survey
I'm heading into the home stretch with my work-in-progress. The book is due to my publisher April 15th and everything's coming together. But I heard from the marketing team the other day and they'd like to change my title. Please read both and weigh in on which one would best grab your attention:
Misconceptions
Finding Peace in the Midst of Infertility
(Take a break ... read the back of the cereal box or something to "clear your palate" ...)
Inconceivable
A Journey through the Pain of Infertility
(Variation on the second: Inconceivable Peace. I could also switch subtitles.)
I'm interested in your specific objections to either or your reasons for liking one over the other. Thanks for your help! I'm sending my suggestions (and probably yours :) back to the marketing team before their titling meeting this coming Tuesday.
16 Comment:
My vote would be for:
Inconceivable: Finding Peace in the Midst of Infertility
That highlights the miracles God can work in the midst of pain. "Misconceptions," to me, carries the connotation that the conception shouldn't have happened in the first place. "Inconceivable" has a more positive flavor, as if something shouldn't have worked out or been miraculous, but it was. That's my 2 cents.
My vote is for "Inconceivable Peace
A Journey through the Pain of Infertility" It tells me that this book is a journey through the pain to the other side. That peace is to be found. It's also a good word play. I don't like "misconception" It seems negative. I like happy endings. ;)
Fran
Morning Shannon,
Like Ginger, the connotation of the two words made me really think about your choices.
I vote for Inconceivable Peace because of two verses that came to my mind as I thought on the titles.
First:
Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts...For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways..."
Then:
Philippians 4:7
"And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
We face things we'll never understand in this life, but He has given us His peace! God bless,
Tammy
Shan,
My vote is for:
Inconceivable, finding peace in the midst of infertility.
You had mentioned that there were several other books that had inconceivable in the title. That may not be a bad thing, if someone uses that to search, they may buy your book. I'm sorry, they WILL buy your book. I would search for inconceivable before misconception.
I will market it no matter what the title!!
6 votes for Inconceivable - any variation of that one.
I also don't like Misconceptions. It is attention-grabbing, but not in a good way for some reason.
I also like Inconceivable: Finding peace in the midst of infertility.
Hello Shannon,
As a woman who battled infertility for 12 years until last year's hysterectomy(due to endometrial cancer) forever closed the doors to my having children I like the title"Inconceivable:Finding Peace In The Midst Of Infertility".For me that title has an element of pleasant surprise to it.I was indeed surprised(by God :-) )to discover that I could have peace in my life about my child-free status!In the early years of my infertility that truly would have seemed"inconceivable"to me!!But our God is full of surprises,is'nt HE?Much love and ((hugs)) to you Shannon.God IS good!
Love,Sharon
Shannon,
I really don't like either of those title options. If I had to choose of the 3, I would choose INCONCEIVABLE PEACE: A Journey through the Pain of Infertility. As a woman also journeying through that pain, I would rather not even think of those words related to conception, especially MISsed conception, but also INconceivable. Both of those titles have a negative connotation to me. I am tired of being told NO - no pregnancy, no children. If I know you, you have found God's YES and I would be more interested in a title that focused on that positive, BIRTHING PEACE or LABOR FOR PEACE, for example, except that those connote some religious ceremony or even a Lamaze technique. I wish I could think of something better. - Cheryl from Shiloh
Either title, but the subtitle's a no-brainer.
I'd want to find peace before taking a painful journey :-)
Hi Shannon,
I definitly prefer Inconceivable to Misconceptions. The word misconception seems to invalidate my feelings about being infertile. I doubt I would pick up a book that right off the bat was telling me, "I'm sorry... you just have a misconception here, you're mistaken... being infertile is really a good thing and you just don't know it." Hmmmm... I don't think so. The word inconceivable (as opposed to misconception) seems to offer some kind of hope in the midst of the pain. If I picked up the book off of the rack, not knowing what "Inconceivable" was referring to, it would be good to have the subtitle complete the thought with a positive note while still validating the readers feelings, like: Inconceivable, Finding peace in the pain of infertility. It was inconceivable to me to think that peace could be found in this life with no children, but surprise, surprise.... it can be found, in measure. Thank God. And thank you for giving words to our silent cries. Ellen from Shilohgarden
I would vote for:
Inconceivable: Finding Peace in the Midst of Infertility.
I don't like the connotation of misconceptions as related to infertility. And as someone else said, I'd much rather find peace than journey through pain!
At any rate, it sounds like a much-needed book that will be a blessing to many.
Inconceivable Peace...
in the midst of infertility
The word "misconceptions" would keep me from picking up the book. Very bad choice of words...leaves the prospective reader with the thought that the book will be negative, rather than positive.
Shannon,
Like others, I like, "Inconceivable, Finding Peace in the midst of infertility." If I were going through infertility, I would want to know that I could have peace. I would want to know that "yes," it's a journey, but in the end, peace is attainable.
Books are my business and so I definitely have an opinion :D
Misconceptions
Finding Peace in the Midst of Infertility
This one bugged me and I didn't know why, so I thought about it a good while to figure it out. Mis and Midst are too close but not the same, therefore my brain has trouble registering the 'd' and it causes a mental stumble.
Inconceivable
A Journey through the Pain of Infertility
This one flows well because of the repetition of the "In" and the echo of five sylables in the first and last word. The two words act as a loop to close the phrase.
So that's my opinion!
I'm sure your publisher has a book designer already, but if not, think of me, I've done hundreds.
I don't like misconceptions. I like Inconceivable, Finding Peace in the Midst of Infertility. I went through infertility myself so I speak from experience. I don't want to be reminded of the pain. I wouldn't buy a book with that title. I wanted hope and the title "Inconceivable, Finding Peace in the Midst of Infertility" gives hope. I would have bought a book by that title. By the way, one time when I was so depressed after many attempts to get pregnant, my husband prayed for me. The Lord told me to trust His love for me. Many years later, my husband and I adopted four abandoned and abused teens. My mothering desires were totally satisfied. We have to be willing to let God "out of the box" and let Him be creative in satisfying the desires of our heart!
Thanks everyone! I passed on your votes (as well as the twenty or so emails I received) and am awaiting word from the publisher. I'll let you know what they decide.
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