Free childrens eBook

[Befree]

Hello everybody,

 

Would you like a free copy of my children’s Read Along ebook?

 

I don't have any kids of my own, so I was hoping to test this book out on yours.  Yes, that's right, you FDR listeners have the opportunity to be the first to review my book. (Pretty please!)  Maybe you could give it the "virtue test", and let me know if its any good, or just plain sucks.

If you're feeling lazy, you don't even have to read it, you can just press play and have me read it to you (Because its a read along). Whatever comments you'd like to leave would be highly appreciated (as harsh as they may be).  Or even better, you could leave a review on itunes, amazon or kobo.  I'm trying to decide if I should invest my time or money into marketing this thing, or let it go the way of the Dodo and move on to whatever failed venture is next.

 

Here's an iTunes Link:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/inside-out-side-cat/id931613423?ls=1&mt=11

 

If that link doesn't work, search "Inside Out Side Cat" on ibooks and it should pop up free for download.  It's an epub3 file, so it won’t work on all eReaders.  Sorry.  Let me know if you have any technical difficulties.

 

 

Here's a little back-story if you’re interested:

 

I started reviewing kids books earlier this year, and it occurred to me that most kid’s books are terrible.  (with exceptions of course).  Probably because everybody is following the Disney Corporation’s model of selling mindless escapism.  So, not knowing the first thing about children, nor having any background with them, I decided to write my first children's book.  I know, probably not the best logic.  Anyways, I decided I'd give it an attempt anyways, and see if I could up the game on children's literature.  Well, I'm not sure I did that, but here's one freedom fighters attempt at it.

 

Thanks for your time and feedback.  I hope you enjoy it.

 

Isaac

[villagewisdom]

Hi Isaac, downloaded the book but can't read it on my computer. It says I need an iOS device. Perhaps I can get it on my iPod but it is several years old -- we'll see. That's the only iXXX device I have. I could not find a way to get just the audio portion. Do you know how?

 

I am curious about putting something like this together and have a few questions about the process. A couple of things I noticed that I have trouble with are the write up summary about the book and the artwork. Did you contract these out or do the work yourself? I run into these issues when I come up with ideas but lack skills in certain areas. Specifically writing ad and marketing copy are outside of my areas of expertise and artwork is not even on the same planet with me. Most of the time these limitations in my thinking are brick walls to getting my stuff out there. Hence the slowness of my progress with my web content, ebook, newsletters, etc. 

 

Thanks for any help with these issues. 

[Befree]

Hi Isaac, downloaded the book but can't read it on my computer. It says I need an iOS device. Perhaps I can get it on my iPod but it is several years old -- we'll see. That's the only iXXX device I have. I could not find a way to get just the audio portion. Do you know how?

 

I am curious about putting something like this together and have a few questions about the process. A couple of things I noticed that I have trouble with are the write up summary about the book and the artwork. Did you contract these out or do the work yourself? I run into these issues when I come up with ideas but lack skills in certain areas. Specifically writing ad and marketing copy are outside of my areas of expertise and artwork is not even on the same planet with me. Most of the time these limitations in my thinking are brick walls to getting my stuff out there. Hence the slowness of my progress with my web content, ebook, newsletters, etc. 

 

Thanks for any help with these issues. 

Hello villagewisdom, thanks for your response.

 

It should work on your ipod if you have an up to date version of ibooks.  However, you might have a hard time seeing the text, because the screen is so small.  If you have a Mac, you can download Maverick and view it on your computer, off ibooks.  Other than that, there might be an app that will allow you to use it on a non-epub3 supported device (like a kindle or PC).  I do have a kindle version specifically for Amazon, but it doesn't have the audio/text highlighting.  Amazon has different standards and I haven't jumped through all their hoops to get the book up on audible with the whispersync just yet. 

 

I did all the writing, illustrating, summary and narration myself.  The Adobe creative cloud was very helpful.  In fact that's essentially all I used from start to finish. (not necessary but it might be a good investment) Photoshop, indesign, and audition being the most important.  The only thing I contracted out was the "read aloud" coding.  The HTML was over my head, so I had someone else do that.  (well worth the money to pay someone.  I was bashing my head against the wall trying to do it myself).  If you are lost on a project you are doing, check out "Elance".  That's where I go when I need to find a freelancer.  You have a huge range of price ranges to deal with on there.  You can outsource to India if you’re on a tight budget or use someone in the country.  Either way, it's a good resource.

 

I know how you feel about Marketing.  It sucks.  I even studied it in collage and I still feel lost and overwhelmed.  I'm not even sure if I should undertake it at all.  I was hoping to get some feedback of the book before I even get started.

[cab21]

could you make like a pdf version, give it out on your website in exchange for emails, then build a list for future books?

[Befree]

could you make like a pdf version, give it out on your website in exchange for emails, then build a list for future books?

Yes, I can do that.  The biggest problem with PDF format is it doesn't allow the read along audio/visual, but I could definitely work something out.  I've already built a site that I’m waiting to launch.   I'm mainly just concerned if all that is worth my time.   Getting feedback on my work is near impossible.  I'm beginning to think I’m going to have to pay people to read my book. 

 

Has anybody else read or listened to the book?  A thumbs up or thumps down would be highly appreciated. 

 

Thanks

[Ritchey]

I'd like to read it, but I don't own an iOS device. I'm waiting for the pdf. I completely agree that there is a lack of freedom based literature for children. I can't stand the Disney crap and, like you say, others are just following their model.

 

You could also release the audio separately on fdr if you're just looking for reviews. Just a thought.

[Befree]

I'd like to read it, but I don't own an iOS device. I'm waiting for the pdf. I completely agree that there is a lack of freedom based literature for children. I can't stand the Disney crap and, like you say, others are just following their model.

 

You could also release the audio separately on fdr if you're just looking for reviews. Just a thought.

Thanks for your interest Ritchey.  Out of curiosity, can you open a .mobi file?  I’m assuming you’re on PC or kindle hardware?  Either way, I'll definitely consider releasing PDF version.  Or, maybe a video version for youtube.  That might be the easiest way for people to see/preview it.

[Ritchey]

I'm on a pc. I did a search and found a program called "Calibre" that can read .mobi files. I'm not familiar with any programs that can read .mobi files, so I thought I'd try it out. If anyone has a better suggestion, I would appreciate it.

[villagewisdom]

I have Calibre. It works great and will even convert pdf (with some work) to ereader page flow.

 

How do I get the .mobi files?

[Befree]

I'm on a pc. I did a search and found a program called "Calibre" that can read .mobi files. I'm not familiar with any programs that can read .mobi files, so I thought I'd try it out. If anyone has a better suggestion, I would appreciate it.

 

 

I have Calibre. It works great and will even convert pdf (with some work) to ereader page flow.

 

How do I get the .mobi files?

 

If you'd still like to see "Inside Out Side Cat", I've created a youtube version.  Here it is.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no_i4ha7KJk

[Ritchey]

You sir, have done an excellent job! I enjoyed it immensely. It really pulls you in and the sing-song rhythm makes it flow. I enjoyed the different voices. I like how each were distinct and unique. The story is the best part of all. It's a great way to portray morality. The fat cat character is perfect. Everything from the name of the character right down to the way the artwork is done. I particularly like how the artwork told the story just as much as the words.

 

My only critique is that I thought that the beginning was a bit abrupt. It's not horrible, but it seems as if the story starts in the middle of a thought. In my amateur writer's opinion, I would have started with a description of the surroundings. It would help set the scene and ease the audience into the story.

 

I will be watching this with my girls and will post back what their thoughts are. Again, excellent job.

[Befree]

You sir, have done an excellent job! I enjoyed it immensely. It really pulls you in and the sing-song rhythm makes it flow. I enjoyed the different voices. I like how each were distinct and unique. The story is the best part of all. It's a great way to portray morality. The fat cat character is perfect. Everything from the name of the character right down to the way the artwork is done. I particularly like how the artwork told the story just as much as the words.

 

My only critique is that I thought that the beginning was a bit abrupt. It's not horrible, but it seems as if the story starts in the middle of a thought. In my amateur writer's opinion, I would have started with a description of the surroundings. It would help set the scene and ease the audience into the story.

 

I will be watching this with my girls and will post back what their thoughts are. Again, excellent job.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.   It's hard to get feedback from people who aren't my immediate family, so you response is music to my ears.  Thanks.

 

Yeah, the beginning was tricky.  I did a couple of re-writes on it, originally, and decided less was more (that may not have been the case).  It was difficult to establish the setting without an establishing shot/context outside the house, or just telling the audience what the book was about.  I think I was afraid it would give too much away.  I wanted it to appear as if the only context/world for the inside cats was the “world house.”  At least until the end. 

 

Thanks again for your review.  I’ll be eager to hear what your girls thought of it.

[Befree]

You sir, have done an excellent job! I enjoyed it immensely. It really pulls you in and the sing-song rhythm makes it flow. I enjoyed the different voices. I like how each were distinct and unique. The story is the best part of all. It's a great way to portray morality. The fat cat character is perfect. Everything from the name of the character right down to the way the artwork is done. I particularly like how the artwork told the story just as much as the words.

 

My only critique is that I thought that the beginning was a bit abrupt. It's not horrible, but it seems as if the story starts in the middle of a thought. In my amateur writer's opinion, I would have started with a description of the surroundings. It would help set the scene and ease the audience into the story.

 

I will be watching this with my girls and will post back what their thoughts are. Again, excellent job.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.   It's hard to get feedback from people who aren't my immediate family, so that's music to my ears.  Thanks.

 

Yeah, beginnings are tricky.  I did a couple of re-writes on it, originally, and decided less was more.  But that may not have been the right decision.  It was difficult to establish the setting without an establishing shot/context outside the house, or just telling the audience what the book was about.  I think I was afraid it would give too much away.

 

Thanks again for your response.  I’ll be eager to hear what your girls thought of it.