Introduction to Smashwords

Presented by Mark Coker, Founder

For Digital Debut Tool Time Presented at BookExpo America May 29, 2009

Moderated by Mike ShatzkinOther panelists included Peter Clifton, President & CEO of FiledBy;

Hugh McGuire, co-founder & President of BookOven; Neil Jones, CEO of

Interread Smashwords, Inc. Ebook Publishing Platform, Online Bookstore, Distribution

15951 Los Gatos Blvd. Ste.16 Los Gatos, California 95032 On The Web: www.smashwords.com

Intro to Smashwords

Ebook publishing platform free and instant ebook conversion and

publishing for authors/publishers multi-format, DRM-free publisher controls everything 85% net back to author/publisher

Ebook distributor Smashwords.com Stanza Affiliates Other surprises coming soon

Smashwords fun facts

Launched May 2008 61 million words published

1,400+ ebooks 650+ authors 12+ indie publishers Many Smashwords books “born digital” &

only available on Smashwords Record traffic each of the last 6 months

Smashwords Meatgrinder

What works best in ebook form?

Straight form narrative works best Picture books, complex layout, more

challenging Formatting is different

holy grail: one book, many devices keep it simple!

Pricing is different Avoid DRM Multi-format is essential (see pie chart)

Why Multi-Format Matters

How ebooks will impact book supply chain

remainder

Print-publisher W/Distrib customerbookseller

E-publisher customerebookseller

E-publisher

customer

ebooksellerE-distributor

E-publisher customer

E-publisher affiliateebooksellerE-distributor

customer

printer

Smashwords working to remake ebook supply chain

authors & publishers deserve higher margins

enable lower cost books yet higher per-copy author/publisher profits

lower price to consumer benefits consumer = larger available WW market & larger profits

enable serendipitous discovery digital shelves everywhere instant sampling and impulse purchases

What’s next with Smashwords?

Will continue to develop free tools to publish, promote and sell ebooks publisher uploads of pre-formatted files more self-serve viral marketing, promo,

selling tools Partnerships with…

publishers online communities device manufacturers distribution outlets

Local-language Smashwords

Q&A

Where to find Mark Coker:

Web: www.smashwords.com Blog: blog.smashwords.com Email: first initial last initial at

smashwords.com Twitter: @markcoker