To Trail or Not to Trail

Some days back, Katherine Center, a writer friend, sent me the link to a book trailer she had created for her new novel, Everyone is Beautiful: http://katherinecenter.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/the-awesomest-thing-ever-ever-ever/, and of course, when I saw it, I wanted one, too--for both Palace of Illusions and for my new children's fantasy novel,  to be born in a week: Shadowland.

I wanted to find out what's involved, time, effort and money wise, and so I (what else!) googled the term and came up with all kinds of contradictory advice! Some say book trailers are amazing and attract readers like flies to sticky tape. Others say no one watches them except other writers who are planning to make their own book trailers.

In case you're an author considering making your own book trailer,
here's a good link: http://brendacoulter.blogspot.com/2007/06/promoting-your-novel-how-to-make-book.html

And if, like me, you are short on time and technological talent, here are two companies that I found that make book trailers for a good price:
http://www.cosproductions.com/ (starts at $300)
http://booktrailers.ning.com/profile/GhostwriterExtraordinaire (starts at $150)

Some of the trailers are for books that appear more commercial than literary, but I think if an author requested a more serious treatment, the companies could provide it.

So I wanted to ask you, dear readers: what are your experiences with book trailers? Have you watched any? Did they inspire you to find out more about the book? Do you think they are the up and coming thing for book promotion? Should I go for it?

I'd love to hear your opinion.If you've come across any good book trailers, I'd love to know of them.

Here are 2 book trailers I found on Youtube that I was intrigued by. The second one, particularly, created an atmosphere that I enjoyed.The third is of another writer friend, Abraham Verghese's wonderful new book, Cutting for Stone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43eIV2Kp3bs
http://www.trailerspy.com/trailer/2697/I-Still-Have-A-Suitcase-In-Berlin--Book-Trailer
http://www.amazon.ca/Cutting-Stone-Abraham-Verghese/dp/0307357775

In the Beginning there was Amazement

I confess. I'm a Virgin Blogger.
No. Not that kind.
But because this is my first blog ever.
I'm excited. Maybe a little nervous.
I welcome feedback.
Especially feedback that begins with "Dearest Author, I love everything you write."

In my blog I'm going to discuss things that I find amazing in the world.
I hope it'll be a real discussion, that you'll write back with things you find amazing, too.

I chose this topic partly because I'm working on a novel titled One Amazing Thing.
 And partly because I think amazement is a wonderful quality, one worth cultivating.
We all had it once. Some of us lost it along the way.But we can regain it if we pay attention.

This is what I believe: attention engenders amazement.

Every day I'm astonished by so many things in this marvelous and paradoxical world we live in.
I'm going to share some of those thoughts with you.

And writing, of course. On my list of amazing things that humans can do, it's way up there.I would love your thoughts about writing--& the writing life--as well.

Right now, as I'm getting ready to set out on the tour for the paperback of Palace of Illusions (Ithaca, DC, Santa Cruz, San Diego, Orlando--details on my website) I'm struck by how conflicted I feel about the whole enterprise. On one hand it's hard to leave my family. To give up my writing schedule. To face the uncertainties of traffic and weather and strange cities where there may or may not be an audience. On the other, it's a genuine pleasure to connect up with readers. Plus I love perfoming. And it's the final thing I can do for my book--to help it make its way in the world.

An old joke in po-biz:
Q: What's worse than going on book tour?
A: Not going on book tour.

I'll end this first blog with lines from a poem that amazed me when I first read it, years ago. Recognize it, anyone?

My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man:
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!