Let’s Get This App Party Started!

Yesterday I had a really great conversation with a small (so small there isn’t a proper name for it yet) app book maker in Boston. I will be reformatting my book of my called “Do You Want To Pet My Dragon?” to fit the iPad and iPhone formats. The finished app book will have options that will allow the child/parent read the book and an option to have the story read to the child. It will also have sounds, hidden buttons (little surprise motions or sounds) and a small amount of animation. I will be spending the next week or two reformatting the pictures and the book could be ready for downloading in as little as two months! So this gives you time to go out and get an iPhone or iPad just so you can support me:-)

As you may know I have been researching the electronic book market for a few months and I am really excited to get the opportunity to do this. I will blog about the process of reformatting pictures and other e-format issues in the next few days. In the mean time you should download these books (some of my favorites) from the App Store: Ghostboy, Robot 13, Crappy Cat and Atomic Robo . These books will give you a good idea of what is possible.

So, that’s all for today because I have to get to work.

My first cross post

A small but possibly significant milestone.  This blog got its first mention from an outside (non-family) blog. 

http://www.childrensclassics.com.au/blog/?p=7192

Google alerts brought it to my attention, thanks Google. Looking for many more mentions in the future.
ct

Illustrator Crit Groups

I just got back from my first illustrator group meeting today with a recharged battery and I am already looking forward to the next meeting. It was a small gathering with two established illustrators: Siri Weber Feeney and hosted by Carol Heyer and two other “pre-published-but-not-for-long” illustrators Linda Silverstri and Christy Botkin Reeves. Lots of great art! We spent a few hours looking at everyone’s portfolio, talking about contracts, agents and different illustration markets. Take a look at these websites and “Oooo and Ahhhh” at their art or better yet purchase something if it’s available to support them.

Speaking of different illustration markets I have begun looking in different markets (other than picture books) as well. I will still be seeking publishers for my books but I am also starting to look for ANYBODY who will buy my images. I spent the last two weeks researching and sending out submission to all kinds of greeting card companies. I am hopeful that I can find a company that will enjoy my illustrations as much as I do and want to print them on cards AND pay me. I recently updated my website so you can see my new greeting card designs that will be available in my store soon and will remain there until they are picked up by a national company.

I have also been following up on some leads in electronic books. I am particularly excited electronic books because I think the expansion of this market is only going to get bigger and it involves two things I love to do. 1. be a tech geek and B. Illustrate. If you have an iTunes account search the app store for graphic novels or books and take a look at some of the free examples to see what I am talking about. There are some great examples of picture books and graphic novels available right now and it will only get better. One of the most exciting aspects about this market is that there is almost no format to follow and an electronic book will only be limited by imagination.