Each Friday the Smashwords store reports the bestselling indie fiction titles based on the previous week’s sales. If an author has more than one title eligible for the list, only the highest performing title will be included. This ensures high-performing titles receive the accolades they deserve, while providing up-and-coming authors the visibility they have earned. Don’t miss Monday’s Top 10 Hot Preorders List, where Smashwords will provide a list of the most highly anticipated ebook preorders.

Book Title: ANNEKE JANS IN THE NEW WORLDCharacter Name: Marritje Jans How would you describe your family or your childhood?I don’t remember my father, but my mother, Tryn Jonas, was the first midwife in New Amsterdam. Tough as nails, she’s the one that talked my sister Anneke and me into upping stakes and trying our luck in the New World. What was your greatest talent?I’m cheerful to a fault. I also know a way to keep from having babies every eighteen months if that’s of interest to you. Significant other?I’ve had three husbands. Tymen Jansen was my favorite. He was the chief shipwright here. When he died, I married another carpenter, but he accidentally swung an adze into his leg, so then I married Govert. My sister Anneke said some harsh things about him, called him a murderer and whatnot, but since he was the richest man in town, I didn’t much care. Biggest challenge in relationships?Men die so young. Where do you live?I used to live in New Amsterdam, but then the English invaded, so now I live in New York. Govert and I built ourselves a mansion fit for a pirate here on the strand. Do you have…

Destiny is the cheat code of the heart. Say the words fated mate, soulmark, or bond and a story charges itself with inevitability. Readers know a collision is coming, which lets authors focus on how and why instead of if. The trope promises recognition without audition, intimacy that arrives preloaded with weight, and a test of character once the universe has had its say. When it works, fate is not a shortcut but a crucible. Choice still matters. The pull brings lovers together, then demands they earn what destiny only begins. SLAVE TO SENSATION — Nalini Singh In Singh’s series opener, a Psy empath who has been trained to feel nothing collides with a changeling alpha whose world runs on touch, scent, and pack bonds. The mating drive in his species is biological and inescapable, while her culture treats emotion like a disease. That friction turns the fated trope into a high-stakes negotiation about safety, autonomy, and the cost of awakening. What sets this apart is craft. The romance tracks alongside a conspiracy thriller, and every tender beat is laced with sensory detail that makes the bond feel physical and specific. Consent is explicit, boundaries are named, and the happily…

What is the title of your latest release?THE SHOP ON HIDDEN LANE What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Long standing family feud, a mysterious pact, murder by psychic means, weird art colony, and a dog named Bruce. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?A good portion of this book takes place in the amazing Red Rock country of Arizona. I love the area because it’s both dramatic and mysterious. Vortex territory! (Also some nice hotel spas) Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Absolutely. She’s the kick-ass librarian I always wanted to be. A role model. What are three words that describe your hero?Honorable. Smart. Determined. What’s something you learned while writing this book?I learned that putting a dog into a book is risky because the dog keeps trying to take over. Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?Both. My process is somewhat chaotic, to be honest. What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?Pretzels. Describe your writing space/office!Chaotic, like my process. Lots of sticky notes stuck on the computer. Who is an author you admire?Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Every scene she writes is a very short story. Is there…

What is the title of your latest release?DRAGON CURSED What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Declared humanity’s savior reborn, Isola Thaz should have a legendary power to slay dragons—instead, she may be cursed to become one of the vicious beasts she’s meant to destroy. She enters the Tribunal hoping to prove her destiny. But she ends up uncovering Vingard’s darkest lies. Now Isola must confront who she is, what she’s fighting for, and whether salvation lies in protecting the world as she knows it… or burning it down. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I really liked the idea of creating a story that had a major component of survival against inhospitable nature. Where the atmosphere of the world itself asks, “What will people do when pushed to their limits?” I wanted something that was other-world fantasy (because that’s what I love) but with dystopian vibes. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Absolutely. While no one is perfect, Isola genuinely cares about the people around her – especially her friends. I think she’d be very happy to get a break, too, and just enjoy a cup of tea. What are three…

Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae JepsenPoppy Peterson is the publicist of the NFL’s most promising quarterback (and her childhood best friend), Cash Curran. He makes an impulsive and public pass at America’s popstar darling, Lyric Adair, which Poppy would’ve at least liked a heads up about first. “Call Me Maybe” is Poppy’s ringtone and it’s first mentioned on the page when Lyric’s notorious publicist Rosaline Sinclair calls Poppy about said public pass. Poppy is ready to face Rosaline’s wrath but instead learns that Lyric is equally interested. It’s such a fun, upbeat song that really captures Poppy’s personality and adds a moment of levity and humor to a scene where she’s dealing with a massive case of nerves. It also hints at the romance between Poppy and Rosaline. Mastermind by Taylor SwiftThis is such a fitting song for Rosaline! She’s a publicist at the top of her game, responsible for shaping the public perception surrounding her client and sort of surrogate little sister, Lyric. Publicity is an art form to Rosaline, and she makes crafting a narrative look effortless, even though she puts a lot of effort in. All of her behind-the-scenes machinations come from a place of caring…

What is the title of your latest release?RINGS OF FATE What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?The Princess Bride meets Wheel of Time. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I write fantasy, so medieval-ish Europe-ish is the expected genre landscape. From Nora Roberts I learned you need to meet genre expectations. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Absolutely. She’s a badass. What are three words that describe your hero?Golden. Broken. Brave. What’s something you learned while writing this book?That I can rewrite a book a thousand times lol. Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?Yes I edit as I draft. What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?Hot fudge sundaes. Describe your writing space/office!A fabulous Wes Anderson style office with beautiful art pieces (I collect portraits of women from the 17th and 18th centuries), custom desks (one marble) absolutely gorgeous office that I have ruined by making it an extension of my closet and now is overwhelmed by clothing racks obscuring the art. Who is an author you admire?Stephen King, my favorite author when I was a teenager. Is there a book that changed your life?Dune – my…

I make multiple references to music in THE REDEMPTION FILE. Music has always been a big part of my life, and I’ve gone through many different phases with artists and genres. I felt it was only natural to incorporate music into my book. Although I don’t mention any specific songs, the following provide a strong representation of the soundtrack to the story. Juice (Know the Ledge), Eric B & RakimDaryl Hunter deals in drugs, and receives an urgent text message that he needs to respond to fast, prompting him to race through the city in his Ford Explorer. He turns up the music to give him momentum, allowing the base to take over the car. I like to think Daryl enjoys old school hip-hop like myself, and this is a great amp up song, mostly from the base line that grabs you from the opening. It’s also an anthem of the rise and fall of a hustler who grew up on the streets, delivered by the greatest MC of all time. It reflects a life style similar to that of Daryl and his cousin, Andre. The Four Horsemen, MetallicaRoger Austin is on his way to an important business luncheon. Like…

Book Title: JANAE SANDERS’ SECOND TIME AROUNDCharacter Name: Janae Aaliyah Sanders How would you describe your family or your childhood?Woooo chile. You just jumping right in with the nosy questions, huh? I’m an only child of a former Black beauty queen and a former bus driver. My daddy doted on me, and my mama tried to turn me into her own mini-her. But since I wasn’t interested in starving myself or hating my lovely curves, we clashed like titans. Janae holds up hand to stop whatever the interviewer was about to say/ask Now, don’t get any ideas about talkin’ slick about my mama. She’s doing the hard work to try to change and I’m gonna give her the grace to do so. Move on to the next question. What was your greatest talent?Bay-Bee! That’s easy. Your girl can burn in the kitchen. When I tell you my food’s so good it’ll have you humming while you eat, I am not exaggerating. Adam yells from his perch on the couch as he watches a basketball game on the TV She ain’t lying! Food so good she has us fighting over who’s getting the last bit of whatever she made. Significant other?Janae…

What is the title of your latest release?AXE AND GRIND What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?When Josie Hart signs on to test billionaire Axe Mackenzie “perfect match” algorithm, their chemistry plunges them deep into an addictive tangle of obsession, desire, and deceit that threatens to drag their darkest secrets into the light. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?We both went to school in PA (same school, different years) which might be why we chose it. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?In a heartbeat. Josie is a girl’s girl. We built her with love and we wept at all her bad decisions. What are three words that describe your hero?Secretive, Sexy and Scottish What’s something you learned while writing this book?AG: I learned that Julie still makes me laugh so hard sometimes that’s my daily cardio.JB: I learned that Adele still finds my stupid jokes funny and also that she tells everyone I wrote all of our sex scenes. Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?We edit as we go. There are two of us, so one goes out front and the other…