Dear Readers,
The hour is come. Forged in the furnaces of imagination, shaped with half a dozen artificer’s tools. The choicest offering I have for you in the launch sequence: the Amanda Cadabra and Twilight Toxin Trailer.
Want to cut to the chase and see the video? Click here. Or are you curious about how a thrilling 60-second promise of literary delights to come was cunningly wrought? If the latter, read on.
Awaiting Inspiration
‘Did it form in my mind during the writing of the book?’  you may wonder. How and when do these things work? No, during the penning, it hadn’t come yet. How about during the editing process? No. I was still waiting. As soon as the construction of the launch machine began? No. But I knew better than to be in the least bit anxious because I knew as surely as I know that the next book or plot or piece of dialogue or humorous anecdote will come. And sure enough, it did. And it all began with. …
The Script
This is like a sequential list of highlights or intriguing hints or emotional pivot points. For a video of less than a minute, it needs to be between 12 and 18 lines say. So few? Yes, because each clip or still needs to be on the screen long enough for the viewer to take it in and read the captions, plus space at the end for two important things. More of that later.
The script arrived. Suddenly, I felt it coming, dashed frantically for the desk, fired up WordPress and pattered away with creative fervour. Within seconds, there it was. It needed honing, some rephrasing, but I had it. The script, with mental images of what visuals were needed expressed as notes beside each line.
The art of the trailer script, in my experience, is to say just enough, offering just sufficient of a taster without a hint of a spoiler. It is a fine and precarious line. Once you’ve seen it and read the book, could you let me know what your experience was? That way, I can make the next one even more enjoyable for you.
The Cast
Otherwise known as Clips and Stills. On this, I bring to bear the power of Brit low-budget productions. What is lacking in funds is made up for by ingenuity, craft and possibly graft! Â Pending future wealth when I shall access the video vault of the likes of Getty and Shutterstock, I rely on Creative Commons banks of talented voluntary offerings. The budget consists of a subscription to the one I affectionately dubbed MJ and see as a 4- year-old prodigy of a cute robot with a paintbrush, otherwise known as Midjourney (AI creator of images in response to written prompts) and a special offer bundle of images from posh photo bank Deposit Photos. (like getting a voucher for Fortnum and Mason!)
Beginners, Places Please
Auditioning and assembling the cast of video clips, photos and MJ-conjured images is a lengthy and energy-consuming stage, with different levels of fun, peaking when you strike a rich seam. However, it is rare to find an image that doesn’t require editing, sometimes extensive. Clips are the best option, but a combination of a still and clip can work admirably too.
By the way, if you are in the early stages of creating your own book trailers and would like some personal advice, do drop me a line, and I shall do my best to point you in the directions  that I have found helpful.
And so, roles cast, that is, the visuals laid down on the timeline of CapCut (I used to use iMovie, and there are other good choices out there, no doubt), it is time to add the captions. And this is where the room, in terms of seconds, is required: the credits. Now, for Creative Commons/public domain/open source, depending on your choice of label, clips and images usually no accreditation is required.
Credits. Why Bother?
So why do it? Because it feels good to appreciate and it feels good to be appreciated, doesn’t it? If those amateurs and generous professional photographers hadn’t taken the time to be in that place at that time with the camera they had invested in, then I wouldn’t have that gorgeous, clever or moving photo to download. Including their name in the credits is a small way to thank them and let you see what that photographer can do, especially if you would like to make your own videos.
Finally, the crucial final slide. To let readers know where they can get the book.
And We’re Done?
Not quite. What is a film without a little … music? Now, in the past, I tended to use a particular piece in each trailer. However, it is the Sunken Madley (our heroine’s English village) theme, and this book takes Amanda, her irascible feline familiar and the intrepid Insect Trelawney to the wilds of Cornwall.
Consequently, something new was needed. It wasn’t in my own catalogue, but I could hear and feel the tune in my head. What I needed was a willing composer. An affordable one. Free even, and such a thing comes in the form of an AI musical specialist on the CapCut app I use for assembly video (personally highly recommended by teenagers expert in creating visuals for TikTok. I took their advice seriously and am so glad I did)
It took a few goes to create the impish piece I had in mind, but as soon as I heard it, on attempt 9, I knew it was the One. Let’s see if you agree!
Finished?
Not quite. ‘What more could you possibly have to do? ‘I hear you ask. The final touch: time the changes from one clip or image to the next with the music! This gives the emotional punctuation that brings the video to life, gives it the energy, the emotional terrain and builds to a (hopefully) delightful and thrilling conclusion.
The Final Touch?
Almost. There was one last piece missing. One I couldn’t find or make. I just had to wait. For what? For the cover illustration. I knew it would come, that it would come at the ideal moment and that it would be perfect. Meanwhile, yes, I had finished the landscape version of the video ideal for YouTube and Facebook, but …. for Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok fans? It needed to be adapted from short and wide to tall and slim, in other words, portrait. Something of a labour of love, but you, my dear readers, are worth it, and more.
Screening … Now. Please Take Your Seat
At last then … as the velvet curtains move apart, the lights dim, the rustle of popcorn stills, the chatter falls silent, here, I bring you Amanda Cadabra and Twilight Toxin Trailer in your choice of orientation.
https://amandacadabra.com/twilight-toxin-trailer/
I sincerely hope you enjoyed that! Please let me know what you thought. I love to know.
Next Time
Back with the last reveal before the grand finale: my reading of Chapter 1 on a video with suitably intriguing visuals …. Oh yes, and the title of the book that will be free to download on Launch Day.
See you soon, and in the meantime,
Happy watching,
Holly
PS If you want to start the series now:
