Feb 12
This may be the first official Books on the Nightstand video! Last fall, Michael visited the Northshire Bookstore and looked at some interesting jacket effects that publishers use to grab your attention. We’ve also got a book recommendation from Erik Barnum, the floor manager at the bookstore. Let us know if you like this, and maybe we’ll do more. Now that I’ve kind of learned how to edit video with iMovie, I’m eager to do more.
Have a comment, question, or book recommendation? Call our voicemail line and wait for the beep. Tell us if we may play your message on a future podcast.
I love the vlog! And I adore learning more about the graphic design techniques too. Hope to see more vlogs soon, you guys are great!
Really great quality video, and fun to see Michael. I hope you do,do more. As much as I love my e-books, it’s true the art and beauty of books isn’t the same in digital format. Maybe people will still collect paper books as objects of art when everyone has an e-reader. Karen
Love it! And so fun to see Michael. More, please.
Great job! I’m a huge fan of design – makes all the difference in selling a book. I especially love it when publishers pay extra attention to the spine, because as much as we’d like it, books can’t always be face out on the shelf.
Keep the videos coming! -wh
Ooh more please! It was great learning more about the design of book jackets, especially with a ‘live’ demonstration.
[...] The Child Thief: A Novel – Brom (via Books on the Nightstand) [...]
Love this video, you guys!
I loved the video. It was interesting and very easy to watch. Thank you, K.
This is a great feature. I would love to see more, but would it be possible to make these into video podcast features? I would love to have these in my podcast collection.
BrandyLee, we’re working on that! I just need to figure out what the proper iTunes format is, and convert it. Will try to figure it out this weekend. It will likely be a feed separate from the weekly audio podcast, though, since as an audio podcast listener, I get frustrated when a video podcast shows up in my feeds.
Thank you!
It’s very interesting to compare and contrast those covers with the UK versions I see. I much prefer your “Her fearful symmetry” cover. Liked the authentic touch of the finger over the lense ending too.
I just loved the video! Great job! And very interesting! Since we’re on the topic of book cover designing, can you tell me what publishers call the trade paperback covers that have an inside flap (as if the cover were a dust jacket) ? I notice that a lot of trades have incorporated this in their designs…
Heh, Suzanne, perfect timing! You’ll have to listen to Wednesday’s episode to find out the answer to that question
— (OK, they are called “french flaps”). We address that and other similar questions in episode #65. Be sure to tune in!
Loved it! Keep on making them!
Thanks to everyone for your encouragement. We’ll try to bring the camera around with us on our travels more often. Anyone know of a video camera that makes you look 5 inches taller and 20 pounds thinner?
You need to add the vlog (and any others that may follow) to your youtube account!
Done! Thanks.
Well done Ann and Michael! I hope that you take the camera around with you to the different bookstores that you visit and have a staff member from each talk about their favorite book from time to time.
All the best to you both.
Loved it!! Very informative Michael, glad to see your art degree at work. Ann, if you find a camera that takes off the 20 pounds get me two!
Thanks & take care you guys.
What a treat!! Great job guys. I can only imagine how much work it is to keep up with the blogs and the podcasts…just know that we out here love them and appreciate all your hard work. So Thanks!
Great video! Thank you for sharing!!
WAY COOL!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you two!! Keep up the outstanding work!
great idea ,love it amazing seeing different jackets from the uk edtitions ,the isn t as much die cut in uk ,great job guys
Thanks, Stu. The really interesting thing is that, as cool as diecut covers are, booksellers hate them because they rip easily when people take them off the shelf, and damages are higher.
I not only liked it…I loved it!!! I’m so hooked on the podcasts and now I know I will get hooked on the vblogs too. Thanks Ann and Michael for your dedication and passion for books. I really enjoy and look forward to reading everything that the website has to offer. Keep them coming! A fan from Miami, Florida.
Loved the video! I think you guys talked about this recently, but I would love to see a short piece about hardcover versus later paperback book covers. The video format lends itself so well to these discussions about book covers. Also, UK versus US versions.
Wow, I’m so thrilled you all loved the videos so much!
Laura, that’s a great idea for another video, thanks!
Great vlog about the total package. I like a book that packs all kinds of things inside and out. I’ve never met you in person, so it is fun to see and hear you. Ann’s next, right?
Oh this is cool, I like it! Is there a way you can turn the videos into vodcasts so they also come in as automatic downloads along with the podcasts?
Wow, you guys! Great job, and I’ll be looking for more.
I’m sooooo impressed with your expanding technical knowledge; I just learned how to use the scanner on my printer! Well, I DID create my own website, but I was helped tremendously by the many templates and themes available to me.
My cousin lives in Montgomery Center, VT; is that anywhere near Manchester? Would love to plan a trip to see her to coincide with one of your visits to that bookstore!
Awesome! Nice job!
I just recently discovered Books on the Nightstand and have become a huge fan. I agree with all of the comments made by everone. The video is delightful and so informative.
I would like to add just one suggestion. When Michael and Eric were presenting their covers, it would have been helpful for me, the viewer, if they had held their books facing front whole time. They tended to turn the books back to look at while they were describing them, but it took away from our looking at the covers.
Keep doing what you both are doing. I don’t think there’s another site like yours.
[...] Step-backs, Die-cuts, and Foil, Oh My! Feb 16 [...]
I’m late! I’m late! (to comment, I mean, and to borrow from Alice’s Mr Rabbit..)
Loved the video! And loved the intro to those graphic-y terms. Incidentally, though I didn’t do graphics, I was involved in producing our architecture school yearly publication last year, from start to finish, so I did hear about foiling and spot varnishing from the printer’s when we were deciding on what to do for our cover. Your video just brings back those memories of those sleepless weeks…=)
And The Child Thief sounds positively intriguing…
I continually to be impressed at you two; the quality of your podcasts and now videos are near professional (and probably better than some!). Add your insightful, friendly, interesting and knowledgeable content, and you have a winner! I’m so glad to have found you and will continue to spread the good word about your site. Thank you!
Love your site; I always enjoy visiting. LOVED the video clip – keep ‘em coming!
This is so great!!!
Michael – I’m behind on my episodes and checking on the site – great video! Love it – an excellent added feature! Maura