My book proposal is almost done. Again.
The first version went out to several publishers. Some liked it. Some did not. In the end, no one decided to publish it. The original version was Law of Attraction-centric and after The Secret, most publishers were inundated with LOA proposals. While I like to think my style of writing is personal and unique enough to set me apart, the marketing departments of the publishers were not convinced.
So it was back to the drawing board. And I had an important question to answer. What sets me apart? What’s unique about me?
I thought back to when I was a boy and what I valued.
You know who popped into my head? The Fonz.
Drew and brother Ned on the ferry.
Like millions of people I was a big fan of the Fonz. I was always into the concept of "cool."
As I grew older, my notion of cool evolved from an externally-based concept (i.e., Levi’s are way cooler than Wranglers!), to an internally-based one (i.e., do I feel happy?). In fact, it was my resonance with cool that got me into attraction in the first place.
And so my book explores the essence of cool (I define cool as feelings of Freedom, Ease, and Connection) through a series of essays, similar to how I write the features in my newsletters.
I’m feeling good about what I’m putting out there. I’d love to be known for defining cool in terms of a feeling (rather than how other people think of you) and sharing my insights as to the building blocks (and common barriers) for creating a very cool life.
Kinda stuck on the title though. Been thinking about it too long. Could use some feedback.
I want the title to be catchy, cool (of course), and capture the essence of the book.
The subtitle is clearer: Adventures in Creating a Life of Freedom, Ease, and Connection.
What would be most helpful is your opinion of what should go before the colon!
So, please vote on the right hand side of the page.
If nothing resonates, you can add your own.
Feel free to add observations in the comments, too.
Thanks for your help!
d
P.S. If you have a title suggestion, add it in the comments. I was getting too many suggestions in the live poll.
Hello Drew,
I was wondering whether ‘Adventures in’ truly would resonate with your target groups. May I suggest to replace that by ‘Secrets for’. This would be more intriguing and draw people more directly into your book. Adventures sounds more descriptive, narrative, less revealing.
Hope this is helpfull.
Greetings from sunny (I wish!) Brussels
Gregor
“go stuff the ballot box elsewhere” is what your (i’m sure well intentioned) blog just told me to do. 🙂 and since i think this is the obvious title for the book, i’ll get it in somewhere–like right here: Cool Aid
uh oh…i just saw it pop up as a choice…so quick to indignance i am.
love ya ann
p.s. yes, i know i just invented a new word also 🙂
Hi Drew,
My 2 cents: I’d stick with something short since the subtitle is long. Plus, you want it to be catchy, roll-off-the-tongue easy, that’s why I voted for Uncommonly Cool. With that title there’s a bit of mystery, piquing interest – hence “I must buy the book and find out what the adventures are. I want to be cool, but in an uncommon, personal way.”
Although I haven’t read it, the 4HWW came to mind – quick and catchy – even made its way to an acronym.
I also like Consciously Cool (espcially since it’s your story and how you became conscious to your life) and The Essence of Cool (although it could lead reader to think they’ll get step-by-step, A-Z type instructions on all aspects of being cool).
Good luck with the title and the publishers.
Mary Ann
PS – Wedding pics?
Suggestion for a shorter and (IMJ) punchier subtitle: “Creating a Life of Freedom, Ease and Connection”
or
“How to Build a Life of Freedom, Ease and Connection”
My sense is publishers seem to gravitate to titles that convey a clear and specific value promise for readers.
Hi Gregor — wishing you some sun in Brussels.
Thought about “Secrets” but only for a moment. First, I don’t really resonate with the whole secret-thing too much anymore. It feels like it’s been done and it always feels like a marketing ploy to me. That said, Secrets probably outsells Adventures!
But in this process of what I bring, I’ve discovered/gotten clear that I am an explorer/adventurer… and I think my writing style is more geared toward that.
I’m sure whatever I come up with, an editor will want to change anyway!
Thanks so much for your thoughts…
d
Ann —
I never thought of Cool Aid! never crossed my mind. oh, the power of groups!
love it!
thanks!
🙂
hi Mary Ann —
thanks so much. yup, two words in the title… Something Cool or Cool Something. maybe three, tops. then the subtitle explains it.
I like both your choices very much. whoever added Essence, that was a word I had written down as well.
and in one draft, I even had an acronym, but not sure it worked…
no wedding pix yet. don’t know what’s up with our photographer!
warmest,
d
hi Brett –
point taken on the subtitle.
you got a title to go with that?
thanks,
d
Great topic, the “cool” thing. When I was young I also thought cool was being in the “in” crowd. When I got older, it occured to me that the people I admired the most, or I thought of as “cool”, were all VERY individualistic, indpendant, out of the box thinkers, and most importantly, comfortable in there own skin. And I think this is what most people are still attracted to today. We admire those who have the courage to FULLY be as they were created.
Just my little thought.
Good luck on your book…I’ll purchase it when I see it out there!
Nina Buckley
Portland Oregon
Hey Drew,
I couldn’t work out how to add a new option to the blog list. My suggestion is to use what’s already working i.e. Very Cool Life: Adventures …. or Creating …
Cheers, Sharon
PS Have a fab workshop, I’m jealous I can’t be there.
How about Pattern Interrupt to Cool for a title?
Hi Drew,
I totally agree with Mary Ann. Keep the title short and to the point because your subtitle says the rest. I chose Consciously Cool, because that is what (I think) you are all about – assisting people to conscioucly create a cool life. The Essence of Cool would be my second choice, yet I think even those extra few words makes it too long.
Best of luck my friend. I absolutely love your style of writing and believe there is a whole world of people who will be grateful to discover your book/s in a bookstore.
How about “Cool From the Inside Out:
Title: “Cool, ya know, like Lap”
Actually, I really like “Cool, Calm and Connected-The Fonz Experiment”
Think about it. Like you said, the Fonz was so connected with people, he could snap his fingers to attract a girls. He was so connected to objects, he could pound a jukebox to make it play. I always wanted to pound Pinky Tuskadaro.
I voted for “Consciously cool”.
May I offer a suggestion, the title of your newsletter:
“Thoughts on very cool living”
Cheers,
Norbs
Some additional title suggestions:
Playing It Cool, The Coolest, The Cool Effect, Cool Intentions, Maintaining Your Cool, Cool World, Way Cool
Stay cool, (hmmmmmm!)
Roger
Dear Drew: The problem with your suggested titles is that “cool” is no longer cool. Of course, Levis are cooler than Wranglers. But what’s cooler still is being beyond “cool”. Moreover, I doubt that “cool” will resonate with most book buyers. (You do want to sell the book, yes?)
So forget Fonzie and begin to think beyond “cool”. You’re grappling, I assume, with transcendent principles that, when employed, are/can be personally transformative. Focus on that paradigm and come up with something that’s both original and familiar all at the same time (e.g., “Chicken Soup for the Soul — but cooler, of course).
Cheers,
Glenn
“Adventures in Cool” for the title, and then modify the subtitle.
thanks, everyone!!
@ Nina: you get my point exactly…
@ Sharon: this seems to be the winner. simple. straightforward beats clever.
@ Ken: you’ll have to explain that title to me! 🙂
@ Sib: for the record, Consciously Cool is my fave, too
@ Marilyn: I like where that is going (I had Cool on the Inside), but trying to keep in punchy
@ Lap: Pinky AND Leather Tuscadero
@ Norbou: Again, I like Consciously Cool too… as for “thoughts on very cool living” I want to be more specific as to what kinds of thoughts
@ Roger: Some of those are pretty good, but I don’t think they capture the spirit of what I’ve written for the book.
@ Glenn: I think you miss my point. Cool is often defined by the external (e.g., jeans, car, $). What I do that’s new is define cool as different FEELINGS (freedom, ease, connection). And in my experience, cool is as alive as it was in the 50’s. In any case, cool is what I resonate with, so if I abandon that, I have nothing.
@ Adrienne: that’s a thought… thanks!
COOL!
drew
Hi Drew, how about BIRTH OF THE COOL?
Greetings from Berlin, Volker
How about
Way Cool
The Way To Cool
Cool You (this is my favorite)
okay, just thought of another one…kind of goofy, but it does have a ring 🙂 –“Cool Man Drew”
two things…may or may not apply.
1. reading book ‘look me in the eye’ by Robinson, his brother gave him the oldest rule in writing as advice “show don’t tell”
2. movie “Lars and the Real Girl” expanded me without telling me…loved it. it was simply beaufiful. (and was goofy and funny at the same time)
as always,
love you!
Ann
There’s something dated to me about cool and your nuance of cool as a feeling requires reworking/updating the concept. Cool Feelings as a title, for example, implies something very different from your idea; Feeling Cool does the same thing, I think. Maybe your subtitle should be the title and follow it with Consciously Cool or The Essence of Cool or …?
Anyway, I love your ideas and send good energy your way to hone that title.
Blessings, Fran
I like “As cool as it gets” or “It doesn’t get any cooler than this”. Cool-aid was funny, but sounded like a thousand concerts I’ve heard before. Cool man Drew and Drew man Cool were both funny also. Loved most of em!
Best as always
Debs