There are some requirements before you can successfully publish your book on the iBookStore:

• Get an ISBN numbers for the books you want to publish
• Convert the book into EPUB format
• Make sure the book pass EpubCheck 1.0.5
• a US Tax ID (sorry guys, this is only open to the US at this point)
• an iTunes account backed up by a credit card
• a fairly good idea of where you’ll sell and how much you’ll sell
• an Intel-based Mac running OS 10.5 or betterand meet some reasonable technical requirements

If you don’t know how to get an ISBN number or potentially want to get paid faster, Apple suggests that you use an Apple-approved aggregator. These are firms that have a financial arrangement with Apple and can provide a number of services at what seems to be a reasonable cost. Each aggregator delivers a different set of services, but let’s take Bookbaby as an example. They charge $49 per book the first year and then $19 per book each year the book is in the store. For an additional $19 they can snag you an ISBN number, and if your book isn’t in the proper format, another $19 will get that done. Other services, such as Smashwords takes no upfront money but does take a cut of the profits. Many supply marketing assistance, collect payments and handle other details.

Who would have thought, just three years ago, that opening the App Store to submissions from just about anyone would wind up to be such a home-run? I have a feeling of déjà vu on this as well, and think that opening iBooks to the writing community will have wide-reaching effects over the next year. I’m also interested to see what sort of content Apple decides to let in. Books for sure, but what about novellas, scholarly articles, or even a collection of blog posts? I might see a market for a book of everything TUAW has written about the iPhone to date. Originality, function and expertise has fueled the App Store, bringing to it apps that no one would have ever thought of, and here we have another wide open market for almost anyone to jump in on. Who knows what the publishing world will be like a year from now?

So writers, get writing!

Apple iPad

Steve Jobs claims it will offer the best browsing experience you can have, like “holding the Internet in your hands.” The iPad appears to be answer to netbooks, but combines the best of all iPhone and earlier Apple products.The aluminium-clad rectangular unit is .5 inches thick, 9.7 inches diagonally, 1.5 pounds in weight, and uses the 1GHz Apple A4 chip and 16 to 64 GB in flash storage. It is WiFi-capable (802.11) and can also be accessed through Bluetooth technology.The device will include e-mail, photos, maps, built-in iTunes store and YouTube functionality.