Help me pick a book title

October 25, 2017

I've pulled out my book I was working on last year. The one on depression that I ended up being too depressed to finish.

I'm planning on self-publishing it through Amazon, both in a print and an ebook format.

It will be a small book, 25,000 to 30,000 words. For reference, a novel is about 80,000 words long.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all the things I need to learn about formatting and publishing, including coming up with a good title and making a good cover. And then figuring out how to market it.

I remember when I first started blogging, it seemed like a real learning curve. But I just kept looking up my questions and figured it out. I hope the same will be true here. But it almost seems like it will be more time-consuming than writing the book itself.

I'm not sure why, but the title is giving me a hard time.


I was originally thinking of something like From Darkness into Light. Until I looked that up on Amazon and saw a bunch of titles with the same name.

But it will be impossible not to find a book title that hasn't been used somewhere by somebody. With 75,000 books being printed each year (!!!), there's just not enough words out there.

I want to have the word depression somewhere in the title, just so people can find it with their search engine.

So maybe you can help me pick a title.

A short description of the book first so you'll know what it's about . . .

Imagine sitting across the table from a wise and compassionate friend, one who has walked the same path as you for years, one who understands what it is like to live with a depressive illness. Listen as she shares her heart and gently listens to yours, encouraging you and offering practical steps to come out into the light of freedom and joy. Covering the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those suffering from depression, discussing when and if mental health counseling and medication is appropriate, and offering the unique perspective of how beauty heals, here is a life-giving guide to help you through your own dark night.

So here are some possible titles.

1. Healing for Your Dark Night
Help and Encouragement for those Struggling with Depression

2. Help for Depression
Compassionate Advice from Someone Who's Been There

3. From Darkness into Light
(and the first subtitle above)

4. Recovering from Depression
(and the second subtitle above)

5. Hope in Your Dark Night
(and the first subtitle above)

Sigh. None of these seem very catchy. But I guess it's hard to find anything too exciting for a non-fiction book on depression.

Which title speaks to you? Which would you want to read? Let me know what you think.

Thanks, friends.

27 comments

  1. Congratulations!! I am thrilled that you are going to publish this. It is hard to find a title that has not already been worked to death, isn't it? I like the one Darkness Into Light..it feels the most 'uplifting' to me.

    I keep thinking about getting depression OUT---like taking the darkness out of the heart and into the light.. Good luck. xo Diana

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  2. "Darkness Into Light" says HOPE, to me. Wishing you the best luck. xo

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  3. As you know my nephew was a sufferer and chose to put an end to his misery. I do so wish there had been a light at the end of the tunnel and some Hope for his future but it was not to be. I am thrilled that you are writing this book and give thanks for all those that you could potentially help. From Darkness into Light Hope for the Future From a Fellow Sufferer. Stay well and know that you are loved.

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  4. Your Dark Night: This, too, Shall Pass 🙃 Gee, this is tough! I can see the dilemma. I noticed right away the crossing out of those negative words. If I saw them in a title, I’d not be inclined to read. I think it is a wonderful thing you are doing and I wish you all the best.

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  5. This is wonderful, Deborah. I especially love the implied description of you being a friend in this journey for potential readers. For that reason, I would think something such as "Shedding a Light", and then your first subtitle. It would be a nod to the encouragement you wish to extend as a friend for those who are struggling. Best wishes on finishing the project and accomplishing new skills while doing it! Make good notes, I have a feeling you may be doing a sequel to your book! ♥

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  6. So excited for you! My vote is for, "From Darkness into Light: Hope for Those Struggling with Depression"

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  7. Hi Deborah, I am so excited for you to publish your book. It is going to be a help to so many. Coming up with titles is always tricky. I do like Darkness Into Light. Was also thinking, "Depression's Journey from Dark to Light" or "Finding Joy after Depression" I do think if a title reads like it could be a story of sorts, it pulls the reader in to want to know more. Negative words make you think you're in for a lecture. Whatever you decide, is going to be wonderful my friend. Good Luck and best wishes. Prayers for you going forwards. xo

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  8. It's exciting that you're writing a book that will help others. I think as you continue writing the title may come to you. What about skipping the extra words and calling it Healing Your Dark Night: Hope for those struggling with depression.

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  9. Oh Deb, how wonderful that you are going to publish your book! I like the title "Hope in Your Dark Night" the best I think. I have a friend who is a blogger that used to have blog about her battle with depression. She titled her blog "The Upside of Down" which I thought was a great title too. I have no doubt you will get it just right because your blog is so beautiful. Keep us posted how things are going!

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  10. Hi Deborah! Oh my, I am thrilled for you to be sharing your journey, which will inspire and help people with depression. I think I like From Darkness into Light as the title. Best of luck, my friend, in self-publishing your book.

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  11. Wow that's a tough job...it's like finding the perfect name for a baby!
    How about "light a candle in the dark...and find your way out of depression."

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  12. Sweet friend, I am so excited to hear you have been working on your book and I know by you sharing your journey others will be blessed and encouraged.

    As for the title....I know whatever you decide will be perfect. I personally like option #3 "From Darkness Into Light." I know it can be difficult deciding on a title since I have trouble with simple blog post titles - HA!

    I had to smile when I saw your marks on the title as my son has been writing several book reports and his papers look just like that.

    Thinking of you, dear one! Love and hugs!

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  13. I like #5 the best. I wish you all the best as I know this will be helpful to many.

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  14. Dearest Debra,
    Picking a catchy title is never easy and no doubt, you will not be the first author on the subject!
    For me I would go for a top line like: There is Light at the End of the Depression Tunnel - It will draw people more into reading more.
    Good luck and sending you hugs,
    Mariette

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  15. Choosing a book title is a hard thing. I like the ones that imply a shifting of perspective and healing. But not "Healing your Dark Night" - to me, that personifies Night and somehow detaches it from a personality. Does that make any sense? Darkness into Light is the one I like best.

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  16. Good for you, Deborah! I am so proud of you.

    I am going to give this a lot of thought. But I will give a quick opinion now:
    #1 is my fav of the list you provided.

    #2 is just a bit TOO basic.

    #3 seems as though it may be a religious book - and possibly turn away some readers. (Not having God is about the bleakest thing, I cannot even imagine, so they need it most of all, don't want to turn them away, right?)

    4. Again, a little TOO basic - sounds almost clinical.

    5. I do like this one second - though I can't help but think of The Dark Knight (and we know that actor died a young death, so it brings negativity to my mind.

    Let me sleep on this.

    Again, I am so amazed you can do this. Let's talk soon, once my voice comes back.
    Hugs and love. ♥

    Have a happy weekend. : - )


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    1. I like the titles that mentioned "hope", because truly there is hope in this. Can't wait to read the book myself!

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    2. I like the ones that mention "hope" because there is hope for those who struggle with this. I can't wait to read your book myself!

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  17. Congratulations on your book! I really like #2. It tells the reader exactly what they're getting. I think it also uses key words that people would use when searching for a book like this. Best wishes :)

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  18. Oh, this is wonderful, Deborah! I wish I had a book like this when I was suffering through those dark years of overcoming my difficult childhood. I do love all the titles, but I am partial to #3. It speaks to me. Wishing you much success with this project. I am sure it will be a beacon of hope to many. xo K

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  19. what an amazing thing to do! a good tip for a title is: what was your inspiration for writing this? what message did you want to give others? your heart will tell you. Best wishes.

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  20. Not sure what to say here : ) "The one on depression that I ended up being too depressed to finish"

    I just felt sad :( I hope that this works out better for you down the line

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  21. It sounds like a very difficult process to try to publish your own book, it would be overwhelming to say the least, but believing that the Lord will guide you to find the way to get your book published. I agree it must be very difficult to come up with a title, since there are so many books out there. A couple of thoughts came to me as I read yours, and other commenters ideas. One is:
    "Walking through Depression's Struggles into Light" and another one, "Walking in the Tunnel of Depression, with Light for Today". I wish you the best of grace and God's help as you put this project into a greater purpose to help others!

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  22. I read your post a few days ago but wanted let the potential titles percolate for a bit...I'm also leaning towards "From Darkness Into Light". Best wishes in your work to help those struggling with depression.

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  23. I agree with the Darkness in to Light" idea :)

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  24. I like #1 best. The use of the word "your" reaches out to the reader and draws me in. And "Healing" is more appealing that "Hope" because it seems more tangible. I also like #4, again because it seemed more "solid" - not just fluffy words, but real information.

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  25. This is great news Deborah. I'm glad you are able to revisit completing your book, which must feel like a triumph over depression as well. I like No. 3 From Darkness into Light which you can visualize the change you hope will happen. Best of luck with the technical details, but I know you have it in you to sort out. Hugs,
    Wendy xox

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