Know how great it feels when someone just “gets” you?
That was the experience I had when a pair of talented young filmmakers turned my novel into a book
trailer. Before my book came out, I wasn’t even thinking about a book trailer or about finding someone
to make one. I was just relieved that All Things That Matter Press had sent me a contract for my debut
novel, MONTPELIER TOMORROW. I signed it. One thing checked off the mental list.
In the three months immediately before publication, I found myself poring over galleys. Still, it did not
dawn on me that I would have to “get the word out” about this book. I’m not sure who suggested a
book trailer, but when I thought about what a trailer could do, I felt a mental finger-snap. Yes! A book
trailer! I love videos, and that would be a terrific visual to have onboard. The only problem was that I
didn’t know where to find someone to make a video.
I subscribe to a website called Where Writers Win. The website comes up with ideas I haven’t seen
anywhere else on the web, and it was there I saw a mention of the talented filmmaker Evan Staley of
Evan W. Staley Films. He, along with his musical compatriot, Alex Heaney, created a trailer that perfectly
captured the spirit of the novel. Evan had just finished high school and was going to be starting college
in Chicago.
Evan Staley
Alexander Heanet
How did this work? I filled out a short form with information about the book. I sent it along to Evan,
along with a modest down payment. Evan called me from Japan where he was filming, and we talked.
He sent me a preliminary cut, and I sent back a suggestion or two. That was it. The video was finished.
What I did not realize until much later was that Evan and his compatriot Alex were the ages of my
grandchildren, and yet they intuitively grasped what my novel was all about and gave it their best. I
work with words, but they tell stories with visual images and with music. Every time I watch this video I
am moved, once again, by the creativity of two young artists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HT37nBOdD8
nice post
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