Question

Find a published work of creative writing (that you have already read) that you feel could have been marketed more effectively. You may choose something from any of the genres that we learned about in Unit 1. Imagine that you are the agent doing PR for this particular publication. Your job for this assignment will be to improve upon the already created and executed book cover, inside flap, back cover, and how to sell the book to a targeted audience based on genre and theme. Examine the cover of your chosen book. Is the cover as effective as it could be in expressing the message of the book? How could you redesign the cover to be more eye-catching or more effective? Read the inside flap of the book and the back cover. Does the description adequately summarize the book and capture the reader’s interest? Look at the author’s bio. Is the information useful and interesting? For your actual assignment, you will need to create a marketing improvement plan and express your improved plan using a word processing program or Power Point (or similar type of format). Your project will need to include the following: An improved cover design: You may choose to use graphic design techniques and create a re-designed cover digitally OR… You may create a re-designed cover by hand, take a picture, and upload a picture of the improved cover OR… You may choose to creatively and VERY descriptively explain how you would redesign the cover with written words. If you choose this option be sure to use highly illustrative language so that your re-design can be imagined. Make sure to include the title and author on the re-designed cover, as per the original. An improved back cover (or inside flap): Your goal is to completely re-write what was originally in place. Be sure to capture the reader’s attention and really sell them on the book, keeping in mind the theme, plot, characters, etc. Include a ‘review’ of the book written by you, as if you were a literary critic. A re-written excerpt about the author: Be sure to include any pertinent information about the author and present it in an appealing and creative manner. You may use the information previously used or perform some research in order to find new information. A reflection that addresses the following questions: How did you apply concepts learned in Unit 1 to your successful completion of this assignment? How might you sell this book in order to reach the target audience based on the genre and theme of the book? Why was this assignment relevant to the topic of creative writing? If you could re-design this project, what are some changes that you would make to it?

Answer 1

For this assignment, I've chosen **"The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern** as the book to enhance through an improved marketing plan. While the book has received significant acclaim and a stunning cover, there are opportunities for even more effective marketing in its description and back cover content to attract a wider audience.

### 1. Improved Cover Design:
**Current Cover:** The current cover of "The Night Circus" features a beautiful, dark color palette with an image of a circus tent against a starry backdrop. While it captures the essence of the book, it doesn't fully convey the intricate fantasy and romance present within the story.

**Redesigned Cover Concept:**
Imagine a cover that features a whimsical carousel with fantastical creatures—like moonlit unicorns and intricate, almost lace-like designs around the edges. The title, "The Night Circus," could be embossed in silver foil across the top, representing the magic and allure of the circus. In the background, a gradient transitioning from deep indigo to twilight purple enhances the mysterious atmosphere of the story. The subtitle “A Journey into the Extraordinary” can be placed just below the title to further entice potential readers.

**Additional Elements:**
- **Author’s Name:** In elegant, silver cursive font at the bottom to give a personal touch, making the author feel approachable as a guiding force in the reader's journey.
- **Visual Symbols:** Small motifs like stars and crescent moons surrounding the title can create an enchanting frame.

### 2. Improved Back Cover (or Inside Flap):
**Current Back Cover:** The existing summary provides an overview but lacks the pulse of excitement and intrigue to hook potential readers.

**Rewritten Back Cover:**
_"Welcome to the enchanting world of Le Cirque des Rêves—where the night is a canvas painted with dreams and limitless possibilities. Two gifted young magicians, Celia and Marco, are bound to a fierce competition. Unbeknownst to them, their extraordinary abilities create a nightmarish ripple effect that endangers everyone involved. As the boundaries between reality and magic dissolve under the tent's shimmering fabric, will love be enough to break the chains of destiny that bind them?_ **Step inside the circus, where every corner holds an illusion and every performance a new adventure.**"_

_"Critic’s Choice: ‘An immersive tale that weaves fantasy, romance, and suspense with exquisite prose. Morgenstern's words will linger in your mind long after the last page.’ — Literary Gazette_

### 3. Re-Written Excerpt about the Author:
**Current Author Bio:** Often straightforward and academic.

**Rewritten Author Bio:**
_"Erin Morgenstern is a master storyteller whose ink-drawn worlds leap off the page and capture the imagination. With a background in theater and visual arts, her narratives fold into themselves, much like the mysteries crafted within Le Cirque des Rêves. When she’s not writing, Erin can be found traversing the literary landscapes of fantasy, attending themed soirées, or sketching dreamlike illustrations. Dive into her mind and discover worlds that were never meant to exist, where every word blooms with magic."_

### 4. Reflection:
- **Unit 1 Concepts:** This assignment allowed me to apply concepts of genre and thematic analysis learned in Unit 1 by digging deeper into the essence of the story and understanding how to create an appealing narrative in marketing materials.
- **Target Audience:** To sell this book more effectively, highlight its blend of fantasy, romance, and mystery, appealing to readers of magical realism and fans of beautifully crafted worlds. Using social media platforms like Instagram, where stunning visuals attract engagement, targeting book clubs through relevant hashtags (#Bookstagram, #FantasyReads) would also reach the intended audience effectively.
- **Relevance to Creative Writing:** This assignment reinforced the importance of narrative voice and tone beyond the text itself. Creative writing isn't confined to just the story—it extends to how a story is packaged and presented in a market.
- **Potential Changes:** If I could redesign this project, I might include a multimedia component—such as a video trailer showcasing the beautiful imagery and storyline—targeting digital platforms where visuals play a key role in grabbing attention.

### Conclusion
Overall, the exercise allowed me to explore various dimensions of creative writing and effective storytelling, applying artistic vision to marketing strategies. Improving narrative structure and visuals can dramatically draw readers in, increasing the likelihood of a book’s success beyond its initial acclaim.