Transcript for the 4.28.13 #storyappchat: Kindle as App Alternative

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There are certainly some advantages to the practice of creating the Kindle version of a story first, then going ahead with the app version later, if desired. We talked about the pros and cons of this approach in our recent chat, and you can follow along in the transcript above.

Also, it looks like we ought to have another chat focused on music and sound, based on the other comments made during this discussion. Remember, we do this (nearly!) every Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific, so make plans to join us. Next week we’ll welcome illustrator Eli Noyes, so don’t miss it!

Topic for the 4/28/13 #storyappchat: Kindle as App Alternative

Creating an app is a rewarding, but labor-intensive experience. To be competitive in the app market, animated touch points, professionally-recorded voiceover, word highlighting and embedded games and activities seem to be required features for a storybook app. These can be costly and time-consuming to include, although the results can definitely be worth the effort.

A growing number of content creators have been testing the waters with Kindle versions of their books. Because a Kindle book doesn’t have many of the above features by design (not yet, anyhow!), it can be a good way to introduce an illustrated kid’s story to its intended audience quickly. And later, if it makes sense, the app version can be developed too, complete with all the bells and whistles.

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of this approach for the next #storyappchat. Make plans to join us this Sunday, April 28, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific. Just start tweeting with the #storyappchat hashtag to chime in!

Transcript for the 3/31/13 #storyappchat: Ron Martinez

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Illuminating chat last night, not just about the capabilities of Aerbook, but also about the current state of children’s app/ebook publishing in general, and where we might be headed. Huge thanks to @RonMartinez [Aerbook's founder] for helming our discussion–I think Aerbook is definitely a platform to keep an eye on over the next several months.

Remember, we hold our little roundtable every Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific, so clear some space in your calendar for the next chat, OK?

Transcript for the 10/30/11 #storyappchat: Kindle Fire

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The topic for the 10/30/11 pre-Halloween installment of #storyappchat focused on Amazon’s not-yet-released Kindle Fire tablet, and the speculation, questions and wish list items flew by fast and furiously! See what you missed by checking out the transcript above, and plan to join us each and every Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern to chat about storybook apps and ebooks for kids!

Topic for 10/30/11 #storyappchat: The Kindle Fire!

Amazon releases the Kindle Fire on November 15–and will most likely disrupt the iPad’s dominance in the tablet computer category.

For creators of children’s interactive ebooks and apps, this promises to be an important new platform. Built on Kindle Format 8 (which replaces Mobi 7) and including HTML5 support, this platform will allow content creators fixed layouts, embedded fonts, scalable vector graphics and many other CSS3 commands (full list available here).

Here’s a related article from The Future Book, a British blog about ebooks and the future of reading.

Let’s discuss what this may mean for those of us who create storybook apps and ebooks during this week’s #storyappchat: TOMORROW night (10/30/11) at 9:00 p.m. ET. Are you as pumped up as I am?

Transcript for 10/9/11 #storyappchat: Formats

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We enjoyed an informative and insightful discussion about the available electronic picture book formats during the October 9 edition of our weekly #storyappchat. Here’s a peek into what was shared last night:

@LoreenLeedy: I want to make an ebook for Kindle, but image limitations are a problem: low res, no full bleed art (white borders on page)

@DavidBFox: Has anyone read Daniel Donahoo’s article, http://t.co/CYVMwgqj

@DavidBFox: Rather than focusing on flashier animation, focus on stronger stories/characters, and those that make a difference for kids

@BryonECarson: My feeling is that we need to lose the idea of the traditional book & think of these as entities unto themselves.

@ddonahoo: Hey folks. Gotta run-good to read your POV. Biggest issue I see – not enough editing taking – make that story awesome

For more, check out the 20-page transcript above, and make plans to join us EVERY Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time!

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?

Chat Transcript 6/12/11

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Open Mic Nite was lively this week, with friendly debates of app and ebook pricing, and discussions about funding (or lack thereof) for mobile technology in schools. Here are some of the tidbits shared during the chat:

@AppsforiPads: I do not understand why someone will pay B&N big bucks for a reg book, but think an app of the same book should be “free”

@LoreenLeedy I would rather buy 3 apps than to pay $15 for one book

@LMWArizona: @LoreenLeedy It’d be great if we had the technology to support it. No Ipads for kids in my schools. No wireless. No $.

@CristinaGetson: @LoreenLeedy Web-based books might be the answer for schools; then apps s/b available for students to use at home

Don’t miss out–plan to pull up a chair THIS Sunday, 6/19. Topic to be announced soon: watch this space!

Will Terry to Guest Host During THIS Sunday’s Chat!

I am thrilled to share with you our special guest host for the 6/5/11 #storyappchat: Will Terry!

Will is the illustrator of 17+ children’s books for the print market, and has both written and illustrated a terrific story app titled Monkey and Croc. He is also one of the few people who a) both write and illustrate, b) has experience in both print and electronic publishing, and c) has published the same story in the Apple App Store, Amazon’s Kindle Store and the Barnes & Noble Nook Store.

Being the helpful guy that he is, he’s also put together several how-to videos on his site, designed to help other illustrators get better. I myself have been working through his ‘How to Illustrate Children’s Books‘ series, but he has a Photoshop class and an acrylic painting series as well.

He will be taking your questions THIS Sunday, June 5 during #storyappchat! In the meantime, read his bio, see his online portfolio and check out his blog. He is also on Facebook–and here’s his Twitter profile. I just can’t wait–can you? Join us at 9 ET!