As an author, I like Smashwords. I appreciate the fact that they're trying to provide me with the best deal I can get. They also convert my file into all formats.
I don't begrudge anyone a profit, especially if they provide a service. I will say that I like the fact that I can set my price and have it honored. I think I'd be okay with retailers setting different prices and competing with my books as long as I received the same price for each sale.
Right now, the industry is in chaos. ebooks and independent authors are adding new ingredients into the mix and the current publishers are rushing around like angry ants trying to cope. It's only going to get crazier over the next few years.
When the dust settles, I think the consumer is going to be the real winner with an extraordinary number of new options and much more reasonable prices on good stories.
