I guess semicolons are in short supply today. I say that only half in jest. A few years ago, a specialist treating my father said that during a visit to a Washington museum, he saw letters written by enlisted men during World War II. The doctor was struck by how literate the writers were, especially considering that most of them were barely out of high school. The situation is a lot different in 2007.

Best,

Stuart

The video trailer for Dear Mom, Dad & Ethel is a fine example of effective marketing to my demographic. Now that I see what a superb salesman you are, I understand why you published with iUniverse. Furthermore, you sold me. The deciding factor was when I saw the semicolons in your comment. (I’m laughing, but I’m not joking.)

I ordered your book from Amazon.com this morning. The website for Dear Mom, Dad & Ethel has a feedback form for readers’ comments, so I’ll be sure to let you (as well as this blog’s readers) know what I think of it.

By the way, Motts Military Museum is not far from my home. Over the past 20 years, I’ve watched it expand from its original location in Warren Motts’ home to its own building in Groveport, Ohio, a small town on the outskirts of Columbus.

I’m very glad you took the time to join the discussion here, Stuart, and I’m looking forward to reading your novel.

People often tell me that I look like my dad, and I always get a kick out of that. At my last book signing, I wore my father’s Eisenhower jacket. A lady looked at me, then at a wartime picture of my father I had on display, and, for a moment, she thought I WAS my dad!

Thanks again, and Happy Thanksgiving.

I found myself intrigued by the book Dear Mom, Dad & Ethel when I watched its video trailer, because the author, Mark Stuart Ellison, who appears in the video, looks so much like his father, around whom the wartime love story revolves.

I have been drawn to read books in genre I had not been intrested in before because of the videos. I have never been disappointed in the books, because Sheila always captures the authors true vision. The COS trailers are true to the book and much better than any adaption from Hollywood ever made. I wish that could make full lenth films.

All of your positive comments reinforce my reaction to book video trailers, which weren’t even on my radar until this year. The first time I saw one, I had the same response Victoria describes: Why didn’t someone think of this before? I must admit, I’m an avid reader of book reviews published on the Web, but I don’t think anyone would call me normal. (laughing)

The other trend I’m noticing here in Columbus is a renewed interest in book clubs and book events. This weekend, I’ll be driving to Gambier, Ohio, for the first ever Kenyon Review Literary Festival. Two months ago, I attended the first annual Ohioana Book Festival. I don’t believe people are losing interest in books. I think the book industry is simply shifting. Some of us older folks suddenly have more time to devote to reading. Readers are sharing books and posting reviews of books on their blogs, authors are engaging readers on social networking sites and through videos and podcast interviews, and publishers are beginning to experiment with digital formats. There’s something for everyone.

Sheila took an idea and has developed an industry that I believe will one day rival music videos; IF the publishing houses get on board as the record companies did back in the 1980’s. Music videos are now a must for an industry that at one time had nothing to do with visual content.

In the very near future, consumers will come to expect book trailers just as they expect a music video when an artist comes out with a new album. BTW, music videos blew the lid off of the music industry, created mega-stars and artists as well as film director’s in a very short period of time.