Hey, everyone – I could use some advice! I’m working to release a horror tale to be ready for Halloween. It’s called THE MANNEQUINS and is about a film crew that enters an abandoned mansion and gets caught in another reality run by a madman. This is the awesome cover Laura LaRoche made for me, but I’m still playing with the tagline and thought I’d ask for your opinions and suggestions. I wanted the cover to be creepy and cool and I think she nailed the mood perfectly.
Folks are chiming in on my author page at http://www.facebook.com/elysesalpeterauthor (so if you could go there and give a like and comment, that would be great – or below is fine too!)
So, which tagline do you like the best, or come up with one of your own creation! I’ve been told the only caveat is to keep it brief. Some of the top suggestions are below:
Don’t go inside…
Fear has a new name…
They’re waiting for you…. (reader suggestion)
Come inside… (reader suggestion)
So, would you take a peek at this cover? Does it scream horror? Thanks so much for your help!
The cover is awesome, Elyse!
Fear has a new name… is my favourite.
I already know that I have to read this book. ⭐
I love the cover…very creepy looking. Here’s my suggestion … “Come in…we’ve been waiting for you” … Sounds like a great story, especially around Halloween!
I like the welcoming aspect as well… thank you so much!
The first line font is jarring to me. Maybe use the same font as your author name? That said, once you add a tagline, maybe the overall effect will be different.
I like “don’t go inside” or “they’re waiting for you”.
The folks at pubyourself.com are really good on cover suggestions as well.
Appreciate the comments – didn’t think of the first line font – I’m so bad at these things – I just don’t have the designer eye!
Love the fonts for your name. Fear has a new name is my favorite but if you google that there are a lot of things with that tag line. Since Mannequins are often naked, what about something using the phrase “naked fear”?
The cover carries the horror theme and It’s really well done. Tagline options: If the child on the cover is central to your story, then the “fear has a new name,” works. Or, how about, “fear lives within,” or fear dwells within,” you get the idea. Very nice book package!
I think it might actually be creepier without the tag line. Having a tag line just might take away some of the mystery.
That’s a good point… It’s been suggested to get rid of the tagline all together.
Yeah I like that idea. The cover itself should intrigue a reader. If they really need any more information before purchasing they can always check the blurb on the back of the book.
The cover is creepy but since I don’t know the content of the book my only question is does it reflect the storyline? I hate it when a cover is totally different than whats inside.
Good point – but this child is in the book and is a prisoner in the house, so I think it fits. 🙂 Really appreciate the comments!
I think the “don’t go inside” tagline fits the cover best. That said, I find the child distracting, like maybe the door itself would be ominous enough. Doors are meant to be opened and yet here’s a line saying “don’t go in” and I think that juxtaposition alone would be enough to make me consider purchasing this book. The kid isn’t a bad idea; he’s just too ordinary and out of context for my liking. If you’re dead set on using the kid, maybe you could scratch out his face or something to look more creepy. I like everything else.
Thanks so much for your suggestions! I really appreciate it!
Wow. So many great comments and suggestions. You’ve got your work cut out for you. The last suggestion of “scratching” out the child’s face – that would be interesting.
It was a cool suggestion, but I love the expression on the kid too much – it actually made me go back to the book and add something haunted about the child because of that cover!
Yeah he’s got a little bit of a kubrick stare going on. But I noticed that you mentioned above in another comment that he’s meant to be a prisoner? At the moment he looks like he’s what the reader should be afraid of, rather than being a victim. Maybe that’s intentional though in which case feel free to disregard all of my comments. 🙂
LOL – I won’t disregard any comments! But yeah, he’s a victim and you’re right, he looks a bit worse for wear, but hey, the house takes a toll on him. 🙂
Geez! Those are all great tag lines. I like Come Inside if you want the boy to appear as though he is evil and doing the inviting…. Ahhhhhh! Tough one!
I like ‘Don’t go inside’ or ‘They’re waiting for you’. Gives the reader almost an invite to go in, but yet knowing how terrifying it must be….
Love the cover Elyse! Can’t wait to read it. Will it be available on Kindle? I was very impressed with your Deaf Series. Can’t wait to see what you’ve done with this!
Thank you so much Tracy! This will be available on Kindle and I’m aiming for Halloween. Thank you so much.