Smashwords
Your book. Your way.
Overview
Smashwords was one of the first and largest ebook distributors for independent authors, allowing them to reach major retailers and library networks. In 2022, Smashwords was acquired by its competitor, Draft2Digital. The platforms are in the process of merging, but for now, Smashwords continues to operate its own distribution network and a popular direct-to-consumer ebook store.
✨ Key Features
- Wide distribution to retailers like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and libraries
- The Smashwords Store for direct-to-reader sales with high royalty rates
- Free ebook conversion from a Word document
- Free ISBNs
- Pre-order setup for major retailers
🎯 Key Differentiators
- The popular Smashwords Store offers high direct-to-consumer royalties.
- Long-standing reputation and a large catalog of indie books.
- Pioneered many author-friendly tools like pre-orders for indie authors.
Unique Value: Combines wide retail and library distribution with a high-royalty direct sales channel, giving authors multiple avenues to reach readers and maximize earnings from a single platform.
🎯 Use Cases (3)
✅ Best For
- Distributing ebooks to a global network of retailers and libraries.
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Authors who prefer the more modern, user-friendly interface of the main Draft2Digital platform.
- Authors who need print-on-demand services (which are offered by the parent company, Draft2Digital).
🏆 Alternatives
While being integrated into Draft2Digital, its standalone store remains a key differentiator, offering better direct-sale royalties than most other platforms allow.
💻 Platforms
🔌 Integrations
🛟 Support Options
- ✓ Email Support
💰 Pricing
Free tier: Free to publish. Smashwords takes a commission on sales.
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