Some of the big publishers do impressive promotional videos for their books, with actors and proper lighting and effects. Indie publishers don’t always have that kind of budget, and if you self publish the only budget is your own pocket.

But if you have a few hours to spare, a video camera and a computer, why not have a go at doing your own? After all, as a reader, I’m much more interested in seeing the author than a bunch of nameless actors.

I've just written a very short blog on how I did mine. Easy, fun and cringingly embarrassing to watch.

here's a link

Colin M

Only embarrassing for you, Colin. For any other viewer, it comes across really well. And, despite your comments about the problems of editing, I couldn't see any joins. A professional job!

Chris

Hi Colin
I had a look and thought it was really good. It's something my small press are going to be doing with our first release later in the year. It's maybe a good idea to read a short extract from the book as well, but that very much depends on the style of the video.
Well done

Matt

Really good, I thought - full of menace and beautifully simple.
Well done!
Susiex

Hi Colin

I had a look and I think it's really good too. I think you were very wise to keep it short and sweet too - so often, I think, book trailers are far too long.

I'm interested because my publisher are doing one for me soon. I know I'm reading in it and I've suggested some filming locations - but other than that, I'm not sure what they have in mind.

I'd never have thought of the blankets up the walls - good on you.

Jenn

Looks great, Colin. I think Roger did one for A Vengeful Longing, didn't he? I agree, short and sweet.

TMOL was on Headline's promo video for the book trade. I should have asked for an edit of my little bit, but didn't think of it...

Emma

It was good - well done! Your nerves were definitely hidden, and the effect was great.

I saw another author's promo film the other day. It was undertaken by students at a film school, as part of a project. It was excellent - but the author wasn't shown.

I reckon if the author is any good at reading or speaking (as you are, Colin) then it makes sense to have them in front of the camera - readers are curious about the person who wrote the book, and more and more they expect some (however limited or contrived) access to the author.

But then this trailer (which I really like) focuses on the book without reference to the author at all. And I think it works.

http://hodder.co.uk/video.aspx?WorkAssetID=495

It's an interesting question, isn't it - given that you want it to be short and memorable, is it better to spend the time on evoking the book of itself, or promoting you-and-your-book.

Emma

That's an excellent promo and works very well with the voice. It looks simple, but it probably took a lot more work than my effort. What is odd is that the author is speaking in first person, yet it comes across as the voice of a teenager.

I originally set out to do an animated promo, but as work began to mount to silly levels and the results began to suck more and more I took stock and thought what I want to see in a promo as a reader. One that comes back is a tiny little snippet that was on a website showing David Almond talk about his novel, Clay. It was just him and a camera, but I watched it several times.

I don't think I'm a particularly good reader - I just did loads and loads of takes until I got so sick that the self conscious side switched off. The first takes were dull and mumbled and lacked energy.

It's good to promote the book, but if you're a children's author, it's also a good idea to plug yourself as someone who can perform, simply because many children's authors make a good chunk of their income from school and library visits.

Colin M

I don't think I'm a particularly good reader - I just did loads and loads of takes until I got so sick that the self conscious side switched off.

I think that's the key to being a good reader!