Startup’s next chapter writes itself: AI-generated bedtime story platform launches with language-building upgrades

August 9, 2023  |  Channa Steinmetz

JQ Sirls, Storytailor, Pagemaster Inc.

With an emphasis on diversity and creativity, JQ Sirls’ AI-powered story generator is set to redefine children’s literature while uniting generations, he said. 

“I’m really trying to create these magical bonding moments between adults and children. When adults use this technology to create their own story, it makes them feel like a kid again. Then they get to read it to the child, and they share that moment together,” JQ Sirls, the founder and CEO of Pagemaster Inc. and its flagship platform, Storytailor.

Storytailor is an AI-driven platform that generates personalized stories for children ages 3 to 8, Sirls noted. Adults, parents, educators and child therapists are able to create their own tales by simply entering in a short summary choosing what type of story they’d like to tell. Story varieties include basic, bedtime, educational, inclusive, emotional growth and language building. 

“Say you want to teach your three-year-old how to count to 10, but you want to do so using a story about a dog that’s playing the piano — the platform can intertwine that lesson while still giving you a fun and zany story,” Sirls explained. “Or, if you’d like to teach your child Chinese, it can be the story about the dog and piano, but now it includes Chinese words.

“The emotional growth story is for child therapy,” he continued. “Schools already handle the IQ, but I care more about the EQ, the emotional intelligence. Maybe a child is dealing with the grief of losing a parent, or anger; these stories can help that kid understand and process those feelings.” 

Storytailor platform

The Storytailor platform is the second iteration of what was formerly known as Pagemaster. After months of collecting user feedback and research, Sirls rebranded and upgraded his platform to Storytailor to better reflect his mission. 

“Every world is created so that every child becomes the hero of their own tale,” Sirls shared. “Our stories aren’t just personalized — they are intimate fragments of an adventure meticulously tailored for each child. … For a child who’s in a wheelchair, you can create a story where the protagonist is in a wheelchair. Then, maybe they won’t feel alone. Now, they are the superhero.”

Individuals who are interested in Storytailor can access the platform for free; but to create more in-depth, custom stories that have educational and language building elements, the platform is a monthly subscription of $12.99.

“I made sure that it was around the cost of an average picture book,” Sirls noted. “If you go to Barnes & Noble, one picture book is probably around $17.99 to $18.99, and there’s no limit to how many stories you can create with Storytailor.”

Storytailor platform

Storytailor’s upgraded platform also allows users to create sequels to their stories. 

“One of the biggest pieces of feedback I received was that parents wanted to continue the bedtime story the next night with the same characters,” Sirls said. “Now, you can keep creating chapters and essentially create a chapter book.”  

The next feature on the docket for Storytailor is set to include voice overs, Sirls teased. 

The AI in Storytailor is not about showcasing technology, rather it is about fostering human connection, creating cherished memories and cultivating a lifelong love for learning, Sirls said. 

“This technology was not created to replace people as writers and illustrators,” Sirls said. “I’m actually trying to empower people who have always wanted to write. By including more people, that is how we make the publishing industry more diverse and creative. And after a story is created, you can go in and edit the story however you’d like. The technology provides a great foundation.” 

Click here to read more about why JQ Sirls is on a mission to revolutionize the publishing industry.

For those who are intimidated by either AI or writing, Sirls strongly encouraged them to try playing around with the Storytailor platform to discover the joy and ease of creating one’s own story.

“Storytailor invites parents, teachers, therapists — every person influencing young minds — to discover the magic of personalized storytelling,” Sirls said. “Together, let’s create an inclusive narrative, one story at a time.”

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged , ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      2023 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        The Distrikc, AbdulRasheed Yahaya, Michelle Richmond, Ryan S. Harvey, Mark Launiu, Deaunte Thomas, Wesley Hamilton, and Darion Moore

        The Distrikc founders: We’re not waiting on outsiders to save our brothers and sisters

        By Tommy Felts | May 10, 2019

        It’s time for members of Kansas City’s largely unseen and forgotten communities of color to take control, said Wesley Hamilton, one of the organizers behind The Distrikc. “We speak so much about KC, but people forget whole groups of people — I’m talking Troost to Main, East Kansas City, South Kansas City,” he said. “We want…

        University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Enactus team; Photo courtesy of Darcy Howe

        ‘Legendary’ UMKC Enactus team earns spot in national entrepreneurship finals

        By Tommy Felts | May 9, 2019

        The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Enactus team is the fourth most impactful in the country, declared Ben Williams. “At UMKC Enactus, we take the world’s greatest challenges into our own hands, channeling our power as students, advocates, and entrepreneurs,” the team told a crowd gathered Tuesday at the Kansas City Convention Center, as they took…

        Carvana, Kansas City

        Car vending machine drives into KC skyline with Carvana’s launch off Southwest Boulevard

        By Tommy Felts | May 9, 2019

        Towering over Southwest Boulevard, Missouri’s first Carvana location has been parked in Kansas City and it’s finally ready to rev its engine, Amy O’Hara confirmed Thursday. “It’s a beautiful location and we’re looking forward to showing everyone our signature car vending machine experience and the new way to buy a car,” said O’Hara, Carvana associate…

        DeepLens, Regnier Venture Creation Challenge

        UMKC awards students $75K in prizes at Regnier Venture Creation Challenge

        By Tommy Felts | May 8, 2019

        Student startups are growing rapidly on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, said Bryan Boots. Such acceleration has been further propelled thanks to the recent distribution of $75,000 in prize money, awarded to a series of winners of the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge Competition May 2-3, split across events at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation…