My wonderful agent is asking for the tagline for my newest manuscript. What is a tagline? A short sentence which, as my agent describes it, serves somewhat as a subtitle, but with a hook.
The one I like best so far:
TITLE: Undiscovered
TAGLINE: Dying to forget; living to forgive.
Can you tell from those two pieces of information what I write? Are you interested at all? Does this sound more sure of itself: “Die to forget; live to forgive?” If you don’t like it, want to share why?
I posted this on a writer’s blog and got a very valuable response. I’d like to see what you, my esteemed blogees, think.
I don’t know if I can tell from that what you write. At first I thought it was suspense but my second guess would be general fiction like Kingsbury. I like the tagline. I like it better as “dying and living” than “die and live” – definitely! As I type this I realize I’m not much help… But there you go anyway! 🙂
It;s good. I wouldn’t make any decision to buy a book based on a tag line though. ghe back cover copy is what hooks me into buying, or not. I agree with Dana, and like dying and living best. My initial impression from the one line only, is perhaps the main character has a terminal illness. Is that what your story is about?
Tammy
I agree with your other friends. The tagline with dying and living is best in my opinion. 🙂
Can I toss in my two bits? : )
I like it, though it may have a better feel if it’s turned around:
Living to forgive. Dying to forget.
The dying is more powerful and final, so it ends the tag with a wallop.
But, alas, like titles, tags will be changed by the publisher. They like to determine what goes on their covers … but it’s okay, cuz they’re usually right when it comes to what will catch the eye of the reader. Using a tag in a proposal may actually seem a bit … presumptuous to them. Though, again, whatever your agent asks for, that you’ve gotta deliver. : )
Posting to you Need an oppinion as I am opinionated individuale enjoy doing…On your Shoutlife Blog I left a note 1 hour after you posted your first request and as I was responding the Ruach /( spirit) of the Master and gave me your new book title and tag lines … James Lee Hamilton
Oregon city oregon
Author of the
“Cork in-the Bottle”