Once upon a time the only place you saw movie
trailers was in your local
theater, shortly before the
movie started. These days, all you have to do is "Google" to find a trailer
for an upcoming movie—any
upcoming movie. Have you looked around out there? Now it’s not just movies
getting their thirty to
forty-five seconds in the spotlight, but books too!
I’ve been writing for...let’s just say many years, and I’ve seen many changes
in
publishing. One of the
most interesting aspects of being a published author in 2009 is book trailers.
I consider myself
incredibly lucky that my husband Michael has the time, the talent and the staff
to produce my trailers
as well as my video newsletters. Normally, we’re very on the ball and the
trailers are planned out way
in advance of a book’s release so that it can be sent to online book retailers,
but Rainwater sort of snuck up
on us. You see,
Simon & Schuster bought the manuscript and then decided it would make a
great holiday book.
So there we were in the midst of gearing up for the release of Smoke Screen and then Smash Cut, and when we
finally stopped to
take a breath, my assistant said, “Um, we need a book trailer, pronto.”
I called Michael who went to work looking for a Model A. We found an old
battered suitcase for sale
on the Internet and a pocket watch at a local retailer. The suit
that "Rainwater" wore in the trailer is
from a local costume shop. But there were still a few things missing—namely
Rainwater himself and
Ella’s boarding house. As luck would have it, Michael located a man willing to
rent us his Model A for
a few hours and when he arrived with the car in tow, lo and behold if we didn’t
decide he’d make the
perfect David Rainwater. Luckily for us, he was a good sport.
And then, while driving around looking for a gravel road…so they could record
the sound of gravel,
Michael discovered a riding school only ten or fifteen minutes north of his
office. Even though she had
students, the owner was kind enough to let us shoot some video. The trailer
for Rainwater came out longer
than we’d
planned and is probably the most elaborate of all the book trailers we’ve done—
and somehow or
another we managed to pull it all together in about three days. Yes, I said
three.
If you’re curious, you check out see the trailer for Rainwater:
Now I’m curious…do you notice book trailers or
just ignore them. And if so, do
you have a recent
favorite? Surely I’m not the only one fascinated with them. Leave a comment
and the lovely Fresh
Fiction ladies will be drawing two winners who will receive an autographed copy
of Rainwater.
I usually don't watch book trailers. If I am interested in a book I'm going to read about it and maybe read an excerpt. (Maureen Emmons 10:23am November 6, 2009)
Even if I've already planned on reading a book, the trailer gives me even more reasons to check it out. The more mysterious the better. I have been introduced to many authors that would have otherwise not been brought to my attention. Book trailers are a form of art that I appreciate. (Leni Kaye 10:42am November 6, 2009)
I haven't really done the book trailer thing myself, but after hearing about the making of this one I'm intrigued.
I do watch book trailers that way I can get a feel for the storyline. If i pick up a book and read the back sometimes I just don't know if I want to read it. The information is sometimes misleading. I just don't like being disappointed. I have so many books that I have purchased and found after the first chapter I just don't like it. Your trailer looks wonderful! (Lisa Glidewell 12:45pm November 6, 2009)
When I first saw a book trailer, I thought that my favorite author was having her book made into a movie. But then I had to laugh, my idea of how the book is does look different then how the trailer is. Sometimes it does make me want to get the book, especially if I hadn't considered it. Makes me curious. (Lena Lee 12:49pm November 6, 2009)
I honestly didn't know book trailers existed until recently, lol. I usually just look at book covers when out buying a book. However, with more and more of my favorite authors being on Facebook, etc., I do watch book trailers now and I find them very interesting and informative. Oh, and I can't wait to read Rainwater!! I love historical novels...my favorite being "Gone With The Wind!" (Lori Tinkler 12:52pm November 6, 2009)
I've only watched a few book trailers, I'm still getting use to the idea. I liked yours, it made the book stand out and more interesting. (Theresa Buckholtz 12:53pm November 6, 2009)
Thank to all of you who've left comments. I enjoy visuals, so I enjoy trailers, but quality is key. Some I've seen are amazing, some pretty bad. I'm biased, but I think the one for RAINWATER belongs in the former group. Of course, it helps that I sleep with the producer/director! (Sandra Brown 1:38pm November 6, 2009)
I usually don't bother with book trailers. What first attracts me to a book is the cover and then I will read the blurb and excerpts to get a better idea if it is something I will enjoy reading. (Cherie Japp 2:21pm November 6, 2009)
I usually don't bother with book trailers especially if its a book by Sandra Brown. I automatically just buy the book because I know its going to be another wonderful book read. (Deborah Sullivan 2:27pm November 6, 2009)
What a wonderfully serendipitous chain of events on the journey to making this trailer. I am divided on the subject of book trailers. I like the idea. The problem is some book trailers just - are bad. I saw a recent book trailer of a favorite author - and it was awful. If I wasn't familiar with her work (and actually eagerly anticipating the book in question), I might have bypassed the book altogether (which would have been a shame because it was just as wonderful as I knew it would be). What that has taught me is not only should you not judge a book by it's cover, don't judge it by it's trailer either!!! And oh-by-the-way, I did enjoy the Rainwater trailer! (Joyce Bair 5:04pm November 6, 2009)
My favorite book trailers were for the Lisa Kleypas trilogy starting with Sugar Daddy. Can't wait to read Rainwater! (Kara Conrad 5:04pm November 6, 2009)
I have been paying attention more and more to book trailers actually--and trying to post one on my blog every Friday (whether they're official or fan made ones). (Lucile Ogie 5:09pm November 6, 2009)
I enjoy watching trailers and getting a peek at the upcoming movies. I have several old leather suitcases and plan on using them stacked as end tables or a low coffee table that can store more stuff. (Alyson Widen 5:28pm November 6, 2009)
I don't usually wtch the trailers. I am more of a word person. (Patty Heerdink 5:30pm November 6, 2009)
Book trailers are also fun for seeing interactions of favorite characters and the artistic flair for the bookcover. (Alyson Widen 5:30pm November 6, 2009)
I been watching more book trailers lately and it just wets my appetite for the book. Can't wait to read Raunwater! (Kathryn Windland 5:39pm November 6, 2009)
I usually ignore book trailers. Since some of the bestselling books have been made for cinema, I have been watching them lately. (Kai Wong 5:48pm November 6, 2009)
I really enjoy watching the book trailers. I really enjoyed your book trailer. I just recently watched a book trailer on the book The ocean Between by Linda Coker. U've seen so many lately that is the only one I can think of right now. Thank you. Enjoyed your blog. (Sue Brandes 6:21pm November 6, 2009)
A few months ago I never would have attempted to watch a book trailer because I was still on dial-up. I got broadband service back in July and have been viewing book trailers a lot more frequently since my internet moves so much faster.
Your husband and the crew did a great job on the trailer in just three days. Maybe forgetting about the trailer made everything work out better than if you had had more time to plan it all out. I can't wait to read Rainwater. (Gigi Hicks 6:35pm November 6, 2009)
I recently started checking on the book trailers and I have to say that I like them. It gives a new perspective and makes the characters come to life. Congratulations! 'Rainwater' sounds like a wonderful read! (Rosemary Krejsa 9:13pm November 6, 2009)
I like to watch the trailers for books. It helps me picture the characters and gets me more interested in reading the book. Good Luck !!! Stay healthy!!! (Mary Branham 11:21pm November 6, 2009)
I generally don't look at book trailers. They don't have much influence on book buying decisions. (Sue Ahn 11:35pm November 6, 2009)
I love looking a book trailers. They give me an idea of where the characters originated from in an authors mind. Rainwater sounds terrific. Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart in this story. (Cindy Olp 1:04am November 7, 2009)
I don't watgh book trailers often enless there part of a contest.I'm to bissy to watch them.but there are some nice one's out there out of the one's that i saw. [email protected] (Stacey Smith 2:59am November 7, 2009)
I don't usually watch book trailers. Don't usually watch movie trailers, either. This was exceptionally good, though. Would love to read the book. (Joanne Reynolds 8:07am November 7, 2009)
I sometimes watch book trailers but mainly decide on a book by reading the back cover. A friend starting me reading your book and I have been hooked ever since. (Joan Woods 8:54am November 7, 2009)
I love book trailers and sometimes it helps to draw the reader into the "flavor" of the story. (Armenia Fox 12:07pm November 7, 2009)
Interesting post. I don't usually watch book trailers. I do love to read excerpts, though. (G S Moch 1:10pm November 7, 2009)
I usually watch the book trailers after I read the books! I like my interpetation of what everyone looks like to be based solely on what I read.. (Kimberley Coover 2:06pm November 7, 2009)
I usually don't watch the book trailers because the ones I did watch were more power point presentations with still pictures and words. After reading about how you all pulled yours together, I was intrigued and had to watch it. Now I have to find the book! (Karin Tillotson 4:23pm November 7, 2009)
I don't watch book trailers, or at least I haven't until I've been on book sites so much lately. I do like to read Sandra Browns book. (Brenda Rupp 5:23pm November 7, 2009)
I don't find book trailers very helpful. So, I tend not to view them. Not what you want to hear after all your hard work, but there it is. I would rather read reviews & excerpts. (Mary Preston 5:26pm November 7, 2009)
Like books, book trailers depend on the author and how much control & input she has. I watch Linnea Sinclair's book trailers regularly just for the enjoyment; but others....ugh, don't waste my time!! Yours is very well done. Compliments to your Producer/husband. (Susan Driskill 6:04pm November 7, 2009)
I don't pay to much attention to book trailers. I prefer a good excerpt from the story. (Mitzi Hinkey 6:12pm November 7, 2009)
I'll watch a book trailer if it's readily available, but it never influences my decision to purchase. I prefer an excerpt because they allow me to make my own picture of the characters in the book. (DeeAnn Szymanski 7:36pm November 7, 2009)
I really have never seen a book trailer before. I absoutely adored this one. Rainwater is a book that I think I am compelled to read. As for the characters, I really like to have them come to life during the reading and I was afraid that trailers would destroy that sense. This trailer did nothing of the sort. I dont believe that I saw the characters face and the atmosphere of the book was portrayed well. I hope that I win that aurographed book so that I can start reading Rainwater soon. (Teresa Ramdial 8:15pm November 7, 2009)
I usually don't watch book trailers but I decided to watch yours. Great job for only 3 days. I'll look forward to others now. Good luck with your book. (Evelyn Day 8:40pm November 7, 2009)
I don't watch many book trailers, the last one I watched was Jayne Castle's futuristic book Obsidian Prey and really enjoyed it; but I like to read the excerpts. (Diane Sadler 9:02pm November 7, 2009)
I watch a lot of book trailers as they give me the feel for the book and sometimes just the way it is presented I get a better feel or view of how the author intended the story to be. I even decided on a book after thinking I was not interested but the trailer changed my mind. susan L. (Susan Leech 9:04pm November 7, 2009)
I do enjoy book trailers. You seem to have hit it lucky with getting the car and the character in one deal, especially when the car had to be such a special one. Your hubby must be very willing to help. Did you hug his neck? LOL (Gladys Paradowski 9:09pm November 7, 2009)
Sandra, I am not sure what to say..right now I am speechless. My husband came in while I was viewing the trailer for RAINWATER and was instantly attracted to this book. Now you are hearing from a man who does not read books but the comment he said has me in shock. He said " I think I could get into that book. I am so in shock I have made at least a half dozen errors in typing this up to you..thank heavens for error corrections. ha ha I had to write and tell you this bit of news. There may be hope I can still get him into reading more as I always pictured him and me setting down in the evenings and reading together. Thanks for what you have done so far. susan L. (Susan Leech 9:12pm November 7, 2009)
Lovely video. I'll have to check and make sure we got this one in at our library. I'm pretty sure you are a standing order, but I need to make sure. If we don't have it, you can be sure our patrons will let us know. I watch a lot of book videos and like them. There are some very good ones out there, and some that they should have forgotten about putting out. The best I've seen lately was for a western romance. I like yours: short, sweet and to the point. Amazing what you can do on short notice. Good luck with the releases on all your new books. (Patricia Barraclough 9:30pm November 7, 2009)
I don't watch book trailers. I'd much rather read an excerpt or two. (Ruth Locke 10:31pm November 7, 2009)
Book trailers are a great way for me to get a glimpse into what may be the next book I read. I like the ones you get in the back of books you have just finished reading, but don't think I've ever seen a video book trailer. (Donna Holmberg 11:07pm November 7, 2009)
I found this very enlightening and interesting (George Zimmerman 11:14pm November 7, 2009)
I mainly watch trailers for books that I intend to read anyway, like this one. If I watched more, I'd just end up buying too many books. I very much enjoyed this one and find it interesting that the book has a basis in fact. I had wondered why 2 of your books were coming out so close together and I now realize why. Good luck. (Sigrun Schulz 11:36pm November 7, 2009)
I dont look at trailers that much. But am doing so more than I have been. (Pat Lieberman 9:18am November 8, 2009)
I don't normally watch book trailers, but I have watched a few all the way through. I noticed that some of them were really beautifully done and added to the attraction of the book. However, I did notice that some of the trailers were "cheaply" done and did nothing to promote the interest in the book. (Ginger Campbell 1:18pm November 8, 2009)
Sandra, I have read 37 of your books. Smash Cut, Smoke Screen and Rainwater are next on my list to read. I am probably one of your biggest fans...Thanks for your great writing as I have enjoyed each book you wrote for a number of yrs. I am retired now and can read even more.. LOL (Brenda Hill 8:59pm November 8, 2009)
To all of you who've posted comments. . .thank you for your interest. The concensus on trailers seems to be that there's no concensus! The jury is still out. I'll probably continue to produce one for each book because I have the resources available via my husband's business. But if I didn't, I don't know that I would. A lot of readers still depend on "words" rather than visuals, and that's not a bad thing at all! I rely on words. To Susan Leach -- everyone here in the office got a kick out of your post about your husband. I hope he maintains that interest through the story. And to Patricia Barraclough, I hope your library has RAINWATER and that you'll recommend it to your clientele. Again, to all of you -- many thanks! (Sandra Brown 12:17pm November 9, 2009)
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy