So when my author buddy Frankie Diane Mills told me about her 3rd annual No Kiss Blogfest, I thought, “hey, why not?”

So, I am going to share with you an almost smoochie scene.  Be gentle with me, readers.

The branches parted for her, leading her way through the thick walls of forestry. The woods held her hand and guided her in, and through and to him  The wind carried her. The beaten paths un-curved and roots retreated back into the ground easing her way.  Sia found herself by the bend in the river. The water licking her way up the shore and up Alden’s legs that were dipped into the edges of the water.

The sun was retreating behind the hills –wrapping itself in its own personal blanket. Reading the land for sleep as well as it darkened. Alden would have only a few more moments left to draw and she hated to interrupt him. He looked so beautiful with a sketchpad in hand, his teeth biting his lower lip in concentration.

She knew he wouldn’t hear her, even without her invisibility. He wouldn’t hear her feet shuffle on the ground. He wouldn’t hear her heavy breathing from the hike over the hills to the river. He was too far gone into his masterpiece to notice.

She walked behind him and took off the spell. She leaned over him and whispered, knowing this he would hear.

“Draw me.” She whispered, her breath hot on his ear. He hadn’t heard her approach so he stiffened but didn’t move to turn.  He just tilted his head back to look at her  bending over him.

So close that he could have touched her.

 So close that he could have felt her breath on his face.

So close that they could have kissed.

But instead Sia heard his pencil move as it scratched its way up and down the paper. The pencil moved circles and lines across the page.  But his eyes strayed from her. They just raked over her face, memorizing her features. Sia didn’t dare move her body from the close proximity to his. She just placed her hand on his shoulder to brace herself and closed her eyes. She could almost feel his eyes on her. This close she could feel his body’s pull to hers.

He licked his lips, “Don’t move,” was all he said as the  sun fell and the night cloaked them further into darkness. Unable to touch her –yet  –only being able to draw her on his page. A page he could touch.

Sia resisted the urge to touch him. Though it would futile. She wouldn’t feel him for a few more days. She wanted to put her hands in his hair. To pull him into her. To have his mouth hot on hers.

It was such a painful ache  that she tried to quench it –ignore it, hide it –as Alden drew in the dark, his eyes never leaving her. Eyes that sought out her secrets. Her thoughts. Her whole being. He wanted to find her.

But Sia wasn’t ready for that. “Alden, we must stop. It’s too dark for you to even see the page.”

“Nonesense.” He wouldn’t be deterred so easily.

So Sia flopped in his lap, encircling his neck in her arms. Finally getting close to him.

“You are such a distraction,” he laughed.

“A good distraction, I hope.”

“Definitely good.” He nuzzled her neck. Wishing he could feel her. They had this gravitational pull two bodies had when skin was next to skin but the feeling of the touch was lost. A fathom of a caress. 

Sia hummed in his ear. Content to just be there with him. In his arms.

“Alden…” He looked up at her with eyes that shined  for her. Even in the dark.

She kissed him.

But like the empty way one falls in a dream so was her kiss. Seen. Heard. But not felt.

Only emptiness.

Unfeeling.

It’s a thrilling book, what Kirkus recently called “A riveting tale of family ties, friendship and community loyalty,” with a strong, female heroine that many readers are already falling in love with.

And what bestselling author, Kimberly Derting, author of THE BODY FINDER and THE PLEDGE, calls “Grace is a spunky, independent, nature girl who doesn’t need a boy to save her. With wilderness survival, a juicy love triangle, and more twists and turns than a roller coaster, this fast-paced novel had me holding my breath until the very last page—and still begging for more!”

I am thrilled to share with you the cover for Shelli’s UNTRACEABLE…

So follow Kirkus’ recommendation and get yourself a copy this week, Nov 28th! (ISN’T THAT EXCITING??)

I have been doing photography ever since I can remember. And have been shooting professionally since High School.

A few years back I fell into book trailers (quite literally actually, but that’s a story for another time).  And while I have loved and adored every minute of the book trailer production process I have always held a special place for  photography in my heart. After all, when I first did trailers they were solely made up of photographs. Eventually I evolved into doing more live action filming, but still managed to always do stills and some sort of photography.

But I am so excited to share with you this week a cover (and some non-covers) that I shot and designed based on SR Johannes’ upcoming ebook, UNTRACEABLE. Check into Novel Novice’s blog all this week to see what covers we DID NOT choose and on Friday, what we DID pick to grace the cover of UNTRACEABLE.

NovelNovice Day 1 & Day 2

Shelli’s sneak peek behind the scenes of a cover shoot

Add UNTRACEABLE to your Goodreads

*Book trailer campaigns are a methodical way of not just bringing awareness to the book via a book trailer and content but…

*A way of teasing the book trailer that is teasing the book.

*Could include book teasers, teaser videos, author videos, photos, behind the scenes, etc.

*A good way to get people interested, excited and eventually talking.

Bottom line is by creating a plan and great content around it you’ll engage your fan base, gain a larger fan base, and by doing that you’ll get people interested in your book more so then if you had JUST a book or JUST an author video or JUST a book trailer, alone.

For example. recently I came across Hodder Stoughton’s really cool “campaign” (At least I think it’s a campaign) for Laini Taylor’s DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE. I had seen bloggers get some cool packages leading up to an ARC mailing and then these cool trailers:

Team that up with a great and involved FB page and Twitter account and  you get people excited and a place for them to talk.

Granted, these campaigns have a team from the publisher working to come up with a plan and implement it. Marketing isn’t an easy job and those who’ve I’ve worked with are my rock stars. They work tirelessly and around the clock not just one ONE book but many books and many imprints and to be honest they deserve a round of applause. Like, every day.

But they also can’t do it all. There’s so many books and so many opportunities and sometimes it’s just not possible for every book to get a book trailer much less a campaign. I’ve been lucky enough to work on and have fun with a few books and their “campaigns.” Like last year’s BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS campaign which I work with the authors to design and implement. Also work with S&S and Cassandra Clare on CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS (the link shows some of the videos we did and not the overall plan that originated with the publisher).

Recently I worked with author Kody Keplinger to come up with a campaign for her sophomore novel SHUT OUT. (clicky link to see the rough outline of what we did). We used social media as much as we can (because, how can you not?) via teasers on twitter of pictures from the book trailer shoot or stills from the trailer. Kody made sure to post teasers from the book every day to introduce certain elements and the characters from the book, because really, that’s the most important thing in this whole equation. Over all, we had fun and gave away prints every day, some ARCs and a big giveaway at the end with the reveal of the trailer. Also, my favorite part -secret scenes she posted on her blog and a video of that scene (see the scenes and trailer).

As I mentioned earlier, marketing teams at the publishing houses are awesome and do so much but can’t do it all. So I can be a second pair of hands or even a helping hand (if that isn’t too self-assuming)…

-That means that if you book a trailer with me now through October (authors and publishers are welcome) you’ll get entered to win an EXTENSIVE campaign designed by me in collaboration with you (and your publisher).

-Meaning, we’ll come up with ways to do teasers in a new and cool way, maybe even extra videos… basically totally custom ideas for how to get your book’s trailer and your book to go go further.

-The more people that you tell, the better your chances are of getting one, because there’s a chance I can add a second winner.

-Those who book a trailer, automatically get bumped up from basic package to the GOLD one where you’ll get more use of my network to promote the book. (Pricing and Packages available upon request)

So, if you have questions, email me. If you want to know more, email me. If you want to book a trailer, email me. (email: vlcphotoproductions[at]gmail.com)

Keep in mind that your book DOES NOT have to come out anytime soon, not even this year. I will take books up until May.  I am felxible and I want to work with you to make this as easy as possible for you. Just ask Kody!

Everyone else, comment below and let me know what you think, have you seen any successful book campaigns?

So check out our schedule of madness, I mean sexy time goodness and mark it in your calenders. To give you a taste of what we have in store, here’s a photo from the shoot.

Aug. 26th- Days Theme: LISSA
Quotes from Lissa on Kody’s blog + one of the photos.
Other photos of Lissa tweeted using the #ShutOutTrailer hashtag throughout the day.
One signed print given away on twitter.

Aug 27th- Day’s Theme: THE PACT
The oath excerpt on Kody’s blog + stills from the shoot of girls making the pact with the Cosmo
Extra stills tweeted throughout the day using the #ShutOutTrailer hashtag
One signed print given away on twitter.

Aug 28th- Day’s Theme: CHLOE
Quotes from Chloe + photo still of Chloe on Kody’s blog
Extra photos of Chloe tweeted throughout day with #ShutOutTrailer hashtag
One signed print given away on twitter.

Aug 29th- Day’s Theme: RANDY
Quotes from Randy + photo still of Randy on Kody’s blog
Extra stills tweeted throughout day using #ShutOutTrailer hashtag
One signed print given away on twitter.

Aug 30th-Day’s theme: CASH
Quotes from Cash + photo still on Kody’s blog
Extra stills tweeted throughout the day using #ShutOutTrailer hashtag
One signed print given away on twitter.

Aug 31st- Day’s Theme: LIBRARY SCENE
Short excerpt from the novel featuring the “library scene” + the short video scene on Kody’s blog
Clip + link to excerpt tweeted throughout day with #ShutOutTrailer hashtag.

Sept. 1st- Day’s Theme: STAR GAME
Short excerpt from “The Star Game” scene + video clip of the scene on Kody’s blog
Clip + link to excerpt tweeted throughout day with #ShutOutTrailer hashtag

Sept 2nd-PREMIERE
The trailer will premier on The Story Siren’s blog.
Trailer will be tweeted throughout the day with #ShutOutTrailer hashtag and for those who have posted it, reposted it, tweeted, of Facebooked it can have a chance at winning Shut Out Trailer shoot prints.
FINAL GIVEAWAY PRIZE: A SHUT OUT gym bag filled with goodies – including a signed copy of SHUT OUT, other ARCs, soccer and football themed goodies, and prints from the shoot.

Follow Kody’s blog for more details and don’t miss out on this fun.

So what is a book trailer?

Book trailers are a form of video that aims to promote a book, usually it’s for the young adult genre, but not limited to. Think movie trailer but for books (and on smaller budgets). Book trailers are meant to enhance the book. What I mean by that is that, that book trailers shouldn’t be the words from the jacket flap summary. It shouldn’t be just the cover animated. It should tease the book before its release. It should be something that the reader can’t get by looking at the book, googling it, or looking at the cover.

Book trailers are meant to get people excited about a book. Get people talking about the book before it’s release. No different then what movie trailers do for movies.

One thing that I see many readers and fans comment on is that the book trailers aren’t different enough from a jacket flap. Most likely by the time the book’s trailer comes out they’ve seen the cover and read the summary. Plus it takes less time to read 5 sentences then it is to watch a minute or two long video.

I learned over the months of producing book trailers that readers wanted different. I, as a reader, wanted different. Something to tell me even MORE about the book.

Many of the readers are teens, they have allowances, and they are careful about the books they select to use their money on. Book with trailers already are going to get their attention more so then those that don’t.
But what else does it take to get teens to buy the book?

Well, I put up a survey a few weeks ago and asked many what they do and don’t like about book trailers. While I may or may not agree with some of the comments I loved all the input they gave me. So I will start off a series of BOOK TRAILER posts on facts, do’s and don’ts, likes and dislikes. But it’s not just MY opinion… I want to hear from YOU readers, viewers, fans and buyers of these books.

Tell me…

It’s no secret I am a huge Cassandra Clare fan and by default a Jace fangirl so we’re giving away a slew of goodies…

Set of signed books
Clockwork Angel pendant
Any piece of jewelry they want from the Hebelmet store
A silver South Carolina bookplate
signed poster

AND Cassie will tease a SCENE… so make sure to vote on what you want to see tomorrow.

BUT here’s the catch. In order for us to give away all this stuff you JACE MUST WIN and in order for you to be entered you must tweet, FB or somehow share tomorrow’s match. Comment below with a link to your TOURNEY match shoutout to  be entered.

Follow me, @VLC_Photo and @cassieclare, for updates and tweets.

THIS IS INTERNATIONAL so don’t miss your chance on winning great stuff.

Now go forth and find friends to vote for you!

I am dedicated to bringing the best to you all and only way is if you tell me what works and doesn’t work. And harsh, real and truthful criticism is the only way I can learn.

So don’t hold back. Tell me what you really think. The survey is anonymous so I won’t know who says what and the more specific you can be the better!

Once I get 200 replies on the survey I’ll hold a contest for an ARC of FOREVER by Maggie Stiefvater!I know you want it, so if you or your friends have ever watched a book trailer, send them to this survey! I’ll greatly appreciate it!

If you’re following my blog you’ll know that I am hosting some of my authorly friends and authors whose books I love and want to recommend to YOU (if you haven’t read it,yet!)

So I’m having the authors tell us what they like to read, wish they could write, and what they have loved recently! AND at the end I’ll be giving away a mystery box of books that I am recommending to you!

So far we’ve had Carrie Ryan, Cassandra Clare, Kami Garcia, Suzanne Young, Kendare Blake, Victoria Schwab and Tabitha Suzuma. Go back and comment on the previous posts and tell us what you think of their recommendations. Have you read them? Want to read them? What do you recommend?

So if you want to get entered to WIN this BOX OF BOOKS, comment on the next few posts, too,  and make sure to follow this blog so you don’t miss anything because who knows what I’ll do next!

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Today I have the wonderful Nova Ren Suma. Nova’s book was one that I fell in love with at first glance at that gorgeous cover! But liking how someone looks is different then dating and boy did I want to date this beauty! IMAGINARY GIRLS is just as gorgeous as the cover and is full of dark deliciousness. It’s haunting and mysterious with a dash of alluring. There’s not much else I can tell you in fear of spoiling this book, but trust me when I say you all need to EXPERIENCE it.

Q: What kind of books do you like reading? Do you read in your genre?

The YA novels I write play with magical realism—they’re set in the here and now with a fantastical, otherworldly twist—but lately looking back I guess I’ve been reading mostly contemporary realistic and dystopian. The thing is, I don’t like to think about genre. I don’t care so much about where in the store a book will be shelved, but what I do care about as a reader is voice. The novels I like—the novels I love—are many times novels with strong first-person voices: YA novels of any genre, adult literary fiction, short story collections… If you swallow me up in a memorable, original voice from page one, you probably have me for good.

There were two novels I finished recently in which I paused and actively said to myself, “I wish I wrote this book.” Or, more forcefully, “WHY can’t you write a book like this!”

The first is BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray: such a funny, moving, important and transcendent book. I admire the depth of her imagination and her skill at weaving together so many characters and perspectives. I wish I could do something like that. Now, I’m sure a lot of us walk around wishing we could borrow Libba Bray’s mind for a week of writing. Even a day would help. But, as a reader, I’m just glad she keeps a hold of it so she can write books like this for us.

And the second, a book I just finished, is THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin, which comes out this fall. As I was reading I found myself longing to be able to write something this exciting, sexy, twisted, and utterly surprising. I also love her title. As soon as I saw the words THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER, I knew it was a book for me. I saw that title and admonished myself: “WHY can’t you think up an awesome title like that!”

I’d love to write a dystopian novel. I know, I know—everyone who follows trends will say it’s too late. I wish I had the kind of imagination to twist and reimagine the world like that. I’ve also been known to long to write a short story collection, a screenplay, and a historical adult novel set in New York City, the city where I live that endlessly fascinates me.

I haven’t blurbed a book yet. When I do, you’ll know it’s something I loved to desperation.

Here are two books that are coming out soon that I highly recommend—due to voice and searing subject matter… and due to the fact that I completely connected with them:

CLEAN by Amy Reed, coming out this month, is such an honest, moving, hopeful novel about a group of teens in an addition recovery center. I’m also a devoted fan of her debut novel BEAUTIFUL, which is one of my favorite YA novels… ever. I have a feeling I’m going to be following Amy Reed’s career for a long time to come.

And then the last book I’ll leave you with is the utterly brilliant BROOKLYN, BURNING by Steve Brezenoff—about love, music, and accepting who you are—which comes out this September. This book! This book changed me as a person. It’s my favorite novel of 2011 so far. I want to run around shoving it into everyone’s hands, asking strangers to read it. So please read it, okay?

So I’m having an author tell us what they like to read, wish they could write, and what they have loved recently! AND at the end I’ll be giving away a mystery box of books that I am recommending to you!

So far we’ve had Carrie Ryan, Cassandra Clare, Kami Garcia, Suzanne Young, Kendare Blake and Victoria Schwab. Go back and comment on the previous posts and tell us what you think of their recommendations. Have you read them? Want to read them? What do you recommend?

So if you want to get entered to WIN this BOX OF BOOKS, comment on the next few posts, too,  and make sure to follow this blog so you don’t miss anything because who knows what I’ll do next!

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Have you heard of Tabitha’s books? Well dear readers you need to get acquainted with her and her writing. The stories she tells, and the subject matter is edgy and dark and difficult and you will cry your eyes out but it’s so worth it! I LOVED Tabitha’s FORBIDDEN and you need to fall in love with it too!

Q: What kind of books do you like reading? Do you read in your genre?

Although I write young adult fiction, I don’t read as much of it as I probably should. I mainly read adult fiction and memoirs. I am particularly drawn to books with a psychological slant or to memoirs written by people who have gone through some kind of mental illness. I have suffered from severe chronic depression all my life and all my books feature, to some extent, problems of the mind. Two of my favourite books are memoirs, both written by psychiatrists who themselves have suffered from a mental health condition: An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison, and Undercurrents by Martha Manning.

Q: What book do you wish you had written?