In my coverage here at Ypulse Books, I'm often sent, or find, videos related to books. Sometimes they're trailers for movies adapted from books, sometimes they're trailers for the books themselves. I've seen super-polished pieces and others that have a more amateur feeling, perhaps the winning entry in a user generated contest. I have mixed feelings about book trailers; If I've read the book, I often don't want to see another's visual interpretation. But if I haven't read the book, and especially if I don't think I will, I generally like to view it. Often they pique my interest and occasionally compel me to buy and read the book.

Recently I discovered BookVideos.tv which was created by the folks at TurnHere. It's a site where you can see videos that are mostly author related. They're done tastefully and I think they offer a different kind of insight than simply just telling you what the books are about. They're not just trailers nor are they simply digital jacket flaps. They present the author as an artist, and I think are compelling in and of themselves. I spent an hour and a half watching videos on books I would normally have no interest in just because I found the video interesting. And yes, there are titles I would completely look for at the library or bookstore as a result. Take Pharmakon, by Dirk Wittenborn for example. Not only did the video remind me of an "act" from "This American Life," it was a total teaser. I absolutely wanted to hear more.

Here are two observations I had while viewing videos at BookVideos.tv. Harried librarians could really use this as an additional tool in their readers advisory role. We like to help others find books they'll enjoy, but we just can't read everything! It's nice to know a book even if you haven't read it. I'm not suggesting videos be used as a substitute, "Haven't read the book, but I saw the video." — just that they can serve as yet one more access point.

Another population that I could see really digging this venue is young adults. I really enjoyed the Sarah Dessen video where she strolls through her home town in North Carolina describing various sources of inspiration for her YA novel Lock and Key. I think teens who like her books will too. This is an example of something that could be supplemental to the book itself or motivation to read something new. It also gives readers a feeling of connectedness to both the work and the writer.

I spoke with Morgan Brown, TurnHere's director of marketing, about BookVideos.tv and got an introduction to making a book video, start to finish. TurnHere has an in-house producer and an entire network of film makers all over the country. They can be commissioned to make a book video as the projects come up. Publishers choose the authors and titles they want to feature and TurnHere handles the production doling out the work where it seems most appropriate and handling the post production as well. While the author profiles are all collected at Bookvideos.tv, once approved by the publisher, they are also distributed to all of the other likely online locations: YouTube, Myspace, Facebook, and even books store sites like Barnes & Nobel and Powell's. I would be interested in knowing more about how publishers choose authors and how involved they are in the direction of the videos.

Brown says that they strive to create an "intimate profile" of the authors they spotlight. They want readers to have an "authentic experience" that is about "content versus pitch." Yes, they want to promote the book, and they are mindful of sales, but the product itself is about reflecting the community or readers, book lovers and authors. The ability to keep the videos looking fresh and "real" is intentional as well. They all seem to have a simple, elegant POV documentary feeling — just a couple of minutes of the authors sharing something about themselves: their characters, their process, their books.

Okay, so I know book videos have been around for a while, but I guess I just like the idea of having them in one spot. It's worthwhile to me to be able to expect quality from the piece even if it's just in very short form, too. I'd like to see RSS feeds available that viewers might access by favorite category. And of course, I'd loooooove to see more young adult authors. BookVideos.tv is really in its' "first inning" Mr. Brown said, and he promised there is much more to come.

I'm staying tuned.

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