| So you've finished your eBook, had it edited, | | | | fact that they use an automated conversion |
| designed a cover and now you're ready to put it | | | | facility which will destroy the result if the initial |
| out to the world. Now what? Well you could put it | | | | format is not within their boundaries. Generally |
| on your own website but you'd rather it ended up | | | | speaking, their format for manuscripts is not |
| on an eBook reader like the Kindle or Nook. | | | | beyond what you should be using. For example |
| But how? | | | | they prefer Microsoft Word and its native |
| There are two ways to do it. The first is to go to | | | | paragraph formatting rather than spaces and tabs. |
| each of the readers you want it to appear on. | | | | If you are using a good system, you will know |
| Download their format requirements. And then | | | | that you intend to use Smashwords before you |
| format your book to fit each of their required | | | | begin writing. It's much easier to simply use their |
| formats. This includes both a template and a file | | | | manuscript format rules, than to convert |
| format. At this point in time almost all of them | | | | afterwards. |
| are using an independent (file) format. Having said | | | | Smashwords is based on a |
| that, the EPUB format is an industry format which | | | | services-for-self-publishers model similar to the |
| is slowly being adopted. | | | | print-on-demand printers. Smashwords currently |
| The second technique is to make use of either | | | | charges based on sales (they take 15-20% off |
| Smashwords or Author Solutions to convert your | | | | the top) and there is no fee for registering or |
| eBook into the standard formats. | | | | using the service. Although that is subject to |
| Smashwords is a fairly new company. It takes a | | | | change and you should check first. As of the |
| manuscript and then creates a number of | | | | writing of this article (early 2010) they did not |
| different formats for each the author or publisher. | | | | provide other services directly. They were, |
| It also provides two different catalogs. One | | | | however, willing to provide recommendations to |
| consists of the books which it makes available. | | | | service providers based on feedback from other |
| The other (called the Premium Catalog) is used | | | | authors. |
| for promotion to the Sonystore, Amazon, and | | | | Another alternative is Author Solutions. Author |
| Barnes & Noble amongst others. | | | | Solutions, however, is based very closely on the |
| Each of the catalogs has its own set of | | | | vanity publishing model. This is to be expected |
| requirements. However, you should follow the | | | | since they are part of the Trafford Publishing |
| requirements in the Premium Catalog. This catalog | | | | group. Their focus is on helping authors prepare |
| adds requirements which the customers require. | | | | their books for publication. Their focus is on taking |
| As a result, if you follow those requirements you | | | | your manuscript and then providing you with a |
| will also meet the requirements of the standard | | | | saleable package at the end. This package could |
| catalog. | | | | include an eBook or an inventory of printed books. |
| Smashwords has very strict requirements for | | | | They therefore charge based on the services |
| their manuscript formatting. This is because of the | | | | rendered. |