The Wonderful World of Book Trailers - Diana Green #WWW #WritersLife #WriteTip

The Wonderful World of Book Trailers 

Opinions on book trailers vary. Some people will tell you they're a waste of time, while others say they are "a must" for savvy authors. In my opinion, the success of book trailers depends on the quality of their design and also on the specific audience. Some people just aren't interested in watching them. Many others, (myself included), love the combination of visuals, music, and text. The final product can draw viewers in, intriguing them with a multimedia experience of the story.

Between one and two minutes is usually the best length for a book trailer. That's long enough to hook the reader's interest, but not long enough to bore them. Of course, pacing matters. If the text and images fly by too fast, the audience won't be able to take them in. On the other hand, having things move too slowly can make the production drag.

These decisions will depend partly on the kind of a story you're showcasing. Is it suspenseful, sweet,  dramatic, or adrenaline-pumping? Pace your trailer accordingly. Also, pick music that fits the theme and setting. Be wary of soundtracks with lyrics. They can work, but often the words are distracting and compete with the text of your trailer.

You must own the rights (or have permission to use) any music or images in your trailer. There are many excellent resources for finding both. I have a list of links which you might find helpful.

Finally, make sure your text is clearly readable, and be sure to include information about where the book can be purchased. I generally place my website address at the end, so it will be the last thing viewers see. Hopefully that means it sticks in their minds.

You may be wondering how to put all this into action. Animoto is a fantastic tool for trailer creation. Thirty second videos are free, and you can pay $30 for an entire year of making longer videos. The process is simple and user-friendly, ending with a professional quality product.

Book trailers are a great addition to your website. They can also be distributed through You Tube, Facebook, and various book promotion sites, or provide links to them from blog posts. To see several sample trailers you can visit my website.

A world of possibilities opens up with trailers. It's a unique way to get readers excited about your books, and (even better) it's fun. If you haven't tried it yet...jump in. The water is fine!

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On the Outside

In a not-so-distant future, the privileged live within protective walls, and the rest fend for themselves...on the outside.

From a life of relative comfort and safety, Orla is plunged into a struggle for survival. Her newly emerged phasing powers force her to become a fugitive, hunted by government agents, and driven to the edges of society.

In desperation Orla joins a band of smugglers. Their caravan could offer the perfect hiding place, or it could be her undoing. Much of that depends on Charlie, top gunslinger and ‘teeth’ of the operation. Will he prove to be a valuable ally or just another kind of trouble?

Available at Amazon

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Author Bio

Since her childhood, growing up in New Zealand, Diana has been an avid storyteller. For years she enjoyed teaching art and special education, while continuing to write as a hobby. After she developed chronic fatigue syndrome, a career change was necessary, but happily this led her to become a professional author.

Diana’s favorite genres are fantasy, science fiction, historical, and romance. She currently lives in beautiful Washington State where she writes for Champagne Books and The Wild Rose Press.

DIANAGREENBOOKS.COM