Virtual Fools

Without really meaning to be, I’m on a bit of an advertising or marketing kick. For whatever reason, I seem to be noticing how things get bought and sold a bit more than before–call it becoming an adult?

Since I recently published a book, I’ve become quite interested in ways that authors/editors get the word out on their latest work. The traditional avenues still remain: print ads in venues where the subject will play well, reviews in publications (even lukewarm ones–at one level, there is no such thing as bad publicity!), and personal appearances for talks, signings, and panels. The author’s presence and interest in the “afterlife” of a book often make it work.

Anyway, this is mostly in recognition of a book and short film by Kevin Jackson. A few months ago, I somehow noticed that the author of several books I had on many disparate topics–let’s say a biography of British filmmaker Humphrey Jennings, a book of interviews with Iain Sinclair, The Oxford Book of Money, and a book on the moose, to scratch the surface–was, in fact, one and the same person.

A simple Google search turned up his latest project, Bite: A Vampire Handbook (published earlier this month by Portabello Books). I haven’t had a chance to get/look at the book yet, but it seems a timely Halloween read. While they’ve arguably been all the rage for the last 100 or so years, vampires really have been all the rage as of late. With Twilight (2008) and Let the Right One In (2008) pock-marking people’s taste before they’ve had a chance to even explain, vampires are in vogue above and beyond their 1990s heyday during the age of Buffy. My personal preference skews toward the goofy vampire movies of the 1970s–Blacula (1972), The Vampire Lovers (1970), Count Yorga, Vampire (1970), Vampyres (1974)–and the foundational vampire lit. But I’m sure the book will contain something, if even in passing, for everyone.

But back to marketing. Jackson made a short film–which works on its own as a terror scenario, but just happens to rightfully promote the book–and is using that, in addition to the obvious promotional channels listed above.

But wait! Horror author Sarah Langan’s recently released Audrey’s Door has an attached short film by friend of VF J.T. Petty.  Again, we’ve got the just promotion of a book mixed with concrete, creepy images!