According to new metrics from Digital Book World and Iobyte Solutions, the average price of an eBook bestseller was $8.23 during the first week of the year, which is down from $8.84 the average price for an eBook bestseller in mid-December.

Digital Book World attributed the drop to retailer discounting. Here is more from DBW: “The decrease in average price is almost certainly due to retailer discounting. For instance, this week’s new No. 1,Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks (Hachette), was discounted by its retailers to $3.99 on Dec. 20 after several graduated discounts throughout the Fall that saw its price decrease from $9.99, the last price its publisher set. It had been priced at $12.99 when it was new in late 2010 and early 2011. (The ebook was also likely helped by the upcoming film adaptation, set to hit theaters in Feb. 2013.)”

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The second new feature is called Library Direct, which enables libraries and consortiums to place large orders with Smashwords and license eBooks in bulk. Smashwords expects these orders to amount to about $30,000 for the set. Authors and publishers will earn 70 percent of the library price, which is higher than the 45 percent earned aggregator partners.

This new feature came out of user surveys. Smashwords’ CEO Mark Coker explains: “…when I surveyed Smashwords authors and publishers, 82% said you believe libraries offer the potential to build your sales (we agree!!).  About 2/3 of you said you’d want to encourage library adoption of your books by pricing your books at or below the regular retail price.” Authors and publishers can decide if they want to participate.

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