This page describes the Smashwords distribution network. You’ll learn where we distribute, the requirements for distribution, and we provide a quickstart checklist to help you achieve rapid distribution.
With a single upload to Smashwords, your book can be listed for sale at multiple major ebook retailers and library platforms.
Notable retailers in the Smashwords distribution network include Apple Books (operates stores in 51 countries), Barnes & Noble , the Smashwords Store, Scribd, and Kobo. Our industry-leading library distribution reaches OverDrive (world's largest library ebook platform serving 20,000+ libraries), Baker & Taylor Axis 360, Tolino, Gardners (Askews & Holts and Browns Books for Students), Bibliotheca CloudLibrary (3,000 public libraries), Odilo (2,100 public libraries in North America, South America and Europe) and Califa's Enki (powers ebook checkout systems for over 100 California libraries).
Extended Distribution: Some of our partners mentioned above operate additional digital storefronts, or may power and supply other retailers and sales outlets. Here's a summary of the extended distribution you’ll receive simply by distributing to the retailers and library platforms noted above:
Kobo powers the ebook stores of multiple ebook retailers around the world. By distributing to Kobo via Smashwords, your books will also reach Walmart, WH Smith in the UK, FNAC in France and Portugal, Livraria Cultura in Brazil, Angus & Robertson and Bookworld and Booktopia in Australia, Indigo in Canada, Collins in Australia, Feltrinelli in Italy, bol.com in the Netherlands, Paper Plus in New Zealand, Play in Great Britain, Rakuten in Japan, Buy.com (now Rakuten) in the US, PriceMinister in France, Crossword and WHSmith in India, Eason & Son, Ltd in Ireland, Mondadori in Italy, The Paper Plus Group in New Zealand, National Book Store in the Philippines, Pick 'N Pay in South Africa, La Central in Spain, Dogan in Turkey, participating Booksellers Association Stores in the UK, and participating American Booksellers Association stores in the US, and Orbile in Mexico (Orbile is a partnership between two large Mexican book retailers, Porrúa and Gandhi).
Baker & Taylor operates operates Axis360, a major supplier of ebook checkout systems to public libraries.
Gardners powers hundreds of small white label ebook stores; operates Hive.co.uk which powers ecommerce operations for hundreds of physical stores; operates Askews & Holts, a large supplier of ebooks to public libraries in the UK and other countries; and operates VLeBooks which powers ebook checkout systems for academic libraries.
The former Tolino network, a powerhouse in Germany, powered various retailers that account for approximately 50% of the German ebook market. The retailers served by Smashwords' previous distribution agreement with Tolino included Thalia, Weltbild, Hugendubel / ebook.de, Buecher.de, Mayersche, Osiander, Libri, Standaard Boekhandel and IBS. In 2019, Smashwords title distribution to these former Tolino network outlets is now performed by longstanding Smashwords partner, Gardners.
Amazon Access
Once the publishing systems and dashboards of Smashwords and Draft2Digital are combined, Smashwords authors will gain distribution access to Amazon. For authors and publishers currently taking advantage of the prior "$2000-club" distribution to Amazon, there's nothing you need to do at this time - sales reports and payments will continue to flow through to you.
To receive distribution to our growing network of retailers and library platforms, your book must be accepted into the Smashwords Premium Catalog. Acceptance is fast, free and automatic if your book meets the common sense listing requirements of major retailers and library platforms. The listing requirements are fully described in The Smashwords Style Guide, which can be downloaded for free.
Most listing requirements are mechanical in nature. For example, retailers and library platforms expect professional formatting, proper navigation, complete metadata and an acceptable cover image.
Here’s a quickstart checklist
Smashwords FAQ: Here, you’ll find instant answers to dozens of common questions. You’ll also find a glossary of ebook publishing terms.
Smart Author Podcast: This free podcast, hosted by Smashwords founder Mark Coker, walks you step-by-step from the very basics of ebook publishing to more advanced topics. Learn how to publish with greater pride, professionalism and success. To listen over your web browser, or to subscribe at your favorite podcast direction, visit at our podcast hub page for direct links and complete written transcripts of all episodes.