In the following video I read my negative ebook reviews from the Barnes & Noble website just for kicks and giggles. You can actually learn a lot from your reviews and it really has helped me form my opinions for moving forward. As I work on my future app/ ebook projects I will be trying to avoid the problems that I had on these first three books. Monkey & Croc was my first attempt and gets the most negative reviews - mostly for bad formatting. The second most negative review I get is that my ebooks lack interactivity - another feature I will be adding in my apps. I've decided to work on projects geared for the iPad simply because that device works so well and is very popular. I feel I have the best chance for success by going in this direction.
People tend to speak up more when they're dissatisfied, so you can figure that there are more positive reactions to your books and less negative ones than the proportion reflected on the comments. Good job!
ReplyDeleteWhen I had an iPad on loan, I hunted around to see what ebooks were available for young children, and I must say, what I found out there was mostly crap. Your books were among the nicest.
It's kind of a shame that people are so hung up on interactivity, like they want some cheap video game for their two-year-olds. There's value in just reading a story, too. I wonder how many parents specifically look for ebooks that have a story without all the bling so their child can just get used to reading and make the transition to regular books.
Great points! I think you're right about interactivity. Right now it's a hot buzzword but parents are getting tired of kids playing instead of reading. This is why I want to get the best of both worlds - interactivity that is ESSENTIAL to the story telling - not meaningless touch this and that wiggles.
DeleteI couldn't agree more... as a mom, I still enjoy watching my kids actually read a book and use their imagination.
ReplyDeleteIf they need animation they can watch a cartoon.
I think in the near future there will be very acceptable genres of ebooks that don't have interactivity and those that do and I believe both markets will thrive.
DeleteI appreciate the fact that I can learn from you, thanks a lot for sharing the good and the not so good. So that means you are not going to publish in B&N now? just iTunes and Android Market?
ReplyDeleteHey Marielle - never say never right? I'm just going to focus on iPad, iPhone, and android, and then if the projects start to take off we'll go back to a programmer and prepare it for kindle and nook. I guess I just want to give our ideas the best chance of working right (what a concept) out of the gate.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Will, you have no ego and a thick skin! Good job!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob - you taught me that :)
DeleteI recently read an article that said that the perceived value of an e-book is higher than an app. Interesting considering the increase in time and elements connected with apps.
ReplyDeleteThat's very interesting Patti - I never thought about that but I think it's right...I don't think it will last- over time I'll bet ebook prices come way down...hope I'm wrong but....
DeleteWill,
ReplyDeleteIt's so refreshing to see a talented professional who has the humility to take a few digs and not stress about it. I have respected you and your work for a long time and continue to...even more so. Rock on!
Tami T.
What a kind thing to say Tami! Life's too short to get full of yourself - it's amazing what you can learn when you just shut up and listen right?
DeleteWe learn so much from you, Will. We are always stunned by your generosity and humility. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian!...it's way more fun to give than receive - I get to know people like you and Sheralyn!
DeleteI like your work dude ..and your brand;)
ReplyDeleteWatch this..on youtube
Using Social Media to Develop a Personal Brand
Yes its you know who lol but give him a chance..
Listen to the bit on itunes and gaga.
So in conclusion spend your time instead getting your "COOL PEOPLE" over to challenge the comments left by trolls..than reading others trash.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Good video by MC for sure! Love the message - but the reason I paid attention to the nay sayers in this video is simple: The ebooks I produced aren't my best work. You might even make a case that I shouldn't have produced them. However I really wanted to test the market so the info I gathered became really important. So making fun of myself is pretty painless because I had very little skin in the game.
DeleteWhen we roll out our apps I'll probably be much more sensitive towards our products because we will have spent much more time and emotional effort making them. At that point I'll probably do the M.C. Hammer thing and pay little attention to the people who don't get it.
Your points are very valid - thanks for bringing this up!
I think you could quite well be doing doing something like this in the future> spacedog books treasure-island.
ReplyDeleteYou got the skills..
I would like you to get some more vids on vimeo..
not teasers.. free tutorials..tips.. let us watch you digital workflow on a project etc.
And jesus no more them vids where you talk for a minute then it fades into the next teaser;)
I like the vids where ya ambient tunes in the background too.
Rant over.. lol
I hear you on the teasers - but they really are meant to let people know that I have put my blood sweat and tears into making full length video tutorials. Yes they come at a cost but I wouldn't be able to afford the time to do them without charging. Peace.
DeleteWow you are a talented illustrator your work is inspiring! Do you have any tips for someone just starting the process of self-publishing their first picture eBook (in terms of proper image sizing)? Do you have a take on Smashwords? Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated! Only if you have the time:)
ReplyDeleteThanks... wishing you continued success!
schamberlainparks@gmail.com
hi,i had found you from off trina is artsy fartsy...writing takes talent...i lack it..i tried to write a children's book,but failed at the first paragraph...i think i will stick to trying to learn to paint well...oh and FYI...this world is filled with negative hateful people...and we all have enemies and they will hide themselves as anonymous...just remember those people are unhappy with their lives and spread the hate like a virus.
ReplyDeletefunny. at least you are getting sales and reviews. I have great reviews on my ebook (a couple from family so they don't count) but really low sales. I'd trade one for the other. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePlease don't design your books exclusively for iPad! My kids (11, 8, 5, and 5) have loved both Pollywog to Frog and Monkey and Croc. We can finally read them in color now that I have an iPhone. I love your illustrations and simple stories. We read them again and again (I just have to lock the orientation when we read Monkey and Croc). I've specifically looked for other titles by you since your stories are a great value as well as being fun to read to kids.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
DeleteThanks so much - it's rare for me to get direct feedback like this and it matters a lot to me! Apps that I'm working on now will most likely also be coded for iPad/iPhone first but also android, kindle, and nook. We realized that without too much more effort we can make them available. I am however trying to give readers more of a developed idea/story for a slightly older audience. Thanks again! I'm so glad your kids like them!