Smashwords channels

Quiss · 08-22-2012, 07:38 PM

Hi
Would anyone know how things are happening at Smashwords?

I published on the 17th (well, earlier than that, but I made some changes). The book was approved for the Premium Catalogue without any request for fixes. It passed the idpf validator with flying colours.

On the marketing channels page it is indicated that books aren't 'shipped' until "Thursday or Friday" but for iBooks it says that this happens multiple times a day.

Yet, it still hasn't been shipped there.
So now I'm wondering if Smashwords is just being slow or if there is something wrong with the ePub after all.

Any thoughts on this?

JSWolf · 08-22-2012, 07:41 PM

Apple has odd requirements sometimes and that could be causing a problem. For example, the cover resolution requirements for iBooks has changed and if you don't meet the new requirements with your cover, it may not b accepted even if everything else is acceptable.

Quiss · 08-22-2012, 07:44 PM

Yes, but how would I find out what the problem is?

VydorScope · 08-22-2012, 08:00 PM

No, if you are in the premium catalog you will make it to Apple. However it takes like 30 day sometimes for the book to make it out. If it does not show up by then, then you need to contact them.

Lazer · 08-22-2012, 08:30 PM

It took five weeks for my book to make it onto Apple.

L

VydorScope · 08-22-2012, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazer

It took five weeks for my book to make it onto Apple.

L

Yeah, they seem to be getting better... but yeah... slow to move out. That is why I pub direct to Amazon (regardless of when/if they ever get Amazon channel working) and probably will do future books direct to B&N instead of through them.

Lazer · 08-22-2012, 09:33 PM

I concur with Vydor - go direct with Amazon and B&N.

Quiss · 08-22-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazer

I concur with Vydor - go direct with Amazon and B&N.

Thank you, all, for the replies. I'm less worried now

I am listed at Amazon but there doesn't seem to be a way to go direct with B&N from Canada, so I'll need Smashwords or Lulu for that.

HistoryWes · 08-23-2012, 10:53 AM

I've generally found that B&N gets the books from Smashwords much faster than iBooks does. It's taken me as much as 6 weeks to get a book up at Apple. If you don't see it there after a month, contact Smashwords. Send them the link to your books Smashwords page, and they'll usually get back to you pretty quickly.

JSWolf · 08-23-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazer

I concur with Vydor - go direct with Amazon and B&N.

And now Kobo supports direct publishing as well.

But before you publish with Amazon, B&N, & Kobo, make sure your code it clean. A Calibre conversion from a Word document is not good code and could cause issues where they don't need to be.

Quiss · 08-23-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But before you publish with Amazon, B&N, & Kobo, make sure your code it clean. A Calibre conversion from a Word document is not good code and could cause issues where they don't need to be.

I hear you. I just compared the Smashwords meatgrinder ePub to the one I created originally for Lulu and the difference is considerable.

The one I made in Sigil looks beautiful whereas Smashword's goes edge to edge on my reader and the spacing between lines is very tight. It's just plain harder to read than the Sigil product.
Almost enough to want me to let Lulu distribute the thing rather than wait around for Smashwords.

However, Smashwords seems to be the preferred distributor for folks like me.

JSWolf · 08-23-2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quiss

I hear you. I just compared the Smashwords meatgrinder ePub to the one I created originally for Lulu and the difference is considerable.

The one I made in Sigil looks beautiful whereas Smashword's goes edge to edge on my reader and the spacing between lines is very tight. It's just plain harder to read than the Sigil product.
Almost enough to want me to let Lulu distribute the thing rather than wait around for Smashwords.

However, Smashwords seems to be the preferred distributor for folks like me.

Actually, there are a lot of people who like no margins and tight spacing. I'm one of those who do. It gets more words on the screen that way and it's easier to read.

But I'm thinking your Sigil created code is probably easier to modify then the meatground code.

Quiss · 08-23-2012, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Actually, there are a lot of people who like no margins and tight spacing.

Hah! Another good point.
I keep forgetting that I'm not alone on the planet. I'll quit obsessing now.

08-22-2012, 07:38 PM	#1
Quiss Spits infinitives Posts: 43 Karma: 493600 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Canada Device: Sony	Smashwords channels Hi Would anyone know how things are happening at Smashwords? I published on the 17th (well, earlier than that, but I made some changes). The book was approved for the Premium Catalogue without any request for fixes. It passed the idpf validator with flying colours. On the marketing channels page it is indicated that books aren't 'shipped' until "Thursday or Friday" but for iBooks it says that this happens multiple times a day. Yet, it still hasn't been shipped there. So now I'm wondering if Smashwords is just being slow or if there is something wrong with the ePub after all. Any thoughts on this?

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VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	No, if you are in the premium catalog you will make it to Apple. However it takes like 30 day sometimes for the book to make it out. If it does not show up by then, then you need to contact them.

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08-23-2012, 10:53 AM	#9
HistoryWes Teacher/Novelist Posts: 632 Karma: 2274466 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nevada Device: Nook STR, iPad	I've generally found that B&N gets the books from Smashwords much faster than iBooks does. It's taken me as much as 6 weeks to get a book up at Apple. If you don't see it there after a month, contact Smashwords. Send them the link to your books Smashwords page, and they'll usually get back to you pretty quickly.