In my book, if you’ll pardon the pun, Smashwords is a fantastic ebook platform. For those self-published authors out there, it offers an exceptional tool and service for publishing and formatting your ebook outside of Amazon. Amazon is, of course, also undeniably brilliant in facilitating the self-publishing process but it is limited to their own platform and file type (i.e. .mobi files). The beauty of Smashwords, is that it opens up the market for authors to make their books accessible for all devices and all readers (including .mobi files): from .ePub files, for current Sony Readers, Kobos, Nooks and tablets; to .lrf and and .pdb, for older e-reader kit. I’m sure Smashwords is no secret to most reading this but I wanted to champion them for the other initiatives they run too, such as the ‘Read an eBook Week’ they are running right now. Of course, this is an opportunity for indie authors to develop their readership through heavy discounts and giveaways, but just as importantly, it also opens the door for readers to try out new authors and seek out gems without the cumulative bill that might otherwise put them off. So, if you haven’t already, I’d urge you to take a peek at the great books on offer at Smashwords this week (this particular event is running 3rd – 9th March, inclusive). I’ve already bagged two historical fantasy novels, Wreck of the Frost Finch by Joseph Robert Lewis, and The Watchmaker’s Daughter by C. J. Archer, and can’t wait to get stuck in!
I’m also taking part with my fantasy novel, The Procurement of Souls, and have made it available for FREE! You can download it in whichever format you like at Smashwords, here.
Incidentally, if you have any recommendations for books taking part over at Smashwords, I’d love to hear from you, so do add books to comments below!
Happy reading…
Benjamin Hope: Author of The Procurement of Souls 
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