Support for Indie Authors discussion

Hi folks! First time poster here. :o)

I am making good progress on my first novel, "Confetti", and with that beginning to think about tagline/blurb/cover/etc. I have a few different ideas for the tagline but am curious about one that had come to mind.

"Not all that glitters is gold." Is this something that would even be allowed as a tagline? Would it be too tacky if so?

Why not? What exactly is your concern about it?

A concern of it being too close to Tolkien is the main one.

Tolkien didn't invent that line. And "All That Glitters Is Not Gold" is a common proverb which shows up in Aesop, Chaucer, and Shakespeare.

Yeah, I guess just concerned that it might seem tacky using it on a book cover when it's been a part of so many amazing and esteemed things. :)

Or you could say "all that glitters..." And leave your readers' brains to finish the sentence.

I think Shakespeare coined it as he did so many things, but in the original it was "glisters". However, it's so well known as a general proverb that no one is going to associate it with Tolkien.

Aesop:

Non omne quod nitet aurum est

Chaucer:

But al thyng which that shyneth as the gold / Nis nat gold, as that I have herd it told

or

Hyt is not al golde that glareth

Shakespeare:

All that glisters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told:

Tolkien's quote is actually the reverse:

All that is gold does not glitter,

While we're listing, let's not forget Led Zeppelin, who probably wouldn't even have a music career were it not for Tolkien:

There's a lady who's sure, all that glitters is gold....

In other words, I think you're safe to use a well known proverb or a derivitive of.

P.D. wrote: "Aesop:

Non omne quod nitet aurum est

Chaucer:

But al thyng which that shyneth as the gold / Nis nat gold, as that I have herd it told

or

Hyt is not al golde that glareth

Shakespeare:

All th..."

All that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold
-- Smash Mouth

And to respond to Heather directly, sure why not? It's your book. If the shoe fits and all that.

I think it works because of the stark contrast to the title - confetti doesn't glitter

Magnus wrote: "I think it works because of the stark contrast to the title - confetti doesn't glitter"

Foil and metallic confetti does, depends on the company you're looking at. ;) But that's a good point to consider to and much appreciated insight!

https://www.amazon.com/Sparkle-Confet...

For reference. I appreciate all the input- helps me feel a bit less woozy about getting things sorted with this!

Heather wrote: "Foil and metallic confetti does, depends on the company you're looking at. ;) "

fair point. Can't, shan't, won't and wouldn't argue with that ;)