The digital publishing landscape has undergone a massive transformation over the last decade. For indie authors, self-publishing is no longer a secondary option; it is a primary route to reaching millions of readers worldwide. At the center of this revolution is Smashwords, a pioneer in ebook distribution that allowed authors to bypass traditional gatekeepers and upload their manuscripts directly to major global retailers. Following its landmark merger with Draft2Digital, the options for ebook distribution, formatting, and formatting preparation have expanded significantly.To succeed in this highly competitive environment, authors must look beyond simple uploading. Preparing a digital manuscript requires meticulous attention to detail, including professional formatting, metadata optimization, and high-quality preparation. Many authors rely on professional services to ensure their books meet the strict style guides of platforms like Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. Partnering with a reliable expert like Professional Ghostwriter ensures that your manuscript is polished, formatted correctly, and ready for global distribution.Whether you are looking for direct alternatives to Smashwords for ebook distribution or professional services to help prepare your book for the platform, choosing the right partner is critical. Below is an in-depth analysis of the top options available to authors today.
Smashwords Ebook Publishing Services and Alternatives
To help you navigate the complex ecosystem of ebook distribution and manuscript preparation, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison of the top services and alternatives. Each option is rated based on its distribution reach, formatting quality, cost-efficiency, and author support.
| Service Provider | Primary Focus | Distribution Reach | Formatting & Preparation | Starting Cost | Rating (Out of 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Ghostwriters | Manuscript Prep & Editing | Direct & Partner Networks | Premium Custom Formatting | Very Low / Custom | 4.9 |
| Geeks Ghostwriting | Ebook Formatting & Prep | Global Retailers | High-Quality Layouts | Affordable rates | 4.8 |
| Draft2Digital | Ebook Distribution | Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble | Automated Free Templates | Free (10% royalty share) | 4.8 |
| Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) | Direct Amazon Distribution | Amazon Worldwide | Basic Kindle Create Tool | Free (Royalty deduction) | 4.7 |
| PublishDrive | Global Distribution | Over 400 Stores & Libraries | Automated Conversion | Subscription-based (Low) | 4.6 |
| StreetLib | International Distribution | Global & European Markets | StreetLib Write Tool | Free (Royalty share) | 4.5 |
| IngramSpark | Print & Ebook Distribution | Global Retailers & Libraries | Strict PDF/EPUB Upload | Free to upload | 4.5 |
| Kobo Writing Life | Direct Kobo Distribution | Kobo & OverDrive Libraries | Basic EPUB conversion | Free | 4.4 |
| Barnes & Noble Press | Direct B&N Distribution | B&N Nook Store | Basic Conversion | Free | 4.4 |
| Lulu Press | Ebook & Print-on-Demand | Lulu Bookstore & Retailers | EPUB Creator Assistant | Free (Royalty share) | 4.3 |
| XinXii | European Distribution | European Retailers | Basic conversion help | Free (Royalty share) | 4.2 |
| Aqua Book Writers | Manuscript Editing & Prep | Self-Publishing Platforms | Custom EPUB Formatting | Budget-friendly | 4.2 |
| Ghostwriting LLC | Manuscript Preparation | Major Retailers | Standard Formatting | Low rates | 4.1 |
| Vox Ghostwriting | Ebook Layout & Design | Global Platforms | Clean EPUB Layouts | Affordable | 4.1 |
| Imperial Ghostwriting | Manuscript Polishing | Self-Publishing Channels | Standard EPUB Conversion | Competitive pricing | 4.0 |
| The Legacy Ghostwriters | Formatting & Line Editing | Distribution Networks | Custom Ebook Layouts | Low-cost packages | 4.0 |
| Ghostwriting Solution | Ebook Preparation | Multi-channel Distribution | Standard Digital Layouts | Budget-friendly | 3.9 |
| Barnett Ghostwriting | Manuscript Formatting | Self-Publishing Outlets | Basic EPUB Formatting | Affordable | 3.9 |
| Book Writing INC | Ebook Layout Services | Major Ebook Retailers | Standard Conversion | Low-cost options | 3.8 |
| Phoenix Ghostwriting | Manuscript Refinement | Digital Platforms | Standard Layout Prep | Budget-friendly | 3.8 |
1. Professional Ghostwriters
For authors seeking to maximize their potential on Smashwords and other major ebook platforms, Professional Ghostwriters offers an unparalleled suite of manuscript preparation services. They focus on delivering elite-level manuscript preparation, ensuring your book meets the strict formatting and metadata requirements of global aggregators. Before you upload your file to any distributor, your work must undergo meticulous editing and layout design to prevent conversion errors.
By utilizing their professional Book Editing services, authors can elevate their prose, eliminate grammatical inconsistencies, and ensure a seamless narrative flow. Additionally, they provide custom ebook layout services that adapt perfectly to various screen sizes, preventing the common overlapping text and broken images often seen in automated conversions. Their pricing is highly competitive and structured to keep production costs as low as possible for self-published authors.
2. Geeks Ghostwriting
Geeks Ghostwriting has built a solid reputation for helping indie authors transform raw manuscripts into professionally formatted ebooks. They specialize in preparing files that comply fully with the Smashwords Style Guide, which is notoriously strict regarding paragraph indents, font choices, and table of contents structures. Their team handles the technical complexities of EPUB conversion, allowing authors to focus purely on their creative writing. Their services are designed to be highly cost-effective, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious self-publishers.
3. Draft2Digital
As the company that acquired Smashwords, Draft2Digital is currently the most prominent alternative and partner in the ebook distribution space. Draft2Digital is famous for its highly intuitive, user-friendly interface. It allows authors to upload a simple Word document and automatically converts it into a beautifully formatted EPUB file for free. They distribute to all major retailers, including Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. They do not charge any upfront fees, instead taking a small 10% cut of the retail price of each book sold.
4. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) remains the undisputed giant of the self-publishing world. While Smashwords distributes to various retailers, KDP allows you to upload directly to the Amazon Kindle Store, which controls the vast majority of the global ebook market. Many authors choose to publish directly on KDP to take advantage of Amazon-specific promotional tools like KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited, while using Smashwords or Draft2Digital to distribute to “wide” retailers outside of Amazon.
5. PublishDrive
PublishDrive is a powerful subscription-based ebook distribution platform that serves as an excellent alternative to Smashwords. Instead of taking a percentage of your royalties, PublishDrive charges a flat monthly fee, allowing authors to keep 100% of their net royalties from retailers. This model is exceptionally beneficial for high-volume authors who sell thousands of copies monthly. They distribute to over 400 stores and thousands of library networks globally, including major international markets in Asia and Europe.
6. StreetLib
Based in Europe, StreetLib is a premier global distributor that offers exceptional access to international ebook markets that other platforms often overlook. It is a fantastic Smashwords alternative for authors looking to expand their global reach, particularly in Southern Europe, Latin America, and Africa. StreetLib provides a free online editing and formatting tool called StreetLib Write, which helps authors design standard EPUB files. They operate on a royalty-share model, taking a small percentage of each sale.
7. IngramSpark
IngramSpark is widely known as the industry standard for print distribution, but they also offer robust ebook distribution services. By uploading your ebook to IngramSpark, your title is made available to a massive network of retail stores, libraries, and universities worldwide. While their ebook platform is slightly more complex to navigate than Smashwords, it provides unparalleled credibility among independent bookstores and library acquisition systems.
8. Kobo Writing Life
For authors who prefer to bypass aggregators and upload directly to individual retailers, Kobo Writing Life is an essential platform. Kobo is highly popular in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe. Publishing directly through Kobo Writing Life gives authors access to unique promotional opportunities, direct sales tracking, and the ability to opt into Kobo Plus, a rapidly growing subscription service for avid readers.
9. Barnes & Noble Press
Barnes & Noble Press is the direct-to-retailer portal for the Nook digital ecosystem. By uploading your ebook directly to B&N Press rather than distributing through Smashwords, you gain faster royalty payments, direct control over your metadata, and access to exclusive Barnes & Noble promotions. It is a vital platform for target marketing to dedicated Nook readers in the United States.
10. Lulu Press
Lulu Press is one of the oldest and most respected self-publishing platforms on the internet. While they are highly regarded for print-on-demand books, they offer straightforward ebook publishing and distribution services. Lulu helps authors convert their manuscripts into EPUB formats and distributes them to major retail outlets. Their platform is free to use, and they deduct a small percentage from your retail sales as their service fee.
11. XinXii
XinXii is Europe’s leading independent digital publishing and distribution platform. It serves as a strong alternative to Smashwords for authors who want to target German-speaking and broader European audiences. XinXii allows authors to upload their ebooks and distribute them to major European shops like Thalia, Weltbild, and Hugendubel, alongside global giants like Apple and Kobo.
12. Aqua Book Writers
Aqua Book Writers specializes in comprehensive manuscript preparation, ensuring that your book is polished to perfection before it hits the digital shelves. They provide line-by-line editing to refine your voice and eliminate structural issues. Their formatting team works diligently to create clean, responsive digital files that render beautifully on any e-reader, tablet, or smartphone.
13. Ghostwriting LLC
Ghostwriting LLC provides professional manuscript preparation services designed for independent authors who want to publish on Smashwords without dealing with the technical headaches of formatting. They ensure that your front matter, back matter, and chapter headers are aligned perfectly with industry standards, preventing formatting errors during the distribution upload process.
14. Vox Ghostwriting
Vox Ghostwriting offers premium formatting and layout services tailored specifically for complex ebooks, including those with tables, bullet points, or customized scene breaks. Their experienced team ensures that the final EPUB file is fully validated and free from coding errors, which is crucial for passing the Smashwords automated conversion system.
15. Imperial Ghostwriting
Imperial Ghostwriting is a budget-friendly option for authors who need assistance with manuscript polishing and formatting. They focus on preparing clean, error-free documents that can be easily converted into digital formats. Their services are structured to help self-published authors minimize their upfront costs while maintaining a high standard of quality.
16. The Legacy Ghostwriters
The Legacy Ghostwriters offers a comprehensive suite of manuscript preparation services, including line editing and layout design. They understand the nuances of different digital publishing platforms and format your manuscript to look professional on Kindle, Nook, and Kobo devices alike. Their affordable packages make them accessible to first-time novelists.
17. Ghostwriting Solution
Ghostwriting Solution provides standard digital layout preparation for authors aiming to publish widely. They help authors convert their text files into stable EPUB formats, ensuring that images are optimized for digital screens and that the table of contents functions correctly across all major e-reading applications.
18. Barnett Ghostwriting
Barnett Ghostwriting focuses on delivering clean, basic ebook formatting services at highly affordable rates. They specialize in simple narrative layouts, making them an ideal choice for fiction writers who need a straightforward, error-free EPUB file that is ready for upload to Smashwords or Draft2Digital.
19. Book Writing INC
Book Writing INC offers reliable layout and conversion services for self-publishing authors. They work closely with writers to ensure that their manuscripts are prepared according to the specific guidelines of major ebook retailers, reducing the likelihood of file rejection during the automated review process.
20. Phoenix Ghostwriting
Phoenix Ghostwriting provides essential manuscript refinement and layout services. They assist authors in organizing their manuscripts, formatting headings, and preparing the final files for digital distribution. Their services are designed to be fast, efficient, and highly cost-effective.
How to Choose the Right Distribution and Formatting Strategy
When planning your Book publishing journey, you do not have to limit yourself to a single platform. In fact, the most successful indie authors utilize a hybrid approach to maximize their reach and profits.
- Direct vs. Wide Distribution: Many authors choose to publish directly on Amazon KDP to take advantage of their massive market share, while using an aggregator like Draft2Digital or Smashwords to distribute to all other retail stores (Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble) simultaneously. This is known as “going wide.”
- Professional File Preparation: No matter which platform you choose, uploading a poorly formatted file can result in negative reader reviews and low sales. Investing in professional manuscript preparation ensures your book looks polished and professional.
- Metadata Optimization: Ensure your book description, categories, and keywords are thoroughly researched and optimized. This helps search algorithms index your book correctly, making it easier for readers to discover your work.
For authors who want to ensure their book stands out in a crowded marketplace, working with professional Ghostwriting services can make a significant difference. From initial drafting and refinement to the final layout, having expert guidance ensures your book meets the highest publishing standards.
Additionally, visual appeal is critical to digital sales. A professional Book Cover Design is the first thing a potential reader sees when browsing retail platforms. Ensuring your cover is eye-catching, genre-compliant, and optimized for thumbnail sizes can dramatically increase your click-through and conversion rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Smashwords and Draft2Digital?
Smashwords and Draft2Digital were historically competitors, but they merged in 2022. Draft2Digital acquired Smashwords, combining their distribution networks. Draft2Digital is highly praised for its automated formatting tools and user-friendly interface, while Smashwords remains a powerful storefront with unique marketing features like the Smashwords Presales tool and coupon codes.
Do I need an ISBN to publish an ebook on these platforms?
No, you do not strictly need to purchase your own ISBN to publish an ebook on Smashwords, Draft2Digital, or Amazon KDP. Most of these platforms will assign a free system identifier or a free ISBN for use within their distribution network. However, if you want complete control over your metadata and wish to list yourself as the publisher of record, purchasing your own ISBN is recommended.
Can I publish my ebook on both Amazon KDP and Smashwords?
Yes, you can publish on both platforms simultaneously, provided you do not enroll your ebook in the KDP Select program. KDP Select requires absolute digital exclusivity with Amazon. If you choose not to enroll in KDP Select, you are free to upload your book directly to Amazon and use Smashwords or Draft2Digital to distribute your book to all other retailers globally.
How much does it cost to distribute an ebook through an aggregator?
Most major ebook aggregators, including Smashwords and Draft2Digital, do not charge any upfront fees to upload or distribute your ebook. Instead, they operate on a royalty-share model. They typically take a small percentage (around 10% to 15% of the retail price) of each book sold through their distribution network, allowing you to publish with zero initial cost.
Why is professional ebook formatting important?
Ebooks are written in responsive code (similar to HTML), meaning the text flows and adjusts depending on the screen size, font choice, and device used by the reader. Simple Word documents often convert poorly, resulting in broken paragraphs, missing images, or unreadable tables of contents. Professional formatting ensures your book looks flawless on every device.