My book almost has a title!
I received this email from my publisher today:
I saw the content from the book that you sent to Jaime, and it really looks like it’s coming along. I think it’s going to be a truly brilliant book.
We had a meeting today to discuss the title and subtitle, and to brainstorm a bit around it. The goal was to create a title that really represents what’s in the book, but also conveys the benefit the reader might receive. This is a tough balance to strike! But we hammered something out that Tami and I both think is great. You’ll see we stole from the title of the podcast here, which we both liked a great deal. With some subtitle iterations, and in the order of our preference, our proposals are:
LIVING AS A RIVER: Finding Fearlessness in the Face of Change
LIVING AS A RIVER: Becoming Fearless in the Face of Change
LIVING AS A RIVER: Being Fearless in the Face of Change
I likewise preferred the first of the titles. So that might be it:
LIVING AS A RIVER: Finding Fearlessness in the Face of Change
What do you think?
23 Responses to “My book almost has a title!”
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You’re currently reading “My book almost has a title!,” an entry on Bodhipaksa's blog, bodhi tree swaying
Published: Nov 18 2009
I like “being” or “becoming” fearless. It sounds more empowering. And it’s a little lighter on the alliteration, too.
Yes, that is a lot of F’s, isn’t it?
Fearless flowing in the face of change?
Though I think you should have just called it “The Sixth Element”
nice. congrats. my vote: LIVING AS A RIVER: Being Fearless in the Face of Change
godspeed with the book!
~C
I go for number 2. It sounds less passive than 1.
I like the second one. It’s less cumbersome and in my opinion slightly more ‘on the button’, since fearlessness doesn’t just happen (i.e. by simply stumbling over it, finding it), one has to work at it and ‘become’. Does this make sense?
Loved your interview with Tami by the way. Made me think! looking forward to the book.
Yes, the first title is the one for me.
Have you tried what I did to confirm my title for ‘Answers: Finding Wisdom from Within’?- drop into meditation, ask the question ‘which title is best?’ (like dropping a pebble into a pool), then wait for the ripples to reply.
I love the river metaphor too. I use it a lot in my work and thinking. All the best with this, Bodhipaksa. And please introduce me to your wonderful publishers soon!!!
Srimati http://thrivecraft.wordpress.com
How about just, ‘Living as a River: Fearlessness in the Face of Change’? Or are you not allowed to pick ones that aren’t on the list?
I agree with Sarah. Since rivers already are fearless (they don’t have to find or become that state), I’d go with “Living as a River: Fearlessness in the Face of Change.”
I always prefer as simple as possible – something potential readers can remember. How about:
Living as a River: Facing Change Without Fear
My vote is:
LIVING AS A RIVER: Becoming Fearless in the Face of Change
Sounds more ‘fluid’
c.
I go along with Sarah and Mary’s votes. “Living as a River: Fearlessness in the Face of Change”. It feels less wordy than the others.
what about:
LIVING AS A RIVER: Fearless in the Face of Change
less wordy.
the view from an editor in New York who battles all the time over these issues: the middle one is the best: the top one is over-alliterative and too much of a mouthful; between “Being” and “Becoming” I prefer the fluidity and sense of process of “Becoming”
Do feel free to think outside the box. If you think there’s something better than the three suggestions in the post, do let me know!
I like the word “becoming”. It’s a continuation of the image or felt experience of being a river. “becoming” is calm and confident (fearless).
The interplay between the title and subtitle eases any anxiety that might come up, says “there’s nothing threatening here”, “I am a river, bring it on, I can do this; this is me.”
I’d go for ‘being fearless’. (Not forgetting that ‘being’ is a verb.)
What about just “facing change”? Or Facing change fearlessly.
It will be good to have a reference for this practice! Make sure the Guhyaloka library gets a copy or two!
Jayarava
How about:
Living River: Fearlessness in the face of change
If it’s about the six elements I’m not sure why they’ve chosen water as the element in the title? Having lead dance events based on the six element meditation practice – just choosing one element for the title doesn’t seem quite right to me, but they might have good reason.
‘The 6 Elements: Finding Fearlessness in the face of change’, is another possibility.
I’m keen to read a copy when it comes out – it will no doubt add something to my dance events and meditation practice
Good luck with it all, Jayagita
Hi Jayagita,
They’ve chosen water because of how I wrote the book. To me, water is the archetypal element because our experience of it gives us our most concrete experience of flow.
I like ‘finding fearlessness’ myself but Sadara’s suggestion is also more elegant. I’m also not sure about the living as a river bit, I’d prefer Jayagita’s suggestion. Whatever you call it my shelf awaits…(I’ll read it too of course!)
I’d imagine putting “The Six Elements” in the title would probably be the marketing kiss of death. Generally people need the title to give them an idea what a book’s about, and since only a small subset of Buddhists know what the six elements are, that title would drastically shrink the potential audience. In an ideal world, such things wouldn’t matter!
I don’t like the word combination ‘Living’ and ‘river’ a lot – mind can abbreviate that to ‘liver’.
How about
‘Changing River: Fearless living’
or
‘Changing River: Life without fear’
I wonder about:
LIVING AS A RIVER: How to Become Fearless in the Face of Change
or
LIVING AS A RIVER: Becoming Fearless Through Embracing Change