Question about cover image

[susanhuntermysteries]

I'm updating my first two covers.

When I submit a new cover image, does Smashwords send *only* the cover image to all outlets. They don't automatically send the manuscript, too, do they? 

If they do, I'll remove the old cover image from the first page of the books. If not, I'm thinking I'll just leave them in.

Thanks!

[Deleted]

As I understand, Smashwords sends out all your data as a single package every time you change anything, be it the cover, the description, the manuscript, or anything else. However, not all outlets handle updates very well. (From my own experience B&N, the Apple store, and Blio are probably the worst.)

You mean you've included your old cover image as an illustration inside the new manuscript? I'm not sure why that would be a problem. It's like a fun extra for the reader.

[Ted]

From the Smashwords FAQ's page:
"Should I add the cover image inside my book?
This isn't necessary. Our EPUB and MOBI conversions will automatically insert your cover image into the ebook file. However, it won't insert the cover image into the RTF or PDF versions. If you want to ensure your cover image is in all the versions that support images, then open your Word document and use Word's Import: Picture: From File function to import your book cover image, which you should place on the very top of your book. Next, right mouse click on the image, click Format Picture, then click Layout, then click In Line With Text. This will fix your image in place so your text doesn't wrap unpredictably around the image. Next, click the image then click the Word's center button to center the image on your page. Next, return to our Dashboard and click "upload new version." Please note that if the file you upload includes the image, then Meatgrinder will attempt to detect this and not insert a duplicate image. This detection is unlikely to be 100% accurate, which means worst case you'll have two images in the front of your book. If this happens to you, then you're probably best off to remove your image and re-upload your file via the "upload new version" link again."

Cover image must be at least 1,400 pixels wide, and the height should be greater than the width.

[susanhuntermysteries]

Thank you June and Ted. Let me try to be a bit clearer. June, your answer may still stand.

Last year, I published five books with Smashwords. With all five, I sent up the mandatory cover image in addition to adding a cover image at the beginning of the book so that the RTF and PDF versions would have a cover.

Now I'm changing the covers of my first two books.

Under "Settings" for each book, Smashwords gives me the option to upload a new document, or I can upload a new cover image. It appears I can simply upload the new cover.

However, the last time I uploaded only a cover change, my channel manager showed the book as being reshipped.

I'm trying to find out if the manuscript is actually reshipped when the only change is to the cover. Or is just the cover image sent to all outlets?

Thanks!

[Ted]

If your Channel Master showed the book being reshipped then it likely was. It could be an agreement between retailers and Smashwords states cover changes include reshipping manuscript.

Or it could simply be that changes in cover shipped to retailer is coded so it shows in Channel Manager as book being reshipped. Doesn't really matter as long as your new cover appears.

[susanhuntermysteries]

Just a quick follow-up. I didn't want to republish the manuscript if I didn't have to. However, if Smashwords was sending it up anyway, I was going to go ahead and remove the old cover image. The reason for my hesitation was because I once sent only a cover change, and Kobo ended up reverting to an old text version. It took several weeks to straighten it out.

I sent a note to Smashwords for a definitive answer, and received a note from Raylene (who is fantastic btw):

"Thanks for the email. It's best to update the book cover image inside the book as well (if you have it in there). We will then send the image and updated book contents to the retailers."

It will look more professional without the old image anyway, so I went ahead and took care of both cover and book.