About a week ago, several of us posters on the Absolute Write forums were discussing book trailers and whether they are an effective marketing tool. There were many valid points brought up, but the main consensus seemed to be that book trailers don't really have a direct relation to sales. I can definitely agree with that. My book trailer for "The Wild Side" didn't do anything to boost sales.
The question was then asked, "Why make a book trailer?"
In my opinion, there are two types of people - those who hate books trailers and those who love book trailers. I happen to fall into the category of those who love them. I am a visual person, and often times a book trailer adds to the excitement of the book for me. Have I ever bought a book based solely on it's trailer? No.
Book trailers can be a good asset to your book. Many fans do enjoy watching them. They can be great to add to your Facebook page or Goodreads. There are even sites like BlazingTrailers.com that promote books using their book trailer. I have done trailers for both of my books for this reason. They are not necessary, but they are a good addition.
Can you release a book without a trailer? Absolutely. If you do decide to use one, I would not pay for it to be created. Authors who have a large following and earn a lot of money opt to pay companies to create high effect book trailers. This is great if you are going to be actually showing the trailer on television or your publisher's website. You have probably seen trailers from Stephen King, Nora Roberts, and other major authors throughout the past few years. These authors have book trailers that look more like movies.
If you are the average up and coming author, the chances of your trailer being shown outside your Facebook, website, and Goodreads page is slim. I wouldn't recommend spending your hard earned cash on something with such a limited audience. I create my own trailers using Windows Movie Maker. My only cost has been a few stock photos and my time and effort. They aren't the fanciest trailers, and I am sure others can do better. For me, they are good enough.
I guess the important thing to remember is that if you do decide to make a book trailer, try to make it as interesting as you can. You want those who do watch it to be intrigued enough to be buy your book or at least want more information on it. If they don't watch the trailer, it isn't a big deal. There are a million other ways to promote. If you do decide to spend money on a trailer, be smart about who you go with and don't break the bank for something that may not pay you back.
Here are a few trailers I thought were good:
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Writer Conferences: Do You Go?
I've never been to a writer's conference of any kind. I have gone to a few free workshops that my local library held during NaNoWriMo, but not an official writer's conference.
I don't really have a good reason for not attending. I live in the Indianapolis area, so there are many conferences held just a few minutes to a couple of hours away from me. To be honest, I am a little scared to go. As a self-published writer, I sometimes feel less sure of my writing. Some of these conferences include workshops or bringing samples of your work. It makes me cringe. I'm shy that way, which is probably not a good thing.
I'm sure there are benefits to conferences. After all, writers should keep learning to make their writing more interesting. However, many of the conferences I have looked at cover the same topics - editing, building characters, show not tell, etc. Is it really worthwhile to go to the same session over and over again?
There are some great conferences coming to my area of the US this year, and I am considering giving them a go.
What about you? Do you go to conferences? Do they actually improve your writing?
I don't really have a good reason for not attending. I live in the Indianapolis area, so there are many conferences held just a few minutes to a couple of hours away from me. To be honest, I am a little scared to go. As a self-published writer, I sometimes feel less sure of my writing. Some of these conferences include workshops or bringing samples of your work. It makes me cringe. I'm shy that way, which is probably not a good thing.
I'm sure there are benefits to conferences. After all, writers should keep learning to make their writing more interesting. However, many of the conferences I have looked at cover the same topics - editing, building characters, show not tell, etc. Is it really worthwhile to go to the same session over and over again?
There are some great conferences coming to my area of the US this year, and I am considering giving them a go.
What about you? Do you go to conferences? Do they actually improve your writing?
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Why Lora Leigh's Breeds are a Good Read
I love to share what I am reading. It one of the best things about being a book lover. Word of mouth can go a long way, and most of the time I choose what to read based off the recommendations of friends. So, I have decided that I am going to start a new element to my blog called, Good Reads. These aren't reviews. They are just books or authors that I enjoy reading.
Occasionally I like to go back and read books I have previously read. This is especially true with series books. I will go back and review what happened in order to refresh my mind for a new installment in the series. One series I recently went back and read was the Breed series by Lora Leigh. She doesn't have any new books coming out until later this year, but it had been a while since I last read them.
For those of you who aren't familiar, the Breed series follows a genetically altered species and their mates. The species was created by top government scientists, who combined the DNA of animals and humans to create a super strong, high ability race. They used animals like lions, coyotes, wolfs, and several species of tigers and called the new species Breeds. Unfortunately, the Breeds were only seen as science experiments and were tortured and often killed during training.
During the crazy experiments, scientists were also able to find a way for the new species to populate. They discovered "mating heat." It's exactly what it sounds like. They go into heat, like an animal would, when they find their mate and remain that way until the woman conceives. At this point, no one is sure if the mating heat was scientifically created or nature somehow wired it into their genes.
In the process of finding all this out, many of the Breeds were able to escape the labs they were created in. They went into hiding and proceeded to live quietly among humans. Until the first book in the series...
I will be the first to admit that the story of genetically altered humans has been done a million times. What makes this series so different is that it is done well. The characters are not strange. They don't resemble a bad sci-fi flick. They have believable stories - with real emotion and honest problems. I often find myself cheering the Breeds on, crying at their failures, and waiting anxiously to find out what happens next.
The romance is wonderful to read. The Breeds were raised to be fighters. They were never cuddled, loved, and trained to abide by human emotions. Falling in love comes as a shock to most of them, and it is very entertaining to see how they work it out. Although the latest installment is number 26 in the series, it hasn't lost the appeal. The story keeps evolving. The "mating heat" is changing with each couple. You never know what to expect.
New characters are introduced in each book, yet Lora Leigh makes sure to show us how the old favorites are doing. The world is becoming more complex. Even more problems are arising for the Breeds as they try to make a life for themselves among humans who can never truly understand them. To make matters worse, the crazy scientists who created them are still trying to get them back. You would think that this far into the series things would get boring. They definitely are not!
The only thing that some people find a problem with Lora Leigh's writing in general is that it is very, very steamy. She writes erotic romance. When there is a sex scene, it is quite the sex scene. I don't usually enjoy erotic romance. I like my romance to be more moderate. However, the story is so good that I just skim over the scenes that are a little too risque for me. That is the mark of a good erotic romance author - the story still stands without the sex element.
If you are looking for a great read, check out Lora Leigh's Breeds. They are fantastic.
For more information, click here.
Occasionally I like to go back and read books I have previously read. This is especially true with series books. I will go back and review what happened in order to refresh my mind for a new installment in the series. One series I recently went back and read was the Breed series by Lora Leigh. She doesn't have any new books coming out until later this year, but it had been a while since I last read them.
For those of you who aren't familiar, the Breed series follows a genetically altered species and their mates. The species was created by top government scientists, who combined the DNA of animals and humans to create a super strong, high ability race. They used animals like lions, coyotes, wolfs, and several species of tigers and called the new species Breeds. Unfortunately, the Breeds were only seen as science experiments and were tortured and often killed during training.
During the crazy experiments, scientists were also able to find a way for the new species to populate. They discovered "mating heat." It's exactly what it sounds like. They go into heat, like an animal would, when they find their mate and remain that way until the woman conceives. At this point, no one is sure if the mating heat was scientifically created or nature somehow wired it into their genes.
In the process of finding all this out, many of the Breeds were able to escape the labs they were created in. They went into hiding and proceeded to live quietly among humans. Until the first book in the series...
I will be the first to admit that the story of genetically altered humans has been done a million times. What makes this series so different is that it is done well. The characters are not strange. They don't resemble a bad sci-fi flick. They have believable stories - with real emotion and honest problems. I often find myself cheering the Breeds on, crying at their failures, and waiting anxiously to find out what happens next.
The romance is wonderful to read. The Breeds were raised to be fighters. They were never cuddled, loved, and trained to abide by human emotions. Falling in love comes as a shock to most of them, and it is very entertaining to see how they work it out. Although the latest installment is number 26 in the series, it hasn't lost the appeal. The story keeps evolving. The "mating heat" is changing with each couple. You never know what to expect.
New characters are introduced in each book, yet Lora Leigh makes sure to show us how the old favorites are doing. The world is becoming more complex. Even more problems are arising for the Breeds as they try to make a life for themselves among humans who can never truly understand them. To make matters worse, the crazy scientists who created them are still trying to get them back. You would think that this far into the series things would get boring. They definitely are not!
The only thing that some people find a problem with Lora Leigh's writing in general is that it is very, very steamy. She writes erotic romance. When there is a sex scene, it is quite the sex scene. I don't usually enjoy erotic romance. I like my romance to be more moderate. However, the story is so good that I just skim over the scenes that are a little too risque for me. That is the mark of a good erotic romance author - the story still stands without the sex element.
If you are looking for a great read, check out Lora Leigh's Breeds. They are fantastic.
For more information, click here.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I Need a Writing Space!
I've come to the conclusion that I need a proper writing space.
I have a desk. It's a nice desk. The problem is that it is made for a desk top computer. It has the little tray that pulls out for your keyboard and the actual top of the desk is higher so that you can see your monitor at eye level. Only I own a laptop computer. It's very uncomfortable to work at my desk because of this.
Usually when I write I like to go to the library or I write on slow days at work. When I am at home, I either sit on the couch or prop myself up on the side of my bed. Both spots are uncomfortable. To be honest, I don't get much written at home because of this. I tend to get distracted by other people in the room or the tv.
My work space, if you can call it that, is anything but organized. I have book shelves with a mess of books on them. I have a filing box, with very little in it. Everything else is stuffed on my pull out tray on the desk waiting to be put in a better spot. It's a disaster.
If I want to be a serious writer, I need to create a more serious work space.
My goal this week:
1) Clean up my desk
2) Make my desk area a work space not a junk space.
3) Create boundaries so that people know not to interrupt me when I am working.
We'll see how it goes.
I have a desk. It's a nice desk. The problem is that it is made for a desk top computer. It has the little tray that pulls out for your keyboard and the actual top of the desk is higher so that you can see your monitor at eye level. Only I own a laptop computer. It's very uncomfortable to work at my desk because of this.
Usually when I write I like to go to the library or I write on slow days at work. When I am at home, I either sit on the couch or prop myself up on the side of my bed. Both spots are uncomfortable. To be honest, I don't get much written at home because of this. I tend to get distracted by other people in the room or the tv.
My work space, if you can call it that, is anything but organized. I have book shelves with a mess of books on them. I have a filing box, with very little in it. Everything else is stuffed on my pull out tray on the desk waiting to be put in a better spot. It's a disaster.
If I want to be a serious writer, I need to create a more serious work space.
My goal this week:
1) Clean up my desk
2) Make my desk area a work space not a junk space.
3) Create boundaries so that people know not to interrupt me when I am working.
We'll see how it goes.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Where Do You Get Your Ideas?
I love hearing about where authors get their ideas for stories. It is one of my favorite questions to ask. It seems like everyone has their own unique answer.
I'm sure we have all heard that Stephenie Meyer got her idea for Twilight from a dream. Sherrilyn Kenyon formed the Dark Hunter series through her love of Greek mythology. Steven King got the idea for "The Shining" from the reportedly haunted Stanley Hotel.
Authors get ideas from all over the place. Something as simple as a picture or passing a random person on the street can create a story unlike anything else.
My idea for 'The Wild Side" came from a picture. "The Cinderella Dream" came from watching the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. "Nocturne" was formed by my obsession with vampire romance - I wanted to write one of my own. Each one came from a drastically different place.
Where do you get your ideas?
I'm sure we have all heard that Stephenie Meyer got her idea for Twilight from a dream. Sherrilyn Kenyon formed the Dark Hunter series through her love of Greek mythology. Steven King got the idea for "The Shining" from the reportedly haunted Stanley Hotel.
Authors get ideas from all over the place. Something as simple as a picture or passing a random person on the street can create a story unlike anything else.
My idea for 'The Wild Side" came from a picture. "The Cinderella Dream" came from watching the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. "Nocturne" was formed by my obsession with vampire romance - I wanted to write one of my own. Each one came from a drastically different place.
Where do you get your ideas?
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Writers Are Weird!
As a fellow writer, I have the right to say this. LOL!
Am I the only person who has noticed that writers are weird about words? Not weird in a bad way, just weird?
For example, I was talking to a friend of mine that also writes and were discussing some of our favorite games. They were all word games. I kid you not! Scrabble, Crosswords, Word Searches, Up Words - if it involved words, it was one of our favorites.
I can spend hours doing word puzzles. I also love those little Dell puzzle books that are full of word games and activities. Although, one book takes me at least two or three months to finish.
Writers also tend to use bigger words in everyday conversation. Most of the time we don't even notice it. I have a bad habit of doing this at work. We have a lot of international guests, and they look at me like I am crazy. I often have to watch how I word things.
What other strange oddities have you noticed about writers?
Am I the only person who has noticed that writers are weird about words? Not weird in a bad way, just weird?
For example, I was talking to a friend of mine that also writes and were discussing some of our favorite games. They were all word games. I kid you not! Scrabble, Crosswords, Word Searches, Up Words - if it involved words, it was one of our favorites.
I can spend hours doing word puzzles. I also love those little Dell puzzle books that are full of word games and activities. Although, one book takes me at least two or three months to finish.
Writers also tend to use bigger words in everyday conversation. Most of the time we don't even notice it. I have a bad habit of doing this at work. We have a lot of international guests, and they look at me like I am crazy. I often have to watch how I word things.
What other strange oddities have you noticed about writers?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Review of Electrify Me by Erica Stanciu
If you know me well, you know that I love romance. It is my favorite type of book to read. Very rarely do I choose to read other genres. It's not that I am picky or that I don't appreciate other types of books. I just love romance.
So, when the opportunity arose to read a new fantasy novel by Erica Stanciu my first thought was no. I don't know anything about fantasy. How could I write a review?
Then I thought about how she is a self-published author like myself. I thought about how this is her very first novel. It can be hard for up-and-comers to get reviews on their book. I decided to give it a try.
It was well worth it.
About the book:
A young and reckless Water King broke the number one rule, don’t be friendly with the other Wielding races. Consequently, nine months later the first hybrid was born of earth and water. Being adored as a child, Kaiya was in for a rude awakening when the teenage years dealt her a hand she had no control over. With the ability to manipulate electricity at the young age of thirteen she was forced to stay in the palace where solitude was her best, and only friend.
Fast forward five years where she is a trained, eighteen year old fighter. Her birthday party also doubles as a reintroduction to the Water people but, the only surprise given that day was death. Tragedy strikes which forces Kaiya into a journey of monsters, relics, prophecies, love, but most of all, the ability to believe in herself once again.
The first thing that stood out to me about this book is how unique all of the characters are. I was completely intrigued with all the different Weilding races and their characteristics. I fell in love with the main character, Kaiya, who was loved by her father and almost hated by the rest of the people in her kingdom. She is a very strong lead to what promises to be a great series. I loved her attitude and the fact that she kicked butt in more ways than one. It was fun to see her grow throughout the course of the book.
The story line was full of action, and the author has a fantastic way of describing things in such a way that you feel as if you are there along side the action. There is even a little romance. Although it isn't a major part of the story, it is mentioned and adds a little bit of spark to the story.
I started reading the book very late at night (almost midnight) with the intention of reading a chapter or two before bed. I couldn't put it down! I stayed up until 2 am just to finish the book. It was completely addicting. I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out.
I really can't recommend the book highly enough. Erica Stanciu is such a talented writer. The book was well-written and error free (a surprise for some self-pubbed authors!). I am anxious to see what else Ms. Stanciu writes in the future.
Interested in Electrify Me? Click here.
Want more information on Erica Stanciu? Click here.
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