I’ve often found that when people find out I am doing erotica and self-publishing, their assumption is that I’m publishing on Amazon. But nope, that’s not the case. I looked at Amazon, talked to other friends about Amazon, and researched the hell out of the pros and cons. I use a Kindle. I’ve had one since maybe 2014. I love it and this is how I usually consume books.

But when I began writing and looking to self-publish, I was not sold on Amazon! I looked at all the rules, complaint’s by other writers, and most of all… the money! Can’t say I was thrilled at this. So here are THREE main reasons, I looked for an alternative to Amazon and settled with Smashwords.

THE MONEY

This was the most simple of choices. My cut is 85% of whatever I charge for my books. It’s a simple flat rate. If my book is priced at $10, I make $8.50. For Amazon, it depends on the price of your book but your cut can be anywhere between 35% and 70%.

AMAZON’S EXCLUSIVITY POLICY

The absolute main thing that DID NOT appeal to me was Amazon’s policy of Exclusivity! I did not like this at all. Yes… Amazon is the biggest on the market. More readers would potentially see my work on this platform than any other. However, I’m not all about jumping on the bandwagon of the biggest seller AND then giving them exclusive rights to my books! I hate that condition. There are plenty enough people out there who hate Amazon and if I can only publish there, then it sucks that these readers can’t enjoy my work. What did your mama tell you about all your eggs in one basket? Exactly! I’d rather sell to multiple retailers, like Apple Books and Barnes and Noble.

SMASHWORDS IS MORE FAVORABLE FOR INDIE AUTHORS

I’m an upstart. I think I have a good product to sell, but I don’t have any big name publishers behind me. I don’t have a team of people that work for me. It’s just me with my idea for a story. Smashwords does a ton better job at supporting me with the tools I need to get my work out there. They let my work stand on its own merit. If it’s good, it will sell. I still have to do some leg work to get the exposure, but that’s my job. I don’t think Amazon cares as much about this with their blanket policies. Maybe if I were a big name author and they wanted exclusive rights to sell my books… okay. I can see it. We can negotiate that. But that’s not me yet.

And that’s relatively it for me. Those three things sold me. But of course there are several other reasons why I went Smashwords over Kindle and I have been satisfied with my decision.