Animated Children's books

Background

A wonderful opportunity for authors to market their self-published and independently eBooks to a world-wide audience through a new and exciting distribution channel is now available.

Melbourne based book publishing services company Palmer Higgs has been appointed as the Australian content provider for self-published and independently published books for Smart TV products to be launched by some of the world’s largest electronics companies in 2011.

Palmer Higgs has been appointed as the agent for DNAML Pty Ltd, the creator of new eBook technologies for the LG Smart TV. DNAML is a leading end to end eBook solution provider for next-generation tablets, mobile devices, laptops and personal computers. The Sydney based company owns eBook.com, the premier domain for eBook retailing.

Companies such as the global giant LG Electronics will be incorporating the technology created by DNAML to offer eBooks from their Applications Store for the LG Smart TV to be launched worldwide in the second quarter of 2011. LG is committed to securing a dominant position in this fast growing Smart TV market expected to surpass 80 million units worldwide by 2014

What is Smart TV?

  • Smart TV is an experience, it's what entertainment lovers have always wanted but never had before:
  • It’s integrated, so everything important to the consumer is connected and searchable on a single screen, from billions of hours of video to personal content such as eBbooks and photographs
  • It’s interactive, complementing broadcast programming with the ability to instantly find and watch television shows and movies, download Internet applications, and easily surf between channels and Web sites for a completely new way of using television, instead of just watching it


The smart TV experience will let people:

  • Search online and personal content as well as broadcast programming all from the same TV interface
  • Access downloadable applications e.g. animated books
  • Connect to social networks while watching favourite programs or movies
  • Control TV with a unique new remote control or voice commands
  • Access an infinite amount of entertainment possibilities


For further information about Smart TV and the companies behind it such as Intel and Google, view these videos:



Project Requirements

For the first phase of the project, Palmer Higgs is looking to work with authors of high quality children’s picture books. The books will be animated to create eBooks with educational and entertainment value for a global audience.

We are currently looking for animated picture books suitable for children aged 2-10 years. We will also consider picture books that meet these criteria but are not yet in a digitally animated format (i.e. the digital files are available but animation has not been done)

We seek authors:

  • Able to provide quality picture books in animated or digital format
  • Able to grant exclusive global distribution rights for a minimum of one year
  • In possession of copyright and rights to their own material
  • Willing to convert their book to an animated version


This is an opportunity suited to self-published authors, independent publishers or published authors with out-of-print titles due to the requirement to grant global distribution rights for the animated version of the book. The author will retain copyright and all distribution rights for the printed book and distribution rights for the animated version will revert to the author following the initial 12-month period.

For books approved for distribution the costs for these services will be borne by the author. In order to make this project sustainable for authors and to enable us to access content in the required format, Palmer Higgs will manage the publishing process and provide animation voice over services at a reduced cost. Indicative costing for budgeting purposes are $1,250 for a 24-page book and $1,550 for a 36-page book but individual quotes will be provided. These services will not be available to authors whose content is not pre-approved.
Author Benefits

The animated books will be distributed and marketed initially through the LG Smart TV Apps Store. Although no guarantees can be made as to how many copies of each title will be purchased, this new distribution channel presents an enormous opportunity for authors involved at an early stage in this project in 2011 and on-going. LG globally is committed to securing a dominant position in this fast growing market expected to surpass 80 million units worldwide by 2014.

New sales channels for the animated eBooks will be added on new devices e.g. Android and smart phones in the near future and are covered under the distribution agreement.

Authors are encouraged to continue marketing their printed books as the eBook and printed book will complement each other.

The key to successful distribution is to have your product available to a worldwide audience. Distribution at this level has only been available to large and powerful publishers in the past; now self-published and small independent publishers have this opportunity.

The Smart TV is an exciting phase in home entertainment which will attract massive media and advertising activity in the coming months.

LG will also market the LG Smart TV Upgrader which will enable any HDMI compatible TVs to be upgraded to a Smart TV at a low cost. This will expose your book to a larger market than just the new Smart TV market.

This is an excellent opportunity for Australian authors to be involved from the very beginning with a brand new wave of digital products. Australian apps developers have contributed to the success of the iPad; now self-published and independently published authors have the opportunity to provide content for the new world-wide phenomenon of the SmartTV.

Self published and independently published authors who can act quickly and are in a position to grant global distribution rights will have an advantage over publishers who have to deal with complicated territorial boundaries.
Distribution Agreement

The author will enter into an exclusive global distribution agreement with DNMAL for one year and a non exclusive agreement for the following year to be automatically renewed each year thereafter unless revoked by either party.

The author will retain copyright and all distribution rights for the printed book. Distribution rights for the animated version will revert to the author following the initial 12-month period.

Royalty payments will be paid within 45 days after the end of each calendar month.

A sample copy of the Distribution Agreement is attached/included.
How do I apply?

Initially you are required to complete the application form which includes the basic details of your book and your contact details. The application form is to be submitted to Palmer Higgs with a PDF version of the book (preferably a print ready version):

    Palmer Higgs
    LPO Box 5007
    Heathwood
    Victoria 3134
    Australia
    Attention: Joy Childs

What is the process?

Palmer Higgs will evaluate submitted content and will advise in writing as to the suitability of your book for the project.

If successful we will also provide at this stage:

    A firm quote for the production animation and voice over
    An offer to distribute the title/s

Should the author wish to proceed, we require a signed acceptance of the quote and distribution agreement along with digital files including PDFs (print ready version) and native files (including layout and illustration files).

Palmer Higgs will then complete the animation/voice over work in consultation with the author.

Author to approve the new animated book.

Palmer Higgs to uploaded title for sale via DNMAL distribution network.

Product sales scheduled to commence May 2011.

Authors receive monthly royalty payments 45 days following the end of each calendar month.

For further information, please contact Paul Higgs 0418 512 213 or paul@palmerhiggs.com.au

Click here to start filling out your application.