With so many media to choose from, it is increasingly difficult for writers to reach readers of any age. But as they say, if you can´t beat them, join them, and one way to do that is with a book video.

Only serious readers check the book review columns, while more casual readers base their choices on the personal endorsement of TV shows. The Book Clubs started by Oprah Winfrey in the USA and by Richard & Judy in the UK have both started a reading frenzy with publishers fighting to get their authors on these Book Club lists.

Even if you don´t have the marketing budget of HarperCollins, you can still get in front of millions of potential customers. A website is considered essential these days, but driving customers to one is a tricky task, especially for first-time and self-published authors. But if you have a book video, you can post it on YouTube and lead the masses to your site.

I came across book videos by accident and was instantly converted. I couldn´t wait to have a go at writing one. As luck would have it, Canadian writer Marvin L. Zimmerman was looking for a book video for his first book, an exciting eco-thriller, and I knew a Canadian director, Douglas Thompson, who had already made one. Within a short span of time we had the script drafted and video made. The video for The Ovum Factor is a high-end example of a book video, but it is possible to create a successful selling tool for a range of budgets. All that is required is visual imagination and the ability to draw people into a story without giving the plot away.

Finally, just to prove that book videos do work: when we had finished the final edit of The Ovum Factor, I asked my class if they´d like to see it. They were only too happy to oblige, as it meant a break from discussing forms of composition. As the credits rolled, one girl exhaled loudly, as though shocked by herself, ¨I´d read that!¨ she yelled in my ear. Writers, I rest my case.

You can watch the book video of The Ovum Factor by Marvin L. Zimmerman at www.theovumfactor.com

About Elle McKenzie
Elle is the author of several books published by Hamlyn (UK) under the name Eleanor McKenzie. For many years she worked in advertising at J. Walter Thompson in London and now works as a freelance writer/editor of scripts, features and advertising copy. She also teaches English part-time at an International school in Spain, where she lives. Contact Elle at ellemckenzie@hotmail.com

About Douglas Thompson
Douglas is an experienced film director and has made numerous music videos, commercials and feature films. He has also directed a book video for the young adult book, Leonardo´s Shadow, which you can see at www.leonardosshadow.com
Contact Douglas at directordouglas@gmail.com