Smashwords Introduces Coupon Generator for Self-Published eBook Authors
Authors can now easily generate coupon codes for promotion on author blogs, websites, social networks and fan email lists
Los Gatos, Calif., December 15, 2008 -- Smashwords, a publisher of ebooks from independent authors, today introduced a coupon generator that allows self-published authors to issue promotional coupon codes for their books for sharing on blogs, websites, social networks, fan email lists.
“Our mission at Smashwords is to provide independent authors the free tools they need to publish, promote and sell their ebooks,” said Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords. “The Smashwords Coupon Generator represents a powerful new marketing tool for self-published ebook authors to create excitement and buying interest among their potential readers.”
The Smashwords Coupon Generator give authors flexible options for how they design their coupon promotions, including designating cents-off or dollars-off list price, a flat percentage off retail price, and fixed expiration dates. Authors can also create coupons that entitle the recipient to receive the book for free, which can be useful for promoting the book to book reviewers or for use in limited time promotions. To access the Coupon Generator, authors simply visit their Smashwords Dashboard.
For independent authors, there's never been a better time to publish ebooks on Smashwords. Authors simply upload their manuscripts as Microsoft Word files, and then Smashwords automatically converts the book into multiple DRM-free ebook formats, such as .epub, .lrf, .pdf, .mobi, .pdb, .rtf and .txt. Authors set the price of their books, determine the sampling percentage, and receive 85% of all net sales proceeds.
For book lovers, Smashwords offers a virtual literary playground where they can discover new and emerging voices in fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Most Smashwords books are priced between $3.00 and $5.00. Smashwords books are available for free sampling, often up to 50% of the book, so readers can try before they buy.
Free multi-format ebook samples are available for downloading to all leading ebook reading devices, including the iPhone, iPOD Touch, the Amazon Kindle, the Sony Reader, the iRex and others. Books can also be sampled online over a web browser.
Today’s news follows an announcement earlier this month in which Smashwords announced full integration with the Stanza ebook reader, which is used by over 500,000 iPhone and iPOD Touch owners to read ebooks. Stanza users can now easily access the complete Smashwords catalog on their iPhone or iPod Touch, download book samples and free books, access their personal Smashwords library, and even purchase and download full books.
About Smashwords, Inc.
Founded in 2007, privately held Smashwords operates a digital publishing platform and online book store for independent ebook authors. The free service puts authors in full control over the marketing, pricing, sampling and licensing of their works. In addition to receiving exposure to hundreds of thousands of potential readers, authors receive 85% of the net proceeds from sales of their works. For readers, Smashwords offers the opportunity to discover exciting new voices in fiction and non-fiction. Smashwords, Inc. is based in Los Gatos, California, and can be reached on the web at http://www.smashwords.com/. Visit the official Smashwords blog at http://blog.smashwords.com/