Category — Networking - social and otherwise

I just re-found an interview that The Kool-Aid Mom did with me a couple of years ago over at her blog, In the Shadow of Mt. TBR.

I had completely forgotten it existed!

It’s so funny to re-read it, because the more things change…the more things stay the same. I still have no balance in my life!

I’m a bit behind in really using web 2.0 to promote the books I publish through my little independent press, but since I’m on the eve of promoting my press’s next book, The Forever Friends Club, written by Sue Gainor and Sarah Gibson, and illustrated by Miranda Mueller, AND November is National Adoption month, it is an opportune time to try new things, like making book trailers.

In preparation, I’ve been looking at book trailers for picture books on the Internet. I’ve found a few that I think are well done.

First, here’s one for Up! by Kristine O’Connell George, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata:

I like it because, while the text stays still, the illustrations move, which gives the impression of animation although the image is static. It’s also a very clean, clear, playful trailer with un-annoying music. It’s also short, but not too short, and importantly, isn’t the author reading the book.

Here’s another one that is super-cute, for the book Chicken Butt, written by Erica Perl and illustrated by Henry Cole. Within about 3 seconds it pulled my 7-year-old in from the next room over:

I really like the 3-D effect of the first few frames, and I also like the voice-over. Again, the music is unobstrusive and the illustrations amusing and well chosen.

Here’s another I found for Captain Cheech, a book by Cheech Marin and illustrated by Orlando L. Ramirez. Again, the soundtrack is appealing, and I like how the words are animated, but you can still read them. No voice-over, but kids laughing and water splashing add a layer to a simple soundtrack:

The trailers I seem to like have a couple things in common: they’re short, they’re cute, and the creators have paid special attention to the soundtracks. They also give the impression of animation although confined to static artwork.

Have you made a book trailer for your book? Let me know how it went for you, how you came up with the design of the trailer, and what tips you might have for a book trailer newbie. Feel free to post a link to your book trailer in the comments section, or post a link to another book trailer you think serves as a great example.

Hey ya’ll -

I’m rocking the Web 2.0! Just made a fan page for my small press on FB.

Here’s the link, in case you want to be my fan: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pittsboro-NC/DRT-Press/105121020847?ref=mf

The Big Fun Guide to Tar Heel Country, our most recent book, has its own page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15776054398

Come on, be a fan! And if you have tips on using social networking sites to promote your books or your small press, please leave a comment. Information is power!

In my other blog, Idea Girl, I’ve written a bit aboutFacebook and how I’m not sure how to really work the social networking angles of it. After all, that blog is meant for a specific, niche audience: anyone who cares about d.i.y. publishing first, publishing for children second, and my trials as an overworked mother, wife, and Day Job employee, third. And most of my friends on Facebook could care less about any of those things, except perhaps the last thing. And if they see me in person then they hear enough of that from the source, and if they only remember me from times past I’d like to avoid making them listen to me whine.

But now I’ve found a new social networking site: JacketFlap. It’s specifically for anyone involved in the children’s book industry: writers, illustrators, publishers, librarians, reviewers, agents, blah de blah de blah. And since I am at least 4 of these, I’ve signed up. I actually signed up under 2 e-mails, since I write 2 blogs, but this blog is the one I’ve entered all the data on. If you want to link to me,HERE I AM. Please befriend me. I’m feeling inadequate with just 2 friends, one of whom is the founder of the site. She practically HAS to befriend everyone…

We shall see how it goes and what purpose it serves. Obviously, it’s a lot more targeted audience than Facebook in general. But I also don’t know many people on the site. I shall have to work it…in my free time.

HAHAHAHAHAHA.