From Dummies to Dollars: How I Navigated Smashwords and Got My Book Published

All Books
Sep 11, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Jan 20

So, you’ve got a burning desire to publish your book. You can almost picture your name on the cover, with friends asking for autographed copies. But how do you actually get it published? If you’ve done a bit of research, you might have encountered Smashwords. It sounds fancy, but don't worry! I’m here to break it down for you step by step, like we’re just two friends chatting about publishing.

Why Smashwords?

First off, let’s dive into why Smashwords is a great option for aspiring authors. Smashwords is a user-friendly platform that helps you publish and distribute your ebooks. With Smashwords, you gain access to major retailers like Apple Books and Barnes & Noble, as well as libraries. This means your work could potentially reach millions of readers!

One of the best parts? You keep approximately 80% of your royalties—much higher than traditional publishing, which often offers around 10-15%. This means more money stays in your pocket as you achieve your publishing dreams.

Step 1: Write Your Book

Before you even consider Smashwords, you need your book written. Don't worry if it starts as a jumble of thoughts. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Set a Daily Word Count: Aim for a target, say around 500 words a day. That’s just a little more than a page! At this rate, you'll have a rough draft in about two months.
Write First, Edit Later: Focus on getting your ideas down. Don’t pause to fix grammatical errors; let your thoughts flow freely.
Read It Aloud: This technique helps catch mistakes and ensures the text flows smoothly. If it stumbles when read aloud, it may need tweaking.

Step 2: Format Your Manuscript

Once your book is written, it’s time to make it look presentable. Smashwords has specific formatting requirements, and you’ll want to follow them closely. Here are some essentials:

Use a Word Processor: Google Docs or Microsoft Word are great tools.
Set Proper Margins: Keep 1-inch margins on all sides.
Use Styles for Headings: This gives your book a cleaner look. Use Heading 1 for your title and Heading 2 for chapter titles.
Include a Table of Contents: Smashwords can automatically create this if you use heading styles, making navigation easier for readers.

Check out Smashwords' Formatting Guide for detailed instructions.

Step 3: Create a Cover

Next, you'll need a catchy cover to attract potential readers. This is your chance to make a great first impression.

DIY Cover: Use tools like Canva, where you can create a cover using templates. This option is budget-friendly and allows for creativity.
Hire a Designer: If you want something more polished, consider hiring a professional from platforms like Fiverr. Investing here can lead to higher sales; studies show that books with professional covers sell up to 30% more.

Step 4: Setting Up Your Smashwords Account

Now to the exciting part—setting up your Smashwords account!

Visit Smashwords: Head over to smashwords.com and click 'Join'.
Fill in Your Details: Input your name, email, and create a password.
Confirm Your Email: Check your inbox and click the link they send you.

Now you’re ready to go!

Step 5: Upload Your Manuscript

You’re almost there! It’s time to upload your manuscript.

Go to Your Dashboard: Once logged in, find the option to “Publish” or “Add New Book”.
Upload Format: Smashwords accepts various formats, but .doc and .docx are preferred for best results.
Fill in Book Details: Provide a compelling title, your name, and a captivating description. Consider using keywords that readers might search for.
Select Pricing: Smashwords lets you set your own price. It's wise to look at similar books in your genre to gauge a competitive price point.

Step 6: Review and Approve of Your Book

Before hitting publish, you need to do a final quality check.

Preview Your Book: Smashwords has a built-in previewer that shows how it will appear once published.
Check for Errors: Click through each page thoroughly to catch any typos or formatting issues. Aim for zero mistakes to maintain professionalism.

If everything looks good, go ahead and hit the Publish button!

Step 7: Distribution

Here’s where the real action happens! After publishing, Smashwords allows you to distribute your ebook to various retailers.

Select Distribution Channels: Decide which platforms you'd like your book to be available on. Don’t feel pressured to choose them all; sometimes it’s smarter to start small.
Click to Distribute: Smashwords handles the technical aspects, so you can focus on promoting your book!

Your book is now out in the world!

Step 8: Marketing Your Book

Congratulations, your book is officially published! But now the next challenge arises: getting people to read it.

Social Proof: Encourage friends and family to purchase and review your book. Books with more reviews, especially five-star ratings, have a significantly better chance of being noticed by new readers—some estimates suggest this can boost sales by up to 20%.
Leverage Email Lists: If you have any followers, send an announcement about your new release to keep them engaged and interested.
Offer Free Copies: Consider giving away a limited number of copies in exchange for honest reviews. More reviews can lead to improved visibility and credibility.

Your Next Steps Toward Success

And there you have it—a clear, step-by-step guide to publishing your book with Smashwords! If it feels straightforward, that's because it is!

Remember, every best-selling author started just like you, possibly feeling lost in the process. The key is to persist and tackle each step one at a time.

Have faith in yourself, put in the work, and soon, your book could be entertaining eager readers. So, what are you waiting for? Grab that manuscript and get started today!

Happy publishing, and may your journey lead to lots of fun and maybe even some dollars!