I almost named my book something terrible. In fact, earlier today, my editor, agent and I were reminiscing about the bad ideas we had in a long ago and far away time, chuckling at how we almost named the The Small and the Mighty something… well, you’ll see.
Please enjoy HOW TO NAME A BOOK: An Email Thread
There are three characters in this thread. Me, my editor, Helen, and my agent, Richard. Our story begins in December 2022.
Helen:
Hey Sharon,
We’re looking to lock in a title by the end of January (2023), if possible. We’ve had a lot of good options on the table, but none feel truly like they describe the book as it is on the page. What do you think of something like this?
WE THE PEOPLE: The Untold Stories of the Americans Who Made America Beautiful
Richard:
It’s very, very wholesome, earnest and positive. Are those the qualities that your book most embodies?
Sharon:
I mean, yes, it is by and large quite a hopeful book. But I also don't want it to be too easy to dismiss as fluffy or to have a "Chicken Soup for the Soul" kind of vibe... although... those books have sold 500 million copies. So maybe I do? ;P
Just thinking about this further... most books about history and government being published now are titles like:
PERIL
AMERICAN MARXISM
LAPTOP FROM HELL
THE BATTLE FOR THE AMERICAN MIND
PROFILES IN IGNORANCE
CHIP WAR
AMERICAN MIDNIGHT
THE GREAT RESET
They are very fear based. And I get it... it sells. But this is not a fear based book. This is more like a keynote about what it takes to be a great American, and stories of people who embodied those ideals. I want the reader to feel like they just left hearing an incredible speaker... inspired.
Richard:
It reads to me as very sweet and patriotic. (I’m not saying those are bad qualities.)
Helen:
I think the vibe we’re going for is inspiring, and it’s ok if it’s wholesome too. After sitting on it, I’m not crazy about using “America” twice in the subtitle, and I don’t really love “Made America Beautiful.” How about this instead?
WE THE PEOPLE: THE EXTRAORDINARY STORIES OF ORDINARY AMERICANS
Richard:
With that subtitle, the book could be about almost anything.
Helen:
That’s valid. Let me play with it.
Sharon:
I feel like the title needs to have a level of gravitas. Inspiration, sure. But I do want my work to be regarded seriously.
Helen:
How about something like this? To Richard’s point, the subtitle should give the reader a sense for what’s inside the book. And to your point, Sharon, perhaps more specificity will help.
We the People: The Untold History of the Teachers, Veterans, and Ordinary Americans Who Made Our Country Extraordinary
Sharon:
Does it feel too Marley and Me?
Helen:
I don’t feel it’s giving Marley and Me. But it’s closer to HIDDEN FIGURES and CODE GIRLS than it is to Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham. Is that where you want the book to sit on the shelf?
Sharon:
I do think it will land more in the popular nonfiction category than the academic section. But naming professions that people tend to like in the subtitle feels kind of like it’s trying too hard to be… I don’t know, charming? It feels a little on the nose.
Richard:
I don’t disagree with you.
Sharon:
Richard, how do you feel about the title We the People? Is it the subtitle that feels off, or the whole thing?
Richard:
Both are soft. Neither is intellectually challenging or provocative. There’s nothing that says, “You will think differently after you read this book.”
Helen:
This is great feedback. Thanks, Richard. Let me go back to the drawing board and bring you something different.
Now, let me jump in here for a moment and say that the suggestion I made next is hilarious to me. Try not to laugh in my face. But do feel free to snicker alone in the bathroom about it.
Sharon:
What about How to be a Great American?
You won’t hurt my feelings with honesty.
<gag gag gag>
Richard:
Definitely better. But, we should be careful about going with a title that’s too how-to-y, as the NY Times will assign your book to the “Advice, How-to & Miscellaneous” bestseller list, which is the most competitive of them all and only has ten positions.
Richard is too nice.
Helen:
I agree with you, Richard, re: HOW TO BE A GREAT AMERICAN. Along with NYT politics, we don’t want to give the readers the impression that this is a how-to book, driven by a list of action items rather than stories.
How about:
AMERICA IS US: The Untold History of a Great Nation
Sharon:
I am stuck on the phrase “America is Us.” I don’t feel like rolls off the tongue grammatically.
<Narrator: In fact, Sharon hated the title “America is Us” and would rather have rolled on an ant hill that put her name next to it on a book jacket.>
What about:
Declaration: The untold history of America's journey to a more perfect union?
Momentum: The Surprising and Beautiful History of America
A Change of Heart Any Minute: How We Can Learn From Those Who Paved the Way
The Mountaintop: The Unlikely Stories of ________________
Time passed. The holidays happened We discussed on a Zoom call. Here are some more titles that we bandied about:
UNTOLD AND UNLIKELY
IN PLAIN SIGHT
A GRAND EXPERIMENT
So many of you have asked me where the name The Small and the Mighty came from, and I’ll tell you.
I don’t know.
In the words of Katharine Lee Bates, the line “sprang into being,” or “floated into my consciousness,” and I immediately dashed off another email:
Sharon:
How about The Small and the Mighty: the Unlikely History of the People Who Shaped a Nation?
Helen
I like it! I think we need to have “America” in the subtitle, otherwise it’s not clear which nation. But I think it’s one of the strongest we’ve had so far. How about:
The Small and the Mighty: the Unlikely History of the People Who Made America Extraordinary
Sharon:
The Unheralded Americans Who Built Their Country from Frontier to Colossus
OK, excuse me. NO. From Frontier to Colossus? No. Absolutely not. Terrible. Absolutely terrible.
Helen:
What about…
THE SMALL AND THE MIGHTY: Untold Stories of the Great Americans Who Shaped Our Nation
Sharon:
I don’t hate it.
But what about something shorter? Something you would see on a Target shelf that catches the eye of a 35 year old there to buy Valentines for her seven year old’s class?
Ok, how about:
THE SMALL AND THE MIGHTY: The Hidden History of 12 (number TBD) Remarkable Americans
Helen:
I like it, with and without the number. The number grounds it, which I think is a benefit.
I hate to knit pick, but should we reconsider the word “hidden”? It sounds somewhat conspiratorial, as if a certain story were intentionally buried. Replace it with “little-known”
12 Remarkable, Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History?
Sharon:
I love it.
THE SMALL AND THE MIGHTY: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History?
Twelve Remarkable Americans Who Changed the Course of History?
Is using “remarkable” and “unsung” together too much? Or is it just right?
Richard:
Unsung holds some real mystery, which is why I think it’s the one that works.
Sharon:
Yes. Plus, unsung indicates that they are remarkable in some way?
Richard:
Yes it does!
Helen:
Agree, we don’t really need “remarkable.” It’s implied.
I think we got it!
Sharon:
I love it. It conveys the right message and sentiment and has enough intrigue. I will work on firming up the exact number to put in the title.
I ran it by some people I trust who have no knowledge of this book for a first impression, and it was universally very positive.
Helen:
I love it, too. Full steam ahead. We have plenty of time—until the manuscript is finished in May--to finalize the number.
And that’s what it took to name the book that you’ll soon be holding in your hands on September 24th. It’s a book I worked for and am incredibly proud of.
Here’s what historian and bestselling author of The Color of Compromise and The Spirit of Justice said about it: "So much of our historical learning focuses on what went wrong. The Small and the Mighty tells us about the people who worked to get it right. In a time when democracy is on the line and the fabric of our nation seems to be unraveling, we need this book as a reminder that hope, even when it's tiny, is strong enough to meet this moment."
Here’s what bestselling author had to say: “This book is what you wished history class would have been. This is a book for times that feel hopeless; a reminder that this country‘s ideals were and are lived by people brave enough to go against the grain. This book is a spark of hope and a call to action, it is Sharon at her best: pointing out the light in the darkness.”
And had this to say: “A master class in making American history fascinating and fun. Sharon McMahon has a remarkable ability to make you laugh as you learn about the unsung heroes who shaped our country. By the end of the book, you won’t just be enlightened and entertained—you’ll feel empowered by newfound confidence that you don’t need to be rich or famous to make a difference.”
I have eleven days to make the bestseller list, and I would be honored if you would consider helping me. I made you a whole bevy of preorder bonuses that I’d love to send you on publication day! Click here to order and to sign up for your bonuses.
A million times, thank you.