Creating an Interactive eBook
Using iBooks Author to create an enhanced ePub file
In 2019 both print and digital publications occupy important spaces in the world of content. Both mediums offer unique benefits. While a lot of people enjoy relaxing with a physical book, others like the portability and extra features that can come from an ebook. I think a ebook should take advantage of the features and options unique to its specific medium offer. ePub 3 is a great format that allows you to add interactive elements to an ebook.
I went through the process of creating an ebook focusing on trying to enhance the readers experience. For this process I decided to use the first few chapters of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott F Fitzgerald. I created the eBook in Apple’s iBooks Author
Features
One of the advantages of the ePub 3 file format is that it supports different interactive content. For my project I focused on a few including pop ups, html widgets, and a image gallery.
Pop ups
I tried to use pop ups to give the reader more context into the book. I used a location pop up that showed a map to give the reader some sense of the different locations where the book takes place .
I also found some really cool sketches used for costume design in the 2013 The Great Gatsby movie. I included these in a pop up to give the reader more visuals of the character.
Hype Animations
In Hype 4 you can create html widgets that will import directly into iBook Author. I animated two of the major symbolic events in the book. The eyes of TJ Eckleburg, and Gatsby reaching out towards the green light.
I think even simple animations are a good way to make a book a little more immersive.
Gallery
I’m a big fan on Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby. So I thought it would be cool to incorporate some scenes from the movie into the book. I created a gallery that shows a shot from the movie and tells what chapter of the book it is from.
Testing
Testing on an iPad showed some subtle errors that I didn’t notice in iBooks Author.One of my hype animations was so subtle is was really hard to notice it. I adjusted the length and opacity of the animation and it worked a lot better.
Conclusion
Through this process, I learned the essentials of iBooks Author. I also learned more about some different ways you can try and enhance a book through interactive features.
