But it’s not authors who can’t get published otherwise who are now publishing e-books. Big name authors are doing it. Big and small publishers are putting their authors out in e-book form. And even Smashwords who touts that they publish “independent authors” is drawing in the bigger names.
In a recent press release, Smashwords announced that best-selling author Dan Poynter will publish his new book, The Self-Publishing Manual Volume 2, via Smashwords. This is not Poynter’s first e-book. According to his bio, he has a dozen e-books out. But he’s putting his weight behind a group that reaches the masses of writers.
Not only is the title a perfect match for Smashwords, the process is fast. Poynter said:
"Authors simply upload their finished manuscript as a Microsoft Word file and then Smashwords automatically converts it into multiple DRM-free ebook formats, ready for immediate sale."Now, I have no stock in Smashwords and have never used them, but I do think it’s another sign of the changing times in the publishing industry that more and more “big name” authors are turning to e-book form for their books.
A lot of my publishing friends have all had their work in e-book format through their publishers. With the internet and palm readers making everything so accessible (not to mention cheaper...) in the end it seems like the only route to go. Great blog, Helen. Thanks for sharing your insight into Smashwords.
ReplyDeleteJenny
http://theinnerbean.blogspot.com/
I bought Dan's new book from Smashwords two days ago. Plan to review it on my blog soon.
ReplyDeleteWe already offer most of our books as e-books (Kindle and PDF at present, EPUB soon) and are considering whether to try Smashwords.
Walt Shiel
Publishing, Slipdown Mountain Publications
http://WaltShiel.com
Question: when does editing go on?
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, Jenny. It seems to me that e-books are here to stay. Books published on the phone may be a passing fad, though.
ReplyDeleteWalt, I think it's great that Slipdown Mountain already takes advantage of e-publishing. I'm looking forward to your review of Poynter's book.
ReplyDeleteBrooke, I assume you're talking about the editing of the e-book. I was just reading an email from an author who found her no-longer-available book being sold in e-form. She was very disappointed to see that paragraphs were mushed together wit no breaks and a lot of other problems with it.
ReplyDeleteHello, Helen, thank you for you posts on Smashwords. As you point out, I think we are on the cusp of a very exciting time for authors. Our purpose at Smashwords is to put authors first - give them complete control over all aspects of their careers - and help introduce the world to the tremendous talent that until now has not been allowed to see the light of day.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Mark Coker
Founder
Smashwords
Thanks for stopping by, Mark. It's always good to hear from the one in charge!
ReplyDeleteI'm the sort of hombre who passions to try recent things. Currently I'm building my personalized solar panels. I am managing it all by myself without the assistance of my men. I'm utilizing the net as the only path to acheive that. I stumbled upon a very amazing website that explains how to contruct solar panels and wind generators. The website explains all the steps required to solar panel construction.
ReplyDeleteI'm not exactly sure bout how precise the info given there iz. If some people over here who had xp with these works can have a peak and give your feedback in the site it will be great and I would highly value it, cauze I extremely like [URL=http://solar-panel-construction.com]solar panel construction[/URL].
Tnx for reading this. U people rock.