim to keep the main title around five words or less. The subtitle can offer context or tell a bit more about what the reader will learn. Cameron Herold’s book Meetings Suck has a pithy title, with a subtitle that helps the reader see why they need the book: Turning One of the Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most Valuable. Want to see the difference between a short title and a long title? Just look at this mock-up: SPECIFIC STEPS TO FIND THE PERFECT BOOK TITLE STEP 1: GET CLEAR ON YOUR BOOK OBJECTIVES Your book objectives (building authority, raising your visibility, etc.) determine what type of title you pick. If you want to build a brand out of your nonfiction book, your title options are quite different than if you want to publish a memoir with a whimsical feel. Let’s examine all the functions your book title can serve, and the PiCkiNg ThE PErfECT BOOk TiTlE · 189