Saturday, October 1, 2011

I need your help!

You may remember that the title for my book is:

Paris, My Sweet

And, the subtitle:

A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)


But the publisher is on the fence about the subtitle, so we're exploring options. Which of these three speaks the loudest to you, and would seduce you to splurge on it versus (or at least in addition to) all the other candy-colored "foodoirs" displayed at your local bookstore?


Paris, My Sweet
A Love Letter Measured in Croissants, Chocolate and Macarons


Paris, My Sweet
A Love Letter in Madeleines, Chocolate and Croissants


Paris, My Sweet
A Year of Edible Explorations, Rich Moments and Delicious Discoveries in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)



As always, thanks a gazillion for your delicious thoughts!

50 comments:

  1. First, let me say that I LOVE your blog and I wish I had discovered it before now!

    As for the title, I go with #2. 3 is too wordy, 1 doesnt have the romance of 2.

    I'll buy it no matter what the title.

    I am going to Paris in April for the FIRST TIME!!!

    ML

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  2. I like the first one, although I don't like the word "measured". Since it's a "letter", shouldn't it be "written"?

    I know you'll come up with something amazing! Can't wait to see what you decide!

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  3. PS. Not necessarily "written" but some version of putting pen to paper ;)

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  4. I agree that a letter isn't measured. A life might be. That being said, I really liked your first title the best. How's that for unhelpful?

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  5. Absolutely the first one. Macarons > madeleines. Also, the last one is too long!

    I'm SO excited to pick up your book! You should be really proud :)

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  6. I also like the original subtitle!
    Love your blog...writing for the first time~ :-)

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  7. love your blog
    love the first one

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  8. Take 'measured' out of the first subtitle and it gets my vote. Replace croissants with madeleines and I think you're even better off.

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  9. Bonjour,
    bravo pour votre blog et votre ambition littéraire. Comme sous-titre un peu d'humour peut-être. Paris, le chocolat, les macarons, la gastronomie : un substitut à l'amour....
    Hummmmmm Chocolat, Macarons, Croissants...ça c'est Paris.
    Amitiés Jean-Louis

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  10. Edible explorations!

    This is so exciting, my biggest congratulations :]

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  11. I like the 'measured' the most and the edible explorations.

    Mazeltov!

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  12. The first one is the best sounding to me....I love your title Amy and can't wait to see a copy....

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  13. I like the "light and dark chocolate" one the best. I'm just curious as to why the publisher doesn't like it. The last one will actually turn me off.

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  14. I like "Paris, My Sweet
    A Year of Edible Explorations"

    It's simple and catchy, so if I saw the book, or someone told me about it, it wouldn't be that hard to remember. And it's got "year" in there so it would seem more interesting than another book/hodge podge of recipes/food porn.

    Bonne Chance!

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  15. I can't wait for your book!!! My title suggestion:

    Paris, My Sweet: A love letter wrapped in pastry and bonbons

    ?

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  16. I too like your original best! None of the other three really do it for me as they are too long and a bit clumsy sounding. Perhaps the subtitle could just be "A Year of Edible Explorations"? as you already have the "sweet" reference in the title. I'm heading to Paris next year for the first time and can't wait so I'll have to look out for your book!

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  17. I have to say I like your original title the best as well! Looking forward to your book!

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  18. The original one is definitely the best!

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  19. I like the first subtitle "A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) the best.

    If you do go the other route "A love letter about" follow it with the pastries you wrote most about on your blog i.e. chocolat, macarons, and croissants (and maybe spell chocolate in French).

    You wrote so much about macarons, if you go this route of re-subtitling it should really be in the title) Your cover illustration could literally be you riding a velib, Eiffel tower in the background, and stack of colorful macarons in the bicycle basket!

    Question: I'm also curious why the publisher doesn't like the first title. Can you explain?

    Can't wait to read the book.
    So excited for you!

    xo

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  20. i like the use of the word `measured.`

    i like 1 for its simplicity (although having two `c` words and just one `m` word bugs me slightly)

    I also like the 3rd option, its lengthy title gives me the impression that the book is humorous (not sure why, but i like it!) and has witty dialogue. the only thing i would consider changing would be the `edible explorations` part- the alliteration is just rubbing me the wrong way :p

    but please please please keep the `..and dark chocolate` part in the title. i love it.

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  21. Perhaps you can shorten #3 to: A Year of Edible Exploration in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)?

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  22. I prefer the third option: Paris, My Sweet
    A Year of Edible Explorations, Rich Moments and Delicious Discoveries in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) before it encompasses your passion for food and your lust for Paris and life in general:)

    Duchesse

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  23. "BECAUSE" it encompasses... not before:) Oh dear!

    I also like the idea of shortening it to A Year of Edible Explorations in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate):)

    And I absolutely do not like the first two options.

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  24. Amy, i'd go for he third one, because it doesn't focus solely on food.

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  25. I like the original one "A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate"

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  26. Paris, My Sweet
    A Love Letter in Madeleines, Chocolate and Croissants”

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  27. I liked the original one the best, definitely. If I had to choose from the new three, I like the last one. :)

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  28. I like the original but from these three Paris, My Sweet
    A Love Letter Measured in Croissants, Chocolate and Macarons

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  29. The original sub-title is the best. Go with that. The others are too long.

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  30. Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and opinions - I love hearing them. Spread the word and keep 'em coming! xo

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  31. #1 and #3 are my favourites. The first one, however, strikes a lighter note (not in tone, just in wordiness). That said, the third gives the impression that there's something more to be discovered, that there's a story.

    When I started this comment I would have said #1 was the top choice; however, I think #3 will let buyers know that this is a book dedicated to the moments and not just to the foods themselves.

    So, I guess my answer is #3...although #1 is a very good option too. Good luck!

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  32. I vote for #3 (by far):

    Paris, My Sweet
    A Year of Edible Explorations, Rich Moments and Delicious Discoveries in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)


    ...again because it's not just about sweets, but about your personal journey too.

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  33. I like the first one the best but still think your original subtitle was great as well.

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  34. Absolutely the first one... and I like measured as immediate had an image of croissants back to back on pariasian sidewalks : )

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  35. Paris, My Sweet
    A Love Letter Measured in Croissants, Chocolate and Macarons


    This has the best ring by far! Simple, to the point and not at all wordy. I'd pick it up off of the shelf for sure.

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  36. I prefer the orginal subtitle and you might tell your editor that I am a Paris/France bookaholic , so when I speak he/she needs to listen! :)
    V

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  37. I'd say kick them off the fence and stick with the original subtitle. Honestly. It's so clever and so true to what you're writing.

    But IF you have to choose another one, I like this:

    Paris, My Sweet
    A Love Letter in Madeleines, Chocolate and Croissants

    (perhaps you could change the "in" to "to", so it's a love letter to madelines, chocolate, etc.?)

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  38. I still like the original subtitle, but #3 is nice when cut off after "delicious discoveries."

    They all make me hungry, though.

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  39. I too prefer the original subtitle but otherwise I would make it simply "a year of edible discoveries" !

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  40. I think "A Year of Rich Moments and Delicious Discoveries in the City of Light" would catch my eye.

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  41. I like your original one - but if you had to change it - # 3 speaks to the original a bit if you can trim it down.
    I also like Ann's recommendation - Paris, My Sweet: A love letter wrapped in pastry and bonbons
    Good luck - this must be a heard decision:)

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  42. i really like the one that has the croissants in it. you want something that sounds very french, and i think the more french sounding words you have in the title the better. so the second one gets my vote. the last one is much too long.

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  43. A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)

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  44. Hello,
    It was so nice to meet you in NY !
    I prefer the original one but if they don't want to use it, my option would be the 2nd subtitle: Paris, My Sweet
    A Love Letter in Madeleines, Chocolate and Croissants
    Greetings from France, xo
    Britta

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  45. I, too, prefer the original. If there has to be a different title, then two works for me. The others are too wordy and unwieldy, especially three.

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  46. I like the subtitle you chose but as an alternative the latter of the 3 shortened to:

    Paris, My Sweet
    A Year of Edible Explorations and Delicious Discoveries in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)

    or even more simply:

    Paris, My Sweet
    A Year of Delicious Discoveries in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)

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  47. So many possibilities, but the love letter written in chocolate (and perhaps fondant or something similar). Best wishes with your book.

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  48. OKAY, I like the first one of the three the best, but....after reading all comments, how about:

    Paris, My Sweet
    A Life Measured in Rich Moments & Delicious Discoveries in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)

    Can't wait for the book! And this is my first foray into your blog....now sucked in for life!!!

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