The Art of Naming

Whether you're deciding on a book title or cover, an author name, a store name,  a logo design, or even a child, 

Don't make it:

1. Don't make it unpronouncable. (applies to all of these). 

2. Don't make it indecipherable.

(logo and store name) For a while I was sure the clothing store in the mall was named "Crackpot." It was really "Jackpot." The store didn't last six months. Some graphic artist's ego got in the way of good business sense.

(book title and book cover) If the customer can't easily distinguish what the title is, they can't ask for it. Unless the author is very well known, the title on the cover should be larger than the author's name. Usually we don't have much or any say in the book cover design. But if we do, we should comment tactfully if something doesn't work.

3. Don't make it so long that a customer can't accurately remember it.

4. In the case of a child's name, I'm so grateful my parents used the first initial of my late aunt's name and not her exact name. I would have changed it as soon as I was legally able to do so. Names go out of style or can be identified with someone unsavoury.

5. Also, for a child's name, use sensitivity.  Don't make your child the object of ridicule at school before opening his or her mouth.

What were the parents of "Inertia" thinking?! (I'm not making that up.) Humphrey Bogart had to learn to fight early.

Do make the name:

- Memorable if possible. Don't follow trends.

- Unique, but don't sacrifice logic, readability, and ease of pronounciation

- Use your own author name if you like. But, again, consider shortening it to an easier pen name. It needs to fit comfortably on the book spine in a big enough typeface to be legible. You don't really need all those middle names. It's a book, not a passport. Sometimes an initial, or nothing, is better.

- When in doubt, err on the side of simplicity.

Deco Owl Press logo was designed by

 https://www.streetlightgraphics.com/