Online publishing pioneer YUDU Media today announced it has partnered with the Welsh Books Council to release a free, mobile Welsh Books application, now available in the Apple App Store. An equivalent Ap Llyfrau Cymru, featuring a Welsh-language interface, is also now available for download. Funded by the Welsh Government, the Welsh Books Council actively promotes reading and literacy in Wales through a number of programs and services, with a mission of improving standards of book production and publication in both Welsh and English.
The YUDU cloud-publishing platform was launched in 2007 and has since published over half a million publications for some of the largest brands and publishing houses in the world. The platform places its customers in complete control to publish content to the Web and also directly into branded apps on the App Store.
The new Welsh Books app is aimed to support several Wales-based publishers --- Graffeg, Y Lolfa, Atebol and Canolfan Astudiaethau Addysg --- as part of a new pilot program, and includes a total of four book titles (three in Welsh, one in English). The app's initial books feature titles in both Welsh and English. The titles are both child- and adult-friendly, with two titles specifically aimed at the education industry.
According to YUDU CEO Richard Stephenson, the new partnership will help provide a greater avenue of exposure and opportunity for smaller-scale or lesser-known publishers, accessible in one, easy-to-use, central location.
"The Welsh Books Council does a phenomenal job of highlighting the importance of the book trade's contribution to the vital work of promoting and supporting the Welsh language," YUDU CEO Richard Stephenson said. "The Council's business model, along with YUDU's innovative technology, will ultimately help strengthen and streamline the publishing process for many Welsh-based publishers. The goal moving forward is to ensure that we continue to offer digital book audiences the widest possible selection of high-quality Welsh titles."
Thanks to translation support provided by the Welsh Books Council, YUDU plans to release an Android version of the app in the weeks to come. In addition, YUDU plans to develop a digital edition that will be sold on publisher websites and on Gwales.com.
The app will be officially launched as part of a special event at the Welsh Government stand in National Eisteddfod of Wales, Denbigh on August 5, 2013, hosted by Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru of the Welsh Books Council. First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones and the Culture Minister, John Griffiths also plan to attend the event.
