Who Said You Need A Book Trailer?
Book trailers have become such commonplace in today's literary market, that no one seems to question their value as a promotional tool. I do. Nearly all the trailers I've seen are hopelessly boring, with the title of the book and some key phrases traveling across the screen this way and that, to the sound of some elevator music that can barely keep me from nodding off. There are, of course, exceptions--your trailer may well be one of them, and I would be happy to see it if you leave me a link below--here are two I enjoyed: Six Packs of Blood, which is professionally done, with an incredible ear for peaks and valleys in the music, to highlight the suspense, and The Sacred Band, which brings me back to ancient times...
But even so, is this really the way readers find books? Have you ever selected a book because you saw a trailer? In my case, the answer is a resounding No. I would rather read an excerpt, a book description, learn about the writer, recieve a recommendation, or read a highly favorable review. In short, I select a book because I read about it, not because I saw a title flashing by before my eyes.
Now, I am no stranger to creating animations; see my process for Now I Am Paper and Jess and Wiggle. So? Will I put together my own book trailer, any time soon? Don't hold your breath... I am setting my eyes on a higher aim... Waiting for the full-length movie to come out one day... Hey, a girl is allowed to entertain a secret dream--right?
Incidentally, I came across a great article, published on the pages of the New York Times, on this very issue. The article, written with delightful humor by Tim Kreider, starts with these words:
"The first time I'd ever heard that there were video previews for books was when I was told I had to made one. A few months before my own book was to be released, my publisher advised me that official book trailers were now routinely posted on YouTube as a promotional device. I was skeptical, but remembering how instrumental video was in advancing the career of Men Without Hats, I acquiesced..."
You can read the rest of it here: Like the Video? I Wrote the Book
But even so, is this really the way readers find books? Have you ever selected a book because you saw a trailer? In my case, the answer is a resounding No. I would rather read an excerpt, a book description, learn about the writer, recieve a recommendation, or read a highly favorable review. In short, I select a book because I read about it, not because I saw a title flashing by before my eyes.
Now, I am no stranger to creating animations; see my process for Now I Am Paper and Jess and Wiggle. So? Will I put together my own book trailer, any time soon? Don't hold your breath... I am setting my eyes on a higher aim... Waiting for the full-length movie to come out one day... Hey, a girl is allowed to entertain a secret dream--right?
Incidentally, I came across a great article, published on the pages of the New York Times, on this very issue. The article, written with delightful humor by Tim Kreider, starts with these words:
"The first time I'd ever heard that there were video previews for books was when I was told I had to made one. A few months before my own book was to be released, my publisher advised me that official book trailers were now routinely posted on YouTube as a promotional device. I was skeptical, but remembering how instrumental video was in advancing the career of Men Without Hats, I acquiesced..."
You can read the rest of it here: Like the Video? I Wrote the Book
No comments have been added yet.
