As I mentioned in my earlier blog – Do iPad or Do I Kindle? – the iPad delivers something very specific for authors that ereaders don’t…

- quite simply, it’s the ability to write.

Will I be getting one? You bet!

Will I wait a while? Yes too as I specifically want it do act as my mobile writing toolbox and want 3G.

Also the apps, I need aren’t quite yet available in iPad format.

So apart from the obvious ability to write, here’s what I plan to use it for and my app shopping list for developers to step up to the plate with …

… some of which I know are ‘appening

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Killer app #001 : Mind Mapping

The iPad will be brilliant for being able to brainstorm and plan. If I currently Mind Map with clients I use pen and paper as a laptop creates an uncomfortable barrier. Having an iPad will sort that once & for all.

For authors, Mind Mapping is brilliant for not only coming up with initial concepts but also project management of the whole book production process.

Apps on my shopping list:

• iMindmap
• iThoughts
• Mind Manager

Killer app #002 : Audio recording

I encourage many of my clients (especially those that have dyslexic tendencies) to use audio recording as a means of “writing” their books. Transcription to text can either be semi-automatic or done cheaply through a number of human-based services.

Apps on my shopping list:

• Griffin iTalk
• Voxie ProRecorder
• Dragon Dictation

Killer app #003 : Research

It might sound obvious but a real bonus is being able to search without opening up a laptop and on a bigger screen than your iPhone.

Apps on my shopping list:

• Taptu
• QuickFind
• Early Edition RSS Reader

Killer app #004 : e-Publishing

Having Pages on your iPad will allow you to write and edit your book. Imagine though an app that allowed you to publish directly into the iBookstore or on the Kindle or Sony Reader. Well I will make a prediction that either Apple will make ePub an output format for Pages and/or a third party app will come out soon to do exactly that.

Apps on my shopping list:

• Pages (with Save as … ePub)
• Calibre (not available but soon please)

Killer app #005 : Producing your own apps

ePublication into the iBookstore will become as easy as submitting an MP3 file to iTunes within a few months. Publishing of read-only titles will become trivial and publishing will be in the hands of authors.

At the same time, great opportunities will open up to create interactive titles that make full use of the iPad environment.

Take my latest book Blocks which comes with six guided audio visualisations and several Mind Mapping exercises. Imagine listening to the audio at the appropriate point in the book and then opening the Mind Map app up to complete the exercise.

I am currently writing the sequel to Blocks with the iPad in mind as a target platform (as well as print).

Here’s a few more ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Embedding live web components
• Embedding tests and surveys
• Tasking and reminders
• Geo-coded based content
• Interaction and chat with the author
• Upselling of products and services

This decade is going to be an amazing time to be an author, a publisher and a reader…

…. Happy Scribing & do add your killer apps below

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Incidentally, if you want to know more about all of this, I will be covering all aspects of ePublishing (and more) on my 3 day Author’s Retreat

Details and booking here …

I am thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s Guildford Book Festival Short Story award.

The prize is fabulous and, as far as we know, a first for any literary competition anywhere in the world.

The winning entry will be converted into an iPhone app that can be either read or listened to – we call these Commutabooks.

The entry will be judged on its ability to engage the reader (or listener) such that, if you were commuting, you might even miss your stop – or even stop commuting forever !!!

Entries only have to be 7000 words or length in any genre including inspiring non-fiction or even poetry.

The winner will be announced during the Festival in October this year.

The winning entry and iPhone app will have a narration recorded by a professional voice over artist (or the author themselves) and an embedded video interview with the author.

The winner will also get an e-publishing contract and receive royalties from sales. With 10’s of millions of iPhones and over 1 million iPads and counting, the exposure alone is worth entering the competition for.

So if there is a story inside you waiting to get out, visit the Guildford Book Festival site for details on how to enter.

How to Enter

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If you have an iPhone, an iPad or an iPod touch and want some inspiration, download these apps for free and read them on your next commute …

100 Years of Ermintrude – narrated poetry with soothing background musical

Soulwave – an example 7000 word short story

Note that Soulwave is also available free on the Google Nexus phone …