What making a 50-second trailer taught me about revision:
When I set out to make a book trailer for Love and Other Incurable Ailments, I didn’t expect the hardest part would be deciding when it was finished.
A book trailer is a different kind of storytelling, since it’s built from images, rhythm, and music as much as words. For Love and Other Incurable Ailments, I worked on mine until I thought it was done. Apparently, it wasn’t because I posted it to YouTube and deleted it. Three times! The process reminded me that creative work is always evolving.
The five things I learned about making a trailer along the way:
1. Start with the emotional core, not the plot.
A book trailer isn’t a summary—it’s a visual medium that should create a feeling. Before choosing visuals, I asked: What does this book feel like? Tender? Hopeful? Funny? Mysterious? That emotional tone guided my decisions.
2. Write a short script first.
Even if the trailer is mostly visual, a script helps shape rhythm and intention. Aim for it to be concise, intentional, and centered on the heart of the story.
3. Collaboration makes it stronger.
My amazing Facebook street team (which you can still join, if you’re interested!) helped shape the script, offered feedback on timing, and gave thoughtful suggestions about text readability and the visuals that captivated them or turned them off. Their feedback helped me see what resonated and what needed refining.
4. Sound matters more than you think.
The soundtrack sets tone, and my street team made it clear what they liked and didn’t like.
5. Keep revising.
Like writing, a trailer improves through revision. I adjusted timing, trimmed the language, and refined transitions until it felt right. Then I let it sit for a few days. It’s fine to give it time to evolve. (In my case, even more time would have helped.)
The tools I used on Canva:
Here’s what the process looked:
- I selected short video clips, or I adjusted them to 4 to 5 seconds each.
- I added text overlays, choosing fonts that paired with the tone of the book.
- I adjusted the timing so each clip felt intentional and paced.
- I chose transitions between clips.
- I experimented with text animation options (fade in, scroll, bounce, etc.) to find what felt right.
- I chose the music last. Since the trailer includes a QR code to buy the book, I made sure to use music licensed for commercial use.
The surprising thing is that making a one-minute trailer took almost as much emotional decision-making as writing a chapter. This project also reminded me that creative work doesn’t have to be solitary. Inviting trusted readers into the process made the trailer feel like an extension of the book — not just a promotional tool.
You don’t necessarily need flash or gimmicks to make something compelling, either.
After all that revising and experimenting, here’s the final version of the trailer, and it’s just 50 seconds long! I’d love to know what you think.
My question for you is: Do book trailers influence whether you search out a novel, or do you prefer discovering books another way?
Thank you for visiting!
If the trailer resonates with you, I hope you’ll consider preordering the book!
Love and Other Incurable Ailments, is about an anxious overthinker whose fixation on a stranger pulls her straight into chaos, heartbreak, and the inconvenient unraveling of her carefully constructed life.
Find it here: Regal House Publishing | Bookshop | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
