Please help me understand Createspace/Smashwords

[Iffix]

I released my first book via Createspace (and have been really satisfied with their product), and I am preparing the sequel for publishing. I went KDP with Createspace since it was easier. But I have yet to actually sell with KDP (unless those sales will be realized later. I published back in early April.)

I would like to compare the results of using Smashwords with my next book. What would be the issues here? (As in, is it possible to publish both with Createspace and Smashwords simultaneously.)

Note: I acknowledge that there is already another user working through the KDP/Smashwords debate, but out of respect, I didn't wish to snipe his thread with my own questions.

[Kathi]

Hi Iffix, I'm in the same boat and have the same questions. I just launched on May 12th with Createspace and KDP. So far, I'm confused as to the 70% royalty with Amazon - it looks more like 7%. And KDP is even worse. I'm now reworking the format to publish through Smashwords. I'm very curious to see what others write.
Kathryn Brettell

[Iffix]

Kathi, as near as I can tell, the issues with the 70% looking more like 7% come from the deductions for the book production cost. (Not saying it makes me feel any better, seeing the royalties come in a buck at a time, but I think this first book was more about building up a following of people trying out a book from a new author. So far, the results have been quite favorable, and I'm looking forward to seeing what will come out of the next book and the series as a whole.)

[Kathi]

Production costs should be fixed, not variable, so why is each book dinged for the same cost! Over time and sales, do those costs decrease?

[Christina]

Okay, hang on because it looks like there are several questions here and some confusion. KDP and Smashwords are ebook retailers. Createspace is a paperback book publisher. Yes, each offers help in formatting the other, but for now, forget that.

There would never be a conflict between Smashwords and Createspace because they are different formats. If you enrolled your ebook in KDP Select, then you cannot publish that same ebook anywhere while you are enrolled in Select.

As for the royalties: 70% is for ebooks. With Createspace, you get a portion of the profits based on where the book was sold and how much you priced the book over the cost of production. Books sold on Createspace get the highest percentage, Amazon second highest, and then much lower for expanded distribution. In order to qualify for expanded diatribution, your book has to be priced high enough that the distributor and producer each make a profit.

[Kathi]

Thanks Christina, that's very helpful. :)

[Iffix]

Thanks Christina.

[[deleted user]]

"As for the royalties: 70% is for ebooks." This is true if you sell it for a minimum of $2.99. Drop below that and it drops to 30%.

Amazon markets your Create Space book, too, if you like.

Morris

[Iffix]

Morris, do you know if they market Smashwords on Amazon?

[[deleted user]]

Amazon doesn't market to Smashwords, but Smashwords does market to Amazon. However, I didn't like the vague description of how they listed your books with Amazon (at the time I read it, it seemed to require a certain level of sales), so I market my books directly to Amazon, and opt out of Amazon distribution on Smashwords.