Sale of Kindle ebooks via Smashwords

[andyc]

Hi Guys

I've read a lot of different threads, posts, etc about whether Smashwords distributes to Amazon for the kindle, whether Amazon actually makes those titles it receives from Smashwords available to download and what the commission rates are for:

- publishing through Amazon ONLY
- publishing through Smashwords for the Kindle ie what commission rate would my book get if it was purchased for a Kindle but had been distributed by Smashwords
- publising for other platforms (eg Sony or iBooks)

Can anyone tell me what the current state of play is with this?

Thanks

Andy C

[amostfairchild]

I have a feeling that they can't get any agreement on rates and that is why the vast majority of smashwords titles are not shipped to Amazon (outside the test batch).

At the moment Smashwords are not shipping to Amazon for the average book. If you want to get on Amazon for now, then use KDP. You get a maximum of 70% for that.

For B&N, sony, etc, they is info on the smashwords site.

[Ted]

As for the sale of Kindle ebooks on Smashwords; yes. Smashwords offers all the popular ebook formats including the .mobi for Kindle ebooks.

Kindle doesn't allow direct connection to any retailer other than Amazon, but quite a few Kindle owners download a .mobi format book to their computer and then email the file to their Kindle.

If you decide to use Amazon KDP for publishing your work, don't enroll in the Select program if you wish to keep your ebooks available at other retailers. Amazon is really cracking down on KDP Select authors having their ebooks on their blog or web site or any other retailer.

[Ted]

andyc wrote: "...what the commission rates are for:

- publishing through Amazon ONLY
- publishing through Smashwords for the Kindle ie what commission rate would my book get if it was purchased for a Kindle but had been distributed by Smashwords
- publising for other platforms (eg Sony or iBooks)"

Amazon has two rates, Smashwords has one. It's best to read the royalty information on Amazon and Smashwords, especially Amazon as I find it's royalty information is complicated.

For example, on Amazon all my ebooks I've listed at 35% royalty because it appeared I earned more money at that rate than at their 70% rate. I know that sounds weird, and that is why I recommend you read their info and figure it out for your situation.

Smashwords royalty is 60% across all ebook formats. Both Amazon and Smashwords figure royalties differently for countries having VAT tax like England; Smashwords just for the Apple ebooks in some VAT countries. Also, Kobo pays 38% on ebooks $13.00 and higher, which doesn't matter to most authors.

Like I said, royalty rates are complicated so don't be misled by higher or lower royalty rates. Look at the big picture and see which works for you.

For me it made sense to publish with Smashwords and get my ebooks to as many readers and reading devices as possible.

Publishing ONLY on Amazon through their Select program restricts your readership to Kindle devices only. Some authors prefer that.