Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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For decades, the world’s largest traditional publishers controlled the industry. They decided who got published, when, and where the books would be distributed. The advent of ebooks, e-reading devices and digital publishing and distribution platforms like Smashwords marked a sea change event that forever democratized the industry. Smashwords founder Mark Coker and marketing director Jim Azevedo discuss the rise of indie publishing, what it’s been like to join forces with Draft2Digital, and why the power center in the industry is shifting away from the largest traditional publishers and into the hands of authors.

Jim Azevedo, head of corporate communications at Draft2Digital and former marketing director at Smashwords
thebookfest.com/speaker/jim-azevedo

Mark Coker, Smashwords founder, Draft2Digital Chief Strategy Officer
thebookfest.com/speaker/mark-coker

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