Why I’m Not Publishing on SmashWords

For those of you who’ve been visiting this site since its launch a little over a week ago, I’m sure you’ve seen the SmashWords logo shown alongside the other eBook retailers on which I’m releasing Construct. You’ll notice, as of today, the SmashWords logos are gone.

SmashWords is an eBook aggregator. Unlike individual retailers like Amazon or Kobo, aggregator sites allow self-published authors to upload their book to one site, then – through deals that the aggregator has negotiated – the book is distributed via a range of different retailers. For example, uploading my book to SmashWords would’ve entailed listings on Apple’s iBookstore, Scribd, Baker & Taylor, and several others.

The problem is that SmashWords has a fairly strict Style Guide that must be adhered to for an eBook to be listed in their “Premium Catalog”. Their Premium Catalog is what allows a book to be distributed to SmashWords’ partners. If a book is not listed there, it is only available via the SmashWords website.

I thought I had adhered to their Style Guide, but when I uploaded the book, I received an error. Upon researching the error, I found that SmashWords requires, effectively, a unique version of a book to be created for their website. For my book, it would’ve involved moving and reformatting my copyright information page (effectively removing it from the exact same format that all other books use as a standard) as well as adding a line to said page calling out SmashWords specifically (by saying something to the effect of “SmashWords Edition”).

Now, for an aggregator like SmashWords, I understand the benefit of books in their Premium Catalog containing this line. It identifies them as the distributor of the book on all the sites where it is made available, and lets everyone who buys the book where it came from.

This is fine for an author who is using SmashWords as their primary distribution method. They do, after all, distribute to Amazon, iBooks, Nook, and Kobo. For me, however, this was an unnecessary burden. I’ve already created two versions of CONSTRUCT: a Mobi version specifically for Kindle, and an ePub version for, well, everything else. I’m also handling my distribution via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo individually, in order to maximize my royalties (this way an aggregator doesn’t take an extra percentage).

So, managing a third version of the book – which, by the way, would also necessitate me using a third unique ISBN – and being forced to call out SmashWords specifically is an undue hassle for what is, honestly, minimal benefit. Yes, I want the book to be available in as many places as possible, and SmashWords would’ve helped accomplish that. But the extra requirements that would’ve necessitated a new version just aren’t worth it to me.

I apologize if anyone out there was planning to purchase the book via SmashWords. I’m currently researching other aggregators (Draft2Digital and BookBaby are the frontrunners right now). If I find one that offers similar benefits without the extra requirements, I’ll make the book available there, and the link will be posted to the website.