Official Trailer of THE PRIME WAY PROGRAM: BE THE VICTOR

WRITE NOW: All-Day Teen Writer's Workshop with YA Authors, Tessa Emily Hall & Caroline George

Saturday, October 8 at 10:30 AM - 3:30.

202 East Greenville Street, Anderson, SC 29621

*** Registration closes 10/7. Email TessaEmilyHall@gmail.com to register and reserve your spot today! ***

YA authors, Tessa Emily Hall and Caroline George, will hold an all-day informative and interactive workshop for writers.

Be inspired as they share their experience of being published as a teen. Learn how you can apply techniques to your writing that will impress an agent or publisher. Discover secrets that will enable you to come across as a professional and increase your chances of publication.

With more than six years in the industry, Tessa and Caroline have learned from professionals through attending over thirteen writing conferences combined. They have spoken to young people of all ages, encouraging them to tap into their potential and pursue their unique calling.

Aspiring authors will come away from this workshop with new ideas for their stories, as well as step-by-step guidelines that will launch their writing journey.

9 Steps to Creating a High-Quality Book Trailer with a Low Price Tag

It is extremely possible to create a high-quality book trailer with a low price tag. Many authors are intimidated by the task, mainly because they are afraid of the financial investment and workload.

Over the course of the past few months, I have worked to produce a book trailer for The Prime Way Program: Be the Victor. Overall, I spent around $300 to produce a full-length, cinematic book trailer with a full cast and crew. We filmed for fourteen hours, in six locations.

In this post, I will share the 9 Steps to Creating a High-Quality Book Trailer with a Low Price Tag. I’ve implemented all of these steps while being a full-time college student, author, and Harper Collins intern.

No matter your schedule, you can produce a professional trailer for your book.

1.    Purpose

Decide how you plan to use the trailer and then, decide the format. If you plan to use the trailer at tradeshows and book-signing, a word-focused format might be best. However, if you plan to use it for a social media campaign, consider a more cinematic approach.

A few years ago, I hired a videographer to create a book trailer for my speaking engagements.

It was a simple trailer that incorporated text, images, and music to portray the overall plot of my book. Because I plan to rebrand my trilogy and begin a social media advertising campaign, I produced a cinematic trailer to capture my audience.

2.    Write A Screenplay

To those who do not know how to structure a screenplay, this may seem like a daunting task. Begin by choosing the book scenes that most effectively show the plot arch. Ask readers which scenes they remember best. Pick key moments and translate into a script. Minimize dialogue to the maximum of one line per character and instead focus on movement. Also, refer to other screenplays for examples. Research will provide you with the information to properly format and word the screenplay.

3.    Research and Edit

What makes a good trailer is a researched, edited screenplay. Watch other book and film trailers to gain a more intelligible perspective of plot arches. Once you’ve drafted a screenplay, have a variety of people read and review your script and then, make a list of all you will need, costumes, cast members, equipment, number of crew members, etc.

4.    Visionary Crew

Find a key group of people to help you develop your vision for the trailer—I cannot stress enough the importance of this. You want a crew that understands the purpose of your project and are more focused on portfolio building rather than making a profit from the trailer. Of all the people you require for the project, your director is the most vital.

Tyler Traeger, a dear friend of mine and the director of The Prime Way Program book trailer, worked with me to finalize the script and film times. Because of his involvement in the creative process, I trusted his judgment during filming.

5.    Cast

Casting is the step with the longest timeframe since you will be looking for actors willing to work for free. Give yourself enough time to find the perfect cast. Stalking on social media is acceptable for this. Ask around.

I found my cast at school and a rock-climbing gym.

6.    Costuming/Supplies

Goodwill is your best friend. Do not be afraid to ask your cast if they have certain costume pieces. Also, use your own clothes and props.

7.    Locations

Go location scouting and be willing to compromise original vision to fit overall filming process. Look at what you have and see what can be altered to match the screenplay.

8.    Logistics

Logistics and good communication must be your number-one priority. Make a detailed schedule of your filming process and delegate jobs so you can be focused on the filming rather than trying to fill every role. Also, if you have a cast who are offering their time for free, gift them with food, drinks, and thank you presents. Keep the atmosphere positive and encouraging!

9.    Portray Vision

Throughout the filming process, ensure that the cast and crew understand what they’re working to capture, but do this is an affirming manner. And trust the director! Those handling the cameras know what looks good on film.

After working so hard to put together a trailer for your book, show it off! Be like a mom with a newborn baby—post your trailer everywhere.

Many thanks to . . .

Videographers: Tyler Traeger and Christi Deurksen

Actors: Nathan Queen, Leah Sykes, Richard Sowienski, Cristopher Stayton, and Trevor Lovingood

Extras/Crew: Emily Autrey, Elise Boling, Marguerite Baldes, Claudia George, Julie George, Rachel Martin, Palmer Hooks, Peter Atkins, and Parker Anderson

What Agents Don’t Tell You: From Query to Contract

 Have you written a book?

Are you looking for an agent?

As a two-time self-published author now signed with Hartline Literary Agency and past intern of Harper Collins, I have experienced the pros and cons of both traditional and nontraditional publishing.

In this blog post, I will share what agents don’t tell you and offer tips on how to land a contract with an agency.

Agents are the real-estate agents of publishing, acting as the “middle-men” between sellers and buyers, authors and publishers. They add credibility to manuscripts, reducing publishers’ slush piles to a few thousand proposals.

The best ways to land an agent:

Since the emergence of literary agencies, there has been a standard process for querying. Writers send their pitch letters, sometimes the first few pages of their manuscript, to agents and wait up to six-months for a response. If an agent is interested, the author then sends more of the manuscript. This process continues until the interested agent reads the whole book and offers a contract.

Pros of the system: Agents are able to weed out books that aren’t ready for the market, and authors have the ability to query as many agents as desired.

Cons of the system: Many queries and manuscripts are left in an agent’s slush pile, some never to be examined. Those reviewed are strictly analyzed and refused if the structure, word count, etc. are less than optimal. This denies writers the chance to fully present their writing and the marketability of their work.

With such a systematic process in place, how can writers raise their chances of landing agents?

Conferences offer a unique opportunity for writers to have face-to-face interaction with agents and other professionals within the publishing industry. Often, writers are able to schedule time with the faculty to pitch their books. Agents can then put a face to a query letter and are more likely to select the book for representation.

Secret . . .

The key to a successful pitch isn’t scheduling time with an agent and delivering a top-notch hook; it is the connection fused between the writer and the agent.

Tip . . .

When you attend a writers’ conference, focus on genuine relationship building. Connect with other writers and publishing professionals. This will allow you to show your marketability, your book’s overall potential, and most importantly, give you the chance to learn. Ask questions. Listen to what others have to say. Apply the advice presented to you.

By networking, you unlock the second and most secret way to landing an agent.

Word-of-Mouth is a method rarely mentioned by agents but has proven the most successful for me. I pitched at a writers’ conference in New York City and queried over a hundred agents, but I didn’t land a contract with an agency until my close friend, who I met by inquiring about a book review, referred me to her boss/agent. Because of her recommendation, my query was raised to the top of the slush pile and given more notice.

Remember: Who you know is everything.

Build your platform. Befriend others who are more and less experienced. You never know which conversation over a cup of coffee will gift an opportunity.

How to make yourself more appealing to agents:

Professionalism is candy to an agent. When you query, send a proposal, and generally communicate, make sure to be well-informed and respectful. Nothing is more of a turn-off than a sloppy proposal and a nagging, ignorant author.

Do your research—everything you need to know about the submission process can be found online. Edit your work, even your emails. And please, be educated on the publishing industry and current marketplace.

Tips . . .

An agent’s job is to shop your book to publishers, making them your business partner, not your teacher, editor, and confidant. Respect their time and workload, and they will respect you.

Platform is number-one priority to publishers, which gives it extreme importance to agents. Books are a dime-a-dozen, so make your book more than a book. Give it backing. Create a brand for yourself by blogging, being active on social media, etc. And formulate a viable, creative marketing plan for your book.

To express your dreams, you must first express yourself. Readers are more likely to buy a book if they have a connection with the author.

In conclusion, agents and publishers aren’t the formula of a bestselling book, rather they’re the projectors showing your masterpiece on an international screen. You are your book’s greatest advocate. Once you relinquish reliance on the standard system and fight to make your work an asset to the publishing industry, you find your place within it.
Authors, self-published and traditionally-published, are entrepreneurs. Those who treat their writing as a business stand more of a chance at achieving success. 

Announcements:

A Recap of 2015 and a Glimpse at 2016

 

2015 was the most change-filled, rewarding year of my life. During the past twelve months, I had the cover designed for my most recent novel (not an installment of The Prime Way Trilogy), released an EP album on Sound Cloud, graduated from high school, joined author Tessa Emily Hall on a YA book tour, and attended the Writer’s Digest Conference in New York City where I pitched to eight agents. I also moved to Nashville where I began classes at Belmont University, worked as a founding editor for The Belmont Story Review, and reported at the red carpet premiere of Providence.

Many great things happened in 2015, but I have a feeling that 2016 is going to be even more incredible. To make a few announcements….

-        This semester, I’ll be working as a marketing intern for Harper Collins Christian Publishing, specifically their WestBow, Elm Hill, and Author Gateway imprints. I’ve also been offered a part-time publicist position with Faith Flix.

-        The Prime Way Program book 3 will be released Fall 2016. I’m beyond excited about this concluding installment and cannot wait to share it with you.

-        A thematic book trailer for Be The Victor is currently in pre-production and will be released later this year. Unlike the first trailer, it will be scripted and include actors.

-        I’m currently in the querying process for another book, which I plan to traditionally publish.

 

As you can see, a lot is happening. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunities presented and cannot wait to share my experiences with you all.

Thank you for the support, readership, and encouragement.

You made my 2015 great.

 

 

To read an interview I did for Faith Flix Films, click here.

 

 

By: @livia.sketches

 

Waiting for YES

Words of encouragement for those in the midst of rejection.

 

Rejection is blood pumping through the publishing industry’s heart—agents reject authors, publishers reject manuscripts, and stores reject books. Although this is frustrating for writers desiring publication, rejection helps to weed out the “dandelions” from the “roses.” In other words, NO ensures that the best books reach shelves.

Does this mean rejection brands a book as a “dandelion”?

Of course not!

Remember, the publishing industry is based solely on preferences, opinions, and past successes. One agent’s “dandelion” is another’s “rose.”

And let’s be honest; everyone loves to pick a “dandelion” once in a while.

 

 

I am currently in the querying process for my latest book. I’ve sent out close to sixty queries and even though I know the facts, it isn’t easy to check my email and see a rejection letter.

Many of you are in a similar situation. You’re aching for someone to recognize your potential and fall in love with your work. You dream of the day when you’ll check your email and find a YES.

But until that day comes, remember these four things:

1.     It’s not personal.

Agents/Publishers receive hundreds of queries/proposals per week. They have preferences and are looking for ways to cut their slush skyscraper into a manageable pile.

 

2.     Each NO brings you closer to YES.

Crossing an agent or publisher off your list only means you’re approaching a breakthrough.

You can’t find an open “door” until you start knocking.

 

3.     Remember your dream, your passion, and why your book deserves to be read.

It’s easy to become discouraged during the querying process and think of your work as a soulless product to be sold. Fight the urge. Remind yourself why you’re querying, why you decided to write your book, and why it deserves to be read.

 

4.     When the “doors” close, kick one down.

After you’ve extinguished all options, shift your perspective and find new, unconsidered options. Be your own YES. Make your dreams happen.

In publishing, this option is known as self-publishing.

 

 Quoting actor Tom Hanks,

“If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great.”

 

 

 

Student Vs. Author

Prepare. Pause. Patience.

 

I’m currently sitting at a round table in my campus Starbucks, sipping a hazelnut latte, and watching for my coffeehouse crush to stroll through the main door. I love my college. I love Nashville and the opportunities it offers. I love meeting new people, learning about the publishing industry, going to concerts, and dressing like a hipster without shame or reservation.

Although my social life has gained a needed boost from my move, my writing schedule has experienced a major blow. Not a bullet ricochet; a nuclear bombing. The schedule is so meager it consists only of short fiction-writing assignments for my publishing class, blog posts, and the occasional tweet.

So what am I doing now?

School? Exercising at the gym? Drinking lots of coffee?

Yes. Yes. Yes. And more.

I’ve dedicated this school year to querying agents and building my author platform. As of now, I’ve queried fifty agents and am awaiting responses. YES—that’s the word I need to hear.

My odds seem decent at the moment.

For me, the most difficult aspect of the process has been the wait. I trudge through my day and courses, not working on another book, not organizing author events, just doing my student duties and praying that God will open doors at the right time. I have accomplished what I can accomplish at this point in time. Now I must wait. And waiting is hard. Especially for an overly determined person like me.

 

Since many of you are facing a schedule change, I’d like to offer some advice.

1.      Don’t lose sight of your dream.

It’s easy to shift focus when you’re in a new place, surrounded by new people, but you can’t forget your dream. Never forget.

2.      Remind yourself of that paused part of you.

The dream you’ve placed on hold is a slice of your identity. Forgetting it is like forgetting a part of yourself. Talk about your dream with others. Place a visual reminder somewhere in your room to keep that part of you present.

3.      Take a step forward every day, even if it’s small and seems inconsequential.

Make choices daily that will draw you closer to your goal. Practice your talents. Contact people who might be willing to help you reach your dream. The small steps you make will be what carry you to success.

 

If you are encountering a situation similar to mine, tell me about it!

If you have any questions about the publishing industry, college life, or my coffeehouse crush, email me! I’ll post interesting questions and my answers on this blog.

Also, send me a review of THE PRIME WAY PROGRAM and I’ll send you something in return!

Email: authorcarolinegeorge@gmail.com