Is a tag line useful on a cover?
I am playing around with cover art ideas and have some that are quite interesting. I have added a brief tag line, not quite a subtitle, to the cover to indicate the genre. Frankly, the artistic photo of the guns that I am thinking of using should clue people in to the fact this is not a kid’s book and they ought to expect violence.
I have found myself adding (in much smaller font) a tag line. This is an example of one tag line:
A Gentleman Assassin Never Tells
Would the addition of a tag line that would imply genre or character improve the chances of it being selected, even momentarily? If the reader doesn’t open the book, it won’t matter how compelling it is. Or do tag lines just add clutter?
What kind of tag line would best serve this purpose?
marketing titles book-cover
asked 12 hours ago
RasdashanRasdashan
9,6331160
add a comment |
I am playing around with cover art ideas and have some that are quite interesting. I have added a brief tag line, not quite a subtitle, to the cover to indicate the genre. Frankly, the artistic photo of the guns that I am thinking of using should clue people in to the fact this is not a kid’s book and they ought to expect violence.
I have found myself adding (in much smaller font) a tag line. This is an example of one tag line:
A Gentleman Assassin Never Tells
Would the addition of a tag line that would imply genre or character improve the chances of it being selected, even momentarily? If the reader doesn’t open the book, it won’t matter how compelling it is. Or do tag lines just add clutter?
What kind of tag line would best serve this purpose?
marketing titles book-cover
asked 12 hours ago
RasdashanRasdashan
9,6331160
3
It sounds very "romance-y" to me.
– wetcircuit
12 hours ago
3
I don't get romance the genre from it but it makes me think it's very old-fashioned and that may come with female characters who don't really matter and are there for the enjoyment of the MC. Whether it works in other ways instead depends on the rest of the cover and the actual title. But invoking "never tells" means readers will think of casual sex.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
1
Also, you might want to edit the question so your tag is an example and not the focus of the question. If it's more like the title of your question, it's general enough that it is less likely to be closed.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
@Cyn at the moment the rest of the cover is an artistic B&W photo of a gun, with the main title in red font. I remember reading somewhere that a bright colour is useful in drawing the eye to the cover.
– Rasdashan
10 hours ago
add a comment |
I am playing around with cover art ideas and have some that are quite interesting. I have added a brief tag line, not quite a subtitle, to the cover to indicate the genre. Frankly, the artistic photo of the guns that I am thinking of using should clue people in to the fact this is not a kid’s book and they ought to expect violence.
I have found myself adding (in much smaller font) a tag line. This is an example of one tag line:
A Gentleman Assassin Never Tells
Would the addition of a tag line that would imply genre or character improve the chances of it being selected, even momentarily? If the reader doesn’t open the book, it won’t matter how compelling it is. Or do tag lines just add clutter?
What kind of tag line would best serve this purpose?
marketing titles book-cover
asked 12 hours ago
RasdashanRasdashan
9,6331160
I am playing around with cover art ideas and have some that are quite interesting. I have added a brief tag line, not quite a subtitle, to the cover to indicate the genre. Frankly, the artistic photo of the guns that I am thinking of using should clue people in to the fact this is not a kid’s book and they ought to expect violence.
I have found myself adding (in much smaller font) a tag line. This is an example of one tag line:
A Gentleman Assassin Never Tells
Would the addition of a tag line that would imply genre or character improve the chances of it being selected, even momentarily? If the reader doesn’t open the book, it won’t matter how compelling it is. Or do tag lines just add clutter?
What kind of tag line would best serve this purpose?
marketing titles book-cover
marketing titles book-cover
asked 12 hours ago
RasdashanRasdashan
9,6331160
asked 12 hours ago
RasdashanRasdashan
9,6331160
edited 10 hours ago
Rasdashan
asked 12 hours ago
RasdashanRasdashan
9,6331160
asked 12 hours ago
RasdashanRasdashan
9,6331160
asked 12 hours ago
RasdashanRasdashan
9,6331160
9,6331160
3
It sounds very "romance-y" to me.
– wetcircuit
12 hours ago
3
I don't get romance the genre from it but it makes me think it's very old-fashioned and that may come with female characters who don't really matter and are there for the enjoyment of the MC. Whether it works in other ways instead depends on the rest of the cover and the actual title. But invoking "never tells" means readers will think of casual sex.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
1
Also, you might want to edit the question so your tag is an example and not the focus of the question. If it's more like the title of your question, it's general enough that it is less likely to be closed.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
@Cyn at the moment the rest of the cover is an artistic B&W photo of a gun, with the main title in red font. I remember reading somewhere that a bright colour is useful in drawing the eye to the cover.
– Rasdashan
10 hours ago
add a comment |
3
It sounds very "romance-y" to me.
– wetcircuit
12 hours ago
3
I don't get romance the genre from it but it makes me think it's very old-fashioned and that may come with female characters who don't really matter and are there for the enjoyment of the MC. Whether it works in other ways instead depends on the rest of the cover and the actual title. But invoking "never tells" means readers will think of casual sex.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
1
Also, you might want to edit the question so your tag is an example and not the focus of the question. If it's more like the title of your question, it's general enough that it is less likely to be closed.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
@Cyn at the moment the rest of the cover is an artistic B&W photo of a gun, with the main title in red font. I remember reading somewhere that a bright colour is useful in drawing the eye to the cover.
– Rasdashan
10 hours ago
3
3
It sounds very "romance-y" to me.
– wetcircuit
12 hours ago
It sounds very "romance-y" to me.
– wetcircuit
12 hours ago
3
3
I don't get romance the genre from it but it makes me think it's very old-fashioned and that may come with female characters who don't really matter and are there for the enjoyment of the MC. Whether it works in other ways instead depends on the rest of the cover and the actual title. But invoking "never tells" means readers will think of casual sex.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
I don't get romance the genre from it but it makes me think it's very old-fashioned and that may come with female characters who don't really matter and are there for the enjoyment of the MC. Whether it works in other ways instead depends on the rest of the cover and the actual title. But invoking "never tells" means readers will think of casual sex.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
1
1
Also, you might want to edit the question so your tag is an example and not the focus of the question. If it's more like the title of your question, it's general enough that it is less likely to be closed.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
Also, you might want to edit the question so your tag is an example and not the focus of the question. If it's more like the title of your question, it's general enough that it is less likely to be closed.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
@Cyn at the moment the rest of the cover is an artistic B&W photo of a gun, with the main title in red font. I remember reading somewhere that a bright colour is useful in drawing the eye to the cover.
– Rasdashan
10 hours ago
@Cyn at the moment the rest of the cover is an artistic B&W photo of a gun, with the main title in red font. I remember reading somewhere that a bright colour is useful in drawing the eye to the cover.
– Rasdashan
10 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
I don't think the tag conveys the fact that there is violence, as Cyn's comment says, it sounds "old fashioned".
From "Gentleman" and "Never Tells" my mind jumps to sexual trysts some woman must keep secret. It doesn't jump to informing on a client (if that is even what you meant). And because it is tag line, I assume the story is about these sexual trysts. Perhaps that is why wetcircuit gets "romance." Throw in "assassin" and you get the entire James Bond franchise, a macho super-spy that always winds up in bed with a supermodel. Maybe that is why Cyn gets "old-fashioned". If that's what you've written, there may be mileage left in that trope, I don't know how it sells for new authors. But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen. If that's the vibe you want, you nailed it.
If instead your intent was to warn of violence, put a small splash of blood with a few drops on the cover somewhere. You don't even have to portray a victim; make the last few letters of your title overlay it.
And if you want a tag line, tease the plot; "An Assassin's Epiphany", or "Assassin No More", or "Spy. Assassin. Stamp Collector." or whatever your story is about. Well, maybe not those, come up with something clever to intrigue people!
answered 10 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
58.1k574186
2
Yes, James Bond was exactly what came to my mind. And yeah if that's what the book is like, then you nailed it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
1
"But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen." +1 for this alone.
– bruglesco
8 hours ago
The women in the book are his colleagues, friends and relatives. Two are potential romantic interests, but that is more their idea than his.
– Rasdashan
7 hours ago
add a comment |
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I don't think the tag conveys the fact that there is violence, as Cyn's comment says, it sounds "old fashioned".
From "Gentleman" and "Never Tells" my mind jumps to sexual trysts some woman must keep secret. It doesn't jump to informing on a client (if that is even what you meant). And because it is tag line, I assume the story is about these sexual trysts. Perhaps that is why wetcircuit gets "romance." Throw in "assassin" and you get the entire James Bond franchise, a macho super-spy that always winds up in bed with a supermodel. Maybe that is why Cyn gets "old-fashioned". If that's what you've written, there may be mileage left in that trope, I don't know how it sells for new authors. But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen. If that's the vibe you want, you nailed it.
If instead your intent was to warn of violence, put a small splash of blood with a few drops on the cover somewhere. You don't even have to portray a victim; make the last few letters of your title overlay it.
And if you want a tag line, tease the plot; "An Assassin's Epiphany", or "Assassin No More", or "Spy. Assassin. Stamp Collector." or whatever your story is about. Well, maybe not those, come up with something clever to intrigue people!
answered 10 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
58.1k574186
2
Yes, James Bond was exactly what came to my mind. And yeah if that's what the book is like, then you nailed it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
1
"But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen." +1 for this alone.
– bruglesco
8 hours ago
The women in the book are his colleagues, friends and relatives. Two are potential romantic interests, but that is more their idea than his.
– Rasdashan
7 hours ago
add a comment |
I don't think the tag conveys the fact that there is violence, as Cyn's comment says, it sounds "old fashioned".
From "Gentleman" and "Never Tells" my mind jumps to sexual trysts some woman must keep secret. It doesn't jump to informing on a client (if that is even what you meant). And because it is tag line, I assume the story is about these sexual trysts. Perhaps that is why wetcircuit gets "romance." Throw in "assassin" and you get the entire James Bond franchise, a macho super-spy that always winds up in bed with a supermodel. Maybe that is why Cyn gets "old-fashioned". If that's what you've written, there may be mileage left in that trope, I don't know how it sells for new authors. But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen. If that's the vibe you want, you nailed it.
If instead your intent was to warn of violence, put a small splash of blood with a few drops on the cover somewhere. You don't even have to portray a victim; make the last few letters of your title overlay it.
And if you want a tag line, tease the plot; "An Assassin's Epiphany", or "Assassin No More", or "Spy. Assassin. Stamp Collector." or whatever your story is about. Well, maybe not those, come up with something clever to intrigue people!
answered 10 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
58.1k574186
2
Yes, James Bond was exactly what came to my mind. And yeah if that's what the book is like, then you nailed it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
1
"But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen." +1 for this alone.
– bruglesco
8 hours ago
The women in the book are his colleagues, friends and relatives. Two are potential romantic interests, but that is more their idea than his.
– Rasdashan
7 hours ago
add a comment |
I don't think the tag conveys the fact that there is violence, as Cyn's comment says, it sounds "old fashioned".
From "Gentleman" and "Never Tells" my mind jumps to sexual trysts some woman must keep secret. It doesn't jump to informing on a client (if that is even what you meant). And because it is tag line, I assume the story is about these sexual trysts. Perhaps that is why wetcircuit gets "romance." Throw in "assassin" and you get the entire James Bond franchise, a macho super-spy that always winds up in bed with a supermodel. Maybe that is why Cyn gets "old-fashioned". If that's what you've written, there may be mileage left in that trope, I don't know how it sells for new authors. But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen. If that's the vibe you want, you nailed it.
If instead your intent was to warn of violence, put a small splash of blood with a few drops on the cover somewhere. You don't even have to portray a victim; make the last few letters of your title overlay it.
And if you want a tag line, tease the plot; "An Assassin's Epiphany", or "Assassin No More", or "Spy. Assassin. Stamp Collector." or whatever your story is about. Well, maybe not those, come up with something clever to intrigue people!
answered 10 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
58.1k574186
I don't think the tag conveys the fact that there is violence, as Cyn's comment says, it sounds "old fashioned".
From "Gentleman" and "Never Tells" my mind jumps to sexual trysts some woman must keep secret. It doesn't jump to informing on a client (if that is even what you meant). And because it is tag line, I assume the story is about these sexual trysts. Perhaps that is why wetcircuit gets "romance." Throw in "assassin" and you get the entire James Bond franchise, a macho super-spy that always winds up in bed with a supermodel. Maybe that is why Cyn gets "old-fashioned". If that's what you've written, there may be mileage left in that trope, I don't know how it sells for new authors. But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen. If that's the vibe you want, you nailed it.
If instead your intent was to warn of violence, put a small splash of blood with a few drops on the cover somewhere. You don't even have to portray a victim; make the last few letters of your title overlay it.
And if you want a tag line, tease the plot; "An Assassin's Epiphany", or "Assassin No More", or "Spy. Assassin. Stamp Collector." or whatever your story is about. Well, maybe not those, come up with something clever to intrigue people!
answered 10 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
58.1k574186
answered 10 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
58.1k574186
answered 10 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
58.1k574186
answered 10 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
58.1k574186
58.1k574186
2
Yes, James Bond was exactly what came to my mind. And yeah if that's what the book is like, then you nailed it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
1
"But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen." +1 for this alone.
– bruglesco
8 hours ago
The women in the book are his colleagues, friends and relatives. Two are potential romantic interests, but that is more their idea than his.
– Rasdashan
7 hours ago
add a comment |
2
Yes, James Bond was exactly what came to my mind. And yeah if that's what the book is like, then you nailed it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
1
"But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen." +1 for this alone.
– bruglesco
8 hours ago
The women in the book are his colleagues, friends and relatives. Two are potential romantic interests, but that is more their idea than his.
– Rasdashan
7 hours ago
2
2
Yes, James Bond was exactly what came to my mind. And yeah if that's what the book is like, then you nailed it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
Yes, James Bond was exactly what came to my mind. And yeah if that's what the book is like, then you nailed it.
– Cyn
10 hours ago
1
1
"But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen." +1 for this alone.
– bruglesco
8 hours ago
"But male sexual fantasy wish fulfillment is probably evergreen." +1 for this alone.
– bruglesco
8 hours ago
The women in the book are his colleagues, friends and relatives. Two are potential romantic interests, but that is more their idea than his.
– Rasdashan
7 hours ago
The women in the book are his colleagues, friends and relatives. Two are potential romantic interests, but that is more their idea than his.
– Rasdashan
7 hours ago
add a comment |
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3
It sounds very "romance-y" to me.
– wetcircuit
12 hours ago
3
I don't get romance the genre from it but it makes me think it's very old-fashioned and that may come with female characters who don't really matter and are there for the enjoyment of the MC. Whether it works in other ways instead depends on the rest of the cover and the actual title. But invoking "never tells" means readers will think of casual sex.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
1
Also, you might want to edit the question so your tag is an example and not the focus of the question. If it's more like the title of your question, it's general enough that it is less likely to be closed.
– Cyn
11 hours ago
@Cyn at the moment the rest of the cover is an artistic B&W photo of a gun, with the main title in red font. I remember reading somewhere that a bright colour is useful in drawing the eye to the cover.
– Rasdashan
10 hours ago