As a writer, I tend to work with compelling stories over many years. In addition to words, I have always collected images—still, video and motion picture film—along with recorded audio. It has always been my future hope to create multimedia stories—using words, images and sound. Now, after decades, that day may have arrived.
Last Friday, I received a new iPad from Apple. It had caught my eye due to demonstrations I had seen showing remarkable multimedia books. Now that I have used the iPad a little, I can say it is on its way to being a truly revolutionary publishing device. Not yet, but it's headed there.
A text version of my latest book, Whitewash, was available from the iPad’s bookstore from day one. But it’s only standard text. I’m now just beginning to explore ways to incorporate other media into the book. So far, there are no easy authoring tools for individuals. That, I assume, is coming. (In the meantime, I'm looking for help.)
The iPad marks a turning point, however, where multimedia books are finally possible for distribution to the masses. It’s a day I’ve been waiting for a long, long time.
