Publication - and more on Trailers

15 February 2012, Publication - and 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.  ...

To make a trailer, you need the following:

1.  A script
2.  A means to project the script so you can read it
3.  A video camera (a device that electronically records video, almost every digital camera in the world can do this)
4.  A place (a scene)
5.  Appropriate clothing
6.  Digital editing software
Put the script into a PowerPoint slide show.  That's what I do.  You can project it on your computer and read it while recording the trailer.  Dress in clothing appropriate to the kind of trailer you are making.  For example, if your novel is about the intercity, you might wear contemporary urban clothing.  If your novel is about the west, you might wear jeans, boots, and chaps.  For Aegypt I wore a white suit coat.  For Centurion, I wore a regular suit coat.  Choose the proper location for your trailer.  Aegypt is a suspense novel; I used an unfinished corner in my basement.  Centurion is a historical novel; I just used my living room.  When you have everything set up, you are ready to begin.

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/.