Lil' help with best tagline

[Matticus Primal]

I need a tagline for my novel and wanted to poll the community as to which potential ones are the strongest/ most intriguing. Despite my initial impulse to include info as to what I'm trying to get across with these taglines, I decided not to include any context since audiences don't really get any when they encounter taglines.

And yes, some of them repeat phrases because I can't decide which one is better. So please let me know if there are any that tickle your fancy. Or should I say "tickle your fantasy?"

Oh, and feel free to vote for your top three since that's the magic number I need.

 

[Tanniel]

My vote is cast (for the second option). In part because it sounds really good when spoken aloud.

 

[Matticus Primal]

My vote is cast (for the second option). In part because it sounds really good when spoken aloud.

Yeah, I'm not going to lie: It was "inspired" from "tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor."

 

[Tanniel]

Yeah, I'm not going to lie: It was "inspired" from "tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor."

Hehe I had a feeling, which only endeared it to me further.

 

[Kalavan]

Definitely number 3. And congratulations on landing a deal with Harlequin Books

Jokes aside, I would probably modify a bit the fourth option: Magic, muskets, exoskeletons, and the cunning (or whatever applies, I don't like that branded) woman at the center of it all

 

[Diziet Sma]

I like n 1. It is brief and visually strong despite the "dead eyes"

 

[Matticus Primal]

Definitely number 3. And congratulations on landing a deal with Harlequin Books

Jokes aside, I would probably modify a bit the fourth option: Magic, muskets, exoskeletons, and the cunning (or whatever applies, I don't like that branded) woman at the center of it all

I like n 1. It is brief and visually strong despite the "dead eyes"

I actually did include some generic/ romance-y ones that have nothing to do with the book to see how they play. Also, I randomized their order by actually breaking out my old ten-sided die.

 

[TomTB]

I like something short and sweet, something punchy, so went with the first 2, with #3 as a backup
#2 would be my top pick though.

 

[ExTended]

Number two for me is the one that says enough, but hints at even more.

 

[Diziet Sma]

I actually did include some generic/ romance-y ones that have nothing to do with the book to see how they play. Also, I randomized their order by actually breaking out my old ten-sided die.

You little devil...

 

[Matticus Primal]

You little devil...

My wife works in education assessment testing, so I know a few tricks. And if she saw this little survey she might be worried that it's only the top three that are getting any votes; almost as if people are only paying attention to the top choices. Or maybe I'm just projecting as to what she would think...

 

[Diziet Sma]

My wife works in education assessment testing, so I know a few tricks. And if she saw this little survey she might be worried that it's only the top three that are getting any votes; almost as if people are only paying attention to the top choices. Or maybe I'm just projecting as to what she would think...

You are absolutely right! This is an old trick. I should have known better. Also, far too many choices, some of them rather long. Your eyes tend to "prioritize" and focus on only a couple: the more eye catching ones while dismissing the rest.
Next time you post a survey, I'll be definitely more suspicious!

 

[Matticus Primal]

You are absolutely right! This is an old trick. I should have known better. Also, far too many choices, some of them rather long. Your eyes tend to "prioritize" and focus on only a couple: the more eye catching ones while dismissing the rest.
Next time you post a survey, I'll be definitely more suspicious!

It is always wise to be suspicious of educators and their spouses. Wait, what do you do for a living again?...

 

[Cephalophore]

I chose the first one! It's short and punchy and makes me wonder about what's going on with the dead eyes seeing things. But pretty much all of them are quite intriguing.

I've noticed that mentioning muskets (or cannons, artillery, etc) is always a handy method to tell people that the story isn't a traditional swords-and-shields fantasy.

 

[Matticus Primal]

I chose the first one! It's short and punchy and makes me wonder about what's going on with the dead eyes seeing things. But pretty much all of them are quite intriguing.

I've noticed that mentioning muskets (or cannons, artillery, etc) is always a handy method to tell people that the story isn't a traditional swords-and-shields fantasy.

Yeah, the mention of muskets was intentional to orient the audience that this was a gunpowder fantasy series. Can't tell if people haven't caught on or just don't care. But thanks for the vote and feedback.

 

[TomTB]

Yeah, the mention of muskets was intentional to orient the audience that this was a gunpowder fantasy series. Can't tell if people haven't caught on or just don't care. But thanks for the vote and feedback.

I imagine your cover will have some sort of gunpowder weapon on it? Most do. Then would there be any point mentioning it in the tagline? (no!)

 

[jo zebedee]

I like 3 - 2 feels a little laboured for my taste.

 

[GiovanniDeFeo]

Not a fan of tag-lines. If a publisher is desperate for one, he should make of her own.

Woody Allen's tagline on War and Peace:

"It's about Russia".​

 

[Anti_Quated]

The first one. The brevity alone makes it a superior contender.

 

[Matticus Primal]

To update: I ended up going with the top four, which were the only ones that had any votes.

Oddly enough, the top choice (dead eyes see all) was a generic one that has tangential (at best) application to the book (the protag is often referred to having the eyes of a dead man), but if it's what grabs attention, then I'm all for it.

Thanks all.