Volume 1 | subscribers | 1 different countries | 1 January 2008
Part 1 - Welcome!
Dear %$firstname$%,
I can’t believe that it is February and I’m sitting
here at my desk looking out at bright sunshine. It always makes
me feel good and helps to keep the inspiration flowing. Sometimes
though, even that isn’t enough and it may be necessary
to just take a break. It can give you a whole new perspective
on things.
I was reminded of that whilst being on a netwalk last week
in beautiful Richmond Park. Yes, that's right, netwalk, not
network – a great opportunity to get out into that lovely
sunshine, but still officially be working! It was led by the
inspiring Elizabeth Cairns and if you’d like to find out
more then go to http://www.amovita.co.uk/netwalking.htm
Wishing you an inspirational and sunny February and if you
have any favourite ways of increasing your feelgood factor,
then please do share them on my blog.
Part
2 - Feature Article
What’s in a Title?
This Thursday is Valentine’s Day, which aside
from red roses and chocolates, made me think about pet names we
give to people and subsequently book titles.
Coming up with a title for your book can feel like
the hardest part and you may decide to leave it until the very
end or have a working title which changes as the book progresses.
The title is very important as it is one of the
first things to engage a potential reader (apart from the cover
design) and should reflect the essence of the book, whilst awakening
curiosity and interest. However, when writing your first book,
the chances are that you won’t have the luxury of being
well-known, so the title will need to go that extra mile for you.
Most non-fiction books have both a title and subtitle
and rather like dancing partners the two should move together
in harmony – one leading and the other following. The title
should entice and engage, whilst the subtitle gets to the heart
of things.
Be different
Don’t be afraid to go for a title that is out of the ordinary.
In these days of information overload, it can be the unusual things
which capture your attention.
Rules of the Red Rubber Ball
Find and Sustain Your Life’s Work
by Kevin Carroll
My curiosity was immediately aroused by this rather
funky title, which didn’t give much away, particularly since
the subtitle isn’t featured on the cover, but on the first
page. Unusual but effective.
Connect with Your Audience
If your book is aimed at a very specific target audience then
let them know it on the front cover!
How to Run Your Business Like a Girl
Successful Strategies from Entrepreneurial Women Who Made It Happen
by Elizabeth Cogswell Baskin
I bought this book shortly before starting my own
business and it was the words ‘like a girl’ that attracted
me to it. Enough said!
Small is Beautiful
Some book titles state that you can change your life in a weekend
(as if!) or imply that it contains everything there is to know
on a particular subject e.g. “The complete book of…”
(Does this mean that others are incomplete?!). You may find that
sometimes less is definitely more.
One Small Step Can Change Your Life
The Kaizen Way
By Robert Maurer, Ph.D.
I’d heard of the Japanese principles of Kaizen,
but it was the idea of achieving success in a way that is actually
manageable that I found appealing.
Take the Direct Approach
A title doesn’t always need to be cryptic to be engaging.
Sometimes you can just tell it like it is and it will hit home.
What Should I Do with My Life?
The True Story of People Who Answered the Ultimate Questions
by Po Bronson
I was struggling with this very question when I
saw an advert for this book in a tube station! It is a subject
very dear to my heart and the book has become one of my absolute
favourites.
I should add that all of the above have great cover
designs, which enhanced my initial interest. ‘Rules of the
Red Rubber Ball’ even has a circle of red rubber embedded
in the cardboard front cover, which delighted me no end. Cover
design should complement the title and I will be discussing that
in a future newsletter.
In the meantime, think of book titles that you have
found memorable, funny or engaging or go into your local bookstore
and see what takes your fancy and why…