Because I’ve gotten used to windows movie maker through doing video blogging, I thought I’d try to make a book video for a few of my upcoming books. The problem is, like video blogging, I look up and an hour has passed without my knowing it. It’s fun to think about how to present your book through visual media instead of through words. It’s a whole new way to think about your work and as long as you use the stock photo sites and the stock music sites (hey, I know what it’s like to be pirated!), you can make something fun for around the same price as you’d spend on some cover ads at a website (aside from what a huge time suck it is, but that’s just me loving to learn something new - blame Anya Bast, she started me on this road!)
To tell the truth, I’m not overly convinced book videos make a difference in book buying patterns. Shrug. Hell, lots of things I do I’m not sure if they make a difference. And having them done professionally is far more expense than I’m personally willing to go to (although certainly after having done one now, I know the time and energy it takes!).
However, I’m never opposed to learning how to do things for myself. It appeals to the control freak living inside me, making lists and using color coded 3×5 cards and stuff. I don’t think it can *hurt* to try book videos, most certainly. And I like doing the multi media stuff even if I’m not perfect at it. It’s fun even if it’s time porn in a major way.
I’ve got several books coming out in print the remainder of this year - Making Chase, Reading Between the Lines and Undercover (and Taking Care of Business in the UK) so why not give it a whirl? So without further ado - here’s my very first book video for my summer trade paper release, Reading Between the Lines. Go easy on me, it’s my first time…
This is great, Lauren! I like it. I haven’t even thought about making a book promo.
by Shelley Munro May 31st, 2008 at 3:56 pmI’ve never bought a book based on a video but that doesn’t mean others won’t. This one looks good -like the music with it. There’s one screen where Haley is holding … a sword? that scrolls by a tad too fast, I couldn’t read the full text before it scrolled by. But other than that I think the pictures match the text, and everything’s really good.
WAAAY better than anything I could do. I’ll be having to hire out (even though my eldest is in graphic arts and was trained to do this type of thing).
by Leah Braemel June 1st, 2008 at 8:47 amShelley - thanks! Once you get the hang of it, it’s really fun!
Leah - thanks for the input! It’s good to know what works and what doesn’t.
by Lauren Dane June 3rd, 2008 at 8:50 am