Terminally Illicit (book trailer for Terminally Ill)

This is my first book trailer incorporating a video. And not just any video, Pierre Carrillo portraying Elvis Serratore!

Who is Pierre Carrillo? He’s a Montreal balance artist who’s performed for Cirque du Soleil, now based in L.A. We ran into him during a street performance in August 2013.

I was struck by not only the jaw-dropping sight of him jumping, twisting, falling, leaping, and re-balancing, but the fact that he smiled genuinely the entire time.

Afterward, I asked him about using a picture for a book cover. But then I thought the video would be even cooler for the Terminally Ill trailer, and he kindly gave permission.

See, that’s what I love about Montreal. Creative randomness and generosity between artists. So no matter how much the hospitals crumble and streets shatter (remember the backhoe falling in a sinkhole?), I keep coming back.

Next date: Nuit Blanche Feb 28th. A Tribe Called Red is having a free all-ages show. Anyone want to join me? You can even win tickets to the whole event.

N-n-n-na-notorious (book trailer)

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Written by melissayuaninnes February 10, 2015 book trailer bugs potter Gordon Korman Hope Sze macdonald hall notorious d.o.c.

What can I say? I love this book trailer. I would like to kiss it. The only thing I’d modify is the thumbnail, which I will if I have time before my (dum dum dum dum!) next secret partnership emerges February 24th.

My husband snorted and said, “Typical Hollywood,” but I was hypnotized by my own work. My eight-year-old son, Max, who showed no interest in my Hope Sze books prior, glommed on to the trailer and said, “Mommy, this is your best one.”

While we were brushing our teeth, he said, “Mommy, who does Hope Sze marry?”

“I can’t tell you, Max.”

“Why not?”

I laughed. “Well, for one thing, I haven’t decided yet. Maybe she doesn’t marry anyone.”

“You have to tell me.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m your son.”

I laughed and hugged him.

After I tucked him in bed, Max said, “Mommy, can we read the Hope Sze books?” (He pronounces it Zee. Close enough.)

“Um, they’re really grown-up books, Max.”

“Why?”

“Well, they have people killing other people and sex and stuff.”

“I still want to read them.”

“Okay.” But in the meantime, we’re reading Gordon Korman. He loved Bugs Potter (in fact, he liked Bugs Potter Live at Nickaninny even more than Who Is Bugs Potter?), and we’re just starting on Beware the Fish.

How ’bout you? What are you reading, and do you consider book trailers a godsend, or the downfall of civilization?

Book trailers, freaks, and bears, oh my

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Written by melissayuaninnes January 16, 2015 book trailer broken bones Code Blues Freak Fandango Orchestra La Caverne Montreal student body The Goa Yoga School of Slayers

I now have a silent partner who asked me for a book trailer. I never got into those, but NOW I HAVE.

All I can say is, Thank God for iMovie. And the Freak Fandango Orchestra. Any thumbs up appreciated.

Denise Nielsen said their music warmed her up on this cold January day. They’re a Barcelona-based group that tours the world.

I’m also hard at work on Stockholm Syndrome, the fourth Hope Sze novel, where Hope gets taken hostage on the obstetric ward.

Dr. Severine Laplante gave me a tour of St. Mary’s Hospital, updated my obstetric knowledge, and introduced me to a new Russian restaurant, La Caverne. We started off with a light carrot salad, then borscht served in wooden bowls with wooden spoons, and finished off with Pelmenis (pierogi things). Yum!

Also, my lovelies, I’m finally raising my cheap e-book prices shortly, so consider yourselves forewarned.

Come say hi at the University of Ottawa Healthcare Symposium (UOHS) on January 24th and the Canadian Federation of University Women on the 27th. I don’t bite. Much.