Show it to me, baby!
Feb 25th 2010
Karen HawkinsKaren Hawkins
I love book trailers. I love how they set the tone for the book, allow for a seemingly secret glimpse between the covers, and rev up the reader for release date. I love the texture, the talent, and oh, don’t forget the teasing. That provocative glimpse of lace or a look, a haunting face or the sight of a silky gown, all tempt me to the cash register, book in one hand, debit card in the other.
Here’s an example of a book trailer that had me panting for the book:
Pretty good, eh? The book was even better, which says something, indeed.
Still, one of my friends told me she didn’t care for book trailers because they never gave her enough information. She’d rather see a whole scene from the book. I don’t know how I feel about that. On one hand, it would be nice to see the hero and heroine really interact. On the other, it would be difficult to set the scene without giving away the entire story.
I think I’ll just stick to the overview method. But then again, an entire scene would be nice . . . oh heck! I don’ t know!
Do you watch book trailers? Do they ever make you want a book you might not normally buy? What do you think about the two book trailer methods — overview, or one scene?
66 Comments »
66 Responses to “Show it to me, baby!”
E.R. on 25 Feb 2010 at 2:09 am #
I occasionally watch book trailers. Some of them are nice, while others are just ‘blah’ to me. To ME, not to everyone else. If it is tastefully done, it would pique my interest. If it isn’t, then I just leave it alone. I don’t really care for it because the blurbs and the authors’ teasers are what I find more interesting to me than book trailers. I MUST admit, MH’s PiP trailer definitely intrigues me.
Oh, and as for overview or a scene, I prefer an overview. I don’t mind a scene, but I want to be left intrigued over the story and I rather use my imagination to come up with the scene of the book. And I blame my imagination for pausing over a page and just imagining what the characters are doing. Not bad, but sometimes it irritates me that my interest is caught on a scene and I JUST have to imagine it. Mind you, I blame MYSELF over it, not the author. (And that’s a good thing for the authors, I would think, since it MAKES me want to stop and imagine the scene. Good for all of you authors out there.)
So finally, overview in book trailer methods is WAY better than a scene, I watch it occasionally, and it may/not make me want to buy it….
E.R. on 25 Feb 2010 at 2:11 am #
…or borrow it, if I’m strap for cash (and I am).
Again, definitely MH’s book trailer is so pretty. ^__^
Archer on 25 Feb 2010 at 2:27 am #
Wow that’s a hot earl
I like book trailers. Although I have seen some that were pretty bad.
Lisa Kleypas has some good trailers. I love the music in her trailer for Seduce Me at Sunrise. The gypsy is pretty hot too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDHsMMd-nS8
Emmanuelle on 25 Feb 2010 at 5:00 am #
I’m not a big fan of book trailers but sometimes they’re just done right, like this one. I love the voice, it really set the tone for the book.
I read PIP just yeasterday btw and it was magical. I loved this book and I’m already planning a reread soon. I loved how Grayson and Verity talked to each other during the whole book about everything (and I mean EVERYTHING). They’re definitely a memorable couple.
Deb Marlowe on 25 Feb 2010 at 5:46 am #
Oh, love this topic, Karen! A bunch of us were just talking about this. I’m interested in how people *find* the book trailers. Do you go looking on youtube? Do you check in regularly at author’s webpages?
If done right, I think they can be an interesting tool.
LoriHandeland on 25 Feb 2010 at 6:19 am #
Interesting topic, KarenH. I’ve had the same questions.
For myself, never watch them. I prefer to imagine a book in my own way and have never liked the preconceived notion I get from a trailer.
I did a few for my Phoenix chronicles and one for Thunder Moon, thought they were really cool and then had so many people tell me that they would never buy a book based on a trailer that I stopped doing them.
It never even occurred to me to do a scene from a book. Mine were all overviews. I’d assume that a scene from a book would have actors and dialogue, something else that, for me, would just ruin the book if I saw that ahead of time.
That said, some of them are so gorgeous, like the one for PIP, I can see why readers would be enticed to pick up the book. I’ve already got mine.
cail on 25 Feb 2010 at 6:32 am #
I don’t like them. There, I said it.
The first time I saw one, I thought, what the hell is this? Then got more and more annoyed as it was cut from pose to pose. I suppose if they were a scene from the book, I might like them more, but still, the whole point of a book is to use your imagination and the trailer takes the chance to imagine the hero and heroine in my head.
I keep trying to watch them, but I’m still not seeing the appeal.
I would, however, love it if hollywood decided to convert a historical romance into a movie. Preferably a trilogy or something. I wouldn’t mind that so much at all
Kathy on 25 Feb 2010 at 6:56 am #
I don’t watch them. I like to imagine the characters’ features by what is described in the books.
a trailer takes all that away.
can I just say “ditto” to everything Cal just said? lol
Michelle on 25 Feb 2010 at 7:22 am #
LOVE that book trailer! Makes me want to grab the book and start reading it right now! I’m off to Borders today to get it a couple days earlier than I had planned.
I don’t watch book trailers usually–only when somebody talks about a trailer that needs to be viewed–like today. “-)
Sue on 25 Feb 2010 at 7:25 am #
I do watch them from time to time. However, just because I watch them doesn’t mean I will buy the book. The one for PiP was great. The narrator was perfect and set the tone. Most likely I will buy PiP and add it to my TBR pile.
Freshechelle on 25 Feb 2010 at 7:42 am #
I’m with Kathy; “Ditto” on Cail’s remarks except it’s not “don’t like”, more like indifference.
They don’t spur me to buy a book. Seems like the same info readers get from the “sneak peak” at the end of their last book or the blurb on the back or a website.
I can see how it can persuade more occasional readers than we are here at TGB.
If the publishing world finds that it pushes paper, I’m all for it.
nancyg on 25 Feb 2010 at 8:03 am #
I really don’t watch book trailers as a general rule either – except if it’s a release I’ve been dying for. Then I’m like a bird looking for crumbs in winter, searching for release dates, excerpts, blurbs, reviews, etc.
PiP trailer was very well done – definitely piqued my interest. Now, to pick up next time I’m out running around… Oh, I’d rather have an overview than one scene.
The one advertisement that cracked me up was the James Patterson commercial that said, “Buy this book or I’ll kill off Alex Cross.” I read the book, which wasn’t an Alex Cross novel. Glad it was a library copy – now I’m waiting to see if he offs his main character… since that’s the ONE series he seems to write on his own.
Lisa H on 25 Feb 2010 at 8:19 am #
OOOOO I love book trailers and this one is very sensual and seductive! I can’t wait to get my hands on this book, but first I have to read, “Ravishing in Red”.
Did I happen to mention that tomorrow is my release date for my very first book!? And if I might also mention, I have a book trailer on my website http://www.lisa-hill.com I’d love for you all to see!
Karen H- I like the overview myself. Otherwise it might seem like a little movie and I think it would be too much for a tease.
Pesky on 25 Feb 2010 at 8:31 am #
Depends. I try not to watch them because they can kill a book for me. JD Robb just did one on TV that has me grinding my teeth. I love her writing, have every books she’s written, but something about her voice is like nails on a chalk board to me. Am I going to buy her book? Absolutely. Will it be because of the trailer? No.
The back cover synopsis still sells the book for me.
Can’t wait to read Provocative In Pearls, and as soon as it stops snowing by us I’m so out of here to buy it.
Claudia Dain on 25 Feb 2010 at 8:51 am #
Oh, I definitely prefer the overview, and even prefer it when not too much is given away in the overview.
I was just at a movie last night and saw a preview for Leap Year, which I saw last week (I know, not book trailers, but the analogy holds) and they gave away every single plot turning point, every adorable scene, in the preview! I hate that. It was like reading the Cliffs’ Notes of the movie by watching the preview. Too much! Leave me something fresh for the movie!
Same thing for me with book trailers. I just want a taste, a glimpse, don’t show me your whole hand.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 9:04 am #
E.R., the book is just as evocative, too. One of the things I loved about this book trailer is that it really echoed the rich tapestry-like feel of the book. Sometimes, I see a trailer, and then read a book and I think, “Whoa. Those were so DIFFERENT.” Not this time!
Archer, wowza, that’s a HOT trailer! I don’t know how I missed it (I’m a huge Kleypas fan … who isn’t?!?) but I had. I love the music and the graphics and whew … (fans self) WOWZA!
Madeline Hunter on 25 Feb 2010 at 9:06 am #
I know some people don’t like them, or are indifferent. I can understand that. I’m not sure I’d be influenced by one myself. I buy differently now from when I started reading romance, for one thing. It is rare for a title, cover, or even a blurb to make much difference since I tend to buy by name and word of mouth. Anyway, that is why I insist that the video have a start button. So if someone goes to my web site, for example, they don’t have it in their face if they don’t much care for them.
I guess I should mention that videos are not really made for the romance community. They are geared to catching the eyes of the occasional romance reader, or even the non-romance reader. Whether they do—-who knows?
I have done very literal ones (Lessons of Desire, complete with live actors), story line ones, and ones like this. I have concluded I like them shorter and evocative, but that is just my taste. I love this company, More Than Publicity, and the look they gave this video, though.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 9:14 am #
Emmanuelle, the voice was wonderful, wasn’t it? Some trailers have people’s voices (especially women’s voices) that just don’t match the scene. They’re too harsh or loud or something. This one has a terrific narrator. You’re spot on about the book, too. I looooved it!
Deb, I saw this one on Madeline’s website because I’m a huge fan and I always check to see what’s coming up. I find them there, in newsletters, and mentioned on review sites. I love that you can even upload them to Amazon. I don’t know how you’d do it, but it can be done because I’ve seen some of them there.
Lori, so you’ve stopped doing them? And here I just put in an order this last week for my next three books! Lol!
One thing about a book trailer is that it can add some interest to an author’s website, which is what I want. In this video age, that seems the way to go. BUT … if people don’t like them … I don’t know. I always hear a mixed bag of results, which is what our goddess readers are giving us here today.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 9:18 am #
cail, so you’re more of a scene person. I can see that. I’m doing one of my trailers with a ’scene’ in it, so it’ll be interesting to compare the two. And thank you for saying what you think! That’s what we want here at tgb, your honest opinion. Thank you for that.
It’s good when authors (like Madeline) fix the trailers so you can watch it if you want to or skip it if you don’t. I went to one website where their trailer played on a loop, over and over and over — I was about to scream. That was NOT cool.
Kathy, sorry that tgb accidentally double posted you. I fixed it, though.
You know, I never thought about how watching a trailer could interfere with my ability to imagine the characters on my own. I could see where you could get ’stuck’ with the images you see in a trailer. That’s something to think about!
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 9:26 am #
Cail, I forgot to say that I TOTALLY agree with you about an historical movie. I would love to see one .. or a hundred. It’s been nice to see more historical movies and series on cable lately. More, more, MORE, please!
Madeline Hunter on 25 Feb 2010 at 9:32 am #
Lisa Hill—congratulations on your first book’s release! How cool is that! I know you are excited. Enjoy every minute!
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 9:33 am #
Sue, if you like Kleypas, you’ll like Madeline Hunter. To me, they write very similarly-toned books — rich, emotional and sensual.
Fresh, that’s an interesting question. I don’t know what the publishers think about them and I should have asked before I posted. I know Simon and Schuster has been doing author interviews, filmed on site in NYC, but I haven’t seen them promote book trailers. Hmmm. I would like to ask my editor about this, if it’s ever come up in a meeting and what they think about them.
Madeline Hunter on 25 Feb 2010 at 9:35 am #
Correction. I’ve done them for five books now, not four. I can’t count before coffee hits the brain.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 9:40 am #
nancyg, I know, I don’t think Patterson even writes any more. He just edits and lends his name to various books. When I get famous, maybe one day I’ll do the same. *g* Heehee!
Lisa H, how COOL!
ANNOUNCEMENT: EVERYONE GO TO LISA H’S WEBSITE AND SEE THE COOL BOOK TRAILER FOR HER BOOK!
Pesky, I hear you on the voice making or breaking it. I looked at a lot of book trailers before this post and let me tell you, the voiceovers on some of them were HORRIBLE. As for the author doing it — nope. Not me. I want a pro-fess-ional.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 9:45 am #
Claudia, I agree — too much info would be bad. I like to be teased by the concept and not overwhelmed by every plot turn. THOSE I want to uncover a page at a time.
Madeline, happy book trailer day!
I just loved your trailer and thought it would be the best example for the post. As for the trailer targeting non-hard-core-romance-readers who don’t normally read romance, I never thought of doing that. That’s very interesting!
LoriHandeland on 25 Feb 2010 at 9:59 am #
I’ve stopped for now, Karen. I might reconsider when I relaunch the Nightcreature Novels in the fall. But doing new ones for the urban fantasy just didn’t seem to have a point when the characters are basically the same.
Julia London on 25 Feb 2010 at 10:02 am #
I’m on the fence about book trailers. As a reader, there are some that I won’t watch because they are too bloody (I just have this thing about blood), and some that are waaaaay too long — I lose interest about halfway through and go on. There are some that are really well done and provocative, like Madeline’s and a few of mine that I really like.
But as an author who invests in book trailers, I wonder if they do anything for sales. That’s the whole point, and its difficult to know if a trailer gets as much a single reader to buy your book. Altho in Mad’s case it did, as Michelle is on her way to Borders right now
Julia London on 25 Feb 2010 at 10:07 am #
Lisa H, I love the images and music in your video. Very nice! Good luck with the book!
Madeline, I’d wish you luck but you don’t need it
Amy on 25 Feb 2010 at 10:08 am #
I am indifferent to book trailers. They would never influence me into buying a book. The only time I will watch them is if I am on an authors website and there is one posted, but by that point I already know I am buying the book. I don’t search them out on Youtube. I have seen some really cheesy ones, and some that are done really well. I like the one above, it is very short and gives a good overview. I don’t like book trailers that use live actors, they just seem cheesy.
I am an overview person, I wouldn’t want to see an entire scene played out, it would get in my way of imagining the characters.
Congrats Lisa H!!
Julia London on 25 Feb 2010 at 10:10 am #
Karen H, I have questions about the whole purpose of websites these days. With the new social media sites, does anyone go to websites anymore? I am redesigning mine this year, and in looking at the stats, the thing that people most want is a printable book list and a contest. Excerpts get a lot of traffic if I get them out on the net, but it is not from people coming to my website — its usually people clicking through from facebook or twitter or high traffic sites.
I don’t know how to stay on top of internet trends anymore and my head hurts trying to figure it out.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Feb 2010 at 10:45 am #
Wow, Madeline, great trailer!
I have to admit I probably would never buy a book based on a trailer. But then I’m like Madeline, I buy based on blurb or author or word of mouth. I’m still undecided about whether they’re a good thing. But I do enjoy watching them and seeing what people are doing. I just don’t think they influence me to buy a book.
Louisa Cornell on 25 Feb 2010 at 10:53 am #
How funny ! I just blogged about this on Romance Magicians blog ! I had my first lesson in Movie Maker from my brilliant CP. She knew I was about to go nuts with revisions and thought it might be a good way to take a break. So I created a book trailer for one of my books and I’ve got everything but the music the way I want it. (Professional musicians are a pain in the butt when it comes to getting the music just right!)
Madeline, the trailer is gorgeous! Very sexy and elegant.
I don’t know that a trailer would make me buy a book, but it might make me check out some reviews or pick it up at the store and check out the blurb.
I think I prefer the overview type – sort of like a commercial for your book. I have movie trailers that usually show all the best parts of the movie so that when you see the movie, you’ve already seen the good bits. An overview of the book works best for me!
Oh and Lisa H CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 11:04 am #
Lori, I also wonder if a book trailer could really catch the feel of an urban fantasy, although the opening to True Blood does a good job.
Julia, I think the social networking sites are a great place to put up your book trailer videos. I think it would get more hits there than on your website. For me, anyway.
Amy, that’s a good point — if you’re already on the author’s website, haven’t you already decided to buy the book? Hmmm. I hadn’t thought of that.
Kathy on 25 Feb 2010 at 11:30 am #
thanks for fixing that Karen.
I’m a visual person and having that image of the trailer actors in my head messes with my brain.
When i read a book that has been a movie I’ve seen, I have no problem picturing thsoe faces and voices in my head.
My friend had a problem with watching Twilight after she read the first book. In her opinion, Robert Pattinson wasn’t as beautiful as she imagined Edward to be.
Janae on 25 Feb 2010 at 11:40 am #
I don’t like them because in general I think that the voiceover is SO cheesy. Maybe if there were better voiceovers, where the people weren’t trying to sound sexy or whatever, it wouldn’t be so bad. To me most of the voiceovers sound like the “scratch recordings” that my dh occasionally brings home when they’re starting on a new film, but haven’t cast anyone. It’s just crew members reading the dialogue. Occasionally, you get a crew member who just nails it (like Roz in Monsters Inc or the mirror in Shrek), and they get cast. In general the scratch recordings just sound like bad acting.
As for the visual aspects I don’t have a problem with that, and I have watched book trailers with the sound off. I have to say that is one HOT earl in this trailer.
I think if you’re going to do a book trailer, an overview is definitely better than a specific scene. However, better than a trailer, is an excerpt on the author’s webpage.
Fiona on 25 Feb 2010 at 11:48 am #
I LOVE book trailers. The first one I saw was on Karen Rose’s website–it blew me away. Now I look for them on the websites of all my favorite authors.
I’m a very visual person, so they really work for me. I email them to friends and book club buddies. They have sent some to me and introduced me to new-to-me authors.
I like to read excerpts on authors’ websites, too, but for the gut-level emotional response the trailer gets the response form me.
Jane L on 25 Feb 2010 at 11:49 am #
I also do not watch book trailers. Mostly because with my computer it takes to long to download the trailer. Second, when I buy a book it is for entertainment, a book trailer reveals to much information, its almost like watching the movie before reading the book, so there is no real element of surprise to me and I feel then when I am reading the book, I have this preconcieved notion how everything should look. I like to be drawn into the story use my imagination to be in the world created by the writer.
Would I buy a book because of one? no I buy books strictly on authors names, blurbs, blogs or word of mouth. Not on fancy electronic gadgets LOL!
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 12:03 pm #
Kathy, I love movie trailers, too, but I really get upset when they show EVERY good part in the trailer, or show a part in the trailer which isn’t in the movie at all. That gets my goat, too!
Janae, an excerpt is the bomb, true. I think I like to experience the mood of the book, too, and Madeline’s really nailed it for hers. Watching a trailer with the sound off can help some of the trailers I found … they were gorgeous, but the voice overs were horrible.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 12:06 pm #
Fiona, that’s cool that you email them to your friends. You’re making them ‘go viral’ when you do that! Karen Rose’s were good, too. That last one made me SHIVER. They captured the real essence of her tone and I think that’s hard to do.
Jane L, you’re a luddite! Lol! I can see you’re not a trailer person and not everyone is. How much of an excerpt do you like to read? How much is enough? And do you like a scene from the beginning of the book, the first kiss, what?
Nicole Jordan on 25 Feb 2010 at 12:51 pm #
Fun question, Karen! I confess I would much rather read an excerpt for a book… Chapter 1 is fine. If I know the back blurb but don’t know the author, that’ll be enough for me to tell if I want to read it and if I like the author’s writing style. I’m so jaded that writing style has grown in importance for me.
I love movie trailers, though. Excecpt that it really bugs me if for a suspense, they go on and on and tell the whole darn story!
Suzanne Enoch on 25 Feb 2010 at 1:15 pm #
Like Julia, I’m on the fence about trailers. I think they might attract readers who are already interested in or curious about the book, but I’m not so sure that they would snare completely new-to-me readers.
I prefer excerpts, too, I think — except that an author has to be careful with those, too. I don’t want readers picking up my book in the store, opening to the first page, and then thinking “oh, I’ve read this one already” because they read the excerpt.
The whole marketing thing is SO tricky.
willaful on 25 Feb 2010 at 1:16 pm #
I’ll occasionally watch one if I hear it’s funny–I remember enjoying the trailer for Private Arrangements–but mostly I would rather get my own images about the book, not have them impressed upon me. Come to think of it, I only watched the PA trailer after having read it.
Gwynlyn MacKenzie on 25 Feb 2010 at 1:20 pm #
I avoid trailers, as a rule. When they first trickled onto the scene, I watched one and subsequently bought the book. The heroine in the trailer had long blonde hair. The heroine in the book had a short, dark bob. That was just the first of many dichotomies. Having the picture of the heroine in my mind prior to reading, however, ruined the read. The picture in my head and the one the book painted never merged and pulled me out of the story every time some descriptive passage would mention the dark hair or some other “oops.”
In fairness, book covers have done the same in the past. When a cover depicts the supposed hero or heroine, I prefer there be—at the VERY least—a resemblance.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 2:13 pm #
Julia, it’s overwhelming, isn’t it? I don’t know, either. I think I get more bang for my buck from facebook, but I’m not sure.
You know, we need to put up a place for a printable book list for all of us here at tgb. Hmmm. Why haven’t we done that?
Nicole, I’ve heard the same thing Suzanne’s heard — never use the first chapter as the excerpt or some poor reader will pick up the book in the store, read the first page and think, “Oh! I’ve already read that!” and put the book back on the shelf.
Suzanne, I’m clueless when it comes to self promo. Look at me talking about getting a book trailer so late in the game. Everyone else does them … twenty years later, Karen tries one. I’m just a late promo bloomer!
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 2:18 pm #
willaful, I think you’re onto something there about humor. If it’s funny — and it doesn’t matter if it’s a commercial or a book trailer — then I HAVE to watch it. But you know what? I can only think of one funny book trailer. Only one. Yet I know several funny books that only had ‘cute’ trailers. Mmmm.
Gwynlyn, now that’s a good point! The hero and heroine MUST look similar to the book’s descriptions. That drives me crazy on covers, too!
TrishD on 25 Feb 2010 at 2:20 pm #
I don’t hunt out book trailers and I can’t think of one that changed my mind regarding purchasing a book. I much prefer reading excepts on author’s web-sites, that is what gets me hooked on a book. When I see a book trailer, it reinforces my decision to make the purchase. I’m already going to buy PIP and I’m loving this trailer… his eyes… **sigh**. Madeline’s are always great. I have Lord Easterbook as my desk top on my home computer!
I like the overview trailers. The casting might not be how I cast the characters in my mind’s eye and an overview is kind of like a book cover, I’ll get intrigued but I don’t become emotionally invested in who I’m seeing.
Lisa H on 25 Feb 2010 at 2:35 pm #
Coming back a little late to the convo, but I would like to add my two cents as well about Historical movies.
How I’d love to see some of the goddess’ books turned into big screen movies with Keira Knightly and Johnny Depp or Hugh Jackman (for Claudia and Karen H). I bet they would do very well and would be such refreshing options for today’s movie goers!
Michelle B on 25 Feb 2010 at 2:39 pm #
I don’t watch book trailers. I’d much rather imagine the characters in my own head, it’s one of the reasons I love to read.
TrishD on 25 Feb 2010 at 3:04 pm #
A word on excerpts, if I may. I love it when the excerpt is the first chapter! I have “found” so many authors and bought entire backlists based on the first chapter of just one book. I get sucked in and have to go buy that book now! I read the first chapter of “To Tame a Dangerous Lord” and although I hadn’t read any others in the series (sorry Nicole!!) I went out and bought the book that day! (I’ve since added the rest of the series to my collection… love it!!)
evlqn on 25 Feb 2010 at 3:43 pm #
First of all thanks Madeline for the book, I’m glad now I hadn’t bought it yet! Now i can just go get PIP instead, it’s all good.
I don’t go out of my way to watch trailers but some are so well done I will watch them more than once. I like the overview best.
I am always up for excerpts. It makes me want to read the next book in line.
evlqn on 25 Feb 2010 at 4:00 pm #
Julia, my two cents on personal websites. I go to facebook for a quick fix, same with myspace, but for the in-depth info I always go to the website. I don’t want to have ads pop-up or apps or anything else. When i want ot know something I can’t get on facebook about Julia, I go to her site. Love your videos btw.
Kathleen O on 25 Feb 2010 at 4:44 pm #
Oh this gets my vote for sure.. I like most book trailers I have seen.. Some I have taken a miss at after I have started.. But I think like anything it is a hit and miss.
Tanya on 25 Feb 2010 at 5:43 pm #
Julia I say keep your website Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace are all fads as you may have noticed hardly ne1 uses Myspace now. Having a website is a constant and that way when you are unsure of the trends your readers can still find your webpage
Dianna on 25 Feb 2010 at 5:50 pm #
I like book trailers myself, I think they set the tone of the book a little better than my imagination with the music and everything. I have to tell this on myself. I read the blurb on one of Karen Rose’s books, Kill For Me, and I thought okay, that sounds like a good book, then I watched the trailer and it scared the bejeebers out of me! Talk about setting a mood. I was scared way before I ever read the book, I only read it during daylight hours I might add.
Madeline Hunter on 25 Feb 2010 at 6:24 pm #
Karen, the “going viral” is of course the hope. That is why on the sites that have them there is that embed code that you can copy. But even if they are only on Youtube—over time a lot of people watch them. My first book video was done in the fall of 2007. Since then it has collected over 15,000 views on Youtube alone (it is up in several places there, so that is collective). But it was distributed on many sites besides that.
Pesky on 25 Feb 2010 at 7:54 pm #
I send friends to author’s sites all the time. They may not have the intention of buying a book but when they see the video they might. Therefore, even though I could take them or leave them, someone else might be swayed by them.
Robin/RBL on 25 Feb 2010 at 8:57 pm #
I don’t like the book trailers.
I’ve even watched a book trailer for a book that I had already read and loved, and I ended up hating the book trailer. I’ve only watched maybe 4, but have decided they aren’t for me at this time.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 10:58 pm #
TrishD, so an evocative book trailer can reinforce your decision to buy? That’s interesting. I’ve had that same experience, myself. I’m with you on the overview structure, too – it just seems to make sense.
eviqn, excerpts are the bomb, aren’t they? It’s hard to tell if personal websites will be the way to go or not. They DO let you put a lot of specific information there that you can’t put on a social networking site. It’s hard to tell what is better!
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 11:05 pm #
LisaH, I am SO with you on historical movies. Romance novels are the perfect structure for a movie — you have conflict, character arc, quests, action, romance — everything you need. Add Hugh Jackman and my oh my, I would SO go see that movie!
Michelle B, it’s almost magical how you can ’see’ the characters as you read a book, isn’t it? I looove that. And you’re right, it’s a very personal journey.
Kathleen O, there are definitely good trailers and bad ones. I was amazed at the variety I saw, though. I didn’t get a bit bored and I watched about thirty of them. Pretty good entertainment, all told!
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 11:12 pm #
Tanya, you are inspiring me to do my website updates – now! I never thought about it, but you’re right – MySpace was all the rage and now few people use it. I wonder how much these other items are fads, as you say. It does make you think!
Dianna, Karen Rose’s books are good for scaring the bejeebers out of you. I would NEVER recommend that you read them at night … not if you want to sleep!
It’s interesting that the trailer gave you a ‘flavor’ for the book when you read it. But I can certainly understand that!
Madeline, I would say those views would definitely make the cost and effort worthwhile. I bet it directed some click-thrus to your website, too, which is always good.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Feb 2010 at 11:15 pm #
Pesky, that is very true — for a new reader, nothing can exemplify the tone an author’s voice better than a trailer. It’s a quick way to show another reader what the author’s voice might be like.
Robin, they’re definitely not for everyone, so you’re not alone there. It’s funny how they seem to either work — and work well — for some people and not at all for others.
E.R. on 26 Feb 2010 at 12:12 am #
What is most inspiring for me is chatting here with you guys. It helps me want to read more of the Goddesses’ works and some of the recommendations that people come up with. Book trailers are nice, but having the author nearby is more my thing.
At least, one of my things.
alyssa on 26 Feb 2010 at 9:59 am #
i wish i could find book trailers ive seen about a dozen on authors web sites and wish to see more i love trailers they help you picture the actual characters in book better and they do entice me to by the book. i just want the overview but the sexier the better
Karen Hawkins on 26 Feb 2010 at 12:25 pm #
E.R., thank you so much! That inspires us, too, you know. I had a conversation with a reader once who said how much she liked best-friends-falling-in-love stories and it got me to thinking about how much *I* like those, too, but don’t see them often, so I wrote one — To Scotland With Love. It’s good to get feedback!
alyssa, I think the sexier ones are more fun to watch, too! I do wish there was one site you could go to in order to see ALL book trailers … that would be wonderful, wouldn’t it? Pretty cool!
Gilly on 26 Feb 2010 at 4:09 pm #
I do watch the occasional book video but I loved this one because the hero is gorgeous!
Kiki on 26 Feb 2010 at 10:38 pm #
The trailer for Madeline’s book is the first I’ve seen. I already have the book in the read pile – it neither encouraged nor discouraged me. I don’t think I’ll watch them, though. I have a pretty good imagination and coupled with good writers like you all, I’d rather conjure up the images in my head. Generally, I wait for my favorite authors and grab their next book without even reading the synopsis. But I’ll spend an hour in the bookstore picking up books and reading the back covers or inner liners.
Great idea, Karen, for a printable book list for each of you. I get to the bookstore and I can’t remember what I’m looking for. So a list would be quite handy.
E.R. So true. I’m liking this blog alot, feeling like the authors are becoming pals in a way. And on the note of having the author close by, I was at B&N on a Sunday last year and a local author was signing her second book. I think she was a little bored and she started chatting with me. I ended up buying her first book (Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan) and subsequently her second book. I probably wouldn’t have found her books otherwise.