David b mclaughlin's Comments

Hi Dave! Is forty a magical number

David, I just read your blog post and I agree...you gotta think marketing and titles sell. I spend years doing due diligence before I do anything and the title will sell the book.
So I would go with...40 Things you should know by 40!
Then the next book...40 things you should do by 40!

Hi David. I stopped by your blog and love #30...Brilliant! I'm going to TATOO IT TO MY HEAD, ARMS AND FEET...WISH I WOULD HAVE THUNK THAT ONE UP MYSELF!!! IT'S BRILLIANT!!!

And I voted...great job on the book. I love it...I really do!!!

Why not just call it something like: "MY FORTY YEARS ON PLANET EARTH," just keeping it simple.. glad to be aboard

I like the first one!

Thanks so much for all of your comments. If anybody comes back and reads this page I thought I would update you on what I am currently thinking.

I have actually decided to make two books. I had one section of my book that was going to be a list of 40 Things You Should Do At 40. I have now decided to make that a whole book.

So since I am going to do two books, I want to make them look like companion books, which they will be.

So my latest idea is to name them thusly:

40 Things You Should Know By 40
and
40 Things You Should Do At 40

So whaddayathink?

Hi David,

In your reply you restated almost verbatim what you wrote in the "About Me and My Book:" section of your page. Maybe even though you're not comfortable with, "40 most important things I have learned in my forty years on Planet Earth," you secretly want this as your title. It might be the one:)

I gave you questions that you could ask yourself so as to tease out the best title for your book. Obviously you know what your book is about. The most poignant question to ask is what are the "Things"? If there's another word for them, that might be a key word in your title as well.

The best word choice for title on your page so far
was from Pat McDonough; 40 Big Insights to Thrive at 40.

Again, hope this line of thought helps you this time around:)


Yvon

Thanks David,

And I wish you the best with your book. I'll ponder the title request... What I DO suggest (in my book on publishing), as an overarching suggestion, is that with non-fiction how-to books, which I think yours would classify as, you should make the title a promise: Let the readers know what's in it for them; tell them why it's worth picking up.

Examples of promises in titles: Chicken Soup for the Soul, The One-Minute Manager, The Well-Fed Writer (my first, of course), The Fix-it-and-Forget-It Cookbook (best-seller in 2002), etc. Just some thoughts... All the best.

PB

You invited me to "vote" on what to name your book. That's very generous of you. Since you asked, I'll think about it.

Most likely keeping it simple is best. If you write down questions as to what's most important about your book.....like are these "40" things what helped me survive to age 40? Or, Are these patent isms we all need to know to reach 40 years of age? REALLY, what is it you want the book to focus on. THIS is what the title should allude to, or encapsulate:)

Hope this helped,

Yvon

A suggested title: 40 Big Insights to Thrive at 40.

David,
Titles are the keystone of book marketing so you're right to spend so much time on it. It took me months to find the right brand for my book. Remember to think ahead, what brand do you really want for your book? 40/40 Hindsight is the best branding title you've got so far but I think you can come up with something better if you give it time. Good luck!

I'd say... Forty Things You Should Know by Forty

Hi David,
I must admit to being an amatuer in this field. I do though, agree with Kathryn who says "My suggestion: your description. The Forty Most Important Things I've learned in My Forty Years on Planet Earth.
John

hi David, I voted for your book title... I tend to go for titles that are self-explanatory, so while all your titles are intriguing and good ideas, I've gone with the one that sums up what I can expect to read in the book.
:-)
A

You're welcome.:}

As a web designer for authors, a Copy Editor and an author myself I know the title needs to capture the readers attention. It is second only in importance to the cover design. I put my two cents in but highly recommend you keep your thinking cap on.
Best of luck,
Ginger Marks

I just received you email. Please tell me the 25 word blurb so I know what you book is about. I can tell you that when I asked the same question at Publisher's University 12 years ago they told me that a book title with a number in it sold better. Also put as many key words up front to make computerized searches work for you.
There is a limit to how many words will show up in most book title lists, so short and catchy is better than erudite and wordy.

copyedit@cfl.rr.com or books4you@cfl.rr.com
Pat McDonough
Terra Sancta Press (publisher) & McDONOUGH CONSULTING (copyediting, writing & publishing coach)

You are welcome! Glad you like it!

;-)

Duh...I didn't realize "40" is currently the title :o) Pardon my oversight. Anyway, as the saying goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". "40" and a subtitle has my vote.