Complaints

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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/17/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 requested the assistance of Fulton Books to publish my manuscript. Among all the payment options, I chose the "expedited" option which was to pay for their services in full. I paid the amount of $4,235 on 2/28/25 to have my manuscript published as expedited, but I don't feel I am in any way in an expedited track. A publishing assistant contacted me on March 5 to introduce herself and requested me to complete 3 tasks which I did right away and submitted to them on March 6. The assistant is very responsive and communicative. However, it was not until April 3rd that the editing department finally contacted us with their editions. I suggested a few modifications which I submitted that same day (April 3rd), and now I will probably need to wait another month to hear from them. In my opinion, this is not an expeditious way to handle the services I requested if I have to wait 30 days for each action that will take place (and keep in mind I am barely at the beginning stages). In my opinion, Fulton Books promised me something that they are not delivering, and I would like them to process the publishing my manuscript in an expedited way as they said they would.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/24/2025

  Fulton will be expediting Mrs. ******* book through to production of her book. Mrs. ***** can contact her Publication Assistant for more information and when to expect her cases to be completed. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/25/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********. Although the complaint is not fully resolved yet because additional steps as still needed to finalize my manuscript, the business has started making efforts to advance my manuscript to the next step of the publishing process (page design).  If I continue to observe unreasonable delays in their publishing process or my manuscript is not assigned as ****************** (as promised), I'll be sure to contact you again and keep you posted. 

  Thank you for your outstanding advocacy.
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/28/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 my book (Raising God's Children) through Fulton Books. My contract with them started in July of 2016, and ended July 2018 as it was only a two year contract. My publishing assistant was ****** ****** at **********************. I contacted Fulton Books to verify that my contract with them had ended. I asked them to remove their name as a contact for my book from ****** as I was creating my own account with ****** for my book, and they assured me that they would. Today I received a call from ****** congratulating me for my book reaching the best seller list. They went on to inform me that they had Fulton Books as my publisher and had been sending my royalty payments to them. However, I have not heard from Fulton Books since July 2018 nor have I received any payments. I tried to contact Fulton Books today but only reached customer service who couldn't give me any information or person name that I could discuss this with. I'm devistated! For 7 years Fulton Books have been collecting my royalty payments and I've received NOTHING...even tho my phone number, email address, and mailing address have been the same since 2010. For a book to get on the best sellers list over ****** copies have to be sold. That alone at the price of my book is at least $140,000. I'm asking if you would recover my money from Fulton books and stop them from collecting any more of my money. My books through ****** alone have been selling at ***************** in **************, ************** in the **, Bookshop in the **, and Allegro in ******. I'm so heartbroken and I feel so violated, and I don't know what to do..

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/05/2025

  Fulton believes the call Mrs. ****** received from Amazon, may be a spam call or a malicious call of some kind. We have attached the official sales report from our printer, ******. This report shown any new printed book sold. If Mrs. ****** can supply Fulton with any details of the call she received, we can try to help in any way we can. Please reach out to us at ***********************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/07/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  In 2021 I made the decision to allow Fulton books to publish my book "The Struggle to Fall in Love with Myself." I spent well over $3,000 for illustration, typesetting and editing. Since this was my first book, I didn't know what to expect. I didn't get the services I expected. The illustration was elementary. "I remade my own cover to make it look more professional," and the editing (which I admit, I approved) was not good.I took a loss publishing with Fulton and I am okay with that, we live and we learn. But what I will not do, is allow this company to keep the pennies in royalties that they owe me. Also, when the contract states that they don't get paid until you make your money back, is not true. In fact, my experience has been they will make every excuse not to pay you at ****** September 2024, I contacted them to cancel my contract with them, and decided to self publish it myself, simply because they did nothing for me. As my emails support, I was told I would receive the royalties by the end of September 2024. Keep in mind, the royalties are less than $100 so I don't know what the big deal is. I contacted them again in October, November and December and every email there was an excuse. In December they claimed they mailed a check but the check did not have my apartment number on it they claimed, however, I was able to receive the books and any other correspondence from them at the same address, so make it make sense. In fact, I have the same mailman and they are aware of my apartment number and if mail was actually sent, they would have simply put it in my mailbox.I literally thought this company was legitimate because I did do a lot of research before contracting with them. But I strongly recommend, self publish your book, keep your money. Since they have decided not to pay me what they owe me, I will just spend my time on every platform to warn others of my experience with this company. To be forewarned is to be fore-armed.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/13/2025

  We have mailed out a royalty check to Mrs. ****** on 12/3/24 and have not received any return mail to our office. Right now, we have re issued the check and made sure the address matches with what we have on file, apt # included. This should be received in the coming days. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/28/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  Am writing to ensure that the work done by Fulton books didnt meet contract needs. I have worked with Ms ******** over the past year and just got a final copy of the book with major grammatical and structural issues. I ask that full refund be sent back to me for not meeting the contract needs. I have requested this from her but they have refused to do anything.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/05/2024

  Fulton will not be refunding Mr. ***** Mr. **** declined our editing service demanding to move to print as quickly as possible. Fulton has declared many times that we do not suggest waving the edit stage. During Mr. ***** final review, Fulton has made it clear to him that he should review his work and let us know of any changes he wants to make before we move into print. Demanding that we move into print, Fulton has also made it aware to Mr. **** that if any changes need made after this point, there will be a revision fee required. On September 9th we received Mr. ****** final approval to move into print. Now Mr. **** has found errors in his work that he wants corrected. After many opportunities and warnings, Mr. **** decided not to make any corrections during our initial process. The next step is to go through our revision process to get his changes made and move further into the contracted services. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/02/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  
  
  2023- January to present. I am requesting the Total amount paid to Fulton books be returned. They didn't fulfill the contract and did not correct simple mistakes. The book was completely done with only grammatical errors. Unable to do so in a size month period. I request full $5800,l

  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  **** ****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/13/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 receive quarterly sales reports and the sales report from June 2024 through September 2024 read that I only sold 1 audio book. This is completely false. I know of 10 people who had purchased my book in this time frame also, I did a book signing for ****** and Nobel in August 2024 who purchased 10 books in July. I would like to receive my royalites. I have spoken to ****** ****** who is the printing company who Fulton Books uses. They have told me that they have sent the information and the money over to Fulton Books and could not do anything for me.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/20/2024

  We have attached Mrs. ******** sales report. The report suggests that a retailer ordered 16 books on two different occasions and are selling out of that stock that they already have on hand. The sale is reported when new books are printed and shipped. If a retailer such as ******, or B&N ordered a stock of books, the sale is indicated in the report. Any time a retailer sells from that stock, the sale is not reported to Fulton since the sale was initially reported when the stock was first purchased. Fulton receives sales reports directly from ****** and is directly uploaded to Mrs. ******** authors portal with Fulton. ****** does not report to Fulton which retailer purchased physical book copies but does report which retailer sold eBook versions such as Kindle from ******, or Nook from B&N.  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/06/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  On October 13, 2023 I signed a contract to have my book published and promoted by Fulton Books. I signed up for the most expensive and most inclusive package they offered. I paid $9,466.52 upfront and have been charged $699 per month every month since the start date. I contracted to make a total of 14 payments of $699.00 (I have made 9 of the 14 payments to date). On the date i signed the contract, I already had a completed manuscript that was ready for editing. I followed Fulton's program to the letter in regard to approving each step as we progressed. To say progress has been slow and painful is an understatement, but I have been sticking it out as I really wanted to publish my book. The only form of contact I have with my representative is email. If I call the number provided, The customer service person ( who appears to be outsourced) will only transfer me to the same person that I email. EVERY call goes to his voicemail. My emails are sometimes responded to in a few days or more, and sometimes are not responded to at all. My voicemails get an email response in a few days. Its crazy that since I signed the contract I cannot SPEAK to an individual. So as ridiculous as the communication is, i stayed the course and prayed I could just get what I paid for. At this [point I was taken off the initially discussed schedule and passed over to the company that is to make my audiobook.
  Unresolved issues.
  1 Google Play is showing 108 pages of my book for free. Asked for this to be resolved over a month ago.
  2. E-book is not on Amazon. Asked for this to be resolved several months ago
  3. No July commission statement. Even if commission is not high enough to be issued, I should be given a sales report.
  4. Emails are not being responded to in an acceptable time frame.
  5. All phone calls to main number are directed back to the same voicemail of the person not responding to my emails.
  6. I no longer trust this company.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/06/2024

  Hello and thank you for your email. The only other information I would like to provide is the amount of money that I seek to be returned to me. The contract I signed with Fulton shows that the work they (partially) completed falls under Package "A". The cost for package A is 
  $1,029.00 initial Payment and
  $349 per month for 10 months
  Total cost: $4519.00
  
  I paid $9,466.52 up front and made 9 payments of $699.00 to date.
  I have paid $15,757.52 to date.
  I am owed:
  $15,757.52 - $4,519.00 = $11,238.52
  I am willing to forget the wasted 9 months, the heartache, the discount the offer for paying in full upfront, any revenue my book has already generated, the money i spent for additional printed copies and the added expenses i incurred getting ready to promote this book.
  I am just 100% frustrated at this time. 
  Thank you
  *** *****

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/15/2024

  Fulton is working to correct the communication issues for *** ****** We have reassigned his coordinator to ensure better communication through email and phone calls. Our sales report is also up to date to the last sales quarter (April, May, June). We expect the next report for July, August, September, to be uploaded near the end of October. Fulton is committed to competing everything we have agreed to in the contract with the audio book currently being worked on. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/15/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

  I have received emails from the VP of operations at Fulton. I have expressed to her that I do not wish to have Fulton as my publisher. I have asked for a partial refund and a release from Fulton. They are refusing both. I have further suggested a compromise where I would leave Fulton as my publisher but not have then perform any additional services and send me my requested refund. The sales report they are referring to does not have any detail as to where books are being sold which makes marketing very difficult. I have had 9 months of being ignored and now they want to try say they are working on my issues. Still to this date I only can reach them by email. Still to this date my email communications are answered after days of waiting. I have now been asked to sign additional documents with Fulton to get my Ebook placed on Amazon which is something I have been waiting months for and now I need to sign more paperwork?? I am being advised by my attorney not to sign anything else. I believe this relationship is finished and i believe I am being very reasonable by asking for a partial refund for services not rendered. In regards to the Audiobook, I have told the third party company that I will not be working with them due to a dispute with Fulton. 
  
  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  ****** *****

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/23/2024

  We are dedicated to completing the services in the agreed upon contract we have with *** ***** and therefore will not be providing a refund as we will continue to carry out the contract. The sales report shows how many books are sold in a given month but does not show what retailer purchased them. The eBook will show which retailer it was sold from. This is how Ingram provides the reports to us and Fulton uploads those figures to the authors portal. We will remain in communication with *** ***** through completion of every service outlined in the contract. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/23/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

  This company should not be allowed to be in business. They are just not listening and although they claim to be completing their contractual obligations, the truth is that they are not. Part of the contract states that all disputes will be handled by arbitration and I am asking for that platform so that an independent individual can see the outright horrible situation this company has put me in and just simply does not care. On August 8th, 2024, the VP of operations has supposedly taken over my account and absolutely nothing has changed. I cannot believe that they would put an individual through this nonsense. I withdraw my compromise to keep them as my publisher and receive a partial refund for services not rendered. This company owes me a full refund and a release from their unfulfilled joke of a service.
  
  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  ****** *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/06/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 contracted with Fulton Books to edit and publish my essay (book). I was lead to believe that Fulton Books would expose my book to several book sellers. I have gone through my second quarter end cycle of the company paying for books sold. While I acknowledge my book may not be a NewYork Best Seller, I am insulted that the only books I have sold are the seven I bought from the company in addition to the ten they gave me for publicity. I paid $3,875 for this company to produce my book. I have not even come close to selling the minimal amount to generate the $100 necessary to even get a check. I would caution all to be aware of my experience with Fulton Books and my loss of my $3,875 investment that I paid in full, all at once, like a damn fool. To the people who benefited from my belief in myself under your leadership, may each of you find karma at least as painful as you have done to me. A very hard lesson learned from people who feed on a person’s dream.
  To date I have not sold a single book and either Fulton Book have not fulfilled their obligation or they are not letting me know the quarterly books sold report. I have called several times and the answer is always “the reports are not ready and should be released soon” Soon has not come to pass. I feel scammed and ignored. Please help me get either my money back, $3,875 or part of it. Thank you* ***** *******

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/13/2024

  *** ********* sales are up to date through the last sales quarter (April, May, June). The complimentary copies, and any books he has purchased through Fulton do not reflect on the sales report. Seventeen books have been sold and a royalty of $67.71 has been earned, as reflected by the report we have attached. The same report can be found in *** ********* authors portal. *** ********* book has been available for purchase starting in April of 2024. Fulton has received positive BBB reviews from *** ******* in the past and are very disappointed in the complaint. We cannot force sales but do our best to get the foot in the door with his Press Release that was just published in May. Our contract has been fulfilled and cannot issue any refunds. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/13/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  
  

  From: ***** *********************
  Date: Tue, Aug 13, 2024 at 11:53?AM
  Subject: Re: You have a new message from the BBB serving Western Pennsylvania regarding complain* **********
  To: Better Business Bureau <[email protected]>
  
  I responded to the link but was unsure how it worked.
  The response message I want to make follows,
  
  I was lead to believe that Fulton Book Publishers would advocate and promote sales of my book. I never expected to have mass sales. I did expect the “average” sales of 400 as researched by a Google search for amount of average sales per book at Fulton. 
  I paid $3,875 faithfully upfront for the belief that my book would sell some copies nationwide. I was grossly wrong about Fulton. The book was professionally produced but falls very short of exposure to the market. 
  I am stuck with my loss of $3,875 and have no sales to even begin repayment of books sold until I recouped my $3,875. As stated I stand by my original complaint. 
  I am asking for Fulton to remove my very positive review that they advertise on their website. It was true at that time. Now I feel taken advantage of and do not want to continue giving others the impression that I am a happy customer. I do not believe in Fulton Book Publishers and would caution everyone reading this to avoid doing business with this vanity book publisher. Tell customers the truth.
  Out of $3,875 and no book sales,
  
  ***** *******
  Sent from my iPhone

   

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/04/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  On April 27th, 2024. I signed my contract with Fulton Books, in the contract it states you have 3 Business days to terminate your contract with Fulton Books, but how can you give someone 3 days to terminate something with you guys, when you don’t even know about the services you provide and how good of work you do. When I wrote my manuscript it had at least 80 pages, but on May 31st, they send the edited version to me and it only has 20 pages, and then on top of it, they rearranged my whole book and my chapters are out of order and then when I am reading it, I am LIKE WOW WHAT AM I READING? I WOULDN’T EVEN BUY THIS, and then on top of it only having 20 pages, that’s not a book, that’s a freaking ESSAY. I reached out to them to terminate it, they stated they can not terminate it, but if I cancel I can no longer with them anymore, I told her to cancel and Brittany emailed me back and stated I told you in the last email I you can not terminate it and I told her that you stated if I cancel I can not work with you guys ever again! I paid $295 to get started with them, and they are refusing to terminate my agreement due to the poor quality work they have done!!! I WOULD LIKE MY CONTRACT TERMINATED!!!!!!!!

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/12/2024

  **** ******* signed with us to publish her book with an 8,202-word count. Once we edited the manuscript she supplied to us, it came out to be 20 pages long. All the chapters are in order, the way she had supplied to us, however we can rearrange her manuscript with her direction. We signed a legally binding contract to publish ************* book and will work with her to completion. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/12/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  
  I will not accept what they are saying.
  

  They stated when they responded back to you that my words was 8,202 but on the contract that I signed stated that it was 5,913! This contract and what they are writing is a breach of contract! I am also adding the contract in the email.
  

  Regards,
  

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

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/14/2024

  **** ********* manuscript she originally supplied had a word count of 5,913 as she has stated in her reply. We also discounted her contract for specifically being a shorter book. She did send and updated manuscript to us with an increased word count after she signed and started the publication process. This does not breach our contract. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/14/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  
  
  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
   On 04-25-2024, I sent the new copy of my manuscript to Greg L****** 
  
  Regards,
  
  
  ******** *******

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/14/2024

  We have nothing more to add to our response. We will continue working through the contract as we had agreed to and will make any corrections to **** ********* edit as she directs us to. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/17/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  
  At this point if I have to get an Attorney involved, I will do so.
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  ******** *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/16/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 Was contacted by Fulton Books Publishing Gregry L***** Literary Development Agent (**** ******** About Publishing my book ******** ************ Chelsey B**** was assigned to assist me in getting this book published with a contract. I noticed their contract was the same as several other "Vanity Publishers".I learned Fulton Books and 49 other so called * ****** *********** Have a consortium of publishers all with identical contracts they have new authors sign, It is ambiguous and not clear. I told Fulton Book Publishing I wanted to use *** ******* ****** a professional photographer of nature and wildlife from my home town as the photographer of my Book of Poetry, ******* ***********. He is a professional and gave them his contact information with his permission. With intent they contract with him for his photographed work to be used in my book. Giving him payment for Royalties separate from mine. I asked questions prior to signing the contract and understood they would contact him for his work to be used in my book and I understood they would make a contract to pay him for his professional work giving both of us exposure and credit as well as each getting paid royalties from our combined works. I have learned their third party press release does NOT get sent to any LOCAL media newspapers, t.v stations nor radio stations. Instead third party they send the press release to are Scammers who email or call offering to PROMOTE my book! for fees running anywhere from $400 to $4000 for a 15 minute on Zoom interview. Which was what I was paying Fulton Books to do promote my book. I am 74. I sent them several emails to cease publishing and I was not paying them any further and to refund the above funds I had paid. They about contracting with Mr. M***** whom they knew was a professional. These Vanity Publishers need investigated and exposed for fraud. I am going to call my Congresswoman about these Publishers. Reedsy has a link that talks about scam vanity publishers. ***************************************************************/ I ceased paying Fulton Books sending several emails why I NO LONGER WANT them to Publish my book and told them months ago to cease any of publishing it. They now are threatening me with taking me to Small Claims Court for non payment . I told them I did not want them to publish my book since they lied to me. I as the author own all rights. Today they sent me an email to pay up within 15 days or be taken to court for non-payment. They tried to get me to sign a contract waiving the right to get the $698 refunded and I refused to do that. "FUL Credit CollectionsAttachments7:40 AM (5 hours ago) to Centralized, me De** ******* *****r,This email is to advise you that our records indicate we have contacted you several times about the following invoice, which as of today, remains unpaid and past due. Invoice # Project Invoice Date Due Date Balance ****** ***** ******* *********** 03/01/2024 03/31/2024 $349.00 Failure to remit any outstanding and overdue installment balances under the terms of your publishing agreement will result in your account being referred to collections if unresolved within the next 15 days. If you have any questions relating to this notice, please contact us as soon as possible by calling 866-786-1476 or by emailing us [email protected]. We will be happy to discuss any concerns regarding your account and provide further clarification if necessary to ensure your publishing journey continues without interruption." Sincerely, Fulton Books, LLC. They have ignored all emails reasons for not paying them and refuse to refund the two payments I made to them. They refused to contract with Mr M***** my photographer or pay him royalties for his work.I want them to refund the above amount and release without any damage to my excellent credit and release my manuscript back to me so I can find other means to publish my book with legitimate publishers.
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/22/2024

  Fulton Books has been in communication with **** ****** and has
  responded to her emails with honest and transparent explanations of what we
  offer in our agreements. We have stated through emails about what work we
  perform including her concerns with paying her photographer royalties. When **** *****r contacted Fulton about paying her photographer royalties, we explained
  to her that our contract is between Fulton Books and herself, the author. We
  explained that she owns all the rights to her work and that we did not enter
  into an agreement with her photographer. Any royalty she earns would then be
  her responsibility to pay to those who she has contracted with outside of
  Fulton. We also explained that it is her responsibility to provide us with
  photographs that she wishes to include in her own work. On January 12th and 24th, we had asked her to supply us with any email or proof of
  where she may have been misled with information pertaining to Fulton paying out
  contractors that she is working with. **** ****** has not supplied this to us.
  
  We have sent **** ****** a release agreement to terminate her
  contract with Fulton. No refund has been permitted due to Fulton completing a
  copy edit to her manuscript and performing a round of corrections that she
  wanted applied afterwards. **** ****** signed a legally binding contract with Fulton
  to make monthly installments to the publication. A collection notice is
  automatically sent to our authors when payments have not been made for 90 days.
  Since we have not yet received the release agreement, **** ****** is still
  under contract. Once a release agreement is received, we can provide any
  material that we have completed for her. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/30/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

  I have also let my state of Washington Attorney General know about this Vanity Book Publisher as well as Philadelphia and have also sent this to the FTC as well.  I plan to contact my st**** Congresswomen about this as well.  Because Fulton Books, and 49 other Vanity Publishers are ripping off unaware new authors many are Senior Citizens, 

  
  They every single one have an identical contract that is ambiguous and nefarious and to their favor and it is sketchy.  I can send you a copy of two of them I have dealt with.   I also have emails that they use for excuses why they breach their contracts.  They have us pay $5000 to PUBLISH and PROMOTE  the Author's book  but the promotion is a lie and there is not much exposure.  They Lie about contacting Local, Regional and National Media outlets   Instead they contact scammers who endlessly email and call offering a 15-20 minute interview via Zoom  to "PROMOTE  the New book  for the sum of $800 up to $4000.  They do put it on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and Goodreads and Walmart and print a few on demand while telling the new Author their book is flying off the shelf and doing well.   But then the first quarter payment comes and they are to pay you and you get told not enough sold to pay out royalties so you need to wait for the next quarter.  I personally know because besides Fulton Books I dealt with and dealing with Page Publishing who did Publish My Children;s book   ******* ***** *****  December 2023  and lied to me, sent my info and email and phone to scammers who still harass and call me and I made a total of according to them $49.95 from December 2023 to April 2024 on my book.     They lied and have excuses why they did not and cannot send my new release and information to the local news media, t.v, radio and newspapers  something about FCC and FTC laws and violations  Unless an outlets contacts them to do a story.    So they lie and change their story.  Additionally they said if there is any issue we go to Arbitration  IN PHILADELPHIA    not where I live.   Fulton Books had the exact same contract as Page Publishing   I did not know this til after I was contacted and was working with Fulton Books to get another book published     Then learned from REEDSEY  There are about 50-70 Vanity Publisher that get your info and name and call and email with lots of promise and little deliver and bait and switch tactics  to publish and promote your book.   I just want my $668 paid so far to them returned,. release me from any contract and they better not take me to Small claims court as I have a lot of emails telling them to cease publishing and they ignored me      They just want the money and do not care that it hurts me financially and now want to ruin my excellent credit score of 790      Thanks   ******* ******     
  

  
  

   

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/06/2024

  Fulton delivers on all the services we list in our agreement. **** ****** is stating that we lie about our services which is false. Our response from the previous complaint still stands. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/07/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]  Here is my response
  
  OKAY FULTON BOOKS   YOU SEND ME ANOTHER FRICKEN RELEASE OF MY ******* ********** MANUSCRIPT and I WILL SIGN THE GREED-MONGER CONTRACT to RELEASE MY BOOK as YOU said I retain ALL RIGHTS AND IT IS MY RIGHT TO NOT HAVE YOU CONTINUE WITH PUBLISHING.  YOU DO NOT SEND ME TO COLLECTIONS YOU GREEDY JERKS AND IF YOU DID YOU AGREE TO RESCIND that IMMEDIATELY     YOU can CHOKE ON the FUNDS I already Paid  YOU are ABUSERS of The ELDERLY  and cause EMOTIONAL, MENTAL and FINANCIAL STRESS.  I Will not EVER use YOU or another GREEDY "VANITY PUBLISHER AGAIN and I hope you all go down in Flames.    

  I have seen a lot of COMPLAINTS similar to mine from the BBB In Philadelphia and other st****.  so I am not the only one complaining    But eventually you will all get shut down.    Thanks for nothing.  You like to have Verbal calls so there is NO email written proof and so it is verbal one way and email the other so now I learned to record the entire conversation via phone communications.    Goodbye, Good riddance and I will sign the release as long as I OWE you nothing more financially and I retain all rights to ******** ************
  
  IF they send me to collections  I will be telling collections that they are rip off scammers and that they do not always keep their word.  The reason why there is NO EMAIL proof is because Chelsy B**** asked me to call her about what I wanted.  I told her I wanted Fulton Books to hire Mr. Norbert M***** in a Separate contract  as their photographers or artists they have were primarily, back East and any photos from that region such as the ************ ** ****** ** *********** would not reflect my ******* *********** Book as it is about things and events situations, and places in the ******* ******** ***** ** *** ******* *********
  
  Mr. M***** resides  in my home town of Trout Lake Washington and is a professional photographer    He was hoping that they would contact and hire him and retain him for future use for other authors and BY the Way he will have all his Pacific Northwest photos and he has taken tons more but in the Spring of 2025 he is moving to his wife's state of Tennessee.   FULTON BOOKS MISSED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY to work with a super good professional photographer.    TOO BAD  I will find another place to get my book published and use his photos and we will both be better off no longer being affiliated with SCAMMERS LIKE  The Vanity Publishers who pray on people and have ambiguous contracts that favor the Publisher not the Author or artists
  
  Fulton Books is part of a Consortium of other Vanity Publishers who prey via Facebook or there social media who sell information and they contact  people who hear someone has a book to publish and they Every single one of them have an identical contract  I had the same exact contract with  "Page Publishing"  Who Published a children's book in December 2023 and to date they have NOT paid me one dime of royalties because they only Publish on demand.  They all agree for $5000 to "Promote" Your book and to notify "LOCAL", REGIONAL and NATIONAL Media.  But totally renege on that as well claiming Well we can't email or call you local media t.v, radio or newspapers 'UNLESS they ask for us to notify them about a new published author.  
  
  What they do instead is sell my information about how I published a book to other SCAMMERS who contact me and say  Are you the Author of  Example *** **** ** *** **** *****   and I say yes I am.  Oh wonderful we want to have you do a 15 minute interview via Zoom NOTE" I do not use Zoom or none of that)   And by the way it is 'ONLY going to cost you $2500"  Or Only cost you $$4500  and you can make payments.   
  
  So they sell the info to other scammers to help promote a published book  to get more money   Which is unethical because the contract reads the Page Publishing or in this Case FULTON BOOKS for the total sum paid out in payments totally $5000 we will promote your book and notify local media sources, regional media sources and national media sources.     Which they never do stating it is against FCC laws to notify local media sources.  After the contract is signed and st**** they will notify them and that is part of the contract agreement.  Nor do they pay you any royalties  and make excuses not enough books have sold.  They never intend to pay royalties.  They make sure not enough sell  to refund the $5000 which is also part of the contract.   
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  ******* ******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/10/2024

  6-7-2024

  We have tried to call them and they do not answer their phones at 866-786-1476 and put us on hold, drop the calls,  Not available.   So calling and discussing anything is not working.  And any verbal phone discussion  is not in writing so there is no proof they agreed or said anything anyway.  With that said I have printed out and signed under duress the release agreement for my Manuscript ******** ************
  
  I Initially for some time have refused the Fulton Book offer with a response:  That is now signed and have  attached a file to send to them and need them to sign it and return it back. I am agreeing to their Release Agreement Contract However it is signed under duress. So they will release all rights to my unpublished Manuscript ******** ************  " and they can choke on the funds they refuse to refund to an elderly woman of 74 which is financial as well as emotional abuse.  
  
  I posted a detailed response in the rejection BBB complaint above today  June 7th 2024, of what they wanted and what I feel. But I did sign the release agreement today. There is a place on it they also did not and need to sign and date. And return to me their part of the signed agreement as well. 
  
  Furthermore FULTON BOOKS AGREES To not send anything to collections as they keep threatening AND IF THEY HAVE DONE SO  THAT  THEY rescind that immediately and SEND PROOF they have done so and THEY will henceforth not send anything to collections because I owe them nothing once they get the release agreement and they also sign it. Giving me a signed copy on their part     
  
  

  SEE ATTACHMENT

  Regards
  ******* *******  ****** ** ******* *********** 

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/12/2024

  We have received the release agreement from *******. We signed and emailed it back to her. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/23/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  For over two years, Fulton Books has yet to publish my book of poetry. The book is only (27) pages. The main problem is their so called editing department. I believe no "human eyes" are used to edit/revise any publication. They use computers that are designed for simple text...not poetry or "spoken word." Most of the revisions that have been sent back include dangling participles. If I wrote a line that stated "I Love You" Fulton would send it to me "I Love
  You" which makes absolutely no sense. And you can not tell me an actual person looking at this would be ok with sending it back to me in this manner. I am the complaint from (Dec. 8, 2022) and yes...I am still trying to get my book published. I paid Fulton over $3000 and have made NO MONEY for my troubles. In addition, I just received an email from my assistant that I have to pay $75 for the last set of revisions (which I NEVER introduced). But let me say this...I will pay the $75 to get Fulton out of my life! This has been a lesson I will not forget. Just because a company has been around for a long time...doesn't mean they will do right by you. If you are a poet, stay away from Fulton! They will turn your joy into misery!

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/04/2024

  Fulton's editing department is run by real people and copy edit manuscripts according to Chicago Manual of Style (CMS). We do not use software to edit. **** ********* has approved of this edit on 6/13/22 and we are now working on the interior layout of her book. This stage does not utilize editing, but we can take author supplied corrections, which are applied exactly how they are supplied to us.  We have applied twelve rounds of changes in the stage and charge an excessive round fee of $75 to apply the next round. We will cover the fee and apply her last round of corrections.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/04/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  
  
  

  I would like clarification on the remedy that Fulton Books has offered.  First, I can not agree that the editing department has professionals that have taken over two years to revise simple poetry of a 27 page book.  I agree that live human beings are overseeing the process, however, I stand by my initial statements that computers play a larger role in editing than needed.  Secondly, is Fulton stating they will either: use the $75.00 for this round of revisions and they will forfeit any additional fees? Or will reimburse the $75.00 and make the changes?  Finally, one has to ask why has there been so many rounds of revisions that we now find ourselves in this situation?  It's because Fulton sent back manuscripts that were incorrect.  So again...Fulton has shown they were unable to process my revisions beginning from February 2022.   
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  ******** *********

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/13/2024

  We have confirmed with **** ********* that the $75 that was previously sent in will be applied to her renewal agreement. We have nothing more to add that hasn't been stated in our previous reply. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/15/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  

  Earlier, I was contacted via email by my Fulton Assistant (Charlyn) that the check for $75 was on hold because this round of revisions were done at "no cost" and would be used for a "renewal" of my contract.  However, today I emailed Charlyn that my bank statement(s) indicated the check had been deposited.  Charlyn gave the impression the check would not be deposited and secondly, I have not given Fulton Books permission to use the $75 for anything other than the revision fee.  I received an email from Charyln later today that the Finance Department had been contacted to refund the $75 to me (or my bank institution).

  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  ******** **********

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/25/2024

  The refund for $75 has been processed and a check is being mailed back out to **** ********** ETA for the check to arrive is 3/25/24.