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Smashwords Pdf for eBook

by Why9999
10 replies
Hopefully, there's some ebook authors on here that will know this. I sell a pdf ebook on my site using a PayPal button. So if my ebook is $3.00, PayPal charges about 50 cents.

I read, though, that Smashwords will put your book in a pdf format and you get to keep 85%. However, I can't find the details as to how it works. Do I just give a link to my book on Smashwords and they have the option of pdf? Or does the pdf just go to certain book distributors.

Any help is much appreciated...
#ebook #pdf #smashwords
  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    If you look around on their site you will realize they do NOT sell pdf files... they sell in format(s) for ebook readers (mainly ePub format) and you can make your book available in those formats to be sold via their site.

    Just read the About page on their site and you will know more...
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    • Profile picture of the author Why9999
      Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

      If you look around on their site you will realize they do NOT sell pdf files... they sell in format(s) for ebook readers (mainly ePub format) and you can make your book available in those formats to be sold via their site.

      Just read the About page on their site and you will know more...
      Okay, thx for the info. But the epub format isn't going to help me to sell to the "common man", right? Everyone can use pdf and that's the kind of thing I'm looking for.

      I read a little about epub and it sounds like more a thing for apple, sony, etc. and not really for someone to pull directly onto their computer, right?

      Again, thx for the help...
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    well, pdf and epub format are two (very) different things.

    To be able to read a PDF file - you need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Otherwise there is no use to "pull" it to your computer if you don't have a reader.

    epub is a REAL ebook/digital book format used in real e-readers like kindle, kobo, nook, sony reader etc.
    As with the pdf reader... to be able to see them you need to download the reader. Even Kindle has a PC variant.

    With the different formats you target different readers that have different devices.
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    • Profile picture of the author Why9999
      Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

      well, pdf and epub format are two (very) different things.

      To be able to read a PDF file - you need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Otherwise there is no use to "pull" it to your computer if you don't have a reader.

      epub is a REAL ebook/digital book format used in real e-readers like kindle, kobo, nook, sony reader etc.
      As with the pdf reader... to be able to see them you need to download the reader. Even Kindle has a PC variant.

      With the different formats you target different readers that have different devices.
      That is int'g about the PC variant. I just read about it and it requires a download. Of course, that's pretty nifty, but I was hoping to find something where the user didn't have to install anything on their computer, i.e. either uses a format on their PC natively or maybe is read over the web.

      So it doesn't sound like there's any way to do what I want? Any Smashwords publishers are going to expect the user to download some kind of reading software first? Is that what you are saying?
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  • Profile picture of the author txconx
    Acrobat Reader is pretty easy to download and it's free. It will open and display the PDF format.

    PDF can also be imported on SOME e-book readers.

    IF you want your book in a format that can be read on all types of e-book readers, as well as in PDF format that can be read with Acrobat Reader on a computer, then you will need to follow the directions for authors at Smashwords.

    If you only want to publish in PDF format, you are limiting your audience to those who want to (a) read a PDF file on their computer and/or (b) have an e-book that can import PDF files for reading.

    I am not certain you can publish in only one format at Smashwords, but I'm sure if you read the directions for authors, you'll find the answer to that question.
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    • Profile picture of the author Why9999
      Originally Posted by txconx View Post

      Acrobat Reader is pretty easy to download and it's free. It will open and display the PDF format.

      PDF can also be imported on SOME e-book readers.

      IF you want your book in a format that can be read on all types of e-book readers, as well as in PDF format that can be read with Acrobat Reader on a computer, then you will need to follow the directions for authors at Smashwords.

      If you only want to publish in PDF format, you are limiting your audience to those who want to (a) read a PDF file on their computer and/or (b) have an e-book that can import PDF files for reading.

      I am not certain you can publish in only one format at Smashwords, but I'm sure if you read the directions for authors, you'll find the answer to that question.
      I didn't really want to just publish in one format. I found out that Smashwords, if I understand correctly, will offer the book to readers in a standard pdf format. So I may go that route.

      Any other ideas would be much appreciated...
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      • Profile picture of the author capnpablo
        Hi Why,
        I just had an ebook published by Smashwords. They have some pretty strict format guidelines to go by to submit your book, but once you are accepted and published, they will sell the ebook in any format that the buyer would request. They also list your book with many different sellers, free of charge, again, if you meet all their format standards.
        Would submit a link if I'd been here long enough, but apparently I can't yet. Go to smashwords.com and click on "How to Publish and Distribute eBooks With Smashwords."
        A lot of folks complain about their tough format guidelines, but I think it's worth the extra time it takes to get it right for what they provide.

        capnpablo
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        • Profile picture of the author Why9999
          Originally Posted by capnpablo View Post

          Hi Why,
          I just had an ebook published by Smashwords. They have some pretty strict format guidelines to go by to submit your book, but once you are accepted and published, they will sell the ebook in any format that the buyer would request. They also list your book with many different sellers, free of charge, again, if you meet all their format standards.
          Would submit a link if I'd been here long enough, but apparently I can't yet. Go to smashwords.com and click on "How to Publish and Distribute eBooks With Smashwords."
          A lot of folks complain about their tough format guidelines, but I think it's worth the extra time it takes to get it right for what they provide.

          capnpablo
          Yes, I already saw that. On another forum, someone was nice enough to list a sample selling page on Smashwords of one of their books and I saw exactly what you are talking about.

          The only thing about Smashwords is that I have heard that they have terrible reporting. For example, right now I can daily look up my sales on PayPal - I sell my ebook directly through PayPal in pdf format from my blog - and see how a change in price or wording, etc. affected sales. On Smashwords, isn't the reporting quarterly or something ridiculous?

          I mean I have nothing to lose going to Smashwords for venues, formats and platforms that I currently don't sell. For example, I don't sell to Barnes and Noble yet, so I have all to gain and nothing to lose by letting Smashwords sell there.

          But pdf and Amazon ebooks are another story since I'm already there...

          Any comments and advice from the experienced are much appreciated...
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          • Profile picture of the author capnpablo
            I'm pretty sure the reporting (sales, downloads that take place on the smashwords site) is current as listed on my author dashboard, but their payouts are quarterly. For books sold by any of their listed retailers, there is some lag between the sale and when that retailer reports the sale to smashwords. The sales and download statistics graphs do leave a little to be desired.
            By the way, I got your PM, but I haven't been here long enough/posted enough yet to be able to send PM's.
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            • Profile picture of the author Why9999
              Originally Posted by capnpablo View Post

              I'm pretty sure the reporting (sales, downloads that take place on the smashwords site) is current as listed on my author dashboard, but their payouts are quarterly. For books sold by any of their listed retailers, there is some lag between the sale and when that retailer reports the sale to smashwords. The sales and download statistics graphs do leave a little to be desired.
              By the way, I got your PM, but I haven't been here long enough/posted enough yet to be able to send PM's.
              Yes, I heard that on another board actually, but thx. Also, regarding the PM, just look at my profile or signature if int'd...
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