Mandy Baggot

Bestselling and award-winning author of romantic fiction

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Shout lines/tag lines - discuss!

Posted by mandybaggot on July 17, 2012 at 4:30 AM

Morning everyone! We have SUN in Wiltshire, I repeat, we have SUN! Washing is out on the line, all is right with the world. Of course tomorrow it will be back to cloud and rain again! Not that I am at all obsessed with the weather!


Today I want to ask your opinion on shout lines/tag lines. These are the little phrases that appear on the front cover of the book. Here are mine so far:-

Excess All Areas - But who's got the most baggage?

Breaking the Ice - Will their first steps lead to meltdown?

Knowing Me Knowing You - Is love just about getting the answers right?

Strings Attached - One pull could change your life

Taking Charge - Time moves on but what if you can't?

Now, for my next novel, Security, I was going with 'Who do you trust?' however I noticed on the cover of my lovely friend and author Louise Marley's book yesterday that she has used the shout line 'Who would you trust?' for her novel A Girl's Best Friend. It's too similar and we all want to be individual don't we? So I was racking my brains yesterday (while I should have been actually finishing writing the novel) trying to come up with a kick-ass shout line to replace it. And, I think I found one. I am going for:-

Security - Who's really got your back?

What do you think? I'm loving it!

So, lovely readers and writers how important is a tag line to you? Do you read them? Does a good one sway your decision to buy a book? Or do you take no notice of them whatsoever? I would like to hear your thoughts!


Mandy xx

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14 Comments

Reply Melanie
12:32 PM on July 21, 2012 
You've come up with a cracker for security. Taglines aren't a make or break thing for me, but they do need to be good! The ones you've used on your books are just that.
Reply A. L. Jackson
01:57 PM on July 17, 2012 
I love the tags Mandy! Just perfect to catch the eye and give the reader a little insight of the awesomeness inside :)
Reply mandybaggot
11:17 AM on July 17, 2012 
I'm loving all these replies! I love to read a tagline and I think it really adds to the book because it's a way of giving an immediate flavour of the book without the reader having to turn to the back for the blurb. I'm all for making it easier for readers :)
Reply Joanna (Lazuli Portals)
11:07 AM on July 17, 2012 
If I was already tempted to buy the book, and I liked the tagline as well, then it would be the cherry on top of the cake (yes, I have a sweet tooth!) So it would probably do its job! But I'm fine if there isn't one.

I love the one you've chosen for Security, Clever Clogs!

"Who would you trust" is part of our blurb - it's a popular line, but I guess it's also a popular question (especially if you're travelling to parallel worlds!)
Reply Yasmin Selena Butt
11:04 AM on July 17, 2012 
I think taglines definitely make me sit up and take notice. I can't think of the last one that really impacted on me because I've been snowed under, but I remember staring at the poster opposite the platform I was on, on London Underground and seeing a quote by Marian Keyes ( i think) for One Day saying something like ' The book I wish I'd written.' and that really stayed with me and made me look the book up!
And Patrick Susskind's Perfume: The Story of a Murderer - just that had me sold and I didn't have a clue about the rest of the book. I got it out of the library and later bought a copy.

Your tagline - it's really good. It's punchy & dynamic, go with it : )

And well done on the no 1 spots with the free download day! I'd love to know if that affects paid for sales in a positive way and reviews, please do report back : ) I hope it does! x
Reply Linn B Halton
10:54 AM on July 17, 2012 
I think it's inevitable you end up with a 'sort of' tag line when you as the author think about your novels. It's the 'What is it about?' response when you have seven or eight seconds to catch that interest! I'm always fascinated to read them...
Reply Nicky Wells
09:46 AM on July 17, 2012 
FABULOUS. Love it. Love it love it love it. You're an ace!
Reply sue fortin
09:46 AM on July 17, 2012 
Like everyone else, a tag line wouldn't make me buy a book but it gives a good flavour.

I know you're good a blurbs - you helped me with mine so I only had to tweak it. Personally I hate writing them and tag lines.

Sue
x
Reply Kim The Book Worm
08:55 AM on July 17, 2012 
I'm not sure one would make me choose a book, but they certainly add to the whole feel of the book. I like the one for Security Mandy, well thought of. Kim xxx
Reply Janice
08:38 AM on July 17, 2012 
That's really effective and I wonder if you might think up some for my books please!?

Tag lines are increasingly important and the cleverer the better. I think you've got a winner there Lady B!
Reply Sheryl Browne
07:40 AM on July 17, 2012 
Love it! Really, had an immediate flash of Jack Bauer (and he could cover my back anytime!). I'm not sure whether they would sway a customer to buy, but I certainly think they give an immediate flavour of what's between the covers, so to speak. Book's sounding good, Mandy! Good luck!
Reply mandybaggot
07:09 AM on July 17, 2012 
Thank you for your comments! I think I missed my vocation as a tag line writer! I have to admit I LOVE thinking them up and I also LOVE writing the blurbs. I'm not sure how I would feel if that was taken out of my hands! Lady B, you are a control freak!
Reply Kit Domino
06:57 AM on July 17, 2012 
Good tag line, Mandy. Personally, tag lines wouldn't necessarily sway be into buying a book but a good one certainly makes me sit up and take notice. Good luck with writing the book! Kit :)
Reply Louise Marley
05:20 AM on July 17, 2012 
Great shout line, Mandy. Movie posters are good for inspiration - "In space no one can hear you scream" etc. Short and punchy is best - and yes, a good one woud probably make me buy the book x