Topic for the 7/7/13 #storyappchat: Selling in Other Countries

I admit with some embarrassment that #storyappchat is somewhat USA-centric. Since all of us involved with keeping the chat and blog going are here in the States, it’s easy to forget that there is a lot of exciting mobile development (and great stories being written and illustrated) in other parts of the world. I’d like to be more clued in to what’s going on internationally.

In addition, there are real and potential sales from mobile customers in other countries, and both Apple and Amazon make it pretty easy to start selling internationally. But what are the things to watch out for when making apps and ebooks available worldwide? Should our content be translated? What are the best ways to reach customers who don’t speak English?

Let’s discuss the realities, both positive and negative, of selling storybook apps in other countries during the next #storyappchat. We’ll kick things off at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific on Sunday, July 7.

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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!