Kindle Direct Publishing vs Smashwords

2023. Kindle Direct Publishing Launches ebooks to audiobooks using AI Voices



Kindle Direct Publishing has introduced a beta program in the United States aimed at easing the financial burden on authors during audiobook production. Through this initiative, authors can convert their ebooks into audiobooks using virtual voice narration and synthetic speech technology. Amazon plans to expand the beta program in the future after resolving any issues and extend it to other countries. Authors participating in the program will select one of their eligible ebooks on Kindle Direct Publishing, customize the audiobook by sampling voices and previewing the content, and then publish it. They can set a price between $3.99 and $14.99 and will receive a 40% royalty.


2023. Amazon limits self-published ebooks to only 3 a day because of AI



In response to the overwhelming influx of AI-generated ebooks, Amazon has taken action by implementing a new restriction. They now allow self-published ebooks to be uploaded at a maximum rate of three per day. The reason behind this change is the recent surge in notable incidents involving AI-authored books adversely affecting Amazon's platform. Just this past June, the bestseller lists on Amazon were inundated with ebooks authored by AI writing tools like ChatGPT, resulting in a significant outcry from customers due to the nonsensical content of these books. Moreover, as the year began, AI-generated books surpassed those created by human authors in terms of quantity. Among the ebooks available on Amazon, some purported to be guides for foraging wild mushrooms. However, upon scrutiny by mycology enthusiasts, it became evident that these guides, likely generated by AI, contained serious misidentifications of fungi, potentially posing lethal risks. When numerous news outlets sought comments from Amazon regarding this matter, the company responded by promptly removing the problematic books from their platform.


2023. Amazon released AI guidelines for Kindle Direct Publishing



In response to a surge in AI-generated books saturating the Amazon book market and infiltrating the Kindle Bestseller's list, Amazon KDP has recently implemented new guidelines. These guidelines mandate that authors disclose whether their books contain AI-generated content, encompassing images, text, or translations. This disclosure is now required when publishing a new book or editing and republishing an existing one through KDP, even if the edits involve AI assistance. Authors utilizing AI-based tools for content improvement but not content creation are exempt from reporting, but all authors must adhere to content guidelines, whether their content is AI-generated or AI-assisted. This move aims to enhance transparency and maintain the overall quality of books available to readers.


2023. Kindle Direct Publishing has updated category selection



Amazon has made some updates to the category selection process in Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Previously, authors had the option to choose multiple categories for their books. However, the recent changes now restrict authors to selecting only three KDP book categories. This means that there is a possibility your book might get lost among the vast number of titles available. From now on, authors can only select up to three categories for their books. Along Amazon now reserves the right to change the categories of a book at any time to ensure a positive customer experience. To adapt to these changes, it's advisable to visit the KDP dashboard promptly and update the categories for your books. If you don't take action, Amazon will automatically implement the changes to your books, defaulting them into two relevant categories. To ensure the best possible categorization for your Kindle books, it's recommended that you take the initiative and choose the most suitable categories yourself.


2023. Kindle Direct Publishing to increase printing costs for authors



Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is implementing modifications to printing expenses in order to reflect the current expenses associated with materials and labor. Consequently, there will be a change in the minimum list price for your paperback and hardcover print books. Although it is not mandatory, it is advisable to adjust your list prices for print books in order to preserve your current royalties once the revised printing costs take effect. Any modifications made to an existing print book after June 20 must adhere to the new minimum list price.


2022. Self-Publishing service Draft2Digital to acquire competitor Smashwords



Draft2Digital, a pioneer in the field of ebook self-publishing, is set to acquire its competitor, Smashwords. This acquisition will enable authors who use Draft2Digital to gain access to the Smashwords Store, as well as its exclusive book marketing tools, such as Smashwords Coupons, self-serve merchandising, Author Interviews, and the patent-pending Smashwords Presales tool for book launches. Meanwhile, authors who use Smashwords will benefit from new tools that simplify both print and digital publishing, leading to greater success. These tools include D2D Print, Draft2Digital's Print on Demand service for paperbacks, improved metadata management tools for better book discoverability at retailers, automated end-matter for series books, payment splitting for co-authors and collaborations, and more payment options, including direct bank deposits. Retailers and libraries served by both companies can expect a wider selection of titles and improved merchandising recommendations. Customers of the Smashwords Store can also look forward to an improved store experience and an increased selection of books from the many great authors and publishers distributed by Draft2Digital.


2021. Amazon is launching Kindle Vella, mobile first serialized fiction self-publish platform



Amazon is preparing to introduce a new system called Kindle Vella for the iOS Kindle app within the next few months. This system offers authors a fresh method to share serialized stories with readers, presenting one chapter at a time. Through the familiar Kindle Direct Publishing platform, authors can self-publish their Kindle Vella stories in a serialized format, with each episode ranging from 600 to 5,000 words. Readers will have the opportunity to purchase Kindle Vella stories directly on the iOS app using tokens. To allow readers to explore and evaluate new stories, the initial episodes of each story will be available for free. Subsequent episodes can be unlocked by purchasing and redeeming tokens.


2021. Amazon stops accepting MOBI books from authors



Over the years, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has had specific file format requirements, including MOBI, PDF, and Word documents. However, PDFs have been known to encounter conversion issues when transformed into reflowable ebook formats. Due to similar concerns, as of June 28th, Amazon will no longer accept MOBI files. Instead, authors can still utilize Word documents in both .doc and .docx formats, or alternatively, upload an EPUB version of their file. While this change may not affect some authors who directly upload their manuscripts as Word documents, others who have relied on their established processes will need to adjust to this new requirement.


2018. Amazon has merged CreateSpace with Kindle Direct Publishing



The merger of CreateSpace, a prominent print-on-demand (POD) service for self-published authors, with Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has caused confusion and uncertainty among users. CreateSpace, which was widely relied upon by authors seeking to print their self-published books, offered convenient options for creating paperback versions, including expanded distribution and printed proofs. This made it a favored choice in the industry. However, after Amazon's acquisition of CreateSpace in 2005, the company continued developing its own POD service, KDP Print. The integration of CreateSpace with KDP left many authors in a state of uncertainty and seeking alternatives.


2017. Kindle Create is now available to all authors


Kindle Create is an innovative, user-friendly conversion tool designed to simplify the process of creating polished and well-formatted ebooks. With its "push of a button" simplicity, Kindle Create aims to provide authors with a familiar experience, much like using Microsoft Word, where they can effortlessly incorporate formatting themes and tables of contents. After successfully completing its beta phase, Kindle Create is now available to all authors. This tool allows you to work directly from your Word document, providing a preview of the final ebook without requiring a separate conversion process. Unlike a traditional publishing dashboard, Kindle Create is a desktop-based software that allows you to manipulate your file as much as needed before uploading it. Once you bring the finished document to the KDP dashboard, you still have the option to convert it into a MOBI file. Additionally, Kindle Create offers the advantage of formatting a "print replica" ebook, ensuring a professional look and feel to your publication.


2015. Kindle Scout Publishing platform expands internationally



Amazon has made an exciting announcement regarding the expansion of its reader-powered publishing platform, Kindle Scout, to authors and readers worldwide. Previously available only in the U.S., Kindle Scout is now open to authors in various locations including Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, India, and more. Authors from these regions can submit their never-before-published, full-length English-language manuscripts for consideration by Amazon's digital publishing division, Kindle Press, with a publication decision expected within 45 days or less. Readers from around the world can also participate by previewing excerpts from these unpublished books, nominating their favorite stories for publication, and receiving complimentary early copies of the nominated books released by Kindle Press.


2015. Smashwords allows authors to offer preorders without final ebook files



Popular self-publishing platform Smashwords has introduced a new feature that allows authors to initiate preorders for their titles up to one year in advance, even before uploading the final assets such as the finished manuscript and cover image. While Smashwords has offered preorder capabilities for over two years, it was limited to titles with ready and finalized files. Interestingly, Smashwords reports that 67% of its top 200 best-selling titles initially began as preorders on their platform. However, only a small fraction of Smashwords' extensive community of over 100,000 authors and indie publishers have utilized preorders, mainly due to the unavailability of final files until just before the official release. This recent change aims to enable more Smashwords users to generate revenue from their titles at an earlier stage. The company considers this new feature to be their most ambitious enhancement to date.


2014. Amazon launches reader-powered publishing program Kindle Scout



Amazon has officially launched its "reader-powered" publishing program, known as Kindle Scout. This innovative initiative operates on a crowdsourcing model, utilizing feedback from readers to determine which books should be published. Authors whose works are chosen through Kindle Scout will receive book contracts. In a recent communication to authors, Amazon outlined the program's terms, stating that selected books will be published by Kindle Press and will enjoy renewable 5-year terms, a $1,500 advance, a 50% eBook royalty rate, flexible rights reversions, and the benefit of being featured in Amazon's marketing efforts. In a few weeks' time, readers will be invited to participate by joining Kindle Scout and nominating books for consideration. The current focus on the Kindle Scout homepage is on English-language books in the Romance, Mystery & Thriller, and Science Fiction & Fantasy genres, as indicated by the call-out.


2014. Amazon unveiled kids book creator software for Kindle Direct Publishing



Amazon is expanding its Kindle Direct Publishing business to cater to the requirements of children's book authors through the introduction of a new program called "KDP Kids." This program aims to assist authors in preparing, publishing, and distributing their books in the Kindle Store. In conjunction with this program, Amazon is launching a new tool known as the Kindle Kids' Book Creator. This tool enables aspiring children's book authors to create chapter books and illustrated children's books that can leverage Kindle features such as text pop-ups. According to Amazon's announcement about these new services, once the book is finalized, authors can utilize the tool to upload their book to KDP. They can also specify the appropriate category, age group, and grade range filters to ensure correct listing. The book creator tool is not limited to new authors seeking entry into Amazon's Kindle platform; it can also assist established authors in converting their books into Kindle format, thereby expanding their reader base.


2014. Smashwords partners with Overdrive to bring more self-published books to libraries



Self-publishing platform Smashwords has expanded its reach by entering into a partnership with Overdrive, the largest digital library distributor in the country. This collaboration enables Overdrive's extensive network of library clients, which includes approximately 28,000 libraries and schools worldwide, to procure and lend out around 200,000 ebooks authored by 88,000 writers from Smashwords. The significance of this partnership lies in the fact that Overdrive works with numerous libraries and supports Kindle e-readers, setting the stage for broader global exposure for titles by Smashwords authors. As a result, these authors have the opportunity to reach a larger audience of readers through this expansive distribution network.