Hello I am writing a book about a certain group of products. It is by no means a scientific book, although has technical info at the basic level in some places, describing categories of products, terms and concepts related to that product group, various information sources, companies list, has pictures or graphs as necessary to describe things better as applicable. Although I know English well, it is not my native language so I want to get opinions. I am thinking about naming my book as one of the following: (that product name) reference guide reference to (that product name (in plural)) (that product name) guide guide for (that product name (in plural)) which do you think is best? or any other suggestions? I am sorry if this is not the right place to post this... Thanks in advance... !
Go with a working title. After you have the book fully developed if not done, you will find something appropriate, and then the editor will suggest changing it to something catchy.
Book titles are actually important before the book is finished, in my opinion, at the very least so that you have something to call your book by. But, at the same time, the title doesn't have to be set in stone while you're still working on the book. So pick a title for now until the book is done. Having said that, when you are done, I would go for either the first or third option. They sound like they would make it unfailingly clear what your book is about, meaning that more people are likely to go, "Oh, that could be useful!" and pick it up/read it.
All four of your title ideas are fairly plain and redundant, which is fine for non-fiction. Whether you list the product or "reference/guide" first won't make much difference. If you want to sell books or have something stand out go with a snappier title. Shark Guide. Guide to Sharks. BLOOD IN THE WATER. The Shark Reference Guide. A Reference Guide to Sharks.
Mein Hut, der hat drei Ecken, Drei Ecken hat mein Hut, Und hätt er nicht drei Ecken, I got squat. Or maybe don't call it a guide or a reference. Call it an Experience or something a bit less official. IDK.
If I were writing about, say, Acme buggy whips, I think I'd go with The Acme Buggy Whip Guide if you were presenting it as a sort of owner's manual. The implication is that you need the book if you want to know how to use the product without knowing more than is necessary about it. If it's that sort of book, you might also consider The Handbook of Acme Buggy Whips or The Basic Handbook of Acme Buggy Whips if you want to present it as a starting place for a reader who may not know anything about the subject. The Acme Buggy Whip Reference Guide is more suitable for a book that contains information for a person who wants to know what years the product was manufactured, or what variations occurred during the production run, and similar information. This sort of title lends itself to a reader who is already somewhat conversant with the subject, but needs to have a convenient compendium of information in a single place for, well, reference.
