Please help me choose a subtitle for my book

[catherine]

BOOK TITLE: Exit 9

POSSIBLE SUBTITLES...

1. Navigating to a Simpler Way
2. Embracing Simplicity in a Complex World
3. Back to Nature
4. Steps to the Good Life
5. Steps to Sanity in a Crazy World
6. Navigating to a New Story
7. Steps to a Simpler Way

By the way, regarding my previous thread, thank you all for helping me think through what the slow life means to you. I will be publishing that chapter on Substack in a couple of days.

I am still trying to figure out the best subtitle for my book and since I'm expanding my social media presence I really need to zero in on some keywords.

The book is called Exit 9. Here is a short description of it:

By taking Exit 9 and following the roadmap, you will arrive at a slower, simpler, saner life at the intersection of nature, simplicity, beauty, and creative living.

Exit 9 will ask readers:
• Do you wish you were living a life less driven by the current culture?
• Do you want to do more for the planet, but will not or cannot pull up stakes, become a homesteader, go off-grid?
• Do you wish you had a better balance in your life with more time in the natural world?
• Do you aspire to a slower, simpler, saner life?

The structure of Exit 9 will be a roadmap of nine “mile markers,” leading readers from awareness, to insight, to action.

Given the book description please answer two questions:

A) Which title best fits the description?
B) Which title would draw you in if you saw it in a bookstore?

PLEASE weigh in by answering BOTH questions... lurkers, feel free to direct-message me. In market research, the more numbers the better! Thank you!

[rosarugosa]

I like #1 the best, followed by #2, and I think I would find those the most likely to catch my interest in a bookstore. I think "navigating" ties in well with the roadmap and exit metaphor.
#3 only encompasses one element, so not bad, but not as good as the others.
I think #4, 5, and 6 are too vague. Maybe your idea of the good life is more shopping and cocktails, or saner or a new life could mean joining the church of scientology for example.
#7 is OK, but I do like the "navigating" better than "steps" in this context.

[catherine]

Thank you, rosa!

[Tybee]

Thank you, rosa!

I agree with Rosa on the number 1 choice but wonder if Mapping might be better than Navigating, as it is more active, and Navigating feels like you are navigating a ship through obstacles, more passive than mapping?

[SiouzQ.]

To me, navigating sounds like a chore. A journey is exciting!

"Exit 9 - a Journey to a Joyful, Simple Life"

[iris lilies]

I like #7 without the title, but agree with others that “Journey…” fits right in with main title.

does the main title have much recognition outside of your immediate geographic area?

[catherine]

SiouzQ, I love that suggestion!

IL: I understand what you are saying about Exit 9--that it won't have immediate relevance so people may not be attracted to it, but that's why the subtitle is so important. I just like the metaphor a lot. I understand it's a risky title, but I still feel like running with it.

I think Journey is a great suggestion also. For a while I had for the subtitle "Your roadmap to slower, simpler, saner life"--but I think roadmap is overused.

[happystuff]

I like #1 and/or #6. I also like "Mapping" instead of "Navigating". To me, "Mapping" sounds like I have more of a choice in the directions I want to take on this "journey".

[catherine]

I like #1 and/or #6. I also like "Mapping" instead of "Navigating". To me, "Mapping" sounds like I have more of a choice in the directions I want to take on this "journey".

Thanks, happystuff! But here's the thing. My 9 "Milestones" is not a "list"--the steps are progressive--ideally, one follows the other. Does "mapping" also align with that concept?

[SiouzQ.]

"Exit 9 - A Step-by Step Journey to a Joyful, Simpler Life"