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.
Matthew, Thanks x2 for your comments! I hear you on the problems with “number” or “data.” I hoped that using a common phrase would help the appeal, but I might be wrong. I also find the endless quest for a clever title quote fruitless. Nevertheless, here I am dreaming up more.
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
All good points. I think "Strength in Numbers" is better because people are familiar with the phrase, even if "Power" is linguistically the better choice.
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!
Thanks for giving me so much to think about! I have certainly considered just ignoring the dilemma altogether and letting Norton sort it out. Part of the reason I posted this was to see how people would react to different options because I don't know how the press will do their testing, if they do any at all. So the fact that you're reacting well to the top two options is great! :)
I would certainly stay in dialogue with the press--don't mean to sound like I would just let them choose it, I should clarify. I mean that I only had one of my own proposed titles accepted as-is. So what you're doing, I would say, is really wise: send them tweaks, changes, revisions, etc., and test ideas wherever you can. They won't do much market testing outside of their own marketing/pub dept--which is certainly a great group, but it's not like they'll run it by sounding boards externally. If they reject all your ideas, then so be it--at least you know that they did their due diligence and thought critically about the title. I feel similarly about cover art/designs: just make them justify it, talk through things with you and sound out ideas, and it's probably going to be really sharp and right. Bravo!
Oh I love Norton's covers. They have done most of Michael Lewis's books, too, which is what I sent to my own publisher as a model for my most recent book. They'll knock yours out!
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
Susan, Thanks for your input. I think you're right, and that's one of the reasons I'm so torn. But the book is really much more about how polls work than why we need them, hence the second-guessing...
"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.
Matthew, Thanks x2 for your comments! I hear you on the problems with “number” or “data.” I hoped that using a common phrase would help the appeal, but I might be wrong. I also find the endless quest for a clever title quote fruitless. Nevertheless, here I am dreaming up more.
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!
"POLLS" has the advantage (that no other option has) of being able to be plastered on the cover at 60-point font
I agree, the one word POLLS snags it like barbed wire snags a cashmere sweater. After that How they work blah blah blah. And the cover art is key.
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."
Not bad!
What about The History And Future Importance Of Polling In Democracy ?
That’s too wordy, I think, but certainly descriptive!
“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
All good points. I think "Strength in Numbers" is better because people are familiar with the phrase, even if "Power" is linguistically the better choice.
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.
Jeff,
Yeah, I think this one does the best at both getting readers' attention online and in book stores, and in enticing the critics.
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!
Hey Gayle,
Thanks for giving me so much to think about! I have certainly considered just ignoring the dilemma altogether and letting Norton sort it out. Part of the reason I posted this was to see how people would react to different options because I don't know how the press will do their testing, if they do any at all. So the fact that you're reacting well to the top two options is great! :)
Be well. E
I would certainly stay in dialogue with the press--don't mean to sound like I would just let them choose it, I should clarify. I mean that I only had one of my own proposed titles accepted as-is. So what you're doing, I would say, is really wise: send them tweaks, changes, revisions, etc., and test ideas wherever you can. They won't do much market testing outside of their own marketing/pub dept--which is certainly a great group, but it's not like they'll run it by sounding boards externally. If they reject all your ideas, then so be it--at least you know that they did their due diligence and thought critically about the title. I feel similarly about cover art/designs: just make them justify it, talk through things with you and sound out ideas, and it's probably going to be really sharp and right. Bravo!
All great advice! I haven't even thought of cover art yet. I really like the look of Jill Lepore's new book, and I'm lucky to be at the same publishing house that created it https://www.amazon.com/If-Then-Simulmatics-Corporation-Invented/dp/1631496107
Oh I love Norton's covers. They have done most of Michael Lewis's books, too, which is what I sent to my own publisher as a model for my most recent book. They'll knock yours out!
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
Susan, Thanks for your input. I think you're right, and that's one of the reasons I'm so torn. But the book is really much more about how polls work than why we need them, hence the second-guessing...
Great titles! After 2020 I suggest the title: "Making sense of the dumpster fire that is American Politics and their polls"
Don't think they're gonna like that one! ;)