June 8, 2008
Watch This Book
In a book industry flooded with titles and facing sluggish sales, a growing number of authors are going to dramatic lengths to attract attention. The latest tactic: producing and starring in zany videos aimed at the YouTube audience. The Wall Street Journal reports.
"Publishing houses strongly encourage the practice, though some authors find the videos undignified. Thriller writer Vince Flynn says he felt "like a dork" when he recently recorded a book trailer in Central Park. "I know a lot of old-school writers resent it," says Paul Aiken, executive director of the Authors Guild. "But it might help sell books".
... There is scant evidence, however, that the average book trailer actually has much impact on book sale.
"In some cases, we don't even expect it to increase sales at all," says Carolyn K. Reidy, president and CEO of Simon & Schuster, which has doubled its investment in video content since it started making trailers last year. "It's almost a gift to the audience, and hopefully it makes them buy the next book."
[via The Wall Street Journal]
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