The Smashwords website is a godsend to independent publishers (i.e., self-published authors) like me.  An indie does all the work before submitting the manuscript to Smashwords.  He or she writes the book, edits the book (with help), formats the book, designs and/or commissions the graphics (such as the cover), and markets the finished product.  Smashwords issues the book as an electronic publication (an e-book) and handles distribution to retail outlets across . . . well, across the globe.

In exchange, Smashwords takes a percentage of the retail price.  The indie puts up NO money himself/herself.  When the book sells, both reap the benefit.

Here’s how I described the story on my Smashwords web page:

An archaeologist sets out to turn the academic world on its ear.  Kennet Forbes, teacher at Thunder Bay University, volunteers to find his missing colleague.  He finds himself embroiled in violence, murder, and mystery.  Forbes, former high-profile newsman, rediscovers the wilds north of Lake Superior.  In the process he awakens his own demons.

But, you say, I don’t have an e-reader (a Kindle, a Nook, a Kobo, etc.) or a smart phone (an iPhone, a BlackBerry, etc.) or a tablet (an iPad, etc.).  Well, now you know what to whisper in Santa’s ear.

But you have a computer, right?  Or access to one?  You simply download the novel in PDF or RTF format.  It’s not the most convenient way to read a book, but it does work.

Before you buy and download this novel, you can read up to 30% of it ABSOLUTELY FREE! 

On the other hand, the price is so inexpensive (in US$) - so CHEAP - you can’t go wrong.

The e-book market is growing by leaps and bounds.  Even the traditionally published authors have twigged to that.  Steig Larsson, for example, who wrote trilogy beginning with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, sold a million books of his series.  You can now buy his books as e-books.

Okay.  Are you ready?  Ready to find this novel online?  Go for it:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/45856

It is listed under Fiction/Mystery and Detective/General.

You can also read the e-book on your computer screen by first downloading some free software:  Adobe Digital Editions will allow you to read the ePub format; Kindle for PC (or Mac) allows the Mobi format.  Just name the software in your Google Advanced Search, along with the word "download", and it will come up.  It's FREE!

You’ll enjoy it.  Perhaps as much as I did writing it.