"Flirting with French" (you heard it here first)

Alors, nous avons un titre! Yes, the good folks at Algonquin Books have selected a title for my forthcoming memoir about trying to learn French (September 2014). Are you ready?

Flirting with French: How a Beautiful Language Charmed Me, Seduced Me, and Nearly Broke My Heart.

All of which is true. Gee, I can't wait to read it!  I'd give you the inside scoop of how authors, agents, editors, publishers, and publicity staff come up with a title, but that would be like revealing the inner workings of the Mafia. And you know what happens to anyone foolish enough to do that. So this will have to remain a mystery. (Actually, it still is a mystery to me, and I was part of it). Let it suffice to say that the aforementioned title, having been agreed upon by all the key personnel at my publishing house, is not: too narrow in its appeal; too broad; too intellectual; too common; too long; too short; too already used; nor too who-the-hell-would-read-a-book-like-that?

A title is like the winner of Miss American pageant. The winner isn't always the prettiest one.

Next up:  the jacket. Feel free to post your own ideas. And stay tuned!