It is an incredibly exciting time to be a reader, an author, and a publisher. Opportunities to engage audiences are endless – new devices now support numerous ways of reading, publishing, and reaching readers.

HarperCollins is issuing a call to developers to create excellent, functioning software and proof of concept apps utilizing the HarperCollins OpenBook API, and in doing so turn opportunities into reality.

HarperCollins invites one and all to develop new ways of reading and discovering books and authors. This is a chance for developers to experiment and play with the HarperCollins OpenBookAPI, which features exclusive book data, author data, and content not available to the general public. These tools will allow developers to think about how to make readers fall in love with books all over again, and how to lead a reluctant reader to just the right story.

The OpenBookAPI is intended for development and noncommercial use only. The API includes full access to select authors' works that have been made available specifically for BookSmash and cannot be distributed without HarperCollins written approval. After the close of the competition developers may apply for an extended "developer key." 

$25,000 in prizes

1. Click “Register” to sign up.
2. Visit the HarperCollins OpenBook API Developer pages to apply for an API key. Be sure to check the “BookSmash Challenge Participant” box to indicate that you are a BookSmash participant.
3. Visit the Resources page for app ideas and links to OpenBook documentation.
4. Create a working proof-of-concept app* that uses the OpenBook API, or update an existing app to include the OpenBook API! **
5. Create a demonstration video (YouTube or Vimeo) that walks through the main functionality of the app via screencast or video.
6. Provide a way for us to access your app by including an installation file with your submission, sharing a test build via TestFlight, or by providing a password-protected link where your web app can be accessed for testing and judging.
7. Submit your app by providing: 1) access to your app for testing; 2) screenshots of your working app; 3) a video (YouTube/ Vimeo) demonstrating your working app.

*Proof-of-concept apps which include the OpenBook API content must not be made available to the public. The OpenBook API contains exclusive content provided for BookSmash and is intended for personal and noncommercial use only. Apps must be native smartphone or tablet apps (iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile), or web apps (mobile or desktop), or desktop apps (Windows PC, Mac Desktop).

**If you're submitting an existing app (developed prior to this competition), you must make sure that: A) it didn't use the OpenBook API before the competition, B) it includes new features and functionality added after June 6, 2013, and C) the version submitted (which includes OpenBook API content) is not made available to the public.

• Quality of Idea
  Includes creativity and originality.
• Implementation of Idea
  Includes how well the idea was executed by the developer and how well the app integrates with the OpenBook API.
• Potential Impact
  Includes the potential impact on publishing and readers.