Publication - and even more on Trailers

16 February 2012, Publication - and even more on 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.

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/.

Here is the list of ideas for advertising--there are more and I'll add to the list as we go along.  I'm certainly not an expert in all these, but I've dabbled in all of them.  I'll try to relate my experience and the degree of that experience to you.

1.  Have a website for your novel.
2.  Write a blog.
3.  Advertise.
4.  Literary awards.
5.  Book cards.
6.  Contests.
7.  Interviews.
8.  Blog tours.
9.  Press releases.
10.  Speaking and teaching.
11.  e-mailing.
12.  Gifts.
13.  Book signings.
14.  Book trailers
15.  ...

Once you have all the pieces together, you can start on your trailer.  Get dressed.  Set up the camera at the location.  Prepare your script and set up teleprompter.  Now, start recording.  Digital film is magic inside the aether--you can reuse it over and over and throw away anything you don't like.  Since the trailer is only 2.5 to 3 minutes, you can keep recording it until you are happy.  If you are a real pro, you can record parts and put them together.  You'll want to manipulate and work on your trailer anyway.

Remember to act!  This is a piece of advertising that is supposed to get people excited about your novel.  If you aren't excited about your book, no one else will be.  Put on a big smile.  Speak clearly.  Speak with animation.  Use your hands.  Think entertainment show and give your audience something to be entertained about.  In more advanced trailers, you might try to convey an emotion or a feeling to your audience.  This is much more difficult in a trailer, but it can be very effective.  If you an figure out some very special trick or turn relating to your novel, you could get people so excited about your trailer, it could go viral.  Remember, any publicity is good publicity.
More on book trailers 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/.