That's not to say I'll actually read her new novel, "The Distant Hours" (Amazon lists it with a release date of October 15th) but I am impressed with yes, another book trailer.
Don't be thinking that I purposefully seek these out... they simply come across my desk and I take a look at the ones that might be interesting and this one is certainly one of the best. I can't say it gives much of the story but it's gorgeously stop-motion animated by Andersen M Studio of London. I've included a synopsis of Morton's new novel after the video.
Edie Burchill and her mother have never been close, but when a long lost letter arrives one Sunday afternoon with the return address of Millderhurst Castle, Kent, printed on its envelope, Edie begins to suspect that her mother’s emotional distance masks an old secret.
Evacuated from London as a thirteen year old girl, Edie’s mother is chosen by the mysterious Juniper Blythe, and taken to live at Millderhurst Castle with the Blythe family: Juniper, her twin sisters and their father, Raymond. In the grand and glorious Millderhurst Castle, a new world opens up for Edie’s mother. She discovers the joys of books and fantasy and writing, but also, ultimately, the dangers.
Fifty years later, as Edie chases the answers to her mother’s riddle, she, too, is drawn to Millderhurst Castle and the eccentric Sisters Blythe. Old ladies now, the three still live together, the twins nursing Juniper, whose abandonment by her fiancé in 1941 plunged her into madness.
Inside the decaying castle, Edie begins to unravel her mother’s past. But there are other secrets hidden in the stones of Millderhurst Castle, and Edie is about to learn more than she expected. The truth of what happened in the distant hours has been waiting a long time for someone to find it . . .
Here's something interesting. I've talked about booktrailers in the past. Since I spotted my first one in 2008, the development in these trailers hasn't moved much. They're still a bit cheesy and they do little for me in terms of getting me interested in a book or series but today I read some news that may mark the beginning of a new life for book trailers.
Yesterday, Shelf Life posted a an interview with "Vampire Academy" author Richelle Mead. "Spirit Bound," the fifth book in the series, goes on sale next Tuesday, May 18th and it's one I've been anticipating. The publishers will be premiering the book trailer for the new novel tonight during the season finale of "The Vampire Diaries" and it will also be attached to Summit's upcoming "Twilight Saga: Eclipse."
The trailer isn't awesome but it's one of the better ones I've seen but Penguin, the publisher, gets thumbs up for promoting directly to their audience: fans of other vampire fiction. That I've seen, this will also be one of the first book trailers I've ever seen on TV or at the movies. It's a trend I wouldn't mind seeing more of.
Wonder how many people will see this tonight or in the coming days and wonder when the new show starts? My one complaint: these people look NOTHING like I pictured the characters. Go figure.
A while back I discussed, in short, the rise in use of book trailers and really, how mediocre and/or poor they were.
Today I had a chance to see one that, though still not perfect, is much more appealing and was successful in what it set out to do: I now want to read this book I'd never heard of before seeing the video.
The trailer is still on the long side; like movie trailers, they should be kept to a maximum of 2 minutes but it elicited emotion, a vibe and even visuals for the story which were really appealing and as a result, I've added the book to the buy list.
The novel The Island of Eternal Love is one of Cuba's most acclaimed novels and I look forward to reading it. See if the trailer does anything for you.
Breaking out in the book business seems so much more difficult than breaking out in the movie business. I've never researched the actual numbers but I certainly get the sense that there are thousands of books published daily whereas there are only a couple thousand of films made every year. I could be way off but that's the sense I get.
I was reading an interesting article by author Sophie Masson on Writer Unboxed, a site I started reading because one of my favourite writers, Juliet Marillier, occasionally posts there. Masson was talking about Web 2.0 and using some of the technology to get some attention. Masson speaks directly about making trailers for books.
I agree with most of the points she brings up but looking at the few trailers she linked to, I must say I didn't finish any of them. I'm not an expert on video but I do know what appeals to me and this certainly isn't it. They all feel static and a little boring. Masson's first rule states "Do not use a video camera to shoot a trailer." I think right off the bat you're missing out on an opportunity. Many of the best on-line videos I've seen on-line are home made. I think the KEY is to ensure that, whatever you're making, make it unique. Maybe use animation or live action, or even the pictures idea but above all, make it interesting and appealing. Also, the minute and a half running length is way too long. 30 seconds or a minute is the most I'd start with and if viewers respond well, then expand. Even better, do a series of short clips. If the first one is interesting, folks are more likely to come back for more.
Just a few things that came instantly to mind. I do think the idea is a good one - certainly thinking out of the box!
, May 18th and it's one I've been anticipating. The publishers will be premiering the book trailer for the new novel tonight during the season finale of "The Vampire Diaries" and it will also be attached to Summit's upcoming "Twilight Saga: Eclipse."
