So, you know those clickbait headlines? They’re all over social media, especially in the emotional-porn videos that are shared – twice – by everyone on my Facebook page.
She sat down to play the piano, but you won’t believe what happened next!
He thought it was a normal trip to the drive-thru pharmacy until this happened!
You won’t believe the ending to this story!
Your faith in humanity will be restored after you watch this!
It looked like a typical cat video, but this part brought me to tears!
These 10 tips will save you fourteen whole dollars!
I’m not a fan, but I know they’re effective. Upworthy uses them by the truckload, as do many other media outlets, because you have to click to find out. It’s like bad weight loss ads come to life every day – Eat these three foods and the fat will melt away!
Yeah. Thank heavens for the Saved You a Click Twitter feed.
But then, after one too many links in a row where the headline was nothing but clickbait, I realized: we’re sitting on a golden opportunity for the romance genre.
We need Clickbait Romance Titles.
We’ve got cute titles, silly titles, titles that reference 80s music, titles that reference children’s books… but, come on, this is IT. THE NEXT AND ONLY BEST THING.
Seriously, think about it. How many copies would sell if the books we loved were titled this way?
ZILLIONS. Actual mathematical ZILLIONS. LITERAL ZILLIONS.
Imagine the possibilities!
You Won’t Believe What the Duke Did Next!
When the Virgin Mistress Looked Closer – Your Jaw Will Drop!
10 Things Only Heroines in 1811 Will Understand
The Billionaire Removed His Tie and this Happened!
This could work for any genre. Really – the potential is endless.
And since many of you are probably sitting at a half-day at work before the holiday break, we figured, why not make this more fun for everyone? Contest time!
Drop your Clickbait Romance Title in the comments, and you’re entered to win a $50 gift card to the bookstore of your choice.
I’ll be selecting the winner but please feel free to use the “Like” feature on each comment to highlight your favorites. (The like feature is the heart in the top right corner of each comment. Click it to find out what happens next!) Comments will close at or near 10am ET on Friday, 25 December, and winner will be announced same day.
Standard disclaimers apply: I’m not being compensated for this giveaway. You won’t believe that it’s void where prohibited. 10 Things About Being Open to International Residents Were Permitted by Applicable Law. Must be over 18 and read to DO THE THINGS to enter. Your mileage may vary but especially if you do these three things!
No, no, publishing industry, don’t thank us.
We are HERE for YOU, all the clicking time.
ETA: Oh, my gosh, are you all funny.
But there can only be one winner, which is SO UNFORTUNATE because like I said, you’re all hilarious. I’m going to highlight a few favorites because OH THE SNORTS:
High fives and honorable mentions to:
Anony Miss for many entries, including, I’m earning $500 a day being a spy for the French Revolution, while working from home! You can too! Click here to learn more! and the incredibly kind, 365 Days in 2015 That SBTB Readers Were The Most Awesome Community Online.
Yes, yes, you are!
Ellie Heller for several, among them, From Ingenue to Roue – What your beauty mark placement says about you.
And to N. Vivian for She Landed A Duke With This One Trick–Matchmaking Mamas HATE Her!
“Matchmaking mamas HATE her.” HA!
And the winner of this lovely and most enjoyable exercise as selected by random integer is Priscilla!
Congratulations, Priscilla, and thank you to everyone for making this so much fun!
This One Cool Trick Will Land You a Duke
She Thought They Were Getting Married, But Then He Did This
Ten Things Any Real Rogue Should Know
… you’re right. Literal zillions.
Could be an improvement on the usual romancing the rake titles :)…..
He Didn’t Believe in Love Until THIS Happened
It Was Like Any Other Debutante Ball, But You Won’t Believe What Happens
20 Things Only A 1840s Baby Would Understand
Ugh it should be you won’t believe what happens Next….
She Landed A Duke With This One Trick–Matchmaking Mamas HATE Her!
9 Foolproof Cures For A Broken Heart
She Thought She Was Ruined, But He Fixed Her Reputation With This AMAZING Cure!
10 Steps To Repair A Lady’s Rep
10 Tips to Avoiding Matchmaking Mamas–GAURANTEED!
SHOCKING! Her Perfect Husband Was Hiding THIS!
DISGUSTING! She Thought Vampires Were a Myth UNTIL THIS HAPPENED!
They Were Supposed to Get Married But You Won’t Believe What Happened Instead!
When He Held Her Tight, You Won’t Believe What She Farted!
(spoiler: rainbows, obvs)
Can You Guess What Made These 10 Heiresses’ Faces Not Conventionally Beautiful?
The Highlander (billionaire, MC prez, Navy SEAL, were-bear) tripped and you’ll never guess where his dick landed!
How Many London Seasons Will You Need To Land a Title? TAKE THE QUIZ NOW!
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How Well Do You Remember The 80’s? Take this rapetastic quiz now!
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(SB Sarah, I have a full work day today, and you are going ruin it, RUIN IT I say!)
These Ten Wacky Misunderstandings Could Derail YOUR Relationship!
She Didn’t Realize He Was A Duke And You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!
These Ten Simple Tricks Can Land You Your Very Own MMA Fighter!
She Landed A Dashing Pirate Using This One Simple Trick — Authorities Around The World HATE Her!
YOU’VE WON! Claim your Duke today!
This former-Seal-turned-security-specialist thought this was just another secret government mission to bodyguard the Senator’s scientist daughter until THIS happened!
Are yours cherries, pennies or marbles? Take the quiz now!
Is He Your Stepbrother? You CAN date him if you follow these simple rules!
The Perfect Scents To Win a Billionaire’s Love! (Hint: strawberries are not the only fruit)
You won’t believe this easy trick that transforms your v-jay-jay into a magical hoo-ha! Click here to find out what heroines don’t want you to know
He Thought She Was A Virgin Until This Happened!
Is your man an alpha-hole? Take the quiz now!
She shared these 33 cat pictures with the hot guy next door that never really notices her and you won’t believe what happened next!
Like hairy chests? These 10 ultra-sensitive werewolf bikers will rock your world!
1. He Thought She Was a Harlot Until He Found THIS in Her Knickers!
2. Are Those REAL or CORSET ASSISTED? How One Intrepid Earl Discovered the TRUTH!
The 7 Love Lizards: What Your Arab Shiek Is REALLY Thinking
He Has His Eyes! Finding Your Long Lost Love Child in 10 Easy Pages
(here’s the sappy one)
365 Days in 2015 That SBTB Readers Were The Most Awesome Community Online
QUIZ: What Animal Is Your True Love’s Other Form?
Watch what this virgin governess says to the duke! You won’t believe what happens next! Matchmaking mamas are horrified!
Philandering Ex-Mistress Derailing Your Deflowering? Turn that Viscount’s Head(s) Your Way with These 5 Unbelievable Steps!
I was going to work today; however…
The 10 signs you’re magically mated to that guy you just met!
Spinster? You CAN find an earl that doesn’t care what the ton thinks!
Do you want to be worship? Here’s some towns where there are so few women you have to have 4 husbands!
Is your boyfriend a vampire? Style tips to hide that hickey!
He Turned Furry, Find Out What She Did Next!
This Bad-ass Biker Was a Killer Until This Happened!
She Lost Her Dog–and Her Virginity. See who found both!
See What This Billionaire Greek Sheikh Cop Does With His Handcuffs!
You’ll never guess who the Duke found when he went to the marriage mart!
Their eyes met across the room, and then THIS happened!
1. Learn how to have a successful marriage of convenience WITHOUT those messy feelings. Click HERE.
2. He thought he could never love again when THIS happened.
3. Feeling Unlucky in love ? Click HERE to adopt your own pet moppet.
Wealthy, Single Lord Nextdoor? What You Need to Know To Move In- as His Wife!
Beautiful but Broke? Pretty but Poor? 10 Tips to Landing the Lord That THEY Don’t Want You to Know!
Get the Ring AND the Duke With This Guide! Only £19.99!
Though my personal favorite so far is the vampire boyfriend hickey trick.
Share this book by midnight to win your own Duke!
This hunky billionaire is giving away his fortune, but you have to click now!
3 things you’ll be alarmed by in your favorite ducal mansion
10 Secret Babies who grew up to be ugly
Lose weight and your virtue in 30 days or free!
25 Hottest Rakes of a fake European country
Thinking of the tropes…
They hated each other until THIS happened
One night of sex and he never knew THEY were the result
Ten ways to beat that marriage of convenience
She was an innocent virgin until THIS ROGUE came along (you won’t believe what he got her to do)
You’ll never guess what he gambled next
Sorry, must stop now – supposed to be working!
10 Ways She Got Around the Pre-Nup, and other tips to marrying up.
6 Signs You Might Have Pregnesia!
Could your marriage of convenience be a love match? Take this quiz to find out!
Is peeled ginger root the new handcuffs? Anastasia tells all!
Which Disney Villian is His Mother?
9 Romance hacks that will change the way you date!
She thought he was an Asshole, but you won’t believe his tragic backstory!
You’ll never believe who this confirmed bachelor fell for
She’s on the shelf, but the last chapter will make you cry
He thought she was merely passable, then she took off her glasses and THIS HAPPENED!
10 Ways To Tell That You Are An Amnesiac Fleeing From An Arranged Marriage To A Lecherous Old Man But You Are Really In Love With A Duke Who Is Pretending to Be A Pirate!
She Thought It Was Just A House Party… Until HE Did This!
Ten Ways To Protect Your Reputation – What Debutantes Need To Know To Avoid Rakes!
She Thought She’d Be A Spinster Forever, But Then She Did THIS And Got Noticed By The Duke!
THIS Is What You Need To Know To Get The Most Out Of Being A Merry Widow!
He Did This To Shock An Unmarried Lady – But She Did THIS And Shocked Him Instead!
How To Land A Nobleman In One Season – It Worked For This Debutante!