I have a fun little project I’m working on so I thought I’d throw it out there and get some opinions. I had someone offer to put a book trailer together for me. For those who don’t know, a book trailer is like a movie trailer, except it’s for books. The purpose is to get you excited without revealing too much about the book. Anyway, I’m pretty hands on so I’m trying to help with the wording of the trailer. The idea is that the trailer will have what you see below, plus music and images. Here’s what I have so far.
The trailer will start with a voiceover. This will be in the voice of a teenage girl who represents my main character. Music and images will also be in the background. This is what she will say:
When I was a kid, faeries would come and visit me at night. They used to say they were there to protect me until one day they stopped coming.
Over the next ten years, I’d convinced myself that I’d imagined the whole thing.
That is, until the day they showed up again, and tried to kill me.
Afterwards, these words will appear on the screen. Each line on a separate slide with images in the background that correspond with the words.
Kalin Fay’s mother has disappeared…
To find her, she’ll have to let go of everything she’s ever believed.
And enter into a world of magick.
A society that abides by ancient rules, where nothing and no one is as they seem.
Some will try to help her…
A few will try to destroy her…
One will sacrifice everything to love her…
And one will betray her…
The question is…do you believe in faerytales?
Whatcha think? Did it get you excited? Do you want to read my book? Is it totally cheesy and you think I’m a complete dork? What’s your opinion? I want to hear it, good or bad.
I think this sounds really good. I’m intrigued.
made me tingly–good sign! 🙂
Not sure of the coorelation between the statement of the faeries coming back to kill her after being nice faeries and the mom disappearing so in essence, I guess I would be interested to read to find out what one has to do with the other.
The faeries from her childhood are not the same as the ones that try to kill her as a teenager. I tried to think of a way to explain that, but book trailers are supposed to be short and sweet. Oh and the faeries that took her Mom are also the ones that tried to kill her. 🙂
You got me when you said they come back to “kill her”!! Wasn’t expecting that one. You may want to reconsider the line that says “she’ll have to let go of everything she’s ever believed.” It’s not bad, but a lot of people use something similar and you want to be as unique as possible.
Instead, you may want to go immediately into the next line and say this:
To find her, she’ll have to enter into a world of magic. etc.
Wishing you success with this. It sounds great!
Glad you like the “kill” line. I was going for dramatic. 🙂 Yeah, the other line has been used quite a bit, but I couldn’t think of anything that would fit better.
The plot sounds like a winner! It makes me want to read the book. I’m curious to see what happens. :o)
Thanks for the comments both here and on Twitter. I really do appreciate all the suggestions and words of encouragement. 🙂
Well this is the first I’ve heard of your plot! I like it. It has some elements of Cassie Clare in there (though I am sure you will surpass her with your brilliance).
The wording could do with a little tightening (not content related, just for fluidity – I agree with the other comments regarding this), but otherwise it is very good. I got the suspense and excitement, much like when you are at the top of a roller-coaster and are about to drop over the edge – which I would think it what you would want to feel!
I was also reminded of the Wiccan ceremony for Samhain:
“Tonight as the barrier between the two realms grows thin,
Spirits walk amongst us, once again.
They be family, friends and foes,
Pets and wildlife, fishes and crows.
Some to trick, some to treat,
Some to purposely misguide our feet.
Stay we on the paths we know
As planting sacred apples we go.”
So you’ve got the magick and mysticism going for you!
Tim – Thanks for finally leaving a comment. 🙂 Now I’ll have to find something else to bug you about, LOL!
It’s funny that you mentioned Cassie. I can see why you’d compare the two. I would love to get to her level someday (dream come true).
Question: How do you know so much about Wicca? Was that research for your upcoming novel?
I like it. You’ve given your character a distinct voice.
It kind of reminds me of other YA plots, so I’m hoping for some dark twists and turns 😉 It DEFINITELY reminds me of Cassie Clare, but I think that’s just because of the character’s name. I also had a little Ink Exchange flash back 🙂
Can I read your book now, please?
I’m so glad you liked it. I still need an agent and a book deal before I can release it. I’ve had some agent interest, but I’m still editing/revising.
PS: Love Melissa Marr/Cassandra Clare! Amazing writers and I can see the Melissa connection because my book is also about faeries, but the storylines and characters are very different – I promise. 🙂
This sounds really intriguing – I can’t wait to see the trailer. When is it going to be available?
She’s working on the photography and live shots now so probably in a few weeks. I’ll post it on this blog when I get it and blast it on twitter to get her some exposure.
Wow! This sounds like a great book! The voiceover “grabs me” and the images hold my attention. I’d say you’ve got a winner here! I’d like to know the title so I can keep an eye out for it! 🙂
Thanks! The working title is Mortal Enchantment. She’s a halfling (half human/half faerie) so I wanted to use two words that represented each part. Did you read the excerpt? A really awesome artist named Vy drew one of my characters for me. It’s part of the excerpt page.
Hey Stacey,
Your book sounds really cool! I like the overall flow of the trailer, I would just trim down some of the phrases slightly so that you get the most mileage out of the fewest words possible.
I also feel like the sacrifice and betrayal lines might be giving too much away – maybe instead you could replace them with just “teaser” words – like: Love. Betrayal. Secrets. (or something like that – although I’m not a book trailer expert so keep that in mind!)
Anyway I might condense it to something like this:
When I was a kid, faeries used to visit me at night. They said they were there to protect me.
Ten years later, I’d convinced myself I’d imagined them.
Until the day they came back to kill me.
Kalin Fay’s mother has disappeared…
To find her, Kalin must enter a world of magick.
A society that abides by ancient rules, where nothing and no one is as they seem.
Some will try to protect her…
Others will try to destroy her…
Love. Betrayal. Secrets.
Do you believe in faerytales?
–Good luck – I can’t wait to see the trailer!!
Seriously, I love this. Frances, you may have just written my trailer!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!