The Overlooked First Novel

From the Wall Street Journal:

"In a book industry flooded with titles and facing sluggish sales, a growing number of authors are going to dramatic lengths to attract attention. The latest tactic: producing and starring in zany videos aimed at the YouTube audience.

Publishing houses strongly encourage the practice, though some authors find the videos undignified. Thriller writer Vince Flynn says he felt 'like a dork" when he recently recorded a book trailer in Central Park. 'I know a lot of old-school writers resent it,' says Paul Aiken, executive director of the Authors Guild. 'But it might help sell books.'"