Reviews

Review Details

• Review fromTina B

  Date: 04/19/2023

  1 star

  Tina B

  Date: 04/19/2023

  Horrible experience! I have published 2 books here and paid a lot of money. Then paid more for editing and supposedly putting my books on shelves, marketing, commercials etc. But all of the money I paid them just went straight to their pockets. I didn't get what was promised. I got very frustrated everytime I tried talking to them, They're very rude! Mocking me at one point. I'm still not making even a cent! Its been 10 years! They're charging $19.99 for a soft cover and I supposedly making 20 cents? This company is nothing but a big SCAM! I have read so many Horrible reviews about this company and I was foolish to even think I could trust anyone who works here! If I could give a negative zero for this review, I would!
  

  Author Solutions, LLC

  Date: 04/20/2023

  The reviewer purchased two publishing packages with one book including an editing service. One of the titles also included a marketing kit, a website, and a standard book video. While these services are used to market a book, they do not guarantee sales. We offer online book distribution, not physical book store distribution. We apologize if that was not made clear. The reviewer has been issued four payments in the last six years (our statute of limitations for check re-issuance). These were via check and mailed to the address that we have on file. If the reviewer did not receive them, she can reach out to the royalty department at ************************************ and they can inquire on the status of the checks. It should also be noted that AuthorHouse is no longer issuing check payments for royalties as of last year. The reviewer can contact the same email address listed above on how to enroll in direct deposit. The reviewer receives 50% of the net sale for all e-book sales and a per unit amount on all printed books. In checking the account, all calculations are correct in regards to the payments made so far. The price for the reviewers printed color book is slightly higher than a traditionally published book because we use print on demand technology. Books are printed as they are ordered instead of being stocked in a warehouse which makes the price to print the book more.
  

  Author Solutions, LLC

  Date: 04/20/2023

  The reviewer purchased two publishing packages with one book including an editing service. One of the titles also included a marketing kit, a website, and a standard book video. While these services are used to market a book, they do not guarantee sales. We offer online book distribution, not physical book store distribution. We apologize if that was not made clear. The reviewer has been issued four payments in the last six years (our statute of limitations for check re-issuance). These were via check and mailed to the address that we have on file. If the reviewer did not receive them, she can reach out to the royalty department at ************************************ and they can inquire on the status of the checks. It should also be noted that AuthorHouse is no longer issuing check payments for royalties as of last year. The reviewer can contact the same email address listed above on how to enroll in direct deposit. The reviewer receives 50% of the net sale for all e-book sales and a per unit amount on all printed books. In checking the account, all calculations are correct in regards to the payments made so far. The price for the reviewers printed color book is slightly higher than a traditionally published book because we use print on demand technology. Books are printed as they are ordered instead of being stocked in a warehouse which makes the price to print the book more.

• Review fromWanda N

  Date: 03/22/2023

  1 star
  ********/TRAFFORD.COM PART OF AUTHOR SOLUTIONS IS SUPREME GARBAGE!IT ISS RAN BY CON ARTIST ***************************... MOST OF THESE REVIEWS AGREE WITH ME, ************ HAZ ZERO STARS ON BIRDEYE REVIEWS TOO... ****** PROMISED ME TO PUBLISH MY BOOK BY THE END OF DECEMBER BUT NOTHING... THEN FOR MY GRANDMOTHER'S 101TH BIRTHDAY APRIL 5, NOTHING AGAIN... NEVER EVER DEAL WITH AUTHOR SOLUTIONS AND TRAFFORD PUBLISHING!!! ALL MY EMAILS ARE IGNORED AND THE DUDE GIVES ME ATTITUDE... ********************** ON THIS LOWLY PUBLISHING TOTAL JOKE!!! THEY RUINED MY PLANS AND WASTED TONS OF PRECIOUS TIME, AS TIME IS ********************, IT IS ALSO BLESSING AND PRECIOUS GIFT YOU CAN GIVE TO SOMEBODY, SOMETHING THEY TOTALLY DISRESPECT AND SPIT UPON!

• Review fromJames H

  Date: 02/10/2023

  1 star

  James H

  Date: 02/10/2023

  AuthorHouse is under Author Solutions. I will not do business with them ever again. In recent years their arrogance has become appalling. They put my latest book on sale at Amazon long before sending me an author copy to check on printing errors. They had the gall to send me a survey asking me to talk about the book even though I had never seen it. When I asked about an author copy, a woman said AuthorHouse does not send those any more. They publish the book long before the author sees it. Is that good business? It is a grievous insult. I urge all authors to think twice about paying money to publish with AuthorHouse. They want only one thing: your money.
  

  Author Solutions, LLC

  Date: 02/13/2023

  The reviewer writes They put my latest book on sale on Amazon long before sending me an author copy to check on printing errorsThey publish the book long before the author sees it. First, the author copy is not a proof copy and hasnt been for more than ten years. The author is allowed amply opportunity to review the electronic file prior to printing. Second, the Book Interior sign off form that the reviewer read, signed, and returned for his latest book (and his last several books) states Once approved, your ************* will be sent to the printer exactly as it appears now. It goes on to say By electronically signing this form, I confirm that my interior is approved and ready for publication, printing, and distribution. This makes it clear that once the file is approved, it is being sent as is and that there are no more reviews. The reviewer has published 14 books with AuthorHouse so this process of the author copy not being a review copy is not new to the reviewer. It is true that AuthorHouse no longer sends author copy books. Seeing as they are not proof books, it was an unnecessary step in the process. Surveys are sent at a specific time after the book is available for purchase. It is not dependent on whether the author has received the author copy.

• Review fromRon M.

  Date: 11/02/2022

  1 star

  Ron M.

  Date: 11/02/2022

  The company that calls itself "Xlibris" presents itself is an on-demand publishing company with 25 years of operation.This has been my experience thus far. I present it so that others may be aware of the points made, if they are approached by this "company."First, they use an 844 area number. 844 numbers are not locatable and can be anywhere in the world. I advise you to look up "What are 844 phone numbers?"Second, the person who called me had an accent, but a name that did not fit (Eastern accent but Western name)Third, the caller could not give proof of legitimacy, except the Xlibris website.Fourth, the first review of Xlibris was written by Xlibris itself - look for the author of the review and proceed through the web list of reviews (or, enter "Is Xlibris a scam")Fifth, I got many calls from an 844 number, but when I retuned them, I was always put "in a queue," even if I gave an extension.Sixth, the calls and e-mails came frequently, until the credit-card money was issued and the "Agreement" was signed - then, their communications stopped.
  

  Author Solutions, LLC

  Date: 11/04/2022

  The reviewers issues will be responded to below with the corresponding number.1.844 area codes are toll free numbers, like 800 is. Toll free area codes are not locatable. Phone calls to 844 numbers are always toll free for callers in *****************, ****** and over a dozen North American countries and territories. This information was found on ****** by typing in the reviewers quoted question.2.While the reviewer does not provide a name of the person that called, Xlibris has staff in both ***************** and ***************. We are unsure why someone with an Eastern accent would be an issue for the reviewer.3. We are unclear as to what proof of legitimacy means or is. If the reviewer would like to provide what this means, we can attempt to provide it.4.The reviewer says the first review of Xlibris was written by Xlibris itself but does not state where this review is located so this cannot be substantiated or elaborated on. 5.Being put into a queue is what happens when a call is placed to a general line. If an extension is put in, the call will go directly to that person. If the person does not answer, the option to leave a voicemail is provided. 6.We see recent communications to the reviewer. The reviewer purchased the package on October 31, 2022. An email was sent by the assigned coordinator the same day and a call on November 4, 2022 but was unable to leave a message. Initially the reviewer purchased a package and later agreed to upgrade the package and add additional services and has since signed and returned the publishing agreements. His coordinator reached out October 31 with the next steps. We await the submission of the reviewer. If the review has any questions, he may contact his coordinator directly.

• Review fromRuth B

  Date: 10/08/2022

  4 stars

  Ruth B

  Date: 10/08/2022

  I have been with Archway Publishing since 2013. I did have some issues in the beginning with communication. However, I was listened to and in one department I ended up with a new person that I worked well with. I have been pleased with the product. I have 2 books published with them and will be working with them. My royalties have been put in the bank. I want to own my material and this is why I took this route. You do need to promote your own book as well for sales. It is a learning process perhaps archway could have an informational video on what is expected from you the Author as well as what package best suits your desired outcomes.
  

  Author Solutions, LLC

  Date: 10/10/2022

  We want to thank the reviewer for their feedback. We strive to make the process smooth and produce a final product that the author is proud of. While the publishing consultant tries their best to match a publishing package to an authors needs. The suggestion of an informational video on both package selection and expectations has been passed on to upper management.

• Review fromB. D.

  Date: 09/23/2022

  1 star

  B. D.

  Date: 09/23/2022

  It's so shameful that authors are treated this way!!! I registered with Balboa Press, a supposed affiliate of Haye House in 2015. I went for the basics, and I was pretty satisfied with the process and the results of children's my book, "My ******* My Friend". I was constantly pursued to purchase upgrade marketing, reviews, website. But I stayed with the basics. My book was published June 2016. My book was marketed on Balboa, Amazon and *************** In the second quarter I received a royalty check in the amount of $47.00. Since that time, I have not received any royalties although my book is still selling and also being marketed on other book platforms that I did not agree to. I've called Balboa Press several times only to be told that I have to prove that books have been sold in order to receive my royalties. In addition, I was locked out of my account. When I addressed this with customer service, I was sent a bogus link. Periodically, I get email from ****** Press offering me discounts to purchase my own book in gross quantity. I also called Haye House for which Balboa claims to be affiliated with, only to be told Haye House has nothing to do with Balboa Press. Rather Balboa is affiliated with Author Solutions. It's frustrating to say the least. I've filed a complaint with ************************ and the AG's office. It's unconscionable what Balboa Pess, Author Solutions and other companies like this are doing under the pretense of assisting authors.
  

  Author Solutions, LLC

  Date: 09/26/2022

  The reviewer writes that a royalty check for $47 was received. We have no record of the reviewer being paid $47 via check. The reviewer was mailed one check for $10.21. That check cleared our bank on 4/4/17. Since that time, the reviewer has been paid via direct deposit to the bank account the reviewer provided via the author center in April of 2017. Those payments have been accepted by the bank. The reviewer should check the bank account for deposits from Content Distributors. All due royalties have been paid at this time. We do not lock authors out of author centers. If the reviewer cannot access the author center, the reviewer can click on the Forgot your password link under the log in boxes and follow the prompts. Authors are sent emails periodically to purchase marketing services and their books at a discount. If the reviewer does not want to receive future promotional emails, she can request to be put on the do not call/email list. Balboa Press is a ******** of *** House. Balboa Press is a partnership between *** House and Author Solutions. They are two separate entities serving two separate purposes.

  B. D.

  Date: 09/28/2022

  The respondent has addressed some of the issues presented. I appreciate that after so many authors have had to file complaints that Balboa is trying to resolve the issues that have been long standing. As I mentioned I was satisfied with the end result producing my book, "My ******* My Friend". Regarding the respondent's claim that I have been paid, I have not seen these payments. The respondent is assuming I forgot my password. I did not. The respondent has not addressed the issue of me being told by customer service that *********************** must provide proof of sales in order to receive royalties. In one particular phone call I was asked to provide a copy of the review that showed my book was, "verified purchase". I complied, and still this was not enough. Why would an author be required to prove a sale in order to receive royalties? The other issue is my book being marketed at on-line sites for which I don't have a contract. I only signed up for Balboa Press, Amazon and ****** and *****. Among the sites where my book is being marketed is the following: Scibd.com; Thriftbooks.com; books.google.com; Kobo.com; Betterworldbooks.com, Flipkart.com; bookus.com. There are at least eleven more sites that are marketing my book. Since Press/Author Solutions is the publisher, and books are being sold at these varies sites, where are the royalties going. Will I have to prove the sale of my books at these sites, in order to receive royalties?

• Review fromHeather G

  Date: 09/07/2022

  1 star

  Heather G

  Date: 09/07/2022

  Xlibris and Author Solutions is a predatory self publishing company. I signed up for their basic package, and from the moment i signed up, i started receiving 3-4 sales calls a week, from ******(my publishing contact) to upgrade my package. I told him several I did not have the money right now and he said he understood, but never relented with the sales calls. I felt harassed. Because Xlibris gave me the impression that they were only after my money, I decided to cancel my contract with them, within my 90 days so as to get a full refund, and it has been like pulling teeth to get a response from them. They wont give me a direct number to the refund department. I have to go through ******, my publishing contact. After a week of dragging his feet, I called him and he told he would submit the refund request when he had time. Mind you at this point, writing this review right now, there are only 6 days left before my account hits the 90 day ***** it appears to me that they are trying to draw out the process til after my ****************************************************** They owe me over $700. It looks like I will have to pursue legal action to get my money back from them. DO NOT self publish through Xlibris! All they want is your money. And they will harass you with sales calls from the moment you sign up. And good luck getting your money back. They are a horrible and shady company.
  

  Author Solutions, LLC

  Date: 09/12/2022

  We apologize if the reviewer felt there were too many sales calls made to her. It is a consultants job to assist in the best package possible for an author. All refunds first go through the assigned publishing consultant before being transferred to upper management. Unfortunately, the consultant had not yet made a note on the account regarding the refund. I spoke to the reviewer on the phone on 9/8/2022 and assured her that the refund was being processed for the full purchase price. As promised, the refund was completed on 9/9/2022 in three separate transactions. These will show up on the reviewers card within 1-2 business days.

• Review fromS. B.

  Date: 08/16/2022

  1 star

  S. B.

  Date: 08/16/2022

  Author Solutions challenges your sanity! I have never dealt with more incompetence in my life! From printing the wrong back cover, to getting told I didnt qualify for the Quality Review and Proofreading, its been horrid. They refused to refund, but said I could use those charges toward my marketing. When I got my PROOF copy, I saw at least a dozen errors in the text. I contacted as many people as. Had emails for to tell them STOP THE PRESS, take my book off the market. Its been over a week and it appears the company is going by a 90 day clause in the contract which says no refunds after 90 days. It does NOT say anything about whether or not they actually DID THE WORK! Three services I did not receive but paid for should be refunded. Im not asking for a refund on work they performed, but simply for what they did not do! Also they sold me book return package for $749. With the book off the market, that shouldnt be necessary,, so that, too, should be refunded! Im sure Ill never get a ***** of my royalties, but oh well. ZERO on the stars on top of this review.
  

  Author Solutions, LLC

  Date: 08/18/2022

  After speaking to the reviewer on the phone, iUniverse has agreed to refund the two marketing services that were purchased. We are also in the process of cancelling the published title as per her request. The refunded amount should show up on her credit card within 2-3 business days as discussed. Because we were unable to complete the quality assurance and proofreading services on the edited manuscript, the funds were transferred to the marketing service (mentioned above that is now being refunded). The back cover issue was resolved previously at no cost to the author.

  S. B.

  Date: 08/18/2022

  I appreciate the response! It should not take letters to the BBB and the attorney generals office to get this done but whatever! Im anticipating my refund. Royalties are paid in 90 day cycles there. Ive sold a good number of books and kindles despite the errors. I am also able to monitor my sales on an Amazon site so I know from that one source alone I have made their minimum to get paid. Stay tuned!

  S. B.

  Date: 08/23/2022

  I have received PART of the refund promised by ******************. I have not received the $749 that I paid for their annual book return insurance. The company has returned my files and sent me the schedule of how they will pay out the royalties. I hope that this file can be left open until such time as the company has paid what they owe me. Again, I appreciate your vigilance and assistance.

  S. B.

  Date: 09/15/2022

  There was another credit on my second credit card. It was not the 749. I paid. They probably had some reasons but whatever, I will see how the royalty payments are handled at the end of the year. Ive heard complaints from many authors that they were not paid, so we shall see!

• Review fromB. D.

  Date: 08/01/2022

  1 star

  B. D.

  Date: 08/01/2022

  I self-published my book, The Peas Were Cold, in 2012 and was fairly pleased with how it came out. It was reviewed by Kirkus and Foreword Clarion most positively, with an absolutely wonderful one by Kirkus, and 5 Stars from Foreword Clarion. In my research, I thought I had found the answer to the books success through iUniverse, or Author Solutions. The first salesperson was too aggressive for my tastes, I then asked that person to pass me on to someone else I could better relate to. That person wasnt any less aggressive than the first. I told them to pass me on, once again, to someone less aggressive I could better communicate with. The third person turned out to be just what I was looking for, encouraging and positive. I then purchased a package for $1,799.00 on December 20, 2021. I sent them as requested, the front and back covers plus the book's interior in PDF form. I waited for several weeks for confirmation they had received it. During that time, I had emailed my dissatisfaction from not hearing from them, for if it took them that long to tell me they received the book, asking myself wasnt that a clue of more problems? I soon found out. They finally informed me they had received it. They then emailed me their comments to a book not my own, later apologizing. They emailed me comments to my book, with many, many words in the interior hyphenated in mid-sentence and in otherwise wrong places. Their comments further referred to inaccurate pages. It was then that I was convinced of their unprofessionalism, deciding it wasnt worth the effort and hassle to continue with them. They have since attempted to contact me to continue moving forward with their process. I told the callers I wanted my money back. And here I wait. Its been weeks and weeks. The last one told me someone would be getting back to me refusing to tell me who that persons name was. When I asked when theyd get back to me, they replied, These things take time. Yeah right!
  

  Author Solutions, LLC

  Date: 08/04/2022

  The reviewer purchased the publishing package on December 17, 2021. The material was received and moved to the content evaluation phase. This was confirmed to the reviewer via email on December ******* so we cannot find where the reviewer waited several weeks for confirmation. The material was sent in *** form. In order to fulfill the content evaluation, the manuscript must be in ********* Word format. Therefore, the *** manuscript was converted to Word. This causes formatting issues to the manuscript, including hyphenated words. Once the content evaluation was done, the manuscript was moved to the editorial department and the editorial evaluation was completed. The reviewer is correct to say that the wrong manuscript was sent for review. The staff member apologized and sent the correct edited manuscript. In March, the reviewer requested a refund of the publishing package. Unfortunately, the refund was not reviewed and processed within our normal timelines. For this, we apologize. The refund was calculated in accordance with the signed Services and Distribution Agreement that the reviewer returned. The refunds was issued on August 4, 2022 and returned to the credit card used to make the payment

  B. D.

  Date: 08/15/2022

  I received from iUniverse (Author Solutions) a credit for $449.75. I originally paid them $1,799. I appreciate the credit, as something is better than nothing. The manuscript of my book, The Peas Were Cold, I sent them in PDF form. They did not tell me to submit my manuscript in Word. Consequently, sentences were hyphenated where they were not supposed to be hyphenated, sentences were hanging in midair, missing verbiage and pages out of normalcy. Had they told me this would happen, I would have passed on the opportunity. They also sent me a manuscript not my own, which they apologized for. Unprofessional! So I am asking for the remaining balance of $1,349.25.
  

  Author Solutions, LLC

  Date: 09/07/2022

  The reviewer writes They did not tell me to submit my manuscript in Word. This is not correct. The first email from his check-in coordinator sent to him on December 22, 2021 says Please feel free to submit the following when you are ready. 1. Manuscript (preferably in ********* word format) This information is also on the iUniverse website, https://www.iuniverse.com/en/faq/additional-resources-for-submission/manuscript-preparation-guide: We prefer you to submit your work either in a ********* Word file or an Adobe InDesign file. If your manuscript was composed in another word processor, you can convert the file to ********* Word yourself. This way you can review the document and check for conversion errors, which can appear when a document is transferred from one program to another. It is also on the website here: https://www.iuniverse.com/en/faq/book-formatting/what-file-types-do-you-accept-for-my-manuscript: PREFERRED FILE TYPES: ********* Word, Adobe InDesign up to version CS6 The final manuscript that the reviewer sent on February 2, 2022 that was used to design the galley was a Word document. When the reviewer brought up the formatting issues created by the change from PDF to Word, he was given a free retech, which is a reformatting of the galley. Our previous response addressed the sending of the wrong manuscript. The reviewer was made aware at the very beginning of the pre-production process, prior to submitting his material, that Word was the preferred method, the manuscript used to create the galley was a Word document sent by the author, and the reviewer was given a free reformatting service. The refund was calculated in accordance with the signed Services and Distribution Agreement. Because of these four things, we respectfully decline the reviewers request for any additional monies.

• Review fromGarrison W.

  Date: 07/20/2022

  1 star

  Garrison W.

  Date: 07/20/2022

  Just another vanity publisher who preys on peoples dreams. Im out $1,600 with zero ROI. I was contacted today from Archway and the person was very unhappy when I told her I thought they were a scam. She proved this to me when she hung up instead of trying to make things right. Feel free to check your outgoing calls from this morning. Not a very professional response for a branch ******* of ***************** I was told I paid for a publishing package, not to market my book. It was already self-published, so this is not what I would have ever wanted. Anyway, ****** learned on my end. Dont make the same mistake, and Archway, you can go ahead and rebut this go save face, but you might want to listen to the call first.
  

  Author Solutions, LLC

  Date: 07/22/2022

  On June 1, 2021, the reviewer purchased the Storyteller publishing package for the discounted price of $1,699. Their book was published on August 3, 2021. Archway offers several different types of publishing packages with different inclusions. The package chosen by the reviewer did not include marketing services. The Archway website provides detailed listings of the inclusions in each publishing package (information on the reviewers package can be found at the following link: https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/publishing-choices/services-store/publishing-packages/childrens-packages/storyteller).Archway offers an array of different marketing services to those authors wishing to promote their books. On July 20, 2022, the reviewer spoke with their Marketing Consultant about these services. The call recording has been reviewed. We thank the reviewer for bringing this call to our attention and we will be addressing the matter internally. The reviewers account has been placed on our do not call list, meaning that they will no longer receive sales calls. If, at any time in the future, they have any questions or concerns we ask that they contact us but we will not be contacting the author unless it is a business related matter.