Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Trotter on February 25, 2013 at 7:03pm

I think that those who don't read the back cover blurb might read the one liner -- but the thing that would attract them the most to the book would be the cover. If you can think of a great one liner, I'm sure that would help, too. Personally, I can't think of a single book that I've picked up over the one liner on the front. 

I looked up "thrillers" on goodreads to see what the highest reviewed ones had on the front of their cover and most of them don't have a tag line. They are a lot of the big names though so I'm not sure if that helps. I don't think I'm being a big help here. 

Permalink Reply by Christina Mercer on February 25, 2013 at 8:56pm

Praise is a good thing, so tag lines can certainly add a little "somethin-somethin" to a cover. I have a book coming out March 21st and I used one line from a larger blurb I received from Pub Weekly via the Amazon contest, with the larger portion of the blurb placed on the back of the book. So, you can "split" a good review up, too. On the back I also used a quote from another Author friend. :-)

Permalink Reply by E.C. Diskin on February 26, 2013 at 6:26am

Thanks for the feedback--do you agree with me though that a review quote on cover should come from a major media source (like Pub weekly)-- or would you quote even from a little known source? 

Permalink Reply by Kelsey Berryman on February 25, 2013 at 11:04pm

A tag line is another chance to catch somebody's eye. I know that I have bought books just because the tag line sounded interesting. I'd try one because it's not like people wouldn't buy the book because it had a tagline. It can only help and good luck

Permalink Reply by Christine Keleny on February 26, 2013 at 8:53am

I can't think in one book cover I've seen recently with a tag line, but I agree with Kelsey - it can't hurt. Where would a person put a tag line on a cover - at the bottom, at the top? Anyone have any titles with tag lines they can show me? (I'm a visual learner!)

Permalink Reply by Christina Mercer on February 26, 2013 at 9:03am

As long as the source is credible, in that the person/entity works/deals in the writing field and has something to show for it, it's fine. Windy City Reviews sounds totally credible to me. Are they a contest of some sort? Most readers aren't going to research your tag line source either. As long as it's legit, I'd say go for it! :-)

Permalink Reply by Christina Mercer on February 26, 2013 at 9:06am

Christine, (and anyone else) if you'd like to take a look at my cover to see where I put the tag line, go here:

http://christinamercer.com/?page_id=1410

Permalink Reply by E.C. Diskin on February 26, 2013 at 9:22am

Thanks for the feedback. Just to be clear--I think we're talking about two different things--understandable since I kind of asked a couple different questions.  When I say tag line--I'm talking about a one liner that sums up tone and story...like "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water" (Jaws II) or "No one can hear you scream in space" (Aliens).  So the general question--yes, they can help, but I also wonder if a bad one could hurt...

Separately--I was wondering if instead I could use a good blurb from review if review is from a no-name...I'm glad to hear that your opinion is yes-- this was an unbiased, unpaid review...the service is available to any writer that's in the chicago writers' association (you have to join--$15/yr--but you're getting benefits as member.)  I just feel like the only blurbs I ever see are from Kirkus, Pub Weekly, Boston Globe, NY Times, etc.  so I almost wonder if a little known source almost makes a reader wonder why a bigger source wasn't quoted..(and the subtext...did the bigger sources not have good things to say?)  But I'm glad to know that you think it's okay...if anyone has opinion about this, please chime in too! 

Permalink Reply by Christina Mercer on February 26, 2013 at 9:30am

Ah, got it! Yes, two different things, lol. Personally, I like having a "quote" on the cover versus my "own descriptive" tag line, but whatever is the most eye catching for you is always the ticket :-)