Book Trailers

ewsbookblog.edublogs.org
Where have you been my whole life?  

While I was teaching, the day before the Scholastic book fairs, my students would watch a DVD with the latest books available for purchase showcased through trailers. We both loved to watch these sneak peeks. 

Reading has been in my Top Five of Things To Do for as long as I can remember.  I could never put down the Scholastic book orders handed out in elementary school, memorizing it cover to cover. Then, rushing home to show my mom all the books I needed (at least a dozen). The day the box with Scholastic written in red on it entered the classroom and was placed on the table in the back of the room I was so excited I couldn't remain in my seat. My eyes kept darting to the back, imagining how that book would look and feel like in my hands. I was sure my choices would make me the coolest girl in class.   

How did I decide which books to spend my parents’ hard earned money? Blurbs in the book order catalogue. So, where the heck were the book trailers?   

Unfortunately, I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s, a time with little technology compared to today. I feel cheated. Book trailers provide an exciting and visual synopsis.  It paints the pictures, usually created in your mind, to create hype, hoping you will run out and purchase the book. The same tactic the movie industry employs to coax you to movie theaters to check out the latest blockbuster.   

More and more I see authors publicizing their novels through book trailers. Jessica Bell’s debut novel—The String Bridge due out November 2011—is creating buzz with her book trailer. She wrote, sang and played guitar for the song that creates the haunting quality of the visual experience and the story. Check out her trailer here. 

Like free books? She is also holding a book giveaway for anyone willing to get the word out about her novel.  Check it out here.


Would you use the book trailer to publicize the release of your book? 

Comments

Anna said…
I used to LOVE those tissue-paper thin advertisements. I remember they always had a pack-thing in the back that would include pencils, t-shirts, you name it related to your favorite book series. I still have my Goosebumps pen.
March 31, 2011 at 9:36 AM
Matthew MacNish said…
Book trailers can be so cool. Jessica's is one of the best!
March 31, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Unknown said…
A lot of bestsellers are really set up on book trailers and I'm finding that more self published novelists are pushing it as well. They work!! Some I've adore, others have fallen short... all are effective!

I'm stopping in to welcome you to the A to Z blogging challenge!!! I'm one of the co-hosts and I'm still amazed at how much we're growing! We apprreciate your participation! We were just featured on the radio in NJ! That being said I do hope you'll stop by and say hi on my blog! Also be sure to join us on twitter for the month of April (I'm @jenunedited and we can be found using #atozchallenge)!
March 31, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said…
Youtube is a great medium to reach a new audience.
March 31, 2011 at 12:19 PM
magpiewrites said…
Absolutely I'd want to do a book trailer for my book. I like Jessica's very much, it just shows how creative they can be. Of course, some book trailer's are not very creative at all, just a voice over with some stock photography and the blurb from the back of the book - but it can be so much more. Someone like Jessica, who is multi-talented can showcase all their talents in a book trailer. The first book trailer I ever saw was the one for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It was hilarious and hokey in a good way - and in a metafiction way referenced not only the book but all the austen movies and zombie movies and about six layers of pop culture at once. brilliant
March 31, 2011 at 2:55 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

L is for Location, Location, Location

Image
Source Readers look to novels to escape reality. An author’s words take them to distant lands. But a well-described location can do more than just take the reader on a trip away from home. It plays an important role in creating atmosphere and describing characters. The strength of location in a story transforms the setting into another character. Characters and setting rely heavily on one another not only to create images in the minds of readers, but also to describe each other.  A character reveals information about a setting. Their traits lead them to specific towns, cities, bars, schools, etc. A well-developed character personality can create the milieu. An uptight individual probably lives in a very neat and organized apartment. A character concerned with the environment might have a vegetable garden planted in the back with a recycling bin and compost heap. A young, single girl might feel stuck in family-oriented suburbia. Now, the...
Read more

Insecure Writer's Support Group:Overwhelmed

Image
Source My road trip to Boston at the end of August arrived just in time to relieve me from the constant head banging on the wall between me and my writing, blogging and freelance career. The permanent knot on my forehead, bald patches and a jaw that clicks every time I open my mouth has transformed me into a monster you might catch in the dark alleyways of Gotham City. I overdosed on advice in writing magazines, on writing-related websites and blogs. If you peek through the windows, you catch me wandering around the house strung out, too jittery to sit down at my laptop. As an information junkie, I hoarded writing techniques, strategies and prompts. I shoved them into every available space in my writing toolbox, reminding me of an overly prepared-style of packing. Overstuffed. I would sit on the lid to force it shut if it weren’t for the motivational quotes spilling over the sides keeping me from latching the damn thing. Then I come across an article contradicting th...
Read more

E is for Erasure Poetry

Image
rattle.com April is National Poetry Month . So, I thought I'd give  erasure poetry  a try. I chose an article about dating and race in The Philadelphia Inquirer .  Reading through the article, I underlined words that caught my eye. Then, I created a poem and title from my found words. Unfortunately, it was easier to type the words than scan the article. Enjoy! Talk About Dating First contact          Attitudes affect the messages Cut off from the real world          See the imbalance Healthy partners          Work together, no exclusions
Read more