Online video and teen lit go hand in hand, it would seem. But not every author makes online videos. However, a handful of writers are rocking the Web video world and I want to give them props. In fact, the lovely teen lit author Shelli Johannes Wells asked me this very question for her marketing blog a few weeks ago, so I’m going to cross-post my answer here.

There are a number of ways authors can produce and make online videos. Some, like John Green, do so on an ongoing basis. Jon, along with his brother Hank, has become quite popular on YouTube as Brotherhood 2.0/Vlogbrothers. In fact, his videos have done so well he’s inspired a whole community of self-declared ‘Nerdfighters’ who are working to reduce ‘world suck’ every day. I urge all writers to check out his vlogs because they are informal, but professional, funny, intelligent and pure Jon! A good takeaway from his videos is be sure to do something that fits your own brand.

Then there’s YA author Jackson Pearce. She started making YouTube videos before her first novel “As You Wish” was published last summer. Her second novel, “The Sisters Red,” comes out this summer. Her videos are fun and whimsical and she does a good job connecting them to writing without making them all about her books! That’s key – you want to find a mix. While videos can help promote your books, you don’t want them to feel like constant commercials. Jackson also has developed an online following in advance of release via her videos.

Those two are good examples of ongoing work done by authors who video blog. I also liked Libba Bray’s ridiculously silly promotional video for “Going Bovine.” Rather than a traditional book trailer, she donned a cow suit and wandered around New York City singing bizarre songs, interacting with people and basically practicing absurdities — all fitting the novel itself!

So there you go! What author videos do you like?