My Very Own Commercial – Watch!

The truth is, my goal in life wasn’t to star in an ad. I didn’t dream of selling bone density medicine like her…
sally.field.jpgor a weight loss program like her…
Marie Osmond_01.JPGor life insurance like her.
aflac.jpg
And as much as I love to dance, I never imagined myself pitching American Express like her.

But the reality of the publishing world is that you can’t just write a book and cross your fingers that the buyers at Amazon and Barnes & Noble will order copies for their customers; you have to entertain them so they’ll be dying to stock your book.
And so I made a video trailer for Confessions of a She-Fan – sort of like a movie trailer only without the actors. What I’m saying is that I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. Furthermore, it was 1,000 degrees in the studio the day we shot the video, and I nearly passed out. Good thing it’s only three minutes long.
Since the trailer has now been distributed to Yahoo, Google, MSN, YouTube and every other “portal,” I figured it was time to debut it here. The company that produced it, Expanded Books, tagged it: “Yankee-holic Hits Bottom.” That pretty much says it all.



35 comments

  1. AJRoxMyWhiteSox

    That was an awesome video! I can’t WAIT for your book! 🙂 The perfect start to baseball season is a baseball book and/or baseball movie. And since I’ve read my one baseball book and I’ve seen both of my baseball movies in recent history, your book will be kicking off my baseball season. YAY!
    Jen
    http://ajroxmywhitesox.mlblogs.com

    Reply
  2. raysrenegade

    Wow,

    I actually loved that video. Always knew you had a playful and whimsical side to you by your writing. Glad to see you got to come to the Trop.

    Still got my calendar marked for your Tampa Barnes and Noble signing, and look forward to finally meeting you. I have not heard back from Matt Silverman, but he has bigger fish to fry right now.

    Rays Renegade

    http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com

    Reply
  3. Jane Heller

    Thanks, Jen. I’m antsy for baseball to start too, so I’m glad the video was a good distraction in the meantime.

    “Playful and whimsical.” I like it, renegade. Too bad we can’t use it on the back cover of the book! I’m looking forward to meeting you too. I wrote to Matt after you did, but haven’t heard back. Maybe he’s on vacation at the same undisclosed location as Brian Cashman.:)

    Reply
  4. alexcoast2coastbball

    Jane, i’m deffinately reading the book when it comes out, the video just made me want to read it more. Hopefully it’s a big hit!
    -Alex H

    Reply
  6. levelboss

    excellent commercial! you can write, AND you’re comfortable in front of the camera! comedy is really you’re thing, Jane.. i enjoyed the commercial big time..
    it would be way cool if the New York Times (or Post) gave you a sports editorial or if the YES Network gave you segment work on tv for the season

    Reply
  7. juliasrants

    Jane – great ad! You know that I have already ordered the book and I will be blogging about my experience picking up your book in a Boston area bookstore! I have my paper bag all picked out – just don’t know if I’ll be wearing the bag or wrapping the book!

    Julia
    http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/

    Reply
  8. hseely@twcny.rr.com

    She-Fan,

    Great video. On par with any Yankeeography. Though I must say, a computer animated re-enactment of the cheese-throwing beard scene would have spiced things up. Looking forward to the book. el duque

    Reply
  9. phillies_phollowers

    Great commercial!! I can’t wait to read it!! Thanks Jane for the comments on my blog…I appreciate it :O) Hey, do you mind if I pick your brain about publishing? I have been published before, but just short stories and stuff. The book thing is a whole new monster for me…wondering if I can ask you a few questions? If you have time, please email me at PhilliesPhollowers@comcast.net. Anyway, thanks again and congrats on the book!

    Jenn
    http://PhilliesPhollowers.mlblogs.com/

    Reply
  10. steve_t

    Nicely done, Jane. I’m glad the past eight seasons have made you less of an obnoxious, entitled fan. I know some Red Sox fans these days who could take a lesson. Looking forward to see if you pushed your husband into the men’s room after A-Rod or if you just went in yourself.

    Steve T
    http://soxblog.mlblogs.com

    Reply
  11. pinstripepride3

    Wow! If the book is half as entertaining as the commercial then I can’t wait to read it. I loved seeing you as a cartoon character. I’m really looking forward to reading the conclusion of that restaurant scene.

    Reply
  15. Jane Heller

    Thanks, Alex. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing the video on your funny blog. Just don’t photo shop a mustache on me or anything!

    So MSN really did have it up there, Sheena? Good to know.

    Levelboss, you are hereby hired to be my agent. If you can get me a gig with any of the outlets you mentioned, you’ll be entitled to a big fat commission.

    I think you might need to wear the bag into the store, Julia. You can cover it – and the book – in Red Sox “B”s and no one will harass you!

    They were going to animate the cheese-throwing scene, duque, but they went over budget. Talk about cheesy.

    Would be happy to answer any questions you have about publishing, Jenn. Just know it’s a really tough environment right now, as with many businesses. Lots of layoffs.

    I hate to ruin the suspense, Steve, Pinstripe and Jeremy, but the restaurant scene ended just as it did in the video – with my husband and me fighting over how he wouldn’t go into that bathroom. Needless to say, the “second honeymoon” we were supposed to have didn’t go that well.

    Glad you enjoyed it, Kaybee!

    COB, don’t feel bad. I’ve learned over the years not to go nuts when I walk into a B&N and they don’t have my books. It goes with the territory. It’s like they don’t want people to buy things!

    Reply
  16. Erin Kathleen

    I love your ad! It’s funny, beautifully done, and it lets the viewer know about the product without being obnoxious. If this book thing doesn’t work out, maybe you should consider a career in advertising (just kidding. I wouldn’t wish a career in advertising on anyone).

    Did you really try to make your poor husband follow ARod into the bathroom? That is taking obsessive fandom to a whole new level. I can’t wait to read your book and find out what else you did! Seriously, though, most of us harbor the same feelings towards our teams as you do for the Yankees. I know I’ve wanted a divorce from the Twins/Vikings (especially the Vikings, losers!)/Wild/Wolves (we’re separated, but working towards reconciliation) at some point. But, like a spouse, I can’t imagine what my life would be like without them.
    -Erin
    http://plunking-gomez.mlblogs.com

    Reply
  18. Jane Heller

    Erin, I HAD a career in advertising! Before I wrote my first novel in ’94, I was head of publicity and advertising for a publishing house in NY. My background has helped me when it comes to marketing my own books, although I don’t have a lot of time to devote to that aspect and try to leave it to others. And thanks for understanding about the “divorce” from the Yankees. People got so mad about it. I was only venting! The Yankees are stuck with me, for better or worse.

    Marie Osmond. LOL, Mark. When I was trying to come up with a spokesperson for a diet plan, it was between her and Fergie. Glad you liked the video.

    Reply
  21. Jane Heller

    Yes, that’s my rasp in the video, Bern. But my husband has a very soft, almost whispery voice, so they had to use an actor to do his voiceover. The words are his though!

    I had a great time in Toronto, Iceman. Every series there was eventful. Great meals there too.

    Reply
  23. Jane Heller

    Thanks, Jimmy. You won’t like the occasional cursing (I’m a crazed fan, remember), but you’ll definitely like all the praying I do in churches!

    Reply
  24. rockymountainway

    Jane that’s great! I know your book must be good because you were reading it so much during our support group. I’m sorry Julia had to be so mean to you too. Wink. I liked your low effects commercial with great photos and narration. I’m sure you’ll be running the presses in overtime getting more copies out. Thanks again for “coming” to the support group!
    tom
    http://rcokymountainway.mlblogs.com

    Reply
  26. Jane Heller

    You ran a great support group, Tom. You should do one every time somebody gets depressed!

    Thanks, Elizabeth. Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you feel the same about the book, despite it being about the Yanks.

    Reply
  28. Jane Heller

    Thanks for the heads up, Julia. You’re always the harbinger of good news. And congrats to you on your ranking!

    Reply
  31. Jane Heller

    I’d love to see it on the YES Network too, Rob. Wish there was a budget to run it! My B&N signing in Tampa is Friday, March 6th at 1 pm – before the game that night against the Tigers. Will you be down in FL?

    Sounds like the video did its job, Kathy. It was meant to entice you to read the book AND whet your appetite for baseball.

    Reply

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