{
  "slug": "smashwords",
  "name": "smashwords",
  "description": "Smashwords is an online platform for independent authors and publishers to publish and distribute their ebooks globally. It also serves as a marketplace for readers to discover and purchase a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction ebooks, including free and discounted titles, readable across multiple devices.",
  "url": "https://optimly.ai/brand/smashwords",
  "websiteUrl": "https://smashwords.com/",
  "logoUrl": "https://logo.clearbit.com/smashwords.com",
  "baiScore": null,
  "bai_tier_status": "active",
  "bai_score_status": "active",
  "archetype": null,
  "archetype_status": "active",
  "category": "Ebook Publishing & Distribution Platforms",
  "categorySlug": null,
  "keyFacts": [],
  "aiReadiness": [],
  "competitors": [],
  "competitorsProse": null,
  "inboundCompetitors": [],
  "aiAlternatives": [],
  "parentBrand": null,
  "subBrands": [],
  "updatedAt": "2026-08-23T00:05:14.231Z",
  "verifiedVitals": {
    "website": "https://smashwords.com",
    "category": "Ebook publishing and distribution platform, online bookstore",
    "what_it_does": "Smashwords is an online platform that enables authors and independent publishers to self-publish and distribute their ebooks to a global network of retailers and libraries. It also operates as an online bookstore where readers can discover, sample, and purchase ebooks.",
    "primary_audience": "Self-published authors, independent publishers, and readers of ebooks.",
    "core_product": "Ebook publishing, distribution, and sales.",
    "pricing_model": {
      "kind": "transactional",
      "detail": "Publishing and distribution are free for authors. Authors earn royalties on sales: 75% for ebooks priced $2.99 or higher and 40% for ebooks priced below $2.99 for direct sales through the Smashwords store (effective January 1, 2026). For sales through retailer distribution, authors typically earn around 60% of the list price."
    },
    "parent_ownership": "Draft2Digital, LLC",
    "named_competitors": [
      "Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)",
      "IngramSpark",
      "Lulu",
      "Kobo",
      "Wattpad",
      "BookBaby",
      "PublishDrive"
    ]
  },
  "intentTags": null,
  "businessProfileClaims": [],
  "timestamp": 1787466028923
}