As many of you know, one of my many dreams for the LAB is to have a journal. I’ve always envisioned a more comprehensive look at handmakers from around the world. Plus, I had it in my head that it would be great to have a directory, like the Handmaker Directory that I’m starting here. Well, it looks like that dream of mine has a good chance of becoming a reality, thanks to TypeEngine.
Last week, I found out that I was selected to be one of the 12 launch partners for TypeEngine’s new iOS newsstand application. I can’t tell you how super excited I am! And for many of you, this is great news too. First though, here’s the press release that TypeEngine sent out:
SEATTLE, Wa 18 Feb 2013 – TypeEngine, an Apple Newsstand publishing platform, released the names of its launch partners prior to its roll-out in Q2 2013. TypeEngine is part of the growing movement toward micropublishing and subcompact publishing, where magazines are specifically designed for digital platforms and their unique requirements.
Previously, digital magazines were designed with print aesthetics in mind, sacrificing functionality and user experience. The first set of magazines to be launched span a wide range of topics and interests. Technology, music, market research, green living and crafting are among the themes represented. Publishers are located in the US, Thailand and Australia. Where applicable, publication names were also shared. Titles may change closer to launch.
TypeEngine creates magazine apps that are designed from the ground up for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Publishers own their apps, release magazines under their own names and get subscription fees paid directly to them from Apple. TypeEngine will also submit apps for Apple’s approval on behalf of publishers, removing an important barrier to entry for independent publishers. Images, video and audio are supported. TypeEngine’s web console allows writing and editing using MultiMarkdown and a multi-user editing workflow.
“Magazines are categorically not dead,” said Jamie Smyth, founder of the Smyth Group which is developing TypeEngine. “But regurgitating PDFs onto iPads is dead. We are enabling both indie and business publishers to publish magazines optimized for reading on iPhones and iPads. Readers have suffered through slow-to-download, cruft-ridden PDF magazines long enough. We are helping writers and publishers create high quality reading experiences.”
The funny thing is that I’ve had this mock-up of the cover of the LAB Journal, sitting around the Mac, for the past year:
Cover: Nikki McWilliams’ Tunnock’s Teacake Pillow
So, you’re probably wondering what this has to do with you. Well, if you’ve been featured on the LAB in the past year, I would love to be able to feature you again in the future issue of the LAB Journal. Since the TypeEngine format will allow me to make the entire journal interactive, I’ll be able to put your links, videos and images in a format that will really pop on all those devices that we can’t seem to live without. If you would like to participate, please drop me an email here. (Fixed the link. Sorry for the inconvenience!)