Smashwords Now Accepting EPUBs

According to a site update yesterday, the self-publishing aggregator portal Smashwords is now accepting ePub files in preparation for the launch of Smashwords Direct, allowing ebook formatters to bypass their Meatgrinder conversion tool and upload a finished file for direct distribution to retail outlets. In theory, this will finally allow for complex formatting such as fixed layouts and floating sidebars that the Word .doc based ingestion system did not support. However, the details are still a little thin.


Here's the official statement:

December 30, 2012 - (Updated) We're preparing to launch Smashwords Direct, our direct .epub upload option. One year ago in my 2011 annual year-in-review over at the Smashwords Blog, we made a commitment to launch SWD in the second half of 2012.  We're working to fulfill that commitment. We're nearing the beta launch of SWD. The first iteration will enable those of you with professionally designed .epub files to replace your current Smashwords-generated .epub with another .epub.  It'll also allow authors to upload .epub files instead of Word .doc files. Thank you to all the Smashwords authors who provided .epub files for our internal testing. Update: As of earlier today, you may now upload an EPUB to supplement your DOC-based book (replacing its EPUB with your own), as well as create new books using only an EPUB. (Note: We do not currently produce sample files, online HTML reader content, or other ebook formats based on EPUBs.)

Unfortunately, this is as much information as is given, and the formatting guide and FAQ have not yet been updated, so the details are unclear. For example, does the Smashwords ePub ingestion engine handle fixed layout ePubs formatted specifically for iBooks, or only those based on the ePub standard? Will ePub3 compliant files be supported, recommended, or required? For now it seems your only option is to upload a file and see what happens. But at least this is a step in the right direction. Post and let me know if you've given this a try.