Book Trailers (tm) - An Introduction

[Phyllis]

Great group, Everyone. I've just joined and right away learned about the copyright for the phrase 'book trailer.' Wow, there's something an author could get tripped up with. It's part of the reason we're all here, right?

I just finished my first sci-fi book promotional video and posted it to YouTube. Unfortunately I didn't have a lot of sci-fi 'stuff' to use, but the local museum was very cooperative, as were its mannequins. Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za4rMs...

It's been really stormy lately so I'll be taking a better look at all these promotional videos when my connection's better.

[Jacqueline]

Hi,
Thanks for all the interesting posts. It's comforting to hear the encouragement to advertise, eventhough we don't know which half of the 50% is useful.

I'd like to share my new book trailer for my upcoming book, Duck for Turkey Day, coming out in September from Albert Whitman. You can watch it on youtube or directly from my website at
http://www.jacquelinejules.com/duck2.htm

Thanks,
Jacqueline Jules
www.jacquelinejules.com

[Dee, Group Creator]

Hi Phyllis,

Welcome to the group. LOVE your trailer...it is just too much fun :]

[Jacqueline]

Dee wrote: "Hi Phyllis,

Welcome to the group. LOVE your trailer...it is just too much fun :]"

Thanks so much!

[Dee, Group Creator]

Hi Jacqueline,

Did you do the artwork for your book? Your trailer had a powerful Ahhhhhh-factor.

What a wonderful idea...made me feel all warm & fuzzy :]

[Jacqueline]

Kathryn Mitter did the artwork for Duck for Turkey Day. Thanks for your comments!

[Dee, Group Creator]

She is very talented :]

[Amber]

Hi Everyone,

I have a question. I just finished making my own video preview but I have no idea how I'm supposed to post the darn thing. Does this require knowing HTML? I made it on Windows Movie Maker. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Amber

[Phyllis]

Hi Amber,

Here's a link to a 'How To' article I published on Associated Content: http://webmail.associatedcontent.com/...

Your question is addressed in the second paragraph on page 3, the idea of converting your video file. Specifically, you'll need to click on 'File' on the top of your menu, then 'Publish Movie.' You'll be asked to choose a format. You may have a newer computer than mine, so if you have further questions, feel free to email me. My address is t_phyllis@hotmail.com

YouTube in particular will create a URL address for your video and generate a piece of code you can use to embed the whole thing on sites like this one (look for the upload link on your profile page here on Goodreads.)

[J.]

Here is a link to our trailer for "Lady Vernon and Her Daughter"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh2UvY...

We hired a small production company, Artifex Entertainment (full disclosure, my son operates it), and filmed it in one day, although the voice overs and sound edits were done separately. It got us into an article in the Huffington Post that cited five great book preview trailers.
You can read an interview with our director "Interview with Nick" on our web site at: janetility.com

[Amber]

Hi Phyllis,

Thank you so much for your help! I truly appreciate it!

Amber

[Johanna]

well done,J! Kudos to your son.

[Andy]

Hey Everyone, if you need any promotional book videos done I recently started my own company to provide these services. Below are a few links to recent projects, we can provide a quality piece for just about any budget, let me know if you're interested. Thanks!
andy.reuter@gmail.com

http://vimeo.com/7156629
http://vimeo.com/6801463
http://vimeo.com/6798633
http://vimeo.com/7650701

[Joan]

Hi, all,
You can see my book trailer for my suspense novel THE PLAN on textnovel.com
If you have a minute, I'd love to have your Vote for my novel (THE PLAN written under the name of Lillian Watts.)
Just sign up, and click on the tiny blue 'thumbs up' icon.
I thank those who have already voted. Your support means more than you know.
Joan

[Dee, Group Creator]

Outstanding trailers all :]

Keep them coming :]

Dee Marie

[Dee, Group Creator]

Hey Jane,

Are you listed on Twitter? I was going to tweet about your video, but was not sure if janerubino was the real you or not :]

[Rebecca]

This is such an awesome thread. I can't wait for the time to really explore each link and take notes. Right now I'd just like to throw my own videos in the pot. I've created two. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvLAOe... and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2GII0... I'd LOVE feedback.

[J.]

Dee wrote: "Hey Jane,

Are you listed on Twitter? I was going to tweet about your video, but was not sure if janerubino was the real you or not :]"

On Twitter we're @LadyVernonBook
The web site is: janetility.com
Nick, our director, is also on Twitter, but often too busy to Tweet - forget his handle, may be @nrbfilm Thanks, Jane R.

[Bookprgirl]

The Blue Sweater b Jacqueline Novogratz will be published in paperback on February 16, 2010 (Rodale). It is the inspiring personal memoir of a woman who has spent her life on a quest to understand global poverty and to find powerful new ways of tackling it. Start by watching Jacqueline tell her Blue Sweater story: http://www.acumenfund.org/bluesweater

Jacqueline will donate her paperback royalties to Acumen Fund and other organizations tackling social change.

As part of the new release in paperback, her company Acumen Fund is offering a limited edition Book Club in a Box which includes:

• 5 paperback copies of the book
• 5 discussion guides
• 5 hand-designed bookmarks by Acumen Fund high school volunteers
• Access to a webinar with Jacqueline, just for book club in a box readers

The Book Club in a Box is available for $50 USD including shipping to anywhere in the world until February 16th, or while supplies last. All proceeds Acumen Fund receives from this initiative will go toward supporting their important work.

[Dalian]

Hi Everyone,
Here is the book trailer for a book, Fawcetta: Voices and Echoes of the Coliseum Volume I.
Please check it out!

I will be very appreciated if you can leave comment or vote.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXKq2S...

[Dee, Group Creator]

Wow! What a diverse array of trailers.

Keep posting!

[David]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4lSYR...

[R. Michael]

Hi All,
I've completed the second book in the Ernie Bisquets Mystery Series- Rook, Rhyme & Sinker - and it is scheduled for a Fall 2010 release through Asylett Press. Here is the book trailer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=13GwT...

Thanks,
Michael

[Deanna]

Hi Everyone!

My second novel, No Turning Back, Historical set in England 1778, was released on April 5th and I'm having a great time with it. My first book signing is the 24th at a local book store; sending out post cards to invite lots of readers to join me. Here is my trailer for the novel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beT4MC...

My first trailer for Never Surrender can also be found at YouTube.

thanks,

Deanna Jewel

[Deanna]

Mike,

Intriguing trailer and I love the music! Best of luck when it comes out!

[R. Michael]

Thanks Deanna, and thanks for the friend request. I liked both your trailers. I'll have to add "No Turning Back" to my read list.

[Laurel]

Interesting trailer, Deanna. It is certainly another way of getting the book out there to the public. The music is lovely as is the scenery and the characters very romantic looking. All the best with your book. Laurel

[Chrisy]

Here's my trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=HYJ4N...

What do you think?

Chrisy

[J.]

for trailers I prefer instrumental music rather than vocal for background. reading script and listening to lyrics at the same time is sensory overload to my aged and feeble mind.
That's just my take on it. see what others think and go from there.
it's a timely story so it should have a market. are you on 'Operation eBook Drop'? Might want to look into it. Provides free eBooks to the coalition troops, and an aircraft carrier.
j

[R. Michael]

Chrisy- The trailer is very well put together. It flows nicely but I have to agree about the music. The song is engaging but the lyrics are a bit distracting when reading. The book looks like a very interesting story. Best of luck with it.

[Chrisy]

Yep, I can understand about the music too.
Thanks!

[[deleted user]]

Hi folks. Hope you're all well.Thought I'd share my new book trailer with you. What do you think?
http://www.goodreads.com/videos/list_...

[J.]

vol one doesn't tell me anything except that it snows a lot where you live and you owe a lot of credits. half of the trailer is credits too small to read, which no one would anyway.

vol 11 Rocks! THAT's a trailer.
(you misspelled visit. BFD,don't worry bout it. Everyone knows what vist means)

j

my trailer: http://jguevaranovels.com/book-video-...

[Kevis]

Andy wrote: "Hi folks. Hope you're all well.Thought I'd share my new book trailer with you. What do you think?
http://www.goodreads.com/videos/list_..."

Love the videos Andy. Vol 2's trailer is a bit more effective at selling the story. It's easier to tell what they are about because of the recognizable images. Btw, can't wait to read the new book. Hope its coming out soon!

[Kevis]

j wrote: "vol one doesn't tell me anything except that it snows a lot where you live and you owe a lot of credits. half of the trailer is credits too small to read, which no one would anyway.

vol 11 Rocks!..."

J, you have a very interesting premise for your book. Your trailer hits all the selling points including what your novel is about and where interested readers can purchase it. The only thing I wonder about is the choice of music. If the novel is serious in nature, the music is misleading. However, if the novel is more lighthearted in nature, then I would have to say it is indeed appropriate.

[J.]

lighthearted. Very lighthearted fun read. dave posted a review recently on goodreads. actually, the music is the best part of the trailer. the pic of the sax player btw is me in another life before writing. rotf
thanks for checking it out. appreciate the feedback
j

[Kevis]

Totally enjoyed your video, J. Btw, it's terrific to hear that you played the sax! :)

[Kevis]

Here's the improved and newly minted trailer to my science fiction novel Rogue Hunter: Quest of the Hunter. Would love some comments on the video page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmsrtu...

[Dee, Group Creator]

Hi Everyone,

I just got my computer's speed up and running. Until last week, I have been unable to view videos, as my speed tests have been running .12 instead of 9.12

This resulted in my computer's downloading buffer times to be painfully slow.

I thought it was my computer, but it ended up being noise on my cable line. Who Knew?

There are many sites online to check your computer's speed. Just "Google" speedtest and you might be surprised at the results.

Anyway ... now that I'm speeding along like a rabbit instead of crawling like a turtle, I look forward to playing Book Trailer catch up :]

[Laurel]

Interesting video with good images, Kevis. It should give a good idea of what your book is about. I hope it generates lots of sales. Laurel

[Kevis]

Laurel wrote: "Interesting video with good images, Kevis. It should give a good idea of what your book is about. I hope it generates lots of sales. Laurel"

Can't thank you enough for taking a look at my video, Laurel. Wasn't sure the new changes I made to it worked. I was chiefly concerned that with all the quick editing that the visual presentation might be over the top. But it's out there now, so I'll have to live with it, for better or worse. Thanks again! :)

[Alan]

Here is my video. Any comments would be much appreciated.

[Laurel]

Good scenes, Alan. My thought is - that I don't know if Jenni and her friends have discovered a lost civilization or whether the story is a fantasy/scifi where Jenni and Co have been transported to another world. Otherwise it's a good video. Laurel

[Dee, Group Creator]

Hi Alan,

I like the tension and the mystery of your trailer :]

[Alan]

Thank you :D

[Pamela]

I forgot I had this on Goodreads. It's the book video for my book, Haunted Richmond, Virginia. A film maker friend of mine did it. He will make book videos for anyone interested--just used the phone number at the end of the video. He does video and worked on films and such, so he does know what he is doing.

Do check it out at http://www.goodreads.com/videos/show/...
If you liked it, vote for it. :)

[J.E.]

Hi all - I'm new here and I've got 2 books coming out in July. I've got a question on audio - where would I find royalty free audio tracks? I need to make video teasers for the books and at least have some video editing background. Thank you!

Oh and I'm very glad to meet you all.
JET

[Alan]

I use iStockphoto they are very reasonably priced but there are lots of places out there. Just do a search and I'm sure you'll come up with lots.

[J.E.]

iStockphoto has audio tracks - huh - who knew. Thanks Alan!

JET

[Laurel]

My short story, Phantasia in the Suburbs, is a free read on my website at www.authosden.com/laurellamperd
Laurel