iBooks Author, the new app from Apple that lets anyone publish their own books to iBooks, is now available for free in the AppStore. This app is touted to let you:

  • Create iBooks with interactive content, like presentations, videos, and reader interactions.
  • Publish the books directly to iBooks with the click of a mouse.
  • Maintain your publications with updates, errata fixes, etc.
While Apple is initially focussing on having this as a tool for Textbook publishers to bring textbooks to the iBook store, it is no doubt a huge step forward for independent writers and publishers, allowing them to publish a book at little or no out-of-pocket expense.
In our office we will most likely be using this tool for Genealogical Publications, while I can see it being used for a huge variety of purposes for local companies here in the Ruby Valley.