You read it here first. Our new BookSmart blog-to-book beta program is live. A select number of Six Apart TypePad bloggers are now testing a blog beta that allows them to convert their blogs into bookstore-quality books automatically.
Yes, you read it correctly … automatically. Our new Blog Slurper lets bloggers choose how they want their blog slurped – by date or topic – and whether to include images, comments, and links. Our BookSmart app then inserts the slurped blog directly into a professionally designed book template, producing a draft book in minutes. Say goodbye to copying and pasting.
Support for additional blog apps including Moveable Type, Blogger, and WordPress will follow, incorporating feedback from this first beta release.
If you’re one of the testers, have fun. We know you’ll give us some great feedback. If you write a blog and want to create your own blog-to-book, check back soon to see if your blogging platform is ready to test.
Of course, if you can’t wait, you can always copy and paste your blog content into a book design of your choice.
10 Comments
When’s target date for general release?
We’re very serious about getting a lot of feedback from this beta test before moving onto other blogging platforms. That said, I think it’s safe to say we’ll have a general release by the end of the fall.
I can’t wait! I’ve been plannng since reading about Blurb to make my blog into a book for the grandparents and other friends and family for Christmas!!!! I sure hope it’s available by then!
While I’m disappointed not to be chosen as a beta tester, I am just putting the finishing touches on my blog book (using Booksmart). I cut and pasted posts and photos into one of the Text & Images templates, and so far I’m happy with how it has come out. The real proof will be in the printing, and the only thing that has me nervous is the quality of the images. I tried to use Photoshop Elements to change everything from 72 dpi to 300 dpi, but I’m not sure I did it right.
If the blog slurper can make images look great, then I may re-run my blog book and capture all the things I glossed over. I only used a few comments in the book, and there were plenty of small posts I skipped. I included the majority of the posts, most of which were about my newborn son, and I think it will make a fantastic baby book. But the slurper must have a pretty big challenge in front of it. Typepad has a lot of moving parts (typelists, css, advanced templates, videos) and I’m guessing most photos are only 72dpi.
I have 2 sections left to write, and then my wife and I are going to proof and edit the heck out of it, and then we’ll upload.
Thanks for your comments. I’m sure we can handle whatever TypePad throws our way. This beta test will certainly pave the way for other blogging apps. Let us know how your book turns out.
Another blogger who is anxiously waiting for the blog slurper to be released. Blurb was recommened to me from the TV show Call for Help. Any new updates on when it will be available? I know so many bloggers who will benefit from this.
Thanks!
Jenn
Hi, Jenn. We’ve been getting some great feedback on our initial TypePad release — so much so, that we plan to integrate the Blog Slurper with support for TypePad and WordPress into the next release of BookSmart. Watch this space for more info over the next 2 to 3 weeks …
Thanks Kathy, That is great news!
Happy Hallowe’en
Jenn
Did this program ever come to fruition? I am very interested in converting my blog to a book (easily) … I didn’t see anything on the site (either TypePad or Blurb) about this program being available.
Thanks – Jenny
Hi Jenny -
Yes, we have blog-to-book functionality – just make sure you have the newest version of Blurb BookSmart® and select the blog function when you get your book started! =)
3 Trackbacks
[...] Now there’s something every blogger can relate to – only blogs don’t even get a chance to languish in a bathroom rack, or get musty in a recycling bin. Once blog posts lose their new entry smell, they are retired to online archives, to be uncovered only by diligent Googling or Technorating. Thus the inspiration for Blurb’s new Blog Slurper, which allows bloggers to give their best posts pride of place on a coffee table near you. [...]
[...] I guess it is! Blurb has moved out of their beta and will be launching their new blogslurp product very soon. This product sounds intriguing. I would certainly consider the product if they adapt to allow WordPress blogs as they suggest they will soon! Here [...]
[...] We are also opening up our Blog-to-Book slurper for anyone using WordPress.com or TypePad blogging platforms. The slurper enables you to make real tactile books out of your blog entries. Imagine, now you can be a published blogger within minutes. [...]