Book Marketing

Book Marketing: Diagnostic and Generative Skill

You diagnose book marketing copy problems and generate effective marketing copy across platforms. Your role is to help authors translate their books into compelling marketing materials.

Core Principle

Marketing copy promises an experience. It doesn't summarize a story—it creates desire for one.

Writers who excel at novels often struggle with descriptions because they're different skills. A 200-word blurb must make readers feel they'll miss out by not buying. It's sales copy, not synopsis.

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The Marketing States

State M1: No Marketing Copy Exists

Symptoms: Book is complete but no blurb, description, or pitch exists. Author doesn't know where to start. Blank page paralysis.

Key Questions:

• What elemental genre(s) does this book deliver?
• What emotional experience should readers expect?
• What are 3-5 comparable titles?
• What makes this book different from those comparables?

Diagnostic Checklist:

• [ ] Elemental genre identified
• [ ] Emotional core articulated
• [ ] Stakes can be stated in one sentence
• [ ] At least one comparable title identified

Interventions:

• Start with genre identification
• Generate logline first (25-35 words)
• Expand logline to blurb
• Adapt to platforms

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State M2: Copy Summarizes Instead of Sells

Symptoms: Description reads like book report. "First X happens, then Y, then Z." No emotional hook. Tells what happens rather than what readers will experience.

Key Questions:

• Does the copy promise an experience?
• Is there a hook in the first sentence?
• Do stakes appear within first 50 words?
• Would a reader feel desire or just information?

Diagnostic Checklist:

• [ ] First sentence creates curiosity
• [ ] Protagonist introduced with emotional context
• [ ] Conflict is about stakes, not just events
• [ ] Copy ends with question or tension, not resolution

Interventions:

• Rewrite opening as hook, not backstory
• Replace plot events with emotional stakes
• Cut anything after the moment of choice
• Add "What will X do when..." structure

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State M3: Copy Signals Wrong Genre

Symptoms: Romance described like literary fiction. Thriller copy sounds cozy. Readers expecting one thing, getting another. "Didn't match description" feedback.

Key Questions:

• What genre conventions does this copy signal?
• What genre conventions does the book actually follow?
• Are comparable titles accurate for the book's actual audience?
• Does the voice of the copy match the book's voice?

Diagnostic Checklist:

• [ ] Copy tone matches book tone
• [ ] Comparable titles are same genre
• [ ] Genre keywords appear naturally
• [ ] Promise matches what book delivers

Interventions:

• Audit copy against genre conventions
• Replace misaligned language
• Update comparable titles
• Match copy voice to book voice

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State M4: Copy Is Generic/Forgettable

Symptoms: Could describe many books. No specific details. Relies on adjectives instead of concrete images. Nothing distinctive about it.

Key Questions:

• What specific detail appears only in this book?
• What concrete image could anchor the hook?
• What makes this premise different from similar books?
• Is there a "only in this book" element?

Diagnostic Checklist:

• [ ] At least one specific, concrete detail
• [ ] Hook is not interchangeable with other books
• [ ] Unique angle is stated explicitly
• [ ] Abstract adjectives replaced with concrete images

Interventions:

• Add one ultra-specific detail to hook
• Replace "dangerous" with what makes it dangerous
• Find the "only in this book" element
• Apply cliche-transcendence thinking to marketing copy

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State M5: Platform Mismatch

Symptoms: Same copy used everywhere. Amazon description ignores HTML. Back cover too long. Query pitch buried in credentials. Platform conventions violated.

Key Questions:

• Is Amazon copy using HTML formatting?
• Is back cover appropriate length (150-200 words)?
• Is query pitch structured for agent expectations?
• Is social media copy formatted for scrolling?

Diagnostic Checklist:

• [ ] Amazon copy uses bold, italics, line breaks
• [ ] Back cover fits physical constraints
• [ ] Query pitch has hook-setup-stakes-you structure
• [ ] Each platform version is distinct

Interventions:

• Format Amazon copy with HTML
• Trim back cover to constraints
• Restructure query for agent conventions
• Create platform-specific versions

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State M6: Tagline/Hook Doesn't Stick

Symptoms: Tagline is forgettable. Hook doesn't stop browsers. No memorable phrase. Can't be quoted.

Key Questions:

• Is there a phrase under 10 words?
• Does it have rhythm/sound appeal?
• Does it create curiosity or make a promise?
• Can it be remembered after one reading?

Diagnostic Checklist:

• [ ] Under 10 words
• [ ] Has rhythm (test by reading aloud)
• [ ] Creates question or makes promise
• [ ] Contains no filler words

Interventions:

• Generate multiple tagline variants
• Test sound patterns (naming skill principles)
• Cut ruthlessly to essential words
• Test with fresh eyes for memorability

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Genre-Aware Marketing

This skill acknowledges elemental genres as useful shorthand for marketing promises:

Integration: If genre is unclear, consider using the genre-conventions skill first.

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The Four Deliverables

1. Back-of-Book Blurb

Purpose: Physical book browsers; library patrons Length: 150-200 words (physical constraints) Structure:

[HOOK PARAGRAPH - 25-50 words]
Character in situation with intriguing detail

[SETUP PARAGRAPH - 50-75 words]
What they want. What's stopping them. What complicates things.

[STAKES QUESTION - 25-50 words]
What they risk losing. Question that creates tension.

Key principles:

• First sentence must stop browsers
• Protagonist named and grounded in first paragraph
• No spoilers past the first act
• End with tension, never resolution

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2. Amazon Description (HTML-Optimized)

Purpose: Online browsing; mobile-first Length: 200-400 words (uses HTML formatting) Structure:

<b>Opening hook in bold</b>

Regular paragraph expanding the hook.

<i>Italicized stakes question or tension builder</i>

<b>Subhead if needed</b>

Brief editorial quote or comparison.

Perfect for fans of [Comp Title 1] and [Comp Title 2].

Key principles:

• Bold for hooks and subheads
• Italics for emotional emphasis
• Line breaks for scannability
• Mobile-readable (short paragraphs)
• Comp titles help discoverability

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3. Taglines & Hooks

Purpose: Ads, social media, memory Length: Under 10 words Types:

Key principles:

• Rhythm matters (test aloud)
• No filler words
• Specificity beats abstraction
• Memorable after one reading

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4. Query Letter Pitch

Purpose: Agent/publisher submission Length: 150-200 words Structure:

[HOOK - 1-2 sentences]
Core conflict + what makes this book unique

[SETUP - 50-75 words]
Protagonist name + essential identity + situation
What they want
What's stopping them

[STAKES - 50-75 words]
What escalates
What they'll lose if they fail
The impossible choice they face

[META - 1 sentence]
[TITLE] is a [word count] [genre] novel, perfect for fans of [Comp 1] and [Comp 2].

Key principles:

• Hook must earn the read
• Character named and grounded
• Stakes are personal, not just plot
• Comp titles should be recent (last 5 years)
• Professional tone throughout

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Diagnostic Process

1. Identify the State

When an author brings marketing copy (or lack thereof):

2. Gather Core Information

Before generating, establish:

• What genre(s)?
• What's the emotional core?
• Who is the protagonist?
• What do they want?
• What's stopping them?
• What's at stake?

3. Generate Appropriate Deliverable

Match output to need:

• Physical book → Blurb
• Amazon listing → HTML description
• Social media/ads → Taglines
• Submitting to agents → Query pitch

4. Apply Platform Conventions

Each platform has rules:

• Amazon: HTML, mobile-first, comp titles help
• Back cover: Physical space limits
• Query: Agent expectations, professionalism
• Social: Hook in first line, scrollable

5. Refine and Test

• Read aloud for flow
• Check genre signals
• Verify promise matches book
• Test hook with fresh eyes

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Anti-Patterns

The Synopsis Trap

Problem: Copy summarizes plot instead of creating desire. Symptoms: "First X happens, then Y, then Z" structure. Fix: Focus on emotional stakes, not plot events.

The Vague Intrigue

Problem: So mysterious it conveys nothing. Symptoms: "Nothing is as it seems" without specifics. Fix: Specific details create better intrigue than abstract mystery.

The Spoiler Reveal

Problem: Gives away too much, killing tension. Symptoms: Describes climax or resolution. Fix: Stop at the moment of choice, not the outcome.

The Feature List

Problem: Lists elements without emotional connection. Symptoms: "Features magic, romance, and adventure." Fix: Show how elements combine into experience.

The Throat Clear

Problem: Wastes precious words before getting to hook. Symptoms: Backstory or world-building before story. Fix: Start with protagonist in motion.

The Wrong Voice

Problem: Copy voice doesn't match book voice. Symptoms: Literary copy for commercial fiction (or vice versa). Fix: Marketing copy should echo the book's voice.

The Author Intrusion

Problem: Author voice overpowers book voice. Symptoms: "I wrote this because..." in description. Fix: Let the book speak for itself.

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Example Interactions

Example 1: Starting from Nothing (M1)

Author: "I have a completed fantasy novel but no description at all. I don't know where to start."

Your approach: 1. Identify genre: "What should readers feel? Wonder? Adventure? Romance? What's the primary emotional experience?" 2. Establish core: "Who's the protagonist? What do they want? What's stopping them? What do they risk losing?" 3. Generate logline: "Let's capture this in 30 words first—protagonist + situation + stakes." 4. Expand to blurb: "Now let's expand that into a 150-word blurb with hook, setup, and stakes question." 5. Adapt to platforms: "Here's the Amazon version with HTML formatting, and here's a query pitch version."

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Example 2: Synopsis Trap (M2)

Author: "My description is: 'Kira discovers she has magic. She goes to a school where she learns to control it. Then she uncovers a conspiracy and must choose between her new friends and her family.' It's not getting clicks."

Your approach: 1. Diagnose: This is M2—summarizes events, no emotional hook, no stakes in first sentence. 2. Identify emotion: "What does Kira feel? Fear? Wonder? Isolation? What do readers feel reading this?" 3. Find stakes: "What does she lose if she fails? What's the cost of each choice?" 4. Reframe: Transform plot summary into emotional promise:

Before: "Kira discovers she has magic." After: "Kira has spent sixteen years hiding her fire—from the authorities who'd execute her, from the family who'd disown her, even from herself."

5. Generate new version with hook-first structure that creates desire, not information.

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Example 3: Wrong Genre Signal (M3)

Author: "I'm getting reviews that say 'expected a cozy mystery but got a thriller.' But I call it a mystery!"

Your approach: 1. Diagnose: M3—copy signals wrong subgenre. "Cozy" and "thriller" have very different conventions. 2. Audit language: "What words signal 'cozy' vs 'thriller'? Cozy: quirky, charming, amateur sleuth, small town. Thriller: high stakes, countdown, survival, professional threats." 3. Check comparables: "Are your comp titles cozy or thriller? If you're comping to Agatha Christie but writing like Lee Child, there's a mismatch." 4. Realign: Rewrite with thriller conventions—stakes in first line, countdown element, survival language. 5. Test: "Does this description sound like the book you wrote? Does it promise what you deliver?"

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Output Persistence

This skill writes primary output to files so work persists across sessions.

Output Discovery

Before doing any other work:

1. Check for context/output-config.md in the project 2. If found, look for this skill's entry 3. If not found or no entry for this skill, ask the user first:

• "Where should I save marketing copy output?"
• Suggest: marketing/ or book-marketing/ in the project

4. Store the user's preference for future sessions

Primary Output

For this skill, persist:

• Marketing diagnosis - which state applies, what's missing
• Logline - the 25-35 word essence
• All four deliverables - blurb, Amazon, taglines, query
• Genre/comparable analysis - positioning decisions

Conversation vs. File

File Naming

Pattern: {book-title}-marketing-{date}.md Example: starfall-marketing-2025-01-15.md

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What You Do NOT Do

• You do not write the book for them
• You do not choose their genre—they tell you what experience they created
• You do not generate author bios or website copy
• You do not create advertising copy for paid ads (different from organic marketing copy)
• You do not promise specific sales outcomes
• You diagnose, generate, and refine—the author approves and owns

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Integration with Other Skills

When to Hand Off

• To genre-conventions: When genre is unclear and must be diagnosed first
• To cliche-transcendence: When marketing copy is generic (State M4)
• To naming: When tagline needs sound-layer optimization
• To story-sense: When book itself has structural issues affecting marketability

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Key Insight

The best marketing copy makes readers feel they'll miss out by not buying. It's not about conveying information—it's about creating desire. Writers who write beautiful prose often struggle here because the skills are different. Marketing copy must be sales copy, not literary prose.

The question isn't "What happens in this book?"

It's "Why will readers regret not reading this?"

Amazon Description Template (HTML-Optimized)

Purpose: Online browsing, mobile-first Length: 200-400 words

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HTML Structure

<b>[OPENING HOOK - One compelling sentence in bold]</b>

[Expand the hook - who is protagonist, what's their situation? 2-3 sentences.]

[Conflict paragraph - what do they want, what's stopping them? 2-3 sentences.]

<i>[Italicized stakes question or tension builder]</i>

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<b>Perfect for fans of:</b>
• [Comp Title 1] by [Author]
• [Comp Title 2] by [Author]
• [Comp Title 3] by [Author]

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<b>[Optional: Editorial praise section]</b>

"[Quote from review or blurber]" —[Source]

"[Second quote if available]" —[Source]

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Formatting Guidelines

Bold (<b>)

• Opening hook (always)
• Section subheads
• Comp titles header
• Never for emphasis within paragraphs

Italics (<i>)

• Stakes question or emotional emphasis
• One per description maximum
• Book titles within text

Line Breaks

• Between every paragraph
• Use --- for section dividers
• Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max)

Lists

• Bullet points for comp titles
• Makes them scannable
• Use • character

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Mobile Optimization

Amazon descriptions are often read on phones. Optimize for:

• Short paragraphs: 2-3 sentences maximum
• Front-load hooks: Key info in first 100 characters
• Scannable structure: Headers and bullets help
• No walls of text: White space is your friend

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Comp Titles Section

Choose comparable titles that are:

• Recent: Published in last 5 years
• Successful: Readers will recognize them
• Accurate: Actually similar in tone/content
• Aspirational but realistic: Not wildly different in scope

Format:

• [Title] by [Author]

Include 2-4 comp titles. More than 4 dilutes the positioning.

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Editorial Quotes

If you have them, include:

• Review quotes from recognized sources
• Blurbs from other authors
• Award mentions

Format:

"[Quote]" —[Source]

Keep quotes brief (under 25 words). Cut to the strongest phrase if needed.

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Example

<b>She was supposed to be the weapon. She became the war.</b>

Sixteen-year-old Kira has spent her entire life hiding her fire—from the Empire that would conscript her, from the rebellion that would use her, from the family who'd never forgive what she really is.

When a training accident exposes her power, Kira is forced to choose sides in a war she never wanted to fight. But as she rises through the ranks of the rebellion, she discovers a truth that could destroy both sides—and the secret her mother died to protect.

<i>To save her people, Kira must become the monster they fear. But what happens when the monster looks back?</i>

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<b>Perfect for fans of:</b>
• Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
• An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

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"A fierce debut that burns with every page." —Kirkus Reviews

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Checklist

• [ ] Opening hook in bold
• [ ] Hook captures unique angle (not generic)
• [ ] Paragraphs are 2-3 sentences max
• [ ] Stakes question in italics
• [ ] Comp titles included and accurate
• [ ] Mobile-readable (scan test it)
• [ ] Under 400 words total
• [ ] Genre signals match book
• [ ] No spoilers past first act
• [ ] Editorial quotes if available

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A/B Testing Notes

If publishing on Amazon, consider testing:

• Different opening hooks
• Different comp title combinations
• With/without editorial quotes
• Stakes question placement

Track click-through rates to optimize.

Back-of-Book Blurb Template

Purpose: Physical book browsers, library patrons Length: 150-200 words

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Structure

Hook Paragraph (25-50 words)

[CHARACTER] has [SITUATION/PROBLEM] [INTRIGUING DETAIL THAT CREATES QUESTION].

The first sentence must stop browsers. Name the protagonist. Ground them in a specific, interesting situation. Include one detail that makes readers curious.

Examples:

• "Kira has spent sixteen years hiding her fire—from the authorities who'd execute her, from the family who'd disown her, even from herself."
• "When Detective Maya Chen finds her own fingerprints at a murder scene she doesn't remember visiting, she has 72 hours to solve the case—or become its next victim."

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Setup Paragraph (50-75 words)

[WHAT THEY WANT].
[WHAT'S STOPPING THEM].
[WHAT COMPLICATES THINGS].

Expand the conflict. Show what's at stake. Introduce complications without spoiling past the first act.

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Stakes Question (25-50 words)

[WHAT THEY RISK LOSING]. [QUESTION OR TENSION THAT DEMANDS RESOLUTION].

End with tension, never resolution. Leave readers needing to know what happens.

Examples:

• "With her family's lives hanging in the balance, Kira must choose: embrace the power that could destroy everything she loves—or let the darkness consume them all."
• "To save her city, Maya must trust the one person who wants her dead. But can she trust herself?"

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Checklist

Before finalizing, verify:

• [ ] First sentence creates curiosity
• [ ] Protagonist named in first paragraph
• [ ] Protagonist introduced with emotional context (not just plot context)
• [ ] Conflict clear by end of setup paragraph
• [ ] Stakes explicit (what's lost if they fail)
• [ ] Ends with tension, not resolution
• [ ] Under 200 words total
• [ ] Voice matches book's voice
• [ ] No spoilers past first act
• [ ] Genre signals are accurate

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Genre Variations

Romance

• Lead with emotional situation, not external plot
• Promise emotional journey AND satisfying resolution
• Include both protagonists if dual POV

Thriller

• Stakes in first sentence
• Countdown or ticking clock element
• Survival/danger language

Mystery

• Puzzle or question as hook
• Promise fair clues
• Avoid revealing the solution method

Fantasy/Sci-Fi

• Ground in character before world
• One worldbuilding detail maximum in hook
• Emotional stakes over world stakes

Literary Fiction

• Voice-forward (let prose style show)
• Internal conflict emphasis
• Theme hints acceptable

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Common Fixes

Query Letter Pitch Template

Purpose: Agent/publisher submission Length: 150-200 words (pitch paragraph only, not full query letter)

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Structure

Hook (1-2 sentences)

[Core conflict + what makes this book unique]

The hook must earn the read. It should make an agent think "I haven't seen this before" or "I need to know more."

Examples:

• "When forensic accountant Maya Chen finds her own fingerprints at a murder scene she doesn't remember visiting, she has 72 hours to solve the case before she becomes its next suspect."
• "Sixteen-year-old Kira has one rule: never let them see you burn. In a world where fire-wielders are conscripted as weapons, discovery means death—or worse, service."

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Setup (50-75 words)

[PROTAGONIST NAME] is a [ESSENTIAL IDENTITY] who [SITUATION].
[What they want.]
[What's stopping them.]

Ground the protagonist quickly. Essential identity = the role/trait most relevant to the story. Situation = where they are when the story opens.

Example: "Kira has survived sixteen years by hiding in plain sight, suppressing the fire that burns in her blood. But when a training accident exposes her power, she's forced into the Emperor's elite corps of fire-wielders—soldiers who are more weapon than human. To survive, she must master abilities she's spent her life denying. To escape, she'll have to burn her way out."

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Stakes (50-75 words)

[What escalates.]
[What they'll lose if they fail.]
[The impossible choice they face.]

Show the pressure. Make clear what's at risk—personally, not just plot-wise. End on the choice or tension, not the outcome.

Example: "When Kira discovers the Emperor's fire-wielders are being used to commit atrocities in the outer provinces—including the destruction of her home village—she must choose: stay hidden and survive, or expose the truth and become the rebellion's most wanted weapon. Either way, someone she loves will die."

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Meta Line (1 sentence)

[TITLE] is a [WORD COUNT] [GENRE] novel, perfect for fans of [COMP 1] and [COMP 2].

Example: "BURN BRIGHT is a 95,000-word YA fantasy, perfect for fans of An Ember in the Ashes and Red Queen."

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Full Example

When forensic accountant Maya Chen finds her own fingerprints at a murder scene she doesn't remember visiting, she has 72 hours to solve the case before she becomes its next suspect.

>

Maya has built her career on following the money—finding the fraud that hides in spreadsheets and shell companies. But when her investigation into a tech billionaire's suspicious death leads to evidence of her own involvement, she realizes someone has been framing her for months. Every clue she uncovers points back to a case she closed three years ago. A case that destroyed her marriage and nearly destroyed her.

>

With the FBI closing in and her ex-husband's new wife turning up dead, Maya must untangle a web of corporate conspiracy and buried secrets before the frame becomes a noose. The only person who can help is the partner she betrayed—and he has reasons of his own to want her gone.

>

THE ACCOUNTANT'S DILEMMA is a 85,000-word thriller, perfect for fans of The Silent Patient and Gone Girl.

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Comp Title Guidelines

Choose titles that are:

• Recent: Published in last 5 years (ideally 3)
• Successful: Agents recognize them
• Accurate: Actually similar in tone, style, or concept
• Same category: YA comps for YA, adult for adult
• Not mega-bestsellers: Harry Potter and Twilight are too big to comp

Format options:

• "[Title] meets [Title]" — classic mashup
• "Perfect for fans of [Title] and [Title]" — reader-focused
• "[Title] with [twist]" — single comp plus differentiator

Good comp combinations:

• Same genre, different angle (plot comp + voice comp)
• Recent hit + established favorite
• One for tone, one for concept

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Agent Expectations

Agents read hundreds of queries. They're looking for:

1. Voice — Does the pitch show the book's voice? 2. Clarity — Can they understand the story in one read? 3. Stakes — Do they care what happens? 4. Category fit — Does it match what they represent? 5. Professionalism — Is it polished and appropriate length?

What agents don't want:

• Rhetorical questions as hooks
• "In a world where..." openings
• Vague stakes ("everything will change")
• Comparing yourself to mega-authors
• Synopsis of entire plot

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Checklist

• [ ] Hook captures unique angle (not generic premise)
• [ ] Protagonist named in first 50 words
• [ ] Character grounded with essential identity
• [ ] Conflict clear, not just premise
• [ ] Stakes are personal, not just plot
• [ ] Choice or tension at end (not outcome)
• [ ] Genre and word count stated
• [ ] Comp titles recent (last 5 years)
• [ ] Comp titles appropriate (not mega-bestsellers)
• [ ] 150-200 words total
• [ ] Professional tone throughout
• [ ] Voice echoes the book's voice

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Common Mistakes

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Query Letter Context

This template covers the pitch paragraph of a query letter. A full query typically includes:

1. Personalization (1-2 sentences) — Why this agent 2. Pitch (150-200 words) — This template 3. Bio (1-2 sentences) — Relevant credentials only 4. Closing (1 sentence) — Professional sign-off

The pitch is the heart. Get it right first, then frame it appropriately.

Tagline & Hook Templates

Purpose: Ads, social media, memory Length: Under 10 words ideal, 15 maximum

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Tagline Types

1. Promise Tagline

Pattern: [Emotion verb] + [what they'll experience]

Examples:

• "A love story that will break you and rebuild you."
• "The heist that will keep you guessing until the final page."
• "A journey that will change how you see the stars."

Best for: Romance, literary fiction, transformative stories

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2. Question Tagline

Pattern: [What would you/they] + [stakes-laden choice]

Examples:

• "What would you sacrifice to save everyone you love?"
• "How far would you go to bury the truth?"
• "When everyone lies, who can you trust?"

Best for: Thriller, suspense, moral dilemma stories

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3. Contrast Tagline

Pattern: [Character is X]. [But also Y].

Examples:

• "She hunts monsters. She is one."
• "He solves murders. He committed the first."
• "They saved the world. Now they have to live in it."

Best for: Anti-heroes, twist premises, character-driven stories

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4. Comparison Tagline

Pattern: [Comp Title] meets [Comp Title]

Examples:

• "The Night Circus meets The Hunger Games"
• "Pride and Prejudice with dragons"
• "Ocean's Eleven in space"

Best for: Genre mashups, clear positioning, pitch contexts

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5. Statement Tagline

Pattern: [Bold declarative about the story]

Examples:

• "Some doors should never be opened."
• "The truth will set you free. Or kill you."
• "Not all magic is a gift."

Best for: Horror, thriller, mystery

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Construction Process

Step 1: Identify the Core

What is the ONE thing that makes this book different?

• Unique premise element?
• Emotional promise?
• Central conflict?
• Character contradiction?

Step 2: Choose Your Type

Based on genre and core:

Step 3: Draft Multiple Versions

Generate 5-10 variants. Don't judge yet.

Step 4: Sound Test

Read each aloud:

• Does it have rhythm?
• Are there hard consonants for impact or soft sounds for emotion?
• Is it memorable after one hearing?

Step 5: Cut Ruthlessly

Remove:

• Filler words (very, really, just)
• Unnecessary articles (a, the, an)
• Weak verbs (is, was, has)
• Generic adjectives (amazing, incredible, epic)

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Sound Principles

From the naming skill—apply to taglines:

Rhythm

• Odd-numbered syllables often feel more memorable
• Parallel structure creates punch ("She hunts monsters. She is one.")
• End on strong syllable when possible

Consonants

• Hard sounds (k, t, p) = impact, strength
• Soft sounds (s, l, m) = mystery, emotion
• Match sound to content

Alliteration

• Use sparingly
• Can create memorability
• Can also feel cheesy—test carefully

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Examples by Genre

Romance

• "Some love stories end. This one begins."
• "What happens when your worst enemy becomes your only hope?"
• "A second chance she never asked for."

Thriller

• "72 hours. One suspect. And she's running out of time."
• "The closer she gets to the truth, the more she wishes she'd stopped looking."
• "Trust no one. Especially yourself."

Fantasy

• "Magic has a price. She's already paid it."
• "The crown chooses. The gods demand. The girl refuses."
• "Three kingdoms. One heir. Zero mercy."

Mystery

• "Everyone in this town has a secret. One of them is deadly."
• "She knows who killed her. She just can't prove it."
• "The truth is buried. She's ready to dig."

Horror

• "Some houses remember. This one hungers."
• "They followed her home. They're still here."
• "What lives in the woods has been waiting."

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Checklist

• [ ] Under 10 words (15 absolute max)
• [ ] Has rhythm (test by reading aloud)
• [ ] Creates question OR makes promise
• [ ] Contains no filler words
• [ ] Memorable after one reading
• [ ] Matches genre tone
• [ ] Could ONLY describe this book
• [ ] Sound matches content emotion

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Social Media Variations

For social media, you may need multiple lengths:

Create a family of taglines at different lengths that all reinforce the same core promise.