I totally own up to the fact I love making youtube trailers for my books. My dad worked for Warner Brothers back in the day, and his commentary on how movie stories unfold has helped me visualize. But I never went to film school, and I don’t have stock video to be making the trailers from. But this doesn’t mean, I’m not pursuing something I find fun to do.
Last week I wrote, but it wasn’t writing that took hold of me. It was visualizing and updating things. (Sadly the real world starts next week and I go back to work full time.)
Before I do that, I do want to keep my trailers that in my head are the best movie commercial I can make for my books. I’m sure a professional movie maker can do better, but I follow a few rules. The average person gets bored with staring at a picture for too long. Yet if you have words appearing in the video, you can’t keep flashing new things when someone has to read.
This brings me back to my point about wishing for stock video at the least.
Anyhow I’ve not decided and neither of these might stay on youtube forever, but I’m picking and choosing what book trailer I want and how to make it snappy.
This one was Ariel’s POV really. It’s her story in this one and I had fun being silly.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/OIQ_kgpVE6g” width=”400″]
Or should I go with the more dramatic what happens to the male main character as well as all of Earth?
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/BtsSAblicMI” width=”400″]
Both stories intertwine, as they must, but the characters were on different journeys.
And notice how I am not giving up and said I’ll try another soon. But I just have so much fun thinking visually. Part of me wishes I could write screenplays and sell them. But then I remember how I’m female. Never say never though. I took screen writing classes in college not novel writing. Maybe one day I’ll be like George RR Martin and get to dip my toes into more industry related stuff.
Speaking of George RR Martin… if Jon Snow is really dead in the next book, I’m not buying it. Well I might, but then it will be more of a hate read. Please don’t make me hate the books. And WRITE it.
Okay peace out. Must get back into my writing cave now.
If you have comments on the trailers, please let me know!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a book trailer without stock video or film school training?
You can create effective book trailers without stock video or formal film training by following basic pacing rules: avoid holding a single image too long, and balance text overlays with visuals carefully, since readers need time to absorb words. Drawing on storytelling instincts — such as insights from film industry experience — helps visualize how a book’s story can unfold cinematically.
What are the key rules for keeping a book trailer engaging for viewers?
Two core rules help keep book trailers engaging: first, don’t hold a static image on screen for too long, as viewers lose interest quickly; second, avoid flashing new visuals too rapidly when on-screen text is present, since audiences need time to read. Balancing visual pacing with readable text is essential to maintaining viewer attention throughout a short book trailer.
Which book trailer approach works better — a single character’s POV or a broader story overview?
Both approaches have merit depending on what you want to highlight. A single character’s POV, like a female lead’s perspective, can feel personal and fun. A broader overview showing multiple characters and larger stakes — such as what happens to all of Earth — feels more dramatic. Since both character journeys intertwine, the choice depends on which emotional tone best represents the book.
