Writerly Ways

[cornerofmadness]

I forgot some of my stuff back home so I have no word counts to put up, except one. I am moving on the demon hunter holiday story and almost not at all one Riding with Strangers (in other words doing exactly what I said I needed to stop doing, getting the short stories done and not the novels). So in that sense I can all camp nano a bust even more than i thought it would be.

So here's the theme for this week (and I might mirror this over to Jana's lj too so I can tweet about it) Book trailers.

Do you love them? Do you hate them? Do you even know they exist? I have to admit I'm very indifferent to them. I don't even notice their links on the page. My friend ECS, who often supplies a lot of the writing links I share, is a bit more excited about them than I (probably because she's an artist as well as an author) and pointed out all the places I've missed them. I'm super observant apparently.

Honestly, the few I've watched have failed to fire me up and make me buy a book. Most haven't remained in my memory longer than it took to close the window. I'm wondering has anyone had any experience with them either as a maker or as a viewer? Have they swayed you into buying something?

I have to assume there is some benefit to them or the publishing houses wouldn't make them or expect us to. I would like hard data as to their effectiveness but I doubt I'll ever see that. It seems like a whole lot of work for what could be minimal benefit (it's certainly minimal benefit as far as their effects on me).

What little I have seen when people talk about them is to mock the use of a lot of text to describe what's going on in the book or the use of stock footage. I'm not sure what people are expecting. I sent a lot of things in other countries or states. I know I wouldn't have the ready cash to visit the place and do a scripted shoot on site. I think most beginning authors wouldn't.

One of the ones ECS shared with me was by Tessa Dare for someone and Ms Dare is known for using her kids toys as the 'actors' for these romance book trailers. Who she made this book trailer for and what the book's title is has already left my memory (like I said, they just aren't grabbing me and making me want to buy books) but it was at least cute (and probably memorable to someone who isn't me)

so what do you say? Do you think they're useful? Do you think they're more time consuming than helpful? Have you ever even noticed them?

Demon Hunter Holiday (I upped the word count allowed)

12942 / 18000 words. 72% done!

Comments

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

The only book trailer I've seen/paid any attention to was the one that was the zombies attacking the Star Trek convention. When I think of trailers, I think of movies or TV shows.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

ditto. I think a lot more promoing it going to be needed to really make this profitable

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it might work for someone, but...?

The idea of doing it with your kids' dolls really appeals to my sick sense of humor, mind.

[bay115.livejournal.com]

Like evil little dog, when I think of trailers I think of TV Shows or Movies. Trailers for books never really appeal to me. It would be more effective if perhaps the book trailers have the actors acted out some of the scenes from the books, like how there's a lot of fanmade trailers in youtube.

I remember a while back when I was active in forums I would actually write out trailers for my fanfics in script form and post them, putting some scenes and cues here and there. Those were quite fun and makes me want to write out a trailer for my Big Bang, haha.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

that's definitely what I think of for trailers too.

While the actors might be helpful it could also be expensive or horrendously bad (or both)

now writing a trailer out in script form could be fun and some of these book trailers at their simplest are just that I guess

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

ECS also mentioned Harlequin hits these trailers hard and that makes sense being a publisher with scads ofready cash to make it look good.

well yes i'm not surprised

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Yes, that would make sense.

:D Robot Chicken Ahoy?

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

oh lord well yes

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Sorry, that was my immediate thought. :D

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

i'm not sure it'll sell me books

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you'd need a lot of Ken dolls for your fic.

[sillymagpie.livejournal.com]

Generally I don't bother with them. I did watch one for Wicked Plants that was interesting, but that was because it discussed the history of poisonous plants. I mostly read the book's description and the reviews and possibly through whatever pages I'm allowed to see.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

that's pretty much how I approach things too. so far I'm not seeing overwhelming support for book trailers

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

or just spike and angel

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Ahahahahahaaha. That, too.

[silvrethorn.livejournal.com]

Book trailers? Apparently I'm way behind the curve on this innovation, because I didn't know such a thing existed. That said, now that I know about them, I want my Toshi/Maru books to have animated sumi-e drawings for their trailers. I saw this on Samurai Jack a time or two, and thought it was cool, not to mention elegantly appropriate.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

yeah i'm getting THAT response a lot when I talk to others as well.

well you're going to have to get on that since it might fall to you to do it (and it would be cool)