Publication - Trailers

16 November 2011, Publication - Trailers

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

With the publication of your novel, you have become a marketeer (even if you didn't want to be).  I'd rather write--I really don't have the time to market my books, but this is a responsibility that comes with the territory.  You need to be ready to toot your horn and sell your books.  That's just the way it is.

Your publisher will send a list of recommended and required actions.  One of them is likely a video trailer for your novel.  I have two video trailers out there--they aren't that great.  I made them myself.  I really need to make trailers for my other three science fiction works.  Trailers are kind of painful to make.  Let me tell you how. 

You could hire someone to make them for you--that costs money and usually results in a quality product.  You can do almost the same yourself.  Here's how.
1.  Buy or borrow an inexpensive modern digital camera--they almost all have a video recording capability.
2.  Write a script that lasts 2.5 to 3 minutes that talks about why you wrote your novel, it's plot and theme, and what makes it unique.  You might get a little into the characters.  You want to present it as a short introduction to your work.  Put the script on a PowerPoint presentation you can control with a mouse on a computer or laptop.
3.  Put on some nice clothing (that matches the feel of your novel) and select a good background (that does the same).  For Aegypt I wore a white coat and chose an unfinished part of my basement.  I also used a lighted lantern.
4.  Put the camera on a tripod and the computer/laptop in front of the tripod where you can see it at near eye height.
5.  Practice a couple of times reading your script from the laptop/computer.  Try to act excited etc.
6.  Turn on the computer and record yourself giving the script about your novel.
7.  Now you can make it as professional as you wish through editing.  Microsoft as well as many other companies have video editors.  Use these to put in music, pictures of your novel, graphics, titles, pictures, etc. to make your presentation more exciting.  Keep it to 2.5 to 3 minutes long.
8.  Upload it to You Tube or another Internet video site and email it to your publisher.

That's all there is to making a trailer for your book.  You can get as fancy as you wish.  You can see my trailers at http://www.oaktara.com/.  Go to the author tab and select "A" then "LD Alford."

I'll give you more details on marketing tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.