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Business Profile

Book Publishers

Black Opal Books LLC

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 12 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 2 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:10/06/2024

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Per the terms of my 8 publishing contracts with Black Opal Books, I requested that all publishing contracts not be renewed in April of this year, through U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested, for which *** owner ***** ****** signed for April 24, 2024. As of Oct. 6, I am still listed as an author on the *** website *********************************** and 8 books formerly published by them are listed for sale on the site in ebook, epub, pdf, and paperback. The titles are: "Cabin Fever," "Double Dare," "In the Depths," "On Thin Ice," "Reclaiming Lexi," "Restoring ********* "Under the Pink Sky," and "Under the Riptides." ******, Kobo, and Smashwords have removed the ebook titles from their sites. As of this this writing, removal from ***** is pending. I have not received any royalty reports or payments from *** since May of 2022. Payment was for the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2021. I ask that my books be removed for sale from their website. My company is *************************, licensed in ********. I write under the pen name of **** ******. I also ask for payment of any royalties owed me. Sincerely, ***** ******/writing as **** ******

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/07/2024

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I published two books with the company and signed a contract for a third more than five years ago. I have been unable to reach the owner via email or phone for several years regarding the status of my work and have not received royalties. I need an email stating my rights have been returned and all of my works taken down from Black Opals website as well as Amazon, ****** and ***** and other platforms where books are sold so that I may move forward with my work.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/09/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Black Opal Books published three books of mine. Ive been requesting my rights back by email for a long time and they have not responded. The phone number is out of service.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:11/14/2023

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I am an author with 7 books published in the past by Black Opal Books. More than two years ago, they entered into a contract with me for three more books, which they promised to publish. They edited the books, and then I heard nothing more. I contacted "*****," the owner of the company several times by phone, and each time she assured me that my books would be published. They never were. They are also late or non-existent in getting royalty reports to me. I want my rights back, in writing, for the three books they have not published but which they hold, and also the 7 books they did publish, so I can re-publish them with a company that is solvent and responsible. I tried calling today and was given the message that their phone has been disconnected.

    Business Response

    Date: 12/11/2023

    I have completed all of ************** royalty reports. They have been sent to her along with the royalties owed her and a comment about the unpublished books. According to the contact she signed on those three books if Black Opal has not completed at lest an eBook version within two years all rights revert to the author. If you have any further questions, contact me either at this email address or via cell at ************.

    Sorry for the length of time involved but  the office has had several issues over the last six months with the person involved in some of these processes having been in an auto accident, and some issues with surgeries.

    I am attempting to get all issues for the company resolved before the end of the year.

    *********************************************, General Manager, Black Opal Books

    Customer Answer

    Date: 12/12/2023

     
    Complaint: 20869479

    I am rejecting this response because: ********************** did send all of my royalty reports, but she DID NOT include a letter returning my rights to me for my published books: ******************* Mysteries Books 1-4; Time Out; About Time; Paint it Black. I replied to her email stating that she had failed to include this letter (although she said it was in the email, but it was not). I need that letter releasing my rights back to me, or I will not be able to publish those books under a different publisher.

    Sincerely,

    *************************

    Business Response

    Date: 12/18/2023

    I just checked the email that was sent to ************** on 12/11/2023. Of the files transmitted the first one was the termination letter, a copy of which is listed here, **************Termination.12.23.pdf 

    Today as I respond to you I am resending her copy of the termination letter. I hope she notices it this time. If not, get back to me and I'll send it again.

    Thanks

    Customer Answer

    Date: 12/26/2023

    Hello, thank you for helping to resolve this complaint. It has been resolved satisfactorily. *************************

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:10/23/2023

    Type:Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    This publisher, Black Opal Books, has not made royalty payments to me and other authors for over a year. The owner ignores phone calls, emails and letters. I wish to have my rights returned, my contract terminated, and my royalties from 2020 on paid to me.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:10/23/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I am an author who has published four novels with Black Opal Books - you may have heard of them, and for the past year have received no information on the sales of my books. I have emailed/phoned numerous times and received no answer from the company. i would like to have an accounting to the sales and monies owed to me and my rights returned to me. They used to be a very reputable company, but I have no idea what is going on with them at the present time. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thank you - ********************* At this time, I do not know how to reply to the amount owed since I have no way of knowing without accounting for how many novels have sold.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:10/11/2023

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I'm an author and I haven't been paid any royalties even though I know I've had sales, I can't get my rights back, and even though my contract has ended, this company is still unlawfully selling my work on many platforms such as ******* ****** Books, etc. The business owner will not answer my calls or respond to any emails. A large group of us who are authors and are with this publisher have had the same issues and have tried countless times to resolve this issue without success.

    Customer Answer

    Date: 11/01/2023

    I write under the pseudonym *******************************. The name of the book I wrote is "Protecting *******."

    Business Response

    Date: 11/06/2023

    I took on Black Opal Books in 2019. I am sorry I have not responded to your contact but my computer has been on the repair bench at **************** off and on for the past two weeks.

    I would be happy to respond to **************, but I don't know the title of her book and I can't find her as *************************** in the Author's list on the Black Opal Books website.  I did not have a current email address for her in my data base.

    And it is true that I can be hard to contact as I hesitate to answer phone numbers that do not come in with an ID. There are so many scammers that call daily. So sorry about that.

    I called her today, Nov. 6 and asked for the title of her book. I will continue to search at this end and resolve this as soon as possible.

    It is

    Sincerely, 

    *****************************

    ************

    Customer Answer

    Date: 11/07/2023

    I did receive a phone call from *****************************, I received an email with an attachment that had my royalty information, and she says she is sending a check for the royalties in the mail. I have a copy of a termination agreement (rights back), however, in it, it states the following:

    "Publisher shall remove Authors name, image, and biographical information, from its website (www.blackopalbooks.com)," yet my bio and book are still displayed on the website, as well as Amazon and other platforms for sale. I was able to put my book into my cart at Amazon today to buy and it was
    a brand new copy, not a used copy from someone who already purchased the book and re-selling it.

    So, I would say this is a step in the right direction, however, it is still a current situation where I'm not completely satisfied with the outcome. I did email ***** back after receiving this email because it has an area for me to sign. I have not heard anything back. In order for me to feel this should be a matter ready to close, I would need to see my bio, picture, and book removed from both the Black Opal Books website and from these platforms for which my book is still for sale. The check in the mail, I'm told, will be sent out in two weeks. Please keep this complaint open until I receive it (more than 7 days), and I would like my email that I sent to ***** to be answered.

    Please reach out since this is not completely resolved, only partly.The title of the book is Protecting *******. The pseudonym is ********************************

    Thank you so much.

    Customer Answer

    Date: 12/01/2023

    My book is still for sale on the Black Opal Books website even though I received my rights back. I have seen that it is no longer for sale on Amazon, so that is another step in the right direction. Please contact this company again since my book is still on sale. Thank you so much.

    Business Response

    Date: 12/10/2023

    The book was to have been removed. Unfortunately, the individual responsible was in a car accident. I personally removed the item from our Website today.

    Sorry for the inconvenience.

    **************, *** Office

     

    Customer Answer

    Date: 12/13/2023

     
    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

    Sincerely,

    ***************************

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:09/20/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Black Opal Books published one of my books in November of 2020. Despite *********** on Amazon and ****** and *****, I have never received a dollar in payment nor have I received any statements. I have also requested my rights back and have never received an answer. She does not respond to emails and rarely answers her phone. I haven't spoken to anyone in person in years. In March of 2023, Black Opal sent out an apology letter for its lack of communication and payment to all authors. Hoping something would improve, I waited until July to ask for my rights back. I have yet to receive a response. I have not seen any royalties nor received any payment for books sold ever. I would like the money owed to me and to see exactly how many books have sold. I also want the rights of my book to revert to me immediately.

    Business Response

    Date: 09/21/2023

    I fully understand ********************** problem with me and Black Opal.

    I have been in the process of getting all of the author's accounts caught up. I just had not gotten to **********************. As of today he was sent all of his royalty statements up to date and a copy of his return of rights letter. I also sent his accrued royalties via PayPal.

    I do acknowledge that I have difficulty keeping up with correspondence with my authors. It is an issue that Black Opal Books is working on. I am attempting to do better.

    I wish ****************** well and hope he can find a publisher with more resources.

    Sincerely,

    *****************************

    Black Opal Books Publishing

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/02/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Black Opal Books has published 2 of my books. In recent years the staff has diminished, but I've been in touch with the person in charge, ***************************, for over a year now. She only responds to phone calls. Until 2 months ago, she was communicative about issues concerning my latest book, but she no longer responds to phone calls, nor have any other authors been able to correspond with her. I have not seen any royalties nor received any payment for books sold since the beginning of the year. I would like the money owed to me and to see exactly how many books have sold. I also want the rights of both of my books published by *** to revert to me immediately. I send a certified letter earlier this week but have not received a response.

    Business Response

    Date: 01/12/2023

    I spoke directly to this individual on January 9th. On the day we spoke I compiled and sent her all of her royalty reports, and am having a physical check for the amount she is owed ordered for delivery.

    I explained to her that I was sorry for the lack of communication but I had influenza for several weeks and then have had some other health problems. I understand the frustrations of the authors who work with Black Opal and am doing my best to remedy them.

    The upshot of our conversation was that she was still evaluating if she wants rights returned or not. Of course if she does they will be returned as soon as possible.

    If there is anything else I can do to remedy the problem let me know and I'll try.

    Sincerely,

    *****************************

Black Opal Books LLC is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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