Interesting News From Smashwords

Wizard’s Tower books are not available via Smashwords. There is a very simple reason or this. They don’t allow you to upload a finished book. They insist, instead, that you upload a Word document which they put through a really crappy automated converter (and, based on a few examples I have seen, insert legal language banning you from selling the book anywhere except through Smashwords). I’m proud of the books I produce. I don’t want Smashwords producing substandard versions of them, and I want to be able to sell them through many different stores.

Yesterday, however, Smashwords announced that they are finally beginning to test a system for direct upload of epubs. See Liz Castro’s post for details. Once that is up and running I’ll be delighted our books for sale through Smashwords.

4 thoughts on “Interesting News From Smashwords

    1. That’s very kind of you, but that’s not an award, that’s a gamified exercise in mutual link spam. Please don’t associate me with that sort of thing.

  1. I don’t think the text saying “This is a Smashwords edition,” etc., is actually required (or inserted by SW). It’s strongly suggested. However, I haven’t bought anything from Smashwords in ages and didn’t pay attention at the time, so it’s certainly possible they’re inserting something…

    As a self-published author, though, I am also looking forward to epub uploads.

    1. All I know is that I’ve occasionally been sent books to put in my bookstore and had to send them back as they contain an “only to be sold through Smashwords” message.

Comments are closed.