What will influence your final choice. I am on my fourth title. Titles tend to be named after the main character, or a setting that is crucial to the plot and storyline. Many traditional and contemporary authors have changed their original choice.
Why did Jane Austen name her novel Mansfield Park instead of after the heroine Fanny Price? It is because of the way of life presented that it represents.
My titles for my children's stories which I write in verse are usually after the main character, such as Jake, Griff or Kirk, but some are about the theme, such as Colourblind (about racism), Bullyboy (about a bully) or Angels (about an angel seen after someone dies). All my story poems have a one word/name title and I feel uncomfortable changing that. My novel titles are about the main theme for my story and I have stuck with them from the start. When I first wrote a non-fiction book (which is now published) the publisher wantd the title name changed, along with some alterations to the text. I didn't like the title they wanted but was happy to alter the main text, so I put the book on the back burner for a year before sending it back with a slight title change. The publishers wanted the book but again wanted the title changed, which it was but with a few more negotiations.
Hi Victoria.
The title can be a marketing tool, but the blurb on books are also a strong selling point.
I believe the title should reflect what the novel is about. It is pointless to have a flat meaningless title.
It's been The Jewel In The Jar for so long I really can't imagine changing it now, but I would if the marketing dept of my publishing house gave me enough reason to. My original title was Promise Me, but Harlan Coburn very selfishly stole it!
I have a working title for the book I want to write after the series. In fact, the title came before the initial outline for the book. Again, I can't see myself wanting to change that, but titles are a marketing tool so you have to be open to change. I know I make a split decision on a book the minute I hear the title. I'm not sure I even consider the cover until the title has passed muster. It would be daft to think no one else judges in the same way.