So... I'm finally in the very last stages of getting my book about our PanAm journey written. We hope to release it March 21 - on the 2-year anniversary of the completion of our journey.

I've titled it One Family, One Dream, One Very Long Road and am very happy with that.

However, I don't like my subtitle. I had it A Family Cycles From Alaska to Argentina, but that doesn't convey the depth of the experience. The journey was life-changing in so many ways, saying "we cycled from Point A to Point B" just doesn't cut it. Since you guys have the best understanding of anybody what our journey was, maybe you'll have some good ideas for a subtitle?

The story is very definitely my perspective on the journey. I talk about my fears, my insecurities, my doubts. Yes, all four of us are there, but the story is mine. I thought about subtitling it something simple like "A Mother's Perspective" but we felt that would put men off and make them less likely to read it. Any suggestions?

"the challenge and transformation bicycling Alaska to Argentina" -something like that?

your main title says a lot already. got to mention biking for sure.

I'd like to mention cycling somehow, but the cover shows a map of the Americas and silhouettes of our bikes, so it's not crucial. Here's a pic of the cover (we've got a few minor changes, but this is pretty correct). Challenge would be a good word. I want it short since the title is so long.

i'd include 'bicycling' in the title for reasons like searchability and having your book pop up when books about bicycling are searched for by people browsing for books.


challenges met bicycling alaska to argentina

bicycling adventures alaska to argentina

bicycling the americas

bicycling alaska to argentina

bicycling the pan americano

bicycling the pan american highway -

think about foreign appeal - i'd bet your book will get some play in SA too.

I thought about that, but I think more people search cycling than bicycling? I wish I knew how to find out what people search. I know I search bicycle, but cycling.

i think you may be right, but good reason to include it. good luck deciding, and all the best to you and your family.

A cycle could also be a motorcycle. I'd go with "bicycle".

Now we're thinking we might ditch the title altogether and get something else. Need to figure this out soon!

How about something like Changing Gears, Changing Lives for the title. And the subtitle something about biking the PanAm?

"One Family's Transformative Journey by Bicycle" or "One Family's Transformative Journey on Bicycles".

A Family Bicycle Ride
From One End of the World to the Other

For some reason the title of this book is really hard. I struggled with the others, but not this much! Thanks everyone!

Well ... what's the book about? In one sentence, tell us what the book is about.

The book is a mother's perspective of our journey. While all four of us are in it, it's definitely told from my perspective. I talk about my fears, my concerns, my thoughts and feelings and emotions. I thought about having the subtitle be something like A Mother's Perspective, but we felt that would limit the audience too much.

Usually, a good publisher knows what appeals to the intended audience, and often will come up with something completely different to the working title.

How about "A tale of bicycling and discovering"?

A tale of bicycling and discovering Hmmm... I like that. I'll have to ponder that one for a while.

I'd leave the subtitle as is. Potential readers need to know your book is about a family cycling and cycling / adventure readers will want to know where you went. Half the titles on CGOAB don't tell where they went, drives me nuts. Without this basic info, I rarely look unless the title's a real eye catcher ("Sweating Like a ***** on a Cowboy Payday"). Choose the *right* words, not necessarily the longest or fanciest. People want a good story, but nobody wants to read a windbag. JMHO of an editor's daughter.

I agree with those who say to definitely keep it obvious that it is about a bike ride and the route. No offense, but I wouldn't really pick up a book to learn about a mother's fears of doing the trip. Yeah, I'm a guy, but I'm a dad, too. I wouldn't be drawn to a book about a dad's fears, either. If the book is well written and the inside story theme is how you, as a mom, saw the ride, then that's all good and would keep me reading. But putting that in your subhead seems to be limiting your audience on what is already a book with a somewhat limited audience.

Title ideas:
1. The Very Long Road
2. We did it!
3. Pursuing the Impossible

Sub ideas:
1. Inside a family's dream to bicycle from Alaska to Argentina
2. Two kids, two parents, and 17,000 miles by bicycle from Alaska to Argentina

I like the cover a lot. It shows very concisely where you went and how you did it. The title seemed overly long at first, but it's growing on me more and more. I think you don't need the re-mention of family in the subtitle- you already know it's one family from the title. BUT you won't know the locations or method of travel from just a library search, so that seems important in the subtitle to me.

Maybe something like

One Family, One Dream, One Very Long Road
A trip of Discovery from Alaska to Argentina by Bicycle

I really liked the "A tale of bicycling and discovering" suggestion.

Self-discovery by a self-propelled mom

One Family, One Dream, One Very Long Road
A trip of Discovery from Alaska to Argentina by Bicycle

I like this! I agree that we don't need to repeat Family.

Home, [ on the road,] schooling , down the Pan American Highway ?

The Power of Persistent Pedaling

I like it. Perhaps consider using the word journey rather than trip. To me, the definition:

• a long and often difficult process of personal change and development

gives more of a picture of the epic proportions of a trip such as yours. Keep us posted on publication. I look forward to reading it.