Douglas Moen is a writer of thrillers who is taking his work to YouTube.
The author is connecting with readers online in an unconventional way – through daily, chapter-by-chapter YouTube video readings of his latest novel, The Extraordinary Rendition of Janos Farkas.
From the study of his home on the Grand River in Fergus, wearing a black Stetson and with a glass of bourbon in hand, Moen reads an international story of terrorism, identity theft, illicit romance, and political collusion as one man enters hell to steal the soul of another.
Over the course of 58 chapters, his narration, background music and establishing shots take the reader from Bangkok to Berlin, from Sarajevo to Damascus and to a conclusion in Beirut.
To pursue writing novels, Moen left a successful career as creative head of a leading advertising agency. An award-winning writer and director of commercials, he worked with clients such as Levi’s, Toyota, Coca-Cola, Macy’s, and major banks.
Instead of penning lines like his well-known “The Lowest Price is the Law” for Zellers, he has been focusing on a world of operatives, conspirators, and terrorists. “Mainly I write because writing is what I do,” he said. “I write because I love story and story is the essence of existence.”
Serializing novels was popular in the 19th century, with Charles Dickens perfecting the technique. Often creating the episodes just before magazine deadlines. Dickens’s stories took on a particular rhythm, with cliffhanger endings to keep the public hooked.
That format is regaining popularity online and some recent ebooks are enhanced with embedded video clips or short video action trailers.
“As far as I can determine, however, my technique of reading a novel on video is a first,” said Moen.
Although adept at filming and editing, he had to master new digital technology for this project. His readings may be viewed at www.youtube.com/user/ookie?feature=mhum#p/u/1/rqY3peqanNw – a format that also makes The Extraordinary Rendition of Janos Farkas accessible to the visually-impaired. All four of his novels are available as e-books through Amazon.
