HarperCollins announced the launch of The BookSmash Challenge, a four-month-long contest that challenges developers to create new digital products that “break the binding” and re-imagine the book. In conjunction with ChallengePost, a software competition platform, HarperCollins invites participants to find inspiration in the work of authors who are enthusiastic about exploring unique ways for consumers to interact with their work. The BookSmash Challenge seeks innovative thinkers interested in using imagination and technology to build software that goes beyond the traditional ways books are read and discovered.
At launch, more than a dozen HarperCollins authors are joining the project as Author Innovators, making their content available for challenge participants to use in the creation of their products.
Submissions will be accepted between June 6 and September 5 via http://booksmash.challengepost.com/. They can be developed as software programs or mobile apps, and should be available to readers on iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, PC, Mac, or web/mobile web platforms. Judging of the digital products will be based on originality of idea, implementation of idea, and potential impact.
From the eligible submissions, there will be four prizes awarded: Grand Prize, Runner-Up, Popular Choice, and the HarperCollins Recognition Award. A group of judges, including entrepreneur and author of Curation Nation Steve Rosenbaum, entertainment industry veteran Paul Vidich, co-founder of N3TWORK and former Apple executive Erik Lammerding, CEO of LiveDeal, Inc., Mike Edelhart, and HarperCollins chief digital officer, Chantal Restivo- Alessi, will review the entries and select the Grand Prize and Runner-Up winners. A total of $25,000 in cash prizes will be awarded.
