Viral Book Trailers

One marketing strategy that is on the radar for John and I is the making of a viral book trailer for his book. More and more authors are taking advantage of the internet and the popularity of short online videos to advertise for their books. Videos play like a movie trailer, but advertise for the book.

Recently, I saw a viral trailer for the young adult writer, Simone Elkeles. She made her first two with a friend, using a computer program, but for her third hired a Chicago director. In order to make the video "viral", she knew she had to make the video somewhat humorous, so it's almost a parody of her book, but it is fun and is taking off. To see the trailer, go to this site on youtube, or her website:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr0OtYYpyek

Writers Conferences

One great way to meet agents, expand your writing skills, and network/ bond with other writers is through writers conferences. This year, John and I are trying out the Midwest Writers Workshop inhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif Indiana, which has an amazing selection of workshops and opportunities. I encourage people to check it out, or let me know if you have been there/ know about it.

http://www.midwestwriters.org

PODIOBOOKS

Over the weekend, at a bbq of all places, I learned about a most interesting site that I will definitely be checking out with John, my author, and that I would highly recommend to authors and aspiring authors.

It's called Podiobooks, and it is a site where authors can upload podcasts of their books for free. All you need is a good microphone and your computer. You can upload however you choose- short stories, books by chapter, new writing yet to be published, etc. It's a great advertising mechanism or way to "get the word out", and you can also track who is following your podcast!

The site is http://www.podiobooks.com

Chocolat- latest Good Reads Review

Here is a link to my latest amateur book review for Chocolat, which I read in 2000, but just added to my growing Good Reads arsenal:


http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47401.Chocolat

Goodreads Review of Anticancer: a new way of life

On Goodreads.com, I recently posted a short review of Dr. Servan-Schreiber's Anticancer: a new way of life. My book reviews on Good Reads tend to be short blurbs, as I consider them social, personal reviews more than professional reviews, but I am posting the link for anyone interested in reading a review of this fascinating health/ lifestyle book, and interested in checking out my shelf:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52051423

Library Mailings Results

One week in the results of the library mailings are paying off. Two libraries have already contacted us having purchased the book and interested in setting up Q & A sessions, signings, and/ or Self-Publishing workshops.

This is a long road, and not always monetarily rewarding, but is rewarding in terms of the work and recognition that is presenting itself.

PODBRAM Review on Amazon

I would encourage all new writers looking for book reviews to consider PODBRAM- a blog devoted to reviewing self-published books. John just received a 4-star, well-written review from one of PODBRAM's reviewers, Dr. Al Past, on Amazon. Hopefully, the review will also make it to their website: http://podbram.blogspot.com