Blog Archives
Pix: New England Horror Writers at the East Coast Craft Fair
The New England Horror Writers were at the East Coast Craft Fair in New Haven, Connecticut, last month. Here are the pix!
Book Trailers: Boon or Bust?
I’ve been writing short stories since the age of five. At that age and into my early teens, I’d often dream of a commercial—a trailer, basically, but I didn’t know that word back then—for my tales; I could envision my characters as though they were real, talking to each other, saying their dialogue against cool music, and big letters with the title of my story and my name. I used to think, “why don’t people make these for books?”
Well, just like I had always thought “why don’t they just put a single song on a cassette?” in the late 1970s and then in the late 1980s it happened, book trailers burst on the scene a few years ago. I was thrilled that they finally existed, although some writers in some discussion groups in which I participate don’t necessarily feel the same way. There has been some debate about the value of book trailers—are they really necessary? Should I spend time on making one for my book? Should I spend money in hiring a company to make a trailer for me? Do they really sell books?
Frankly, I believe whether or not there’s a traceable point-of-purchase from your trailer to your book is irrelevant. A trailer provides content which supports your book. It takes less time to watch than a review takes to read, is easily accessible via mobile devices, and, more importantly, it’s visual, so it’s easy to remember. And while not many book trailers go crazy-viral, every book trailer has that potential.
I’m a visual person; when I read, I see what I’m reading as a “film” in my head (if that doesn’t happen, I put the book down and read no further). Therefore, a trailer is much more likely to entice me to make a purchase than a review—especially if that trailer’s unique or entertaining. Today’s audiences are so used to being bombarded with visual media 24/7—Youtube, Vimeo, Hulu, Netflix, DVRs, 24/7 Cable, watch everything instantly on your Kindle Fire, your laptop, your Ipad; in addition, the generations behind Generation X, the current and future book buyers, are primarily visual learners (Gardner, 1993)—so it just makes sense your book should have a footing there. After all, when you release a book trailer, what you’re really saying is, ‘hey, my book’s as entertaining as a movie or show! Come check it out!’
The value in a book trailer isn’t always tangible. But I know that sometimes a trailer has made a book look so exciting I had to have it—whether it was at that moment or down the road.
And isn’t that what you want?
Below, some book trailers I liked which grabbed me for one reason or another. I was going to provide a huge list of resources, but fiction writer Darcy Pattison has done such a comprehensive job of covering all aspects I’m going to let her do the work: http://www.darcypattison.com/marketing/book-trailers/
The Hour Before Dark, Douglas Clegg
Breaking Silence, Linda Castillo
Crabapples, Rob Watts
Dark Matter Heart, Nathan Wrann
Gardner, H. (1993). Mulitple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice. New York: Basic Books.
Come join me and the NEHW at the East Coast Craft Fair this Sunday!
I’ll be joining New England Horror Writers Kimberly Dalton, Stacey Longo, Kasey Shoemaker, Rob Watts, and Nathan Wrann at the East Coast Craft Fair in New Haven, CT, this Sunday for signings and readings! Get a glimpse of what you won’t want to miss in this post by Jason Harris over at the NEHW blog below:
http://nehwnews.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/nehw-at-new-haven-craft-show-sunday/
SPRING HAS SPRUNG: Pix of New England Horror Writers at the Stratford Spring Showcase of Crafts
The New England Horror Writers sprung into spring at the Stratford Spring Showcase of Crafts in Stratford,Connecticut early last month. The event was held on Easter weekend, so the crowds were light, but we still had a great time. Here are a few photos, and make sure you scroll down and see the cool video Jason Harris made to display at our upcoming appearances. Enjoy!
You can see more photos of the event over at the New England Horror Writers Blog here: http://nehwnews.wordpress.com/tag/stratford-spring-showcase-of-crafts/
Jason Harris made this slideshow for our upcoming appearances. It made its debut at this event.
MEET THESE NEW ENGLAND HORROR WRITERS AT THE SOUTHCOAST TOY AND COMIC SHOW THIS WEEKEND!
If you’re up in Fairhaven, Massachusetts this Sunday, November 6, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a few New England Horror Writers—and pick up a few of their books, as well as copies of my Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole—Tales from Haunted Disney World—at the SouthCoast Toy and Comic Show.
The following writers will be on hand:
David Goudsward
David is co-author of Shadows Over New England and Shadows Over Florida, but has a myriad of titles in horror, archaeology, and short fiction out there. You can learn more about David at http://goudsward.com/dave/
Kasey Shoemaker
Kasey is the author of Silver Vengeance, an urban fantasy novel featuring werewolves, witches, romance and bloodshed. You can learn more about Kasey at http://kaseyshoemaker.com/
Rob Watts
Rob’s paranormal thriller Huldufólk was released just in time for Halloween! Find out more about Rob at http://www.robwattsonline.com/
Stacey Longo
Stacey has had several short stories published in various popular anthologies to include the all-female-zombie Hell Hath No Fury. Read more about Stacey’s work at http://www.staceylongo.com/
Writer Nathan Wrann (Dark Matter Heart) and I will not be at the show, but our books will be available. You can learn more about Nathan here: http://www.daltongang-productions.com, and, of course, me right here on my own website (www.kristipetersenschoonover.com). In addition to Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole—Tales from Haunted Disney World, copies of In Poe’s Shadow—a Poe tribute in which my short story “Vanity” appears—will be available.
The SouthCoast Toy and Comic Show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Seaport Inn andMarinainFairhaven,Massachusetts, Sunday, November 6. For more information and complete details, visit www.southcoasttoyandcomic.com