Mark Schlichting describes himself as writing in the trans-media arena. Here's the link to Mark's Show Notes page with interview highlights and quotes, links to his books, and to his websites and social media connections.

By training, Mark is an artist and an animator. In his younger days, he was the art director for a small publishing company. He transitioned into video and video games. He loved children's picture books and the challenge to bring a book alive. Mark was also interested in reading and how kid's learned to read, which led him to study child development. Mark's book, Harry and the Haunted House was turned from a paper book into an interactive digital product - an app. The digital app version has outsold the print version. Mark stresses that you have to think about how you are going to create the interaction between text, pictures, and the story elements. Many children's books are being turned into apps that appeal to today's digital minded kids. Mark talks about writing Harry and the Haunted House with the idea of making it an interactive book. Mark ends with an excellent explanation into the power of surprise and it's role in storytelling.