Spoken Into Existence Ep. 3: Book Trailers – A Next-Level Marketing Tool for Authors
In Episode 3 of Spoken Into Existence, authors Joseph Nassise and Tom Leveen joined the Spoken team—Stacy Smith Rogers, Patrick Wimp, and Joshua David Pivato—for a creative deep-dive into something every author needs to be thinking about right now: how to to support your story the way people discover today.
This wasn’t just a conversation about writing. It was a working session—an inside look at how a story can become a multi-sensory asset that builds anticipation, extends your brand, and helps new listeners discover your work.
If you’re not thinking about Spoken’s trailer creation as part of your book launch strategy, Joe and Tom are, and this episode might change your mind.
From Audio to Audience: Spoken’s Tools for Author Visibility
Today’s indie authors are operating in a noisy digital marketplace. Publishing a great story is the baseline. Marketing that story in a way that commands attention—that’s where authors win or fade into the background.
A trailer bridges that gap. In a world dominated by short-form video and sound-rich content, a Spoken Book Trailer acts as a cinematic handshake: fast, emotional, and unforgettable.
Done well, a trailer becomes:
A teaser that builds buzz before your launch
A highlight reel for press, newsletters, or podcasts
A social-ready ad that doesn’t feel like an ad
A visual companion to your audio-first storytelling
And here’s the key: it’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about converting intrigue into listens.
Inside the Trailer Lab: Building the Hook for Sackcloth and Blood
In this episode, the team collaboratively began crafting the trailer for Sackcloth and Blood, Joe and Tom’s supernatural thriller set in the American Southwest.
The process? Fast-paced, focused, and rich with intent.
Key takeaways from the creative session included:
Anchor imagery: The authors centered on a scene at the mouth of a cave—a foreboding visual with a looming, monstrous silhouette. It’s atmospheric and suspenseful, setting the tone immediately.
Gradual character reveal: Rather than opening on Moxy (the story’s protagonist), the team debated ways to withhold her full presence—using reflection, shadow, or voice restraint to build tension.
Music direction: The team drew inspiration from John Carpenter’s synth-heavy scores and the haunting swagger of Sympathy for the Devil, emphasizing tone over tempo.
Scene construction: Should it be a fluid, one-shot moment? A staccato montage? The group leaned toward a hybrid—brief glimpses layered with rising momentum, culminating in a visual and vocal reveal.
This was a live collaboration between the authors and the Spoken team, blending creative vision with marketing strategy.
For Indie Authors, This Is a Competitive Edge
Here’s what sets a Spoken Book Trailer apart from the typical static promo asset: you’re not adapting your story for someone else’s template. You’re shaping the trailer as part of the narrative experience.
Because Spoken is built for audio-first storytelling, our tools and workflow are aligned to support exactly this kind of creative extension—from voice to visual to discovery. We make it easy for authors to create, distribute, and promote work that doesn’t just sound good—it stands out.
And while traditional publishing may treat trailers as rare perks, at Spoken they’re part of the playbook for the authors we spotlight.
Missed Episode 1 & 2? Make sure to catch up. You’ll want to catch the next one. The Sackcloth and Blood trailer reveal is coming soon—and it’s proof of what’s possible when authors and storytellers think like showrunners.
The future of storytelling is author-led. At Spoken, we’re helping you launch that future.
Learn about Joseph Nassise: https://josephnassise.com
Learn about Tom Leveen: https://tomleveen.com
Try Spoken: https://ihave.spoken.press
