Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Trailer: Surviving Bear Island






It was a total surprise to me when my editor told me they were working on a trailer for Surviving Bear Island, due out in March 2015 from Move Books. It is mostly visual, and the audio is all sounds in nature—some cool growling noises at the end.

I’ve put the trailer below if you’re interested in checking it out.



I’m curious if you watch book trailers when you come upon them, and what you think of the concept of book trailers in general? I didn’t give them much thought until I found out there would be one of Surviving Bear Island. In your opinion what is the role(s) of a book trailer? Where do you think a book trailer would have the most impact? If you have thoughts on this topic I’d love to hear them in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by.

14 comments:

  1. Three trailers ... each with a different focus. An interesting approach! I liked the music and sound effects on this one.

    I hired someone to create a trailer for my first book. I don't know how effective it was as a marketing tool. I haven't spent the money on trailers for any of my other books, but if a publisher wanted to make one, I'd be thrilled.

    And as for that one trailer I did pay for? I later discovered online that a librarian had made a trailer for that same book, for fun I guess, and hers was a lot better than the one I paid for. So, there's that ...

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    1. Thanks, Diane. That's cool that a librarian had made a trailer for your book. In terms of trailers in general, I'm not sure how they work as marketing tools either. New territory for me.

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  2. The only trailer that comes to mind is The School for Good and Evil, which I really liked. I think I would like trailers more if they included something from the author as well. Even if they give a brief intro to their book. It's always nice to put the face with the book. The music and sound effects in yours do really grab your attention and give it a vibe of danger. Hope you'll preview the others some time.

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    1. Thanks, Diane. Author information would be good. Every time I pick up a book to preview it I want to know about the author so that would hold true if I were to watch a trailer.

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  3. I can't say I seek out book trailers, and I can't remember any that have stuck with me (but I'm old and have a memory like a sieve anyway.) I did like the atmospherics of your one, Paul.

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    1. Thanks, Michael. With my slow internet connection I don't seek them out either. One that I really like was the one Terry Lynn Johnson made for Ice Dogs.

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  4. Brenda makes an excellent point. I watch more author interviews than book trailers, so combining the two may be a great way to go. I have to say, the growling at the end gave me goosebumps. The whole trailer had an out-of-the-frying-pan vibe to it, which I loved. Surviving Bear Island is my kind of book.

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  5. I love what they've done here! And I like this idea of three different approaches.

    I watch book trailers if it's for a book I'm excited about, though the only ones that really stick with me are the very professionally done ones. I think if the publisher is willing to do it - fantastic - but I'm not convinced its worth it to create one's own unless you are skilled with film/graphics.

    My italian publisher did a trailer, and I really like it. And my US publisher had me do a few author-video clips, which were fun. But neither have very many views on youtube, so I can't think it really reaches the MG audience. Maybe YA more?

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    1. Thanks, Marissa!
      I'll have to check out your Italian trailer!!

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  6. Wow! That is so cool that they did a trailer for you! I love doing this kind of thing, but it is a lot of work! I think this is great and I agree with what Robert said, I got goose bumps!

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  7. That's a really exciting trailer, Paul. I love how suspenseful and intriguing it is!

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  8. I used to work at a school and the librarian showed book trailers to the students to get them excited about upcoming releases. The strategy was brilliant as her captive audience couldn't wait to get their hands on the novel being promoted. Looking forward to your future trailers.

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Thanks for adding to the mayhem!