The best ways to collaborate on titles and subtitles

The best ways to collaborate on titles and subtitles

In 15 years of working with authors, I’ve learned this about titles and subtitles: This means they need two different types of ideation processes. Titles are a bolt from the blue A title should be catchy, clever, and unique. You can’t “get close” to a title. It’s either right, or you need something different. As…

Is your idea book-worthy? Ask these 11 questions to make sure.

Is your idea book-worthy? Ask these 11 questions to make sure.

It’s easy to tell people “I have a book idea.” But before you invest your time in writing, you need to make sure that idea is powerful enough to build a book on. Here are 11 questions to ask yourself before you exert significant effort towards becoming a nonfiction author. If you can’t answer these…

Straight talk about how to come up with a book title

Straight talk about how to come up with a book title

It’s time to come up with a title for your book. “I want something iconic,” you’re thinking. “Like Lean In. Or The Tipping Point. Or Made to Stick.” You are deluded. And your delusion is leading you astray. These books sold because of huge promotion (Lean In) and incredible ideas and writing. You think they are great titles…