The Cameo Book Trailer Awards for romance book videos

Book video has become an increasingly important promotional tool for the publishing industry.  In 2002, when Circle of Seven Productions (COS Productions) created and promoted Christine Feehan’s Dark Symphony Book Trailer®, there had been a few book video created, but none that had been marketed, distributed or aggressively promoted in the manner that Circle of Seven Productions created. In 2002, a casual search of the term “Book Trailer” yielded no results for CEO Sheila Clover English.

“We went to most of the major publishers in New York and no one had heard of such a thing as book video. At least not in the way we were suggesting. And, no one showed any particular interest at that time in pursuing the idea,” English shares.  “Finally Borders Group, Inc. showed interest and started using some of the book videos. They are very progressive in promoting books and in their outreach to gain new readers while entertaining established readers as well.” Soon, other booksellers started requesting book video and new social networks allowing user-generated video uploads made book video one of the hottest promotional tools available. 

Circle of Seven Productions started winning awards for their book videos in 2005 with a Silver Telly award for the book trailer, Mind Game.  In 2006 the production company won five international film awards called the Davey Awards.  And now, in 2007 COS walks away with nine Cameo Awards. Antley Drive Productions is a Circle of Seven Productions network partner and contributed two of the nine wins for COS.

The Cameo Awards were first conceived by Dawn Seewer of The Romance Galleria in 2006. The Romance Galleria highlighted romance books and authors in new and exciting ways, including a real-time virtual world where readers and authors could meet, chat and hang out.

The Romance Galleria knew that COS Productions had trademarked the term “book trailer” back in 2003 and asked for permission to use the term for their book video competition.  Not only did COS Productions agree to let them use the term, but they offered to judge the amateur division of the awards. 

“It’s a way to acknowledge those authors who are creative enough and technologically savvy enough to make their own book video,” says English, “Many of them were excellent!”  COS Productions offers author support through various free promotions through their MySpace site (www.myspace.com/cosbooktrailers). 

The judging for the professional side of the awards was done by a panel of judges hand-picked by The Romance Galleria.  None of the COS Productions staff worked on the professional division judges panel. 

The most prestigious award given was the Cameo Award for Excellence in Promotions.  Each category winner was eligible for the top award, but the winner went to JoAnn Ross’ book video of her novel No Safe Place.  No Safe Place won for Best Romantic Suspense trailer, Excellence in Writing, and Viewer’s Choice Award as well.

Other COS Productions winners included -

Best Science Fiction Trailer - The Quest - Susan Kearney

Best Fantasy Trailer - Moon Awakening - Lucy Monroe

Best Paranormal Trailer - The Rest Falls Away- Colleen Gleason

Best Contemporary Trailer - Sugar Daddy - Lisa Kleypas

Best Historical Trailer - The Stranger I Married - Sylvia Day

Cameo for Excellence in Art Direction - The Stranger I Married - Sylvia Day 

Cameo for Excellence in Score (music)- The Stranger I Married -Sylvia Day  

Book video has found its niche in online promotions.  It has spawned a new online television station called Reader’s Entertainment Channel TV. And, it is quickly gaining the attention of the film, marketing and promotions industries. 

Seen any good books lately?