What Does Your Book Sound Like?

Occasionally, I'll receive press releases from authors interested in a review on my blog. I was about to pass on a recent one (it was in a genre I rarely read) when these words popped out at me:

"Each novel will also receive their respective soundtrack."

What? Novels have soundtracks now? I had to learn more.

I contacted Lisa K. Stephenson, author of the Fiona Gold YA Science Fantasy series, to learn more about what goes into creating the soundtrack for a book. Like every author, Stephenson pointed to the desire to stand apart from the many other authors and books on the market as the origin for her soundtrack. She describes her soundtrack as describing the journey of her main character Fiona Gold. In her words:

• "Hello" is the opening song and describes the need for acceptance, "Hi, Hello, can you hear me?" Fiona wants to be heard by those around her who she believes should want to be a part of the journey with her. 
• "No Limit" which is where Fiona starts to spend more time in the water and she's taking in the Modiri around her realizing there's really no limit to what they can do, especially for her who happens to be a hybrid. Living on land, her kind is oppressed and most will never rebel.
• "Who I Am" is a lovely ballad about Fiona finally accepting her Modiri heritage and choosing a side.
• "Shells by the Sea" is Fiona living her life under the water, happy and carefree, an upbeat afro-pop song. 
• "December" which closes out this soundtrack is an orchestra number with some amazing vocals to wrap up book 1 and is also a nod to Fiona's underwater home being in the Arctic where The Snows of Khione reside under the rulership of King Khione and Lady Rudita.
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She also thinks of the music as a bridge after reading book 1 to get excited for book 2. "I think it adds depth to the story as a whole. I recommend that readers read through the book first and then listen to the soundtrack. When I did that and opened my ears to listen to "Who I Am" for example, I began to cry a bit lol. The song is so beautiful and goes perfectly with the story."

Personally, I listened to "Hello" and "Who I Am" and feel that, just like a book cover, trailer, website, social media presence, music could be another way to attract potential readers' attention. To make them think that your book might be their next read. Stephenson is thinking even bigger about the role of her soundtrack. She explained, "I knew I wanted the music to tell the book's story because ultimately I plan to pitch this novel to movie studios and some of the actors and actresses who I specifically [write] characters around - I believe that since I went into this project knowing it will one day be on the big screen, that adding the music and having a say so in its composition was really important, at least for me."

With that goal in mind, Stephenson held a world wide writing camp for writers, musicians and producers to submit songs. Because she owns the masters of the songs, Stephenson was able to monetize them. The songs are available to stream and purchase for .99 each and whenever they are used on YouTube they generate revenue. At first, it sounds like the perfect promotional tool. But then Stephenson explained that the cost for the five songs, including gaining exclusivity and producing, cost over $15,000, with musicians and writers still receiving royalties.

Eek! So, is music beyond the reach of most authors? That depends on your goal. If you want to monetize a soundtrack with original songs it probably is. However, if you know a musician who is willing to write a song and grant you copyright permission, you can use the tune for your book trailer or website and have your own mini soundtrack. To use any artist's song you have to obtain copyright permission. Independent  musicians can charge as little as $100 while well known stars can charge $10K+. But always get legal permissions or you'll end up paying even more in copyright infringement fees. More about that here.  

Too much work? Try including a list of suggested songs and musicians on your website or on your book club page (don't embed YouTube videos without permission, remember someone else own the copyright to that performance). Having a list of songs to listen to is a great way for readers of historical fiction to immerse themselves in the time period. Or you could avoid the tangles of copyright law with music that is in the public domain (music made prior to 1925), royalty-free or on Creative Commons.

Music is just another way to add another aspect to your readers' experience. If costs for copyright permissions were no object, what songs would be on the soundtrack for your latest writing?

Jodi M. Webb writes from her home in the Pennsylvania mountains about everything from DIY projects to tea to butterflies. She's also a blog tour manager for WOW-Women on Writing and a writing tutor at her local university. Get to know her @jodiwebbwrites,  Facebook and blogging at Words by Webb. 

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