 |
Draft2Digital vs Smashwords
June 09, 2025 | Author: Laura Candler
46
Self-Publishing platform that provides tools and services that let authors focus on writing while we take care of layout, publishing, distribution, print-on-demand paperbacks, and more. Sells your books on Smashwords
38
Smashwords is the world's largest distributor of indie ebooks. We make it fast, free and easy for any author or publisher, anywhere in the world, to publish and distribute ebooks to the major retailers. We provide free tools for marketing, distribution, metadata management and sales reporting. At Smashwords, our authors and publishers have complete control over the sampling, pricing and marketing of their written works.
Both Draft2Digital and Smashwords are like parallel universes that exist to help authors distribute their eBooks across the vast galaxy of digital retailers. Neither requires any upfront fees, which is as good as discovering a free lunch on a desert island. They both offer authors the freedom to set their own prices, run promotional campaigns and send their books to the big-name stores like Apple Books, Kobo and even libraries. The difference between them, however, lies not in the destination but the spaceship they provide for the journey.
Now, Draft2Digital takes the simpler approach to intergalactic eBook publishing. With a user interface as easy to navigate as a child's picture book, it handles formatting for you—no alien technology required. It even provides a nifty tool for adding "Also by this author" pages and, if you're feeling fancy, allows you to print your book in paperback. Draft2Digital is built for those who want to keep their journey as straightforward as possible, leaving the technical headaches to someone else. And it comes from the United States, which is just as well, because it's as friendly as a robot programmed to help.
On the other hand, Smashwords is the eccentric, old-school type, with a robust tool known as "Meatgrinder" (don't ask, just accept it). Smashwords demands a level of formatting discipline that could make even the most seasoned traveler question their life choices. While it doesn't offer print-on-demand, it lets authors sell directly through its store, complete with coupon codes and absolute freedom to set prices. This system is meant for those who like to think they control the universe and much like any truly great adventure, it's not for the faint of heart. But it's still a wonderful ride—if you’re prepared to go the extra light-year.
Now, Draft2Digital takes the simpler approach to intergalactic eBook publishing. With a user interface as easy to navigate as a child's picture book, it handles formatting for you—no alien technology required. It even provides a nifty tool for adding "Also by this author" pages and, if you're feeling fancy, allows you to print your book in paperback. Draft2Digital is built for those who want to keep their journey as straightforward as possible, leaving the technical headaches to someone else. And it comes from the United States, which is just as well, because it's as friendly as a robot programmed to help.
On the other hand, Smashwords is the eccentric, old-school type, with a robust tool known as "Meatgrinder" (don't ask, just accept it). Smashwords demands a level of formatting discipline that could make even the most seasoned traveler question their life choices. While it doesn't offer print-on-demand, it lets authors sell directly through its store, complete with coupon codes and absolute freedom to set prices. This system is meant for those who like to think they control the universe and much like any truly great adventure, it's not for the faint of heart. But it's still a wonderful ride—if you’re prepared to go the extra light-year.
