Book Trailers (tm) & Author Web Sites discussion

Book Preview Videos come in all shapes and sizes.

~What do you think makes a great Book Preview Video?
~Is it the music?
~The images?
~The editing?
~Live action or static images?

Give us your input (or links to examples) from a viewer's aspect, as to the perfect Book Preview Video

I enjoy a variety of trailers. I do tend to like them to be under three minutes though. Length is a big deal when it comes to book trailers.

I like the music to "match" the book's theme. You wouldn't want a dark book to have upbeat and happy music.

I don't think I've ever seen a live actin book trailer. Most tend to be images. Mine are clips of the book covers.

I don't think that trailers have to be big and expensive to be good. :-)

I agree with you Christie, sometimes less is more.

I doubt if I will ever get my trailer made, as I am in such a quandary over which music to use, what SFX to include, should I use text or dialog. Ahhhhhh, too many decisions. I tend to angst over the tiniest details.

Was the second video easier for you to create than the first?

Yes, I'd have to say that the second one was easier than the first, and the third was even easier. I had no idea what I was doing with the first one. I even re-did it three times before sticking with the current one.

It is a lot to think about when you're working on the first one.

Good luck!

Thanks for the good wishes, I know I will need them.

Dee Marie

I've no idea what makes a good trailer, I just know what I like. However, my Knight's Fork trailer, which was done for me (with heavy involvement from me) by COS productions was voted last month's winner of the Most Intriguing Trailer.

http://thenewcoveytrailerawards.blogs...

If you haven't entered, do so!

Thank you to anyone who voted in support of the competition in March.

Best wishes,
Rowena Cherry

Congrats Rowena...I really like your book videos :]

I think innovation is the most important thing to look for in a video. Has anyone ever tried an alternative video project to plug their book?

I actually have someone who is going to do me a book trailer for all three of my books and then one big one for the series. His idea's are great! I can't wait to see it.

Hey Sean, what do you mean by alternative video project?

I am always interested in something that is innovative and unique :]

Great news Sheila.

Be sure and post a link to your video when it is finished :]

Well, like a short video trailer that could be used as a companion to a book trailer. For example, in my book the sinners in Hell are placed in three categories: The Slaves of Seduction, Prisoners of Pain, and the Bellowing Bystanders. I thought of making a 30 second montage of readers speaking short sound bites...

Man: I'm a Bellowing Bystander...
Woman: I'm a Slave to Seduction...
Child: I cheat..
Man: Prisoner of Pain...
(this would go on for a few seconds then...)
Narrator: What are you?
(cue a plug: Lucifer and Lacious - Available Now)

I don't know... it's just an idea i've been toying with.

Oh, I like that idea.

I think Gina did something like that with her grumpy old man novel. She interviewed her characters. That would be fun to do on a video.

Oh, oh, oh... you got my brain a turning with idea.

Doing the happy, happy, joy, joy dance :]

I can see Merlin interviewing Sir Lot or Uther ;]

Too much fun!