Book Haven discussion

I've always loved to watch movie trailers. Though sometimes they show only the best parts of the movies or a lot worst they make the movie look like something it's not. But I'm been watching some book trailers lately and find a lot of them don't get me to want to read the book.

Have you come across any book trailers that you like? Do you even watch them or seek them out?

I've seen quite a few when they starting gaining in popularity, but I don't really like them. The only ones I saw that were okay were the Vampire Academy ones. They were on the vague side and didn't give anything away.

Like you stated in your post many times I find that it turns me off to the book. I much rather read the blurb than watch a trailer. I also hate it when they portray the characters because my imaginary characters are usually a lot hotter than what is portrayed in the trailer. I like to keep my fantasy. lol.

Jackie wrote: "I've seen quite a few when they starting gaining in popularity, but I don't really like them. The only ones I saw that were okay were the Vampire Academy ones. They were on the vague side and didn'..."

I haven't seen many book trailers that have actual actors in them though many that I've watched lately are from indie writers who don't have a lot of money to spend on a trailer.

I am tired of seeing just a group of pictures and music in the background making up the trailers. Though I applaud anyone who puts one together.

I've seen a few here and there, and to be honest they make me giggle. I find them (or the ones I watched) to be kind of pointless. They didn't intrigue me or make me want to read the book, it was kind of just there.

I saw a commercial yesterday, not really a trailer... James Patterson was pitching his new book, 10th anniversary. All I can say is that his voice was NOT what I expected when I heard him speak! LOL

I've never seen one.

Helen wrote: "I've never seen one."

I found a pretty good one & if you don't mind something a little bold I'd say Scott Sigler has one of the best book trailers. You can watch it here

I've seen a couple of the James Patterson commercials. I think they are enticements intended to get people who don't typically read to read.

They don't work for me.

I like to read, and have my own opinions about what I want to read. There is often a book trailer on the gooreads homepage that I ignore. I have only seen little pieces of them when I accidentally clicked them.

Here are a couple that were done well I think:

A Question of Sovereignty - Allon Book 4

and

The Well

I don't think it's technically a book trailer but the promo video for Breathless Reads was pretty neat.

And I also liked the trailer for .

Catrina wrote: "I don't think it's technically a book trailer but the promo video for Breathless Reads was pretty neat.

And I also liked the trailer for ."

Thanks Catrina for sharing. And it looks like the promo trailer for Breathless Reads really hits the YA market.

Kate wrote: "Thanks Catrina for sharing. And it looks like the promo trailer for Breathless Reads really hits the YA market. "

It does! I've actually met one of the actors in that promo video. The guy with the blonde streak standing over the baby carriage. He was in this Broadway show that I loved very much, American Idiot, and his name is Chase Peacock.

I read one of the books, The Replacement and it was okay. I'm not into YA but I decided to check it out.

Just watched a great trailer for Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

I see it has been optioned to be a movie, and this trailer sure looks like a movie trailer, but it is just the book trailer.

Here are a few book trailers that I like. I think it works particularly well when they use the same illustrator as for the book.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Reckless by Cornelia Funke

Janet wrote: "Here are a few book trailers that I like. I think it works particularly well when they use the same illustrator as for the book.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Rec..."


Those were really good trailers, though I have to say the Leviathan one was the best. I haven't read that book but it really did make me want to go pick it up.

Do you think that the book trailers help the author sell the book?

I think the most common reason for a book trailer is if the book is in a series. So that the fans who are interested in the series have something to look forward to.

Another reason is if the author is really famous and has a large following to let that author's readers know they have a new book coming out.

Rose wrote: "I think the most common reason for a book trailer is if the book is in a series. So that the fans who are interested in the series have something to look forward to.

Another reason is if the au..."

It's a new concept to me. I have looked at a few. The ones that stood out for me are Jayde Scott and Seth Grahame-Smith. :)

Thanks for sharing J.D., I do love that Seth Grahame-Smith trailer. I've read both Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, both are fun reads.

Kate wrote: "Thanks for sharing J.D., I do love that Seth Grahame-Smith trailer. I've read both Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, both are fun reads."

I haven't read the books, but I love the trailers. They're so well done!

Kate wrote: "Just watched a great trailer for Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

I see it has been optioned to be a movie, and this trailer sure looks like a movie trailer, but it is just the book tr..."

Oh that trailer was really good!

J.D. wrote: "Do you think that the book trailers help the author sell the book?"

Yep, I sure do - I love them.

This one for:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4SICJ...

I'm thinking I just don't understand the new media ...

I love movie trailers, but movies are a visual medium to begin with. Book trailers can spoil more than just the plot ... I usually have my own images of what certain characters or scenes look like. If they appear as a visual in a trailer, then I'll get stuck in that concept.

I like them, Jeanine Frost's new one is really good!
http://jeanienefrost.com/book-trailers/

stormhawk wrote: "I'm thinking I just don't understand the new media ...

I love movie trailers, but movies are a visual medium to begin with. Book trailers can spoil more than just the plot ... I usually have my o..."

That is a good point, I think we all get an image on how the characters/settings are in the book and it can be distracting if we've 'seen' them in a video and it's not what we had imagined. I know when a book is made into a movie that's one of the things people talk about-the actor is too old-not the right hair color-etc. to be playing that part.

I still think if done right they can be fun to watch and move a few books too.

The advantage is when the authors do them themselves. They know what they visualized... then you know what the author meant....
Kate wrote: "stormhawk wrote: "I'm thinking I just don't understand the new media ...

I love movie trailers, but movies are a visual medium to begin with. Book trailers can spoil more than just the plot ... I..."

I really like the concept of book trailers the first time I saw one I was like "Oh yeah! if movies got them why not books?" lol

and here's a link I want you all to check out..trust me you'll love this!

http://www.amazon.com/Before-Ever-Aft...

Hi All,

I've created a book trailer for my book "Ruptured" a few months back , before its release back in May , sort of my personal effort and I posted it on youtube, would be interesting to hear your feedback

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69AF3s...

Tarek wrote: "Hi All,

I've created a book trailer for my book "Ruptured" a few months back , before its release back in May , sort of my personal effort and I posted it on youtube, would be interesting to hear..."

it's really good & the book looks interesting. great job.

Interesting trailer, it piqued my interest in the book. I thought at one point, it was going to be scary (the scream), but thankfully, it wasn't as bad as I thought.

Thank you Vivian , I am glad you enjoyed the trailer would be great to hear your thoughts on the book! :)

I keep trying to make a trailer for myself, but I am at a loss for what to include in it. I mean, obviously my cover, music, synopsis, and pictures. But I can never find pictures that suit my book! :(

well maybe i can help.. you can msg me and we can talk about it

J.D. wrote: "I keep trying to make a trailer for myself, but I am at a loss for what to include in it. I mean, obviously my cover, music, synopsis, and pictures. But I can never find pictures that suit my book! :("

I took a class at www.savvyauthors.com on how to make a book trailer, which was awesome. Kris Tualla taught it, and she was so helpful. Professional trailers are darned expensive! This class cost me either $15 or $25, can't remember, and I made two trailers. Here's the link to DOUBLE CROSSING, which is available now at Astraea Press, Amazon and B&N:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mDe17...

Kris started us with a "script" and then helped us winnow it down to the bare bones, plus music and photos. I loved the class!

Meg Mims
DOUBLE CROSSING - historical western romantic suspense, Astraea Press, Amazon, B&N