Trailer fun!

I’ve been trying not to be too impatient–really, I have! Ken Spurgeon and his crew took lots and lots of digital footage (if “footage” applies to digital movie-making, which it probably doesn’t). I know it was a really big job to edit it all, line up the transitions between shots, find the right music and add it in, record and then add the voice-over, etc. And it was the holidays–Thanksgiving, Christmas, and also New Year’s all fell in the weeks after the trailer shoot.  On top of all that, my editor (Kira Lynn) and the publicist (Lynn Kelley) have also been ready to begin promoting A Voice for Kanzas, and both planned to use the trailer in their efforts. We were running up against a bit of a time crunch to get it ready for an upcoming presentation Kira will do this week for Kane Miller’s sales reps, so I was thrilled when Ken let me know he had the final version ready.

After a few technical issues with the first uploaded version, Ken was able to put the finished trailer on YouTube, and we were off and running! First, I embedded the video (Really! HTML and everything!) on the home page of this website. Then I put it on my Goodreads author page. Then I added the link to my status updates on my regular Facebook page and also on my Facebook author page. A few friends reposted it. Lots of friends “liked” it. I announced it to my Apocalypsies buddies. I emailed friends who might not have seen it yet. I posted on my local writers’ list serves. Then Ken asked if he could send out a message to friends of Lone Chimney and also post it on the Lone Chimney Facebook page. I said, “Yes, please do!”

Of course, my website address is printed on my bookmarks and postcards, so that may also guide those who might be interested in the book to the trailer. And I’ll use the trailer when I do personal appearances (if it’s appropriate) and I’m sure I’ll run it at my book launch party.

And I have to express my thanks again to Ken and the Lone Chimney crew, as well as to all the wonderful actors who came out to help with the trailer.

Maybe my trailer won’t go “viral,” but it won’t be for lack of effort! If you haven’t seen it yet, please take a look–I put it right at the top of the home page!

Do you have other ideas for ways to use a book trailer? If so, please let me know!

Bookmarks and postcards…Oh My!

The bookmarks and post cards arrived earlier than expected!

postcard

bookmark

On the recommendation of my son, I used OvernightPrints.com, and I am really pleased with the products. [They really look better than these scanned images.] The process was all done online, and the company has templates that are pretty easy to use, even for me. I chose the 4 x 6 size for the postcard, and the 2 x 6 for the bookmark. The prices were reasonable, and I ordered 250 post cards and 1000 bookmarks. I could have lowered my per-piece price by ordering larger quantities, but decided not to. (I wanted to see how they came out before I found myself stuck with a a gazillion paper pieces I didn’t like.) I saved the image files, so I can reorder later.

The card stock is a nice weight and I like the glossy finish. On the back of both articles I placed “teaser” text to pique interest in the story. I’m glad I ran the draft of the designs past the marketing person at the publisher: she had me add the publisher logo and an additional web address of the parent company.

I’ll use the post cards to send to some libraries and other organizations to promote personal appearances as well as to publicize the book. Later, I’ll also use them as invitations to my book launch party for friends who may not be on Facebook (where I’ll send most invitations).

The bookmarks are small enough to keep in my pockets and purse to hand out at work, at church, and everywhere else. I’m doing a class presentation in a Children’s Lit class soon, and I’ll give them. Of course, I’ll give them out at any personal appearances I do. I may need to order more before long.