Guest host for 10/2/11 #storyappchat: Annie Fox!

We’ve got another fantastic guest host lined up for this week’s #storyappchat: Annie Fox! Many of you know Annie as one half of the Electric Eggplant dynamic duo, but she’s also a well-respected author, educator and lecturer. She’ll be talking about ways to create kids’ apps that entertain and promote SEL (social and emotional learning). Annie is the author of the Middle School Confidential series of books, as well as the Raymond and Sheila picture books.

Find out more about Annie at her website, and make plans to join us for #storyappchat this week (October 2 at 9:00 p.m. EDT). See you then!

Transcript for 9/25/11 #storyappchat: Red Jumper!

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Dan Amos of Red Jumper guest hosted this terrific chat, and answered questions about their new Book Creator app, which is a tool for making fixed layout iBooks. He graciously answered our questions and gave us a peek into some of the upcoming features that will be added to the app.

We also gave away two free copies of Book Creator, courtesy of Red Jumper. Thanks, Dan!

All the details are in the transcript above–and remember: we’ll do it again this Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. Don’t miss it!

Guest Host for 9/25/11 #storyappchat: Red Jumper!

Book Creator for the iPad from Red Jumper Studio on Vimeo.

We are thrilled to have Dan with Red Jumper with us this Sunday (September 25) to guest host our weekly #storyappchat. They’ve just released their Book Creator app for the iPad, which allows anyone to easily create a fixed layout picture book for the iBookstore in ePub format. They are the first to create a professional-level tool which lets you publish a horizontal-format picture book to the iBookstore–and their app is only $6.99.

Bring your questions for Dan–I know I will! We will see you this Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. EDT–just use the #storyappchat tag to chime in.

Transcript for the 9/18/11 #storyappchat: Open Mic

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Lots of great stuff flying back and forth during the 9/18/11 #storyappchat. From the need for iBook review sites to choosing fonts for an ebook, we covered it! Enjoy the 18-page transcript–and we look forward to seeing you next Sunday, September 25 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern for a very special guest: Dan with Red Jumper! More details in another day or two–stay tuned.

Topic for the 9/18/11 #storyappchat: Open Mic Nite!

That’s right–YOU get to choose the topic (or topics) for tonight’s #storyappchat. Bring whatever’s on your mind. This could include issues you’ve been struggling with, impressions of a new tool you’ve been trying out, marketing tips/tricks, or just come to hang out and be inspired.

This is also a great opportunity for you to bring ideas on future topics: what would YOU like to cover in future chats?

We will ramp up at 9:00 p.m. Eastern tonight, 9/18/11. Just use the #storyappchat tag to participate! Need a primer on how to take part in a Twitter chat? Check out Debbie Ohi’s primer here.

Transcript for the 9/11/11 #storyappchat: Sound!

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Great chat last night–in which we discussed the pros and cons of using audio in storybook apps–specifically three main categories: background music, sound effects and voiceover narration. Thanks to all who stopped by to share opinions, links and information.

Also a big thank-you goes to Piccolo Picture Books, who gave away FOUR promo codes for stories within their app. If you missed the chat, feel free to peruse the transcript above–and make plans to join us next Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern for the next one!

Topic for 9/11/11 #storyappchat: Sound

The stories in the new JibJab Jr. app have none.

The Loud Crow, Ruckus, and Nosy Crow story apps are full of ‘em!

We’re talkin’ about sound. Voiceovers, background music, sound effects, and any other audio that makes sense to include in storybook apps, iBooks and other electronic books.

We will also have two promo codes from Piccolo Picture Books to give away, so don’t miss this chat!

Join us tomorrow night (Sunday, September 11) at 9:00 p.m. Eastern to share your opinions on storybook audio or the lack thereof. Remember to use the #storyappchat hashtag, and we’ll see you then!

Transcript for the 9/4/11 #storyappchat: iBooks

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This was an informative discussion on iBooks, with our own David Fox serving as the evening’s expert. Some of the wisdom shared during the chat included:

@DavidBFox: An iBook is Apple’s name for their ebooks. It’s a digital book using the ePub3 standard. It’s much closer to a small website.

@DavidBFox: @YancyUnger to layout our iBook, we used a beta version of Red Jumper’s upcoming iBook creation app. Called Book Creator

@iPad_storytime: I think customers will like this a lot! No more ‘lite’ versions RT @YancyUnger: @iPad_storytime Really like the sample option!

@DavidBFox: @brooks_jones the Red Jumper tool probably cut a week or two off development… also made it easy to dive in.

@MoveableCode: I think books are still perceived as different in value than an app. More substantive…

@brooks_jones: Also, ePubBud sells ISBNs for only $5 each http://t.co/pajSoRx

@AppsHomeschool: @brooks_jones And in Canada ISBNs are free – just FYI – handed out federally

And remember: we do the #storyappchat party EVERY Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, so carve out a little space for us at the end of your weekend, OK?

Topic for 9/4/11 #storyappchat: iBooks!

The line between the storybook app and the stories in the iBookstore is starting to blur. With new capabilities like background music, voiceover narration and word highlighting now available, it may now be a valid option for writers/illustrators and other content creators who want to publish electronic picture books.

Let’s discuss the new opportunities, realities and limitations of the iBook format this Sunday (September 4) at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. Our own David Fox of Electric Eggplant has just published a children’s picture book to the iBookstore, and will share his experiences and wisdom. Come one, come all–and remember to use the #storyappchat tag. We will see you then!