tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post1924002109436885358..comments2024-03-18T21:30:04.613-07:00Comments on <b>Smashwords</b>: Smashwords Year in Review, Plans for 2011Dovetail Public Relationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039664167177159146noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-13456186840796735582011-03-06T03:54:25.179-08:002011-03-06T03:54:25.179-08:00An excellent post. One other element that I have ...An excellent post. One other element that I have noticed, and it is a significant one, is that the big publishers are bureaucracies, and many writers are "entrepreneurs." The staffs of these behemoths are 9 to 5 types, who grind through the production of book after book. My experience with them is that they have very little passion for what they do--the book you slaved years over is just another bundle of paper to most of those people. How can anything great come from this? It's a one reason the output from the large publishers is so lousy.Mike Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14201237076057603217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-54570676452201904492011-02-02T12:10:50.908-08:002011-02-02T12:10:50.908-08:00i didn't have time to read all the comments bu...i didn't have time to read all the comments but I did want to know if you had plans for incorporating any of the books for google books?<br /><br />or maybe i missed a memo somewhere.Sylvia Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12058864162890325349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-76720839373197156162011-02-01T09:41:56.331-08:002011-02-01T09:41:56.331-08:00Congratulations, Mark--and thank you! I can't...Congratulations, Mark--and thank you! I can't thank you enough! Smashwords has been an incredible opportunity for me to become an indie author and I'm glad that it's working out well for you too :)Sarah Woodburyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04428869371751939930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-82266434374501577902011-01-28T08:04:47.396-08:002011-01-28T08:04:47.396-08:00It's been very exciting to get on board with S...It's been very exciting to get on board with Smashwords in recent months. I can't wait to see what these "surprises" are, Mark - it's already been fun just to get in the ring with my ebook. <br /><br />Fellow writers, I have been inspired by your trailblazing. I've begun to delve further into what's new in electronic publishing and other digital media and am looking forward to seeing more great work from you to feature on my blog! Best of luck to all in 2011.<br /><br />-Mattgettingdiscoveredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15780702566521285409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-20131833122570359622011-01-14T16:11:25.493-08:002011-01-14T16:11:25.493-08:00Congrats, Mark, on your breakout year - and a hear...Congrats, Mark, on your breakout year - and a heartfelt thanks for the Smashwords platform that gives us indie authors one more opportunity to snatch that brass ring. Looking forward to a close relation with Smashwords for a long time.<br /><br />Kindest regards,<br /><br />Richard S. FreelandRickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10195424727580175594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-85403124773346283412011-01-12T17:22:12.401-08:002011-01-12T17:22:12.401-08:00Congratulations Mark on a terrific year. I hope to...Congratulations Mark on a terrific year. I hope to be on board as an author shortly. All the best to you, the staff and the independent authors.BrotherJoeRadostihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00817470734360608004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-9947661773827506422011-01-11T00:45:12.241-08:002011-01-11T00:45:12.241-08:00I finally got around to reading this and I must sa...I finally got around to reading this and I must say that I am very impressed by your diligence, stick-to-it-of-ness, and keeping the faith. I know how tough it is to not just start a website but to keep it going, drive traffic, and stay up. It aint easy. Anyway times are so revolutionary... and you are one of those guys. Keep up the great work, Mark!<br /><br />Dodge - http://www.dodgewinston.comUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14404499526843007424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-36160963732301482142011-01-08T18:30:00.828-08:002011-01-08T18:30:00.828-08:00Thanks to the foresight and hard work of Mark and ...Thanks to the foresight and hard work of Mark and the Smashwords team, I believe we'll see some interesting shifts in popular culture in the next few years. For example, what will the bestseller lists look like when readers have the power to determine trends, rather than being limited to the titles that have filtered through acquisition committees at publishers?<br /><br />On the flip side, indie authors must be more diligent than ever about putting out a quality product; well edited, well written work that respects readers' time and money. Smashwords provides a great opportunity, but it's up to us as writers to earn our readers' respect.<br /><br />Here's to a great 2011!<br /><br />S.D. Livingston<br />http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/sdlivingstonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-53548118243755987132011-01-07T03:15:00.062-08:002011-01-07T03:15:00.062-08:00Greetings:
I too, support free speech. However, ...Greetings:<br /><br />I too, support free speech. However, why is the functionality to turn-off smut/trash called a "prude filter"? That is a subtle slam against those that disagree with such content. Why not call it the "the garbage disposal"?Sluggo Fernandezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13586989137243658276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-53444051361590066142011-01-06T18:14:10.714-08:002011-01-06T18:14:10.714-08:00impressive numbers. congrats.pimpressive numbers. congrats.pChris Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02638226375639228988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-87153805112274405852011-01-05T08:33:41.275-08:002011-01-05T08:33:41.275-08:00Mark, After reading your post I am even more impre...Mark, After reading your post I am even more impressed with Smashwords as a business. Best of luck in reaching and exceeding your goals in 2011.<br /><br />Fran Shaff, Award-Winning Author<br />http://sites.google.com/site/fshaffFran Shaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060981114721596784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-82578949139620140132011-01-04T02:07:17.174-08:002011-01-04T02:07:17.174-08:00Mark,
Thanks for the opportunity you have given us...Mark,<br />Thanks for the opportunity you have given us. I'm pleased to continue adding my books, and the books of my late husband, Don Pendleton, to Smashwords--and to the retailers. It's obvious you have worked hard to make this all possible. I look forward to a great new year, 2011. <br />Linda <br /><br />Linda Pendleton, Smashwords Author Profile<br />Don Pendleton, Smashwords Author ProfileLinda Pendletonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04333787752335329007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-27996349173640341822011-01-03T20:59:16.540-08:002011-01-03T20:59:16.540-08:00Thanks for everything you've done. I'm a w...Thanks for everything you've done. I'm a writer who has won several awards for my writing, but have been going through the frustration of:<br />* Publishers won't even look at your books or ideas<br />* Some agents accept them but 4 months later they haven't responded, and then you send it to another agent and 4 months later they haven't responded either.<br /><br />As you said, something had to change - and through people like you it's changing.<br /><br />So, thanks.Mike Gerrardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01236075346854309914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-59021663185303779422011-01-03T19:35:29.117-08:002011-01-03T19:35:29.117-08:00Very informative and enlightening article. I'...Very informative and enlightening article. I'm even more pleased now to have my book available on Smashwords. Congratulations on your hard work and success!William Topekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16232651804806266234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-89764098405051354662011-01-03T17:31:52.608-08:002011-01-03T17:31:52.608-08:00Happy New Year, Mark! Have a great vacation - so w...Happy New Year, Mark! Have a great vacation - so well deserved.DesGreenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02101858584133187717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-58322310498503833802011-01-03T10:15:06.522-08:002011-01-03T10:15:06.522-08:00I must admit, at first I considered Smashwords not...I must admit, at first I considered Smashwords nothing but an intermediary between no publishing and real publishing, yet the more I have worked with you and your system, the less appeal going to a real publisher seems. Thanks for all your effort and time making Smashwords what it is: the greatest tool an independent author could ever hope for!<br /><br />Zachary Harper<br />http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/zeharperUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07612821878074557385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-42267650336727521142011-01-03T06:12:06.813-08:002011-01-03T06:12:06.813-08:00All the success to Year 2011 Mark!
Have you had an...All the success to Year 2011 Mark!<br />Have you had any authors, from Finland? I am looking forward to see some movement from educational point of view. Hoping to get high school books to iPad in the near future. We can deliver the lesson online and saved, so our Students athletes are so pleased when they are not at school, to get lessons, but the books are in the back back and that is what they are waiting for.<br />Jukka Sormunen,<br />High school principal<br />Kuopion klassillinen sport high school, Kuopio, FinlandJukka Sormunenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07366384021510863290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-986575950351913442011-01-02T23:52:35.164-08:002011-01-02T23:52:35.164-08:00Great to see how far you guys have come and your p...Great to see how far you guys have come and your plans to continue to grow and improve. A few months ago, I didn't have my kindle yet and I'd never heard of Smashwords. Now <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LindsayBuroker" rel="nofollow">I'm an ebook author</a>, and I've even made a few sales. Yay! :)Lindsay Burokerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07955277387824031696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-51315931755457089902011-01-02T16:58:30.351-08:002011-01-02T16:58:30.351-08:00Well, I must say, I'm not only pleased with wh...Well, I must say, I'm not only pleased with what has come to pass, but judging by what Mark says, I'm looking forward to this coming year. I wanna know what those surprises are! <br /><br />Rob ShelskyRob Shelskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12795994389346053409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-62372606475779733892011-01-02T16:42:46.181-08:002011-01-02T16:42:46.181-08:00Hi Mark and everyone at SW,
We had a fantastic yea...Hi Mark and everyone at SW,<br />We had a fantastic year at Smashwords and are hoping and praying for an even better one. <br />Thanks so much for all the ways to get our stories out to our readers and for providing a place for authors to be in control of their work. <br />From the authors of<br />Western Trail Blazer<br />Victory Tales Press<br />Publishing by Rebecca J. VickeryRebecca J Vickeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00546468496288447253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-63459109822589228312011-01-02T14:08:46.932-08:002011-01-02T14:08:46.932-08:00Hi Mark,
you saw the potential 6 years ago and yo...Hi Mark,<br /><br />you saw the potential 6 years ago and your hard work has paid off. Within a couple of years you will have a business the envy of many, and I congratulate you for that.<br /><br />I also thank you for the chance to share my work with the rest of the world. I have only uploaded 4 short stories so far, but with the encouragement I have had from the indie market I am working on my first novel. <br /><br />I hope 2011 brings me as much success as it will undoubtedly bring you.jambalianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06377673398419499275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-10724481144038578662011-01-02T10:24:41.377-08:002011-01-02T10:24:41.377-08:00Great review, Mark. My congratulations to all you ...Great review, Mark. My congratulations to all you and those around you have succeeded in achieving this past year. For me, I'm proud to be one of the new Smashwords authors (Last February was when I joined and uploaded my first book). I tell everyone everywhere about Smashwords and how easy it is to download eBooks from there to the Kindle or any other eReader.<br /><br />Looking forward to your success, because that means my success as well.<br /><br />So glad you had the vision you did back then.<br /><br />My best,<br /><br />Jacob DrakeJakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464514963488016673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-10095733817361691372011-01-02T08:29:53.972-08:002011-01-02T08:29:53.972-08:00Thanks for all your hard work, Mark. I'll be l...Thanks for all your hard work, Mark. I'll be looking forward to the 'surprises' in 2011!<br />Just one comment about one of the layouts of Smashwords...<br />On the top reviews pages, it seems unfair that a book receiving one five star review will always appear ahead of a book which has say, fifteen five star reviews and a couple of four star reviews. Any chance of sorting the reviews out so they are a bit more fair? For example, it being a combination of the number of reviews received as well as the number of stars?<br /><br />Marissa Farrar (Smashwords Author)Marissafarrarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409272164117892923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-61261647289105274452011-01-02T07:26:13.503-08:002011-01-02T07:26:13.503-08:00Whoo hoo! I can't wait to see what the surpris...Whoo hoo! I can't wait to see what the surprises are. <br /><br />"This is cause for celebration for all indie authors and publishers, because it means access to more distribution in the future." Does this mean more bookstores or something else?<br /><br />I think you will reach your goals again this year, I will be adding another book soon to smashwords in a few months.<br /><br />http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/24571Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17363416741959974729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-77679716883209728412011-01-02T07:04:43.220-08:002011-01-02T07:04:43.220-08:00I would love to see you create a sister site for s...I would love to see you create a sister site for self-published comics. How about it? Smashpanels, Smashballoons, Smashcomics?asotirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116691080408773551noreply@blogger.com