As many of you are probably aware, it is no longer enough to spend months and often years writing a book. Today an author must help sell the book, and by sell, I mean she must make each and every person in the northern hemisphere aware of obsessed with the book. She must make them understand that they need the book in order to survive in today’s world. She must make them wake up each morning and ask, “if not now, when? If not me, who? If not the …”
Wait, I’m not sure those are the questions.
The point is, like many businesses, publishers are struggling these days and they like it if their authors will pitch in and help. I regret not doing more to push my last book, but never mind, today I got to help my friend Julie Klam with the book trailer for her delightful forthcoming memoir, You Had Me At Woof.
Julie asked me several weeks ago if I would direct her book trailer and of course I was wildly flattered and within minutes of hanging up the phone with her I had launched myself on yet another fantastical voyage of delusion. I decided that the Julie Klam book trailer would be such a smash that authors would say to each other, at cocktail parties, “You have a book coming out? Is Ann Leary doing your book trailer? You have to get Ann Leary to do your book trailer. She did Salmon’s! She just did Elmore’s! She did Nora’s” Yes, I would be the Annie Leibowitz of book trailers. Julie Klam is cut from the same cloth it seems, because she told me that within minutes of hanging up the phone with me she was tearfully rehearsing her acceptance speech for the book trailer award (we wondered if there must be such a thing and it turns out, there is).
Julie had been wowed by some of my recent work, but I had to confess to her that I only really know how to use a FlipCam, and so we decided that my son Jack, an actual film student who is working on a television crew, would be the co-director/cameraman/guy-who-does-everything-but-talk. We discussed a few ideas, but Julie’s hysterical book is all about how out of control her dogs are; how they’ve destroyed her house, upended her relationship with her husband, scarred her daughter for life, etc, so we decided that her yappy, outrageously naughty terriers would be enough to carry the film, just by being themselves.
Here was the hitch: Julie’s terriers are so bad, so utterly devious that they will do the opposite of what she wants, NO MATTER WHAT. So today they conspired to be the most well-behaved dogs ever filmed. Just to make fools of us. They couldn’t possibly have been more angelic. They made Cesar Millan’s dog, Daddy, look like a thug. They made Lassie look like a crack whore. I have never seen three more well-behaved dogs in my life. Did I mention that they’re terriers? Boston Terriers?
Still, we managed to get some funny antics and we had a blast. I must admit, I regretted wearing a sleeveless black top, because Julie also wore a sleeveless black top, but she has the arms of a ballerina. And though her dogs are mostly black, they manage to shed only their white hairs.
Anyway, as soon as it’s all edited it’ll be on YouTube where you can see it and tell all your friends. And then it’ll go viral. Next, there’ll be calls from Oprah, network and studio heads. And, of course, Julie and I will be offered our own television show.
If I,or any of my friends ever get published, you will be the director of choice.
Congrats on getting a 20 year old up to go work on “mom’s” project!
All of us here knew that ‘Ghost Girl’ would payoff one day!
Can’t wait to read Julie’s book, do you know the release date yet? Has she sworn to do an author’s chat with us?
All joking aside, I think this is really cool that you and Jack did this for your friend. As Aislinn would say, “You’re a good egg.”
I think her publication date is November 1st.
Can’t wait to see the dailies! Can we?
I too commend Jack for helping mom and mom’s friend out. That’s a good kid.
I don’t think book trailers were invented yet, when I was published way back in the year 2004.
I had the opposite problem with my publisher. Jamie Nudie and I knew just how to market our book and went at it with gusto. Problem was, the publisher didn’t follow through (we were warned not to sign with them), and Jamie and I found ourselves pushing a book that people couldn’t purchase at our events.
I was so embarrassed when we were at the Texas book festival doing a wonderful panel at the Bob Bolluck State Museum, and our book was NOT for sale in the Museum book store. The publisher knew darn good and well where we would be, and there was no excuse for it. Things got worse from there, when our book was not re-stocked after it sold out (they only printed 7,000 even though they told us they printed 10,000 – a very small run), and all the places our book would sell well couldn’t stock it.
Now the publishing world is in the toilet, and I don’t even know if I want to go to the trouble of getting back in print.
Not to dissuade anyone from self-publishing, or getting published . . . there is nothing quite like autographing your own book for an appreciative purchaser — and I will always cherish my “Author” badge from the Texas Book Festival. That’s a stinkin’ badge I may not need, but I will always treasure.
So glad the day went well! And it’s nice to hear Jack helped out on this project – is he doing the post editing, or are you? Or someone else?
Boston terriers *are* naughty! I did an agility class with one, and it didn’t help that the owner was clueless but the dog actually got kicked out of class. I think Julie’s pups knew they wee in the limelight and they were determined to bask in it!
Sounds like Julie’s book will make a great holiday gift, with the release date and all the dog lovers out there.
Note to Self: Do not eat a salad while reading Ann Leary’s Blog. Because when you get to “They made Lassie look like a crack whore,” and you snort and guffaw, you will inhale radicchio. Not fun.
Oh, I forgot to add that I too knew that Ghost Girl would lead to bigger things! Way to go, Ann!!
How very cool.
I have never even heard of a “book trailer” before this. I would think everyone would stick to their medium. And by the way, on the subject, I hate going to the movies and having to sit through TV commercials?!?
I can almost hear Julie’s acceptance speech already: “I’d like to thank Twitter, and Facebook, and…and…@TimHutton!”
How cool that must have been. I hear animals and children are the hardest to film, so it must have been a bit stressful.
So, now, who sees the book trailer? How does that work? Does the publisher post the trailer? Do the booksellers? The author? I’ve never seen a book trailer (at least I don’t remember seeing one). Where do they show the trailer? This is all new to me.
It sounds like a fun project. I can’t wait to see it. Will Jack do the editing? Boy, lots of questions this morning. Sorry.
Oh, I’m going to give all you aspiring writers, just itching to sign a book deal, my Mary Lynn sure fire patented way to see your name in print.
I use to give the advice — write a book that will sell in an airport bookstore. Something light, funny, and frothy like “He’s Just Not That Into You” or better yet, a humorous diet book, or of course, something about dogs.
Now I give the advice — write a book that will sell in Urban Outfitters!
I think you catch my drift . . . if you want to write the Great American Novel, I have no advice, just good for you, and good luck.
Sounds like a fun day ! And such a good son to help out; my daughter would probably help me just so that something completely embarrassing wouldn’t show up publicly with me announcing “hi, I’m Liz’s mom, look what I’ve done !!”
And I echo all the other questions about book trailers; can’t wait to see it.
Lassie, a crack whore…wow, those Boston Terriers can act!
So I’m thinking a book trailer is like those James Patterson promos on TV. It promotes his latest mystery with a short dramatic build showing an unknown actor and announcing “in stores soon.”
Oh, and Sandra, I’m still laughing… “radicchio” sent my Diet Dr. Pepper through my nose.
Such lovely people comment on Ann’s blog. I think you’re all the finest blog readers that ever were! Kudos to you!
Oh dear, I just realized my first comment about Julie’s dogs was a bit off.
Original post:
“I think Julie’s pups knew they *wee* in the limelight and they were determined to bask in it!”
I meant to say they knew they *were* in the limelight. Although they may wee in the limelight, when you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go.
I for one am going to pre-order Julie’s book for my mom’s Christmas gift, she’s going to love it.
PS – I am cracking myself up over my typo…lack of sleep.
Kace, you crack me up!
Okay, you all have confirmed what I have long suspected. Nobody looks at book trailers except people connected to the publishing business. Seriously, the only people I know that have ever seen a book trailer are authors, editors and agents.
BUT THAT’S ABOUT TO CHANGE!
In answer to Aislinn’s question, what generally happens is that the book trailer is posted on YouTube. Then the author gets everybody he or she knows to looks at it. The author looks at it a lot. The author’s agent looks at it once and if she has a good editor he or she will look at it once and then email somebody in marketing about it. But generally it’s authors who look at them. They look at their own and they look at other authors trailers to compare them with their own. Then they call/tweet/text email their friends and tell them to look at the trailer and they hope that their friends will be so impressed with the trailer that they will tell everybody they know about it and then it’ll go viral and get 1,000,000 views. But that never happens.
But that was before the Julie Klam trailer.
I do have to say that I’m sort of perplexed by how to get people to view your videos on YouTube. I see the lamest clips – like a kitten yawning, and there will be 12,000 views. Then a video of mine, posted on a day that I’ve had several thousand blog visitors, might have 100 views. And after weeks of being posted, just a few hundred. So I know that the majority of people who read my blog don;t view the videos. Also, I think I’m not tagging them right or something. And I don’t allow comments on YouTube so that might limit the views. I think some people comment and then go back again and again to read others’ comments.
I’ve pre-order Julie’s book on Amazon. It’s a gift for my sister, but I’ll pre-read it to be sure it’s safe.
Ann, I watch your videos here on the Blog, not on youtube – so my hits wouldn’t count or would they?
Ann, I’m not a stranger to book trailers – Katie MacAlister, another one of my fave authors, has done them for years and sent to anyone and everyone on her email list. They’re very simple but have all the key info – release date, publisher, and a teaser as to what the book’s about. (I know you already know what that it entails, but that’s pretty much what’s covered in hers.) And there’s usually some man candy in there too for good measure. But, she’s the only author I follow who sends out trailers – so far.
My Youtube videos are hit or miss too, and I don’t allow comments either – although my audience is nowhere near as large as yours! And I also don’t have a cute dog who can balance on balls or dash past Daphne the beauty…
What I’m surprised by is which books become huge seller, and which don’t. The deal with James Patterson is that he made the decision to pay for his own TV commercials when he was first trying to brand himself.
Oh! Just had a great idea for Julie’s book release! She could do a book signing party, have it at a dog friendly park, and invite folks to bring their own dogs. Us dog people love any chance to get our dogs invited to a party! I know it could turn into a mad house, but I also know that some of us here would volunteer to help out. This may be one of my crazy ideas, but I’m game!
Oh, and we could send out press releases, maybe get the LX New York people to come cover it. Oh, and the Conn. Live people that seem to love Ann!!
Then we’ll have Jack there to shoot the crazy party and put that on YouTube!! And Jack will become famous before he’s finished school! Too much??
Oh boy. How does anyone make it to the Bestsellers List with all those obstacles. My first attempt would be Oprah. She loves dogs, as most of us know. Send her the book. I’m sure the publisher has already figured that out, mind you. Then, how about an ad on Animal Planet? How about carrying the book in Petco? How does one get the NY Times book review’s attention? So much to think about. Infomercials? HSN? QVC? Julie needs exposure! I think Youtube is a great way to go, but the only way I find great video clips is when someone emails them to me. I never go on Youtube. So, could we start a mass email with a link to the trailer? I’ve got a zillion shipping clients who I could email. Lots of British folks – they love dogs, and the French, well they bring their dogs to restaurants. I think I’m on to something here…
KC, I’ve never wee’d in the limelight, but I’m pretty sure I wee’d outside the Limelight. It was 1985. I was waiting for a cab. Too many Miller Lights.
I can have my mom plug it on her Sheltie Forum! Oh Julie, you have groupies. I’m sure you did already though.
Aislinn…..me too. I knew we were related. Although it wasn’t 1985, it was 2005, and….ahem. Limelight has seen the last of us (and everyone else since it closed!).
KC, great idea. Julie is a member of a Boston Terrier rescue organization – that’s really a major part of her book. She’s the one who rescued the abused pit bull and drove it up here. So spread the word to all rescue people! She’s a doggy super-hero!
I don’t know Ann, maybe name your video “Robert Pattinson Peeing” That should do the trick.
Okay, I have another idea. You know how when Ann is giving away signed copies of her books for prizes for anything, people really respond. If Julie could get a copy of her book, you guys could have some sort of contest here on the blog, and the prize would be a copy of the galley before the release date. I still like my dog park idea. I swear we could get media coverage for that.
I am not going to spend all night watching book trailers!!! That said, I did enjoy the one for “A Common Pornography”.
Ann, you might want to take an informal poll on how many people actually click on your links that lead (in this entry) to one of your vintage posts, Julie’s book page, a NYTimes article about Book Trailers, the Moby’s, and finally another one of your posts featuring Ghost Girl.
I’ll speak for myself, and say I usually read what you’ve written, do not redirect myself as you suggest, and spew forth comments without fully grasping your intent.
I’m going to guess that is a pretty common reaction. That’s life – people (okay ME) take what they want out of whatever, and generally make jackasses of themselves. Maybe dogs aren’t so different . . .
Can Julie’s dogs woof to Trololo? I’d watch that. Can they do something that would be shown on America’s Funniest Home Videos? Do they like Martinis?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKRpvhdpZKs
Of course, humans are the funniest drunks of all -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFZgqCt24Js
I’m still away from home and thus still challenged in terms of computer time, but I’ve been frantically trying to keep up with Ann’s posts and everyone’s comments over the past weeks, and I’m enjoying it so much. Whether weeing in the limelight or weeing in front of the Limelight, you all are a hoot!
And Cynthia, Aislinn, KC, etc., you all have such great ideas for promoting Julie’s book. On my end, I’ll check in with the office tomorrow and make sure it gets in the lineup for good review coverage in the AKC magazines. And I especially love the dog-park idea — what a fun photo op that would be!
Speaking of whether people click on the links in Ann’s posts, I confess that I don’t always have the time to do so. But I’m always glad when I do — as tonight, when clicking on the link to the NY Times piece about book trailers, which led me to click on the following link.
I highly recommend taking a few minutes to listen to this lovely piece about the special power of female friendships, by author Kelly Corrigan. I’d never heard of her, but because of seeing this clip I want to read her book.
Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNY8KL_YSlc
xoxo, you all
I can’t wait to see the trailer, and read the book, although I am just as curious to see the episode of Lassie in which she plays a crack whore who encounters Ghost Girl. Aislinn’s comment about weeing outside the Limelight brought me back to the early 80s when I was in a rock choir and we performed there. Has anyone been in there lately? Isn’t is a bunch of fancy food stands now?
Dead End Gene Pool (not to forget the last book Ann was talking about before Woof) is really funny. Wendy Burden tells some outrageous stories about her mother, but also about herself. I haven’t finished it, but so far it’s a little like Eloise on crack.
Arliss, Thanks for sharing that link. I’ve recently started reading Kelly Corrigan’s work, thanks to Lisa who recommended The Middle Place. It’s a great book. She beautifully captures her and her father’s struggles with cancer in a powerful and real and often times good humored narrative. For those who have been touched by cancer or are looking for an inspirational story, I’d highly recommend this book.
Cynthia, I love your idea of a book signing/trailer party in a dog friendly park. If that doesn’t pan out, I say we simply have our next get together in a dog friendly park. Maybe sometime this fall?
Why not allow comments on videos? I don’t think anyone would have anything bad to say about adorable doggies and horsies and ghost girls!
looking forward to seeing the trailer and reading the book. i love the idea of giving it as a gift, too – hope we can get the divine ms. klam to do a book signing!!
. with me, it was more like *weed* and the limelight a million years ago!!
arliss, kelly corrigan is an incredible writer – funny, real, self-deprecating…. and ‘the middle place’ is one of my favorite books (so glad colleen loved it!). her writing reminds me of ann’s in the best possible way.
kc – i saw the ‘wee’ comment yesterday, but didn’t want to point it out
I think Oprah is the key, and honestly I will never understand the Oprah thing. I’ve never watched her, ever. I’ve worked my whole adult life, therefore have never had nothing better to do at 4pm (or whenever she is, or was?) on — so I’ll never know her strange power.
She is not a traditionally attractive woman, she’s never been married or had kids, she doesn’t sing, dance, or tell jokes — she is, as they say — an anomaly. I guess.
Whatever she is, she is apparently very powerful — so get on Oprah, and the book should be golden.
Boston “Terrorists”, not terriers….
Boston “Terrorists.” I like that!
Lisa – lol @”weed”.
This blog is chock full of funny people. I love it!
Hi! Sorry to post something totally off topic, but many of you have been nice enough to follow my friend’s daughter Lindsay down in Florida that had a Brain Anuersym (9 year old twin). GREAT NEWS: Lindsay is going HOME tomorrow! Thank you ALL for your prayers. Continue to follow her at http://www.caringbridge.org Lindsayx THANKS!! (and sorry to interrupt the other postings but I just had to tell you all)
Wonderful, wonderful news !!!!
Oh Tammy, that’s AMAZING news. Wonderful
I was chased down the hallway by those terriers! Julie opened the door and they flew out, and I was like “oh shit” but she was like “Eh, they do that all the time.” I kept getting their names wrong because dammit, they all look the same. Violet kept having to correct me.
They are way better behaved than my dog, Shea. My dad got her because she’s an IRISH Wheaten Terrier. As soon as they mentioned that she descends from the same country as my dead grandparents, I could swear he got teary-eyed. Then he demanded a Jameson.
The dog is insane and LOUD, so I guess she’s a purebred Irish like the rest of the family.