I have nearly finished the first draft of my book about polls and democracy: As of today, the only things left to do are to clean up the final chapter and rewrite a fair bit of my short introduction. However, I have been unable to settle on a final title for the draft manuscript — a puzzle that is occupying a lot of space in my brain and preventing some much-needed productivity.
"Sounding Smart: How Polling Makes Democracy Better". Playing on the idea of a poll as a "sounding" of the public pulse. OK, maybe I am trying too hard to be clever.
When I think about a title like "Data-Driven Democracy", I think of statistics. Will that make it less likely for an average reader who may not know about statistics to read the book?
"POLLS: How They Work and Why We Need Them" is to the point and informs the reader about the subject of the book.
"The Will of The People: Why Polls Matter, Why Some Go Wrong, and Why They’re Useful Even When They Fail" also informs the reader about the subject of the book, but adds more detail on the subject, but it may be too long.
Option Two: "POLLS: How They Work and Why We Need Them" may be the best one.
I like "No Margin for Error"! But, of course, I have not read the book. Or written it. So if it does not summarize the content, it's not good. I agree with those who've said already that having "Numbers" or "Data" in the title will immediately limit its appeal. Not good, but that's surely true.
Hi, Elliott - You're right, the current titles are lengthy and punchless. You need the word "Polling" in the title. That's your expertise. Never start a book title with "No," especially a new author's book. It's a psychological turnoff. I propose "Polling Democracy."
“The Will of the People...” title/subtitle is pretty evocative of Nate Silver’s book. In a vacuum, I think it’d be my favorite potential title, but in this TL, I think that the “Strength in Numbers...” works best.
i concur/agree with your reasoning and i almost like "strength in numbers" -- i prefer "power" over "strength" -- under some circumstances they are synonyms, yet.. well, "power" or some other synonym in the #1 meaning in the dictionary. You know, more like "command of" rather than "ability" but it's for you to decide
The title I'm most likely to buy or read is : "POLLS: How They Work and Why We Need Them" - this title covers what I'm interested in and if this is what your book will be about then you'll be delivering on the title. After the last two elections, other people might also be interested in learning more about "how they work" (and why they sometimes are off), and especially "why we need them" - since many people profess to have given up on polls.
First: congrats on nearing the end of the draft! Can't wait to read it. Second: of those listed above, believe it or not, I actually like No Margin for Error *as a title.* (Subtitle, yes, you can change--probably not what you need, a little too preachy for your taste?) I think No MOE captures what you are aiming for (the connotative and denotative senses of MOE), and the subtitle is certainly something you can work on with the press. Strength in Numbers might sound a little too much like it's about solidarity politics, while Will of the People sounds a bit more like a classic socio-politics text. Not that they can't work, but first-blush is often what the press aims for, and if they don't hit, that's it. Of the others: Data-Driven Democracy is certainly catchy--depends on subtitle or what follows, since the press will ask what readers will want to *do* with that book; the title is descriptive but needs more impetus, I think? And How Polls Work & Why We Need Them: very nice. The press might try to jazz it up if they fear it's too Gladwellian but that's tough to know...? Finally: the press will have strong ideas, regardless, on a title and may end up solving this dilemma for you! (I think I generated only one of the titles of my four books, in the end). But they're usually very good at what they do, so I tend to trust them. But honestly, I think No MOE might hit it--I honestly like it, fwiw!
Your first title choice is often the best; a waste of time to second guess it. Leave it with the original title. Margin of error and saving polling are two notions that are hot topics, and you write about the latter with some degree of passion (for you)..if it ain't broke, don't fix it
"Sounding Smart: How Polling Makes Democracy Better". Playing on the idea of a poll as a "sounding" of the public pulse. OK, maybe I am trying too hard to be clever.
When I think about a title like "Data-Driven Democracy", I think of statistics. Will that make it less likely for an average reader who may not know about statistics to read the book?
"POLLS: How They Work and Why We Need Them" is to the point and informs the reader about the subject of the book.
"The Will of The People: Why Polls Matter, Why Some Go Wrong, and Why They’re Useful Even When They Fail" also informs the reader about the subject of the book, but adds more detail on the subject, but it may be too long.
Option Two: "POLLS: How They Work and Why We Need Them" may be the best one.
I'm looking forward to reading your book!
I like "No Margin for Error"! But, of course, I have not read the book. Or written it. So if it does not summarize the content, it's not good. I agree with those who've said already that having "Numbers" or "Data" in the title will immediately limit its appeal. Not good, but that's surely true.
Hi, Elliott - You're right, the current titles are lengthy and punchless. You need the word "Polling" in the title. That's your expertise. Never start a book title with "No," especially a new author's book. It's a psychological turnoff. I propose "Polling Democracy."
What about The History And Future Importance Of Polling In Democracy ?
“The Will of the People...” title/subtitle is pretty evocative of Nate Silver’s book. In a vacuum, I think it’d be my favorite potential title, but in this TL, I think that the “Strength in Numbers...” works best.
i concur/agree with your reasoning and i almost like "strength in numbers" -- i prefer "power" over "strength" -- under some circumstances they are synonyms, yet.. well, "power" or some other synonym in the #1 meaning in the dictionary. You know, more like "command of" rather than "ability" but it's for you to decide
https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/power
The title I'm most likely to buy or read is : "POLLS: How They Work and Why We Need Them" - this title covers what I'm interested in and if this is what your book will be about then you'll be delivering on the title. After the last two elections, other people might also be interested in learning more about "how they work" (and why they sometimes are off), and especially "why we need them" - since many people profess to have given up on polls.
First: congrats on nearing the end of the draft! Can't wait to read it. Second: of those listed above, believe it or not, I actually like No Margin for Error *as a title.* (Subtitle, yes, you can change--probably not what you need, a little too preachy for your taste?) I think No MOE captures what you are aiming for (the connotative and denotative senses of MOE), and the subtitle is certainly something you can work on with the press. Strength in Numbers might sound a little too much like it's about solidarity politics, while Will of the People sounds a bit more like a classic socio-politics text. Not that they can't work, but first-blush is often what the press aims for, and if they don't hit, that's it. Of the others: Data-Driven Democracy is certainly catchy--depends on subtitle or what follows, since the press will ask what readers will want to *do* with that book; the title is descriptive but needs more impetus, I think? And How Polls Work & Why We Need Them: very nice. The press might try to jazz it up if they fear it's too Gladwellian but that's tough to know...? Finally: the press will have strong ideas, regardless, on a title and may end up solving this dilemma for you! (I think I generated only one of the titles of my four books, in the end). But they're usually very good at what they do, so I tend to trust them. But honestly, I think No MOE might hit it--I honestly like it, fwiw!
Your first title choice is often the best; a waste of time to second guess it. Leave it with the original title. Margin of error and saving polling are two notions that are hot topics, and you write about the latter with some degree of passion (for you)..if it ain't broke, don't fix it
Great titles! After 2020 I suggest the title: "Making sense of the dumpster fire that is American Politics and their polls"