Tuesday 12 March 2013

In praise of Smashwords

I would like to encourage all buyers of ebooks to make their first choice Smashwords or any of the booksellers they supply, like Kobo and Barnes & Noble  (Nookbooks) .
The problem that I have with Amazon is not to do with their tendency to delete legitimate reviews, or anything to do with their customer service, which I have found actually rather good, but because Smashwords pays me.
        
I understand that Amazon will use direct credit for British or American authors,  and only after $10.  Not so for we Australian authors. For us, we have to earn $100 in American dollars before they send an archaic cheque - and then you have an additional fee to get it into correct currency. But also, to get paid for the numbers of books you sell in the UK, you have to make the equivalent of over $100 there, and the same in Europe.  They can't even combine the amounts! 

Amazon must make so much money from the interest of all these accumulated amounts that never quite reach the $100 threshold.

Smashwords is so much better. You get paid after just $10,  and into a Paypal account.  I sell a lot more books on Amazon than I do from Smashwords, but if I count my earnings when it arrives in my account, then I have only had from Amazon what my first publisher sent on. 

So from now on, I am going to use Smashwords as the first choice to buy from, and and I'd really like as many as possible to do the same. I'm tired of earning money that I never see.



My books on Smashwords:


The threee books of the Shuki Series




and the two (so far)  Penwinnard Stories.









2 comments:

  1. This page has presented itself rather oddly. I think I may leave it as is, in case it does more odd things. I wound up in real trouble last time I tried to change some very minor thing.

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  2. Just confirming - the latest newsletter has its 'Tip of the Month' this piece about Royalty Payments.

    'Your KDP account preferences can be set to receive royalty payments electronically across all marketplaces in US dollars, British pounds or Euros. In order to be paid by Direct Deposit, your bank account will need to be located in the US, United Kingdom or in Europe.

    Here are some benefits of Direct Deposit:

    Get paid faster and avoid lengthy delivery times or even a lost check payment.
    Take advantage of lower royalty payment thresholds – 10 $/£/€ for direct deposit instead of 100 $/£/€ for check.
    Avoid bank fees that may be associated with processing or depositing checks.
    Visit your KDP Account Page to set Direct Deposit as your payment preference.'

    Australians and New Zealanders miss out along with a few assorted others. It really is a bit unfair.

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