Anonymous
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Other Product Review

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Sold you a dream that would cost you some serious $$$. Lied, did not carry out their end of the dream/deal.
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Reason of review:
Pricing issue
Anonymous
map-marker Karlstad, Varmlands Lan

The Author House as a thief

Whe I got £ 0,30 from the Author House as a royalty (do not laugh) for my book The cat Nissie by Robert Crofter as a pseudonym I closed all sell. They closed the sites but opened new sites continuing sellig. It is a copy right crime. I am looking an attorney to sue the Author House . I want to inform other writers for such thieves. They are just cheating people. Another writer, she lost £1500 to the Author House not getting back any paper book or e-book.I want to publish the information in Englissh speaking newspapers and magasines. Viktor Jauhonen
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
1 comment
Guest

I have 5 self published books with Authourhouse Publishing....and have paid them abundantly for each one..... The Problem is....

I have not even 1 time been given any Royalties more than from What Copies I Bought from them...

Total possible Lieing about All the Selling Outcomes...! They have Completely Lost my Trust...and Business....!

Anonymous

Pot of gold?....More like a pot of s**t!!!!

I, like many aspiring Authors fell as an unsuspecting victim to AuthorHouse's faux encouraging words; that I found out the hard way was nothing more than *** "Buy your books", they say. It'll help to "promote" my work. REALLY!? Um?...Isn't that YOUR job? I mean, after all, I paid bookoo crazy dollars for this "Legacy Package"; that was to include... A. Professional. Marketing. Consultant. Ha! What'da crock! "Professional" my sweet ***. And why on Earth did I every speak to a man that was a supposed "editor?" I figured since I spoke to an EDITOR, that editing would be done. Wouldn't you? Yeah, sure! Let me be crystal clear here....THERE WAS NO EDITING DONE....WHAT'S SO EVER!!! My piece of advice to anyone considering going with AuthorHouse; to make their dream a reality. Run like you were on fire, in the other direction! I only wish I knew then what I know now. Nuff said!
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9 comments
Dhriti Zzg

"No Editing Done, None," Really? You mean that's a service they offer and TAKE the $450.

fee for, YET do really do, behind-the-scenes??? Dear God!

AH took my $450. years ago, through emails, claimed they returned it to me via regular mail...

to my former address.

Asked why would they do that, after all I had included my current address in the initial email requesting the return of my funds???

It never crossed my mind some crafty-grime was going down.

Guest

No real publishing company ever asks an author for one red cent. And even if your work isn't good enough for a real publisher you can sell ebooks for free using FREE self publishing on Smashwords and get 60% royalties which unlike Author Solutions companies like Xlibris and all the other scam companies under the Author Solutions umbrella, Smashwords actually pays out all royalties so some people have done very well.

Dhriti Zzg
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-898894

No, Wait, is Xlibris not to be trusted either? :-(

We sent them funds years ago, like back in '07/08 to...

Gosh, I wonder if it's...? Sigh...

Guest

AuthorHouse is a self-publishing company! They provide publishing and marketing services for you.

When you paid for the publishing package, it covers the editing publishing and making your book available through online sites and the marketing ideas of the Marketing Consultant.You DON"T expect to earn right away! You dont expect that your book will be noticed by book buyers when in fact there are 16 Million books out there! You as a self-published author will have to market your book! You own all the rights.

That's your book.

Not AuthorHouse's. AuthorHouse is not a traditional publishing company.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-860363

"AH" from Indy? Really?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-888993

Hahaha Indiana is the head location of Author Solutions (although they outsource a lot to the Philippines ) so what more proof do you need it's the scammers trying to defend themselves by saying that self publishers shouldn't expect to do well. Never-mind that there are even people who have become millionaires via the new FREE self publishing.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-860363

lol every once in a while an Xlibris consultant gets on here and says people are complaining because they had unrealistic expectations that they'd do well. You're one defense is you come on here and tell them they shouldn't expect to do well.

Well if people use Smashwords for free while paying nothing as long as they earn over $75 they can get paid in 4 months while when does Xlibris and Author Solutions pay out.....? Oh that's right NEVER and you ask for THOUSANDS up front you greedy scammers.

Guest

Lord knows I will publish through a DOG before I EVER use them again!

Dhriti Zzg
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-852385

You might fare better. #Anubis

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Anonymous
map-marker Rochdale, England

Authorhouse Publishing Service Review

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My book was published in February this year - none stop phone calls got my money and even though I'm constantly contacting to see when I get a return and how many books I've sold they're very unhelpful
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Buffalo, New York

Terrible Service

Quick to take your money and slow or 0 turnaround. They don't have a response for any of your queries once they've tapped you in. In spite of repeated requests they refused to work with me to lower the listed price. I was also misled regarding publishing in other countries and I'm certain they never fulfilled the Marketing plan they Charged me for because they never sent me any proof.

I'm not even sure what the basic plan includes. I had to pay extra for every service including picking a book cover.

For a while I was unable to manage my book as my login didn't work.

Someone does answer the phone but he/she never has a satisfying reply for you.

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Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
2 comments
Guest

would you mind telling more of the story? I need to make sure that

I am protected from any problems from them as well.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1017993

Please don't tell me you are considering publishing with them. You will get absolutely no royalties from your book.

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Anonymous
map-marker Calgary, Alberta

Self-publishing with advertised self-publishers

You do not need to go through someone to publish. Get a book about publishing and another one about self-publishing and you will see what I mean. Get your own editor for cheap and benefit from significantly more royalties than 10%. If they have your credit card, cancel it and get a new one before trouble starts. Dont give people money for your book, they should pay you! I told them they have 30 days to return the money, or I will go to a lawyer. I will post this as resolved if I get a check. Dont send your book until your happy with the services and the contract. If they are not a scam, let this be a warning to you about how to protect yourself and expect service. Money for nothing is wasted money and your wasted genius. Buyer Beware. Check the contract. Get service before you pay if you do. Don't feel like your book isn't worth it. There is no template or fomula for writing. Lets keep it that way. If your story isn't bookstore material, find other ways of selling it. Get your own printing services and website and sell your e-book online. Websites are easy with wordpress. I am not a computer -geek, and I blog. To create an e-book, try www.calibre-ebook.com. I am not affiliated in any way with such services. Remember, there is no hurry. Share your story at the right time. We all deserve to be heard. All of our stories matter. This is just my experience, most of all do your own research to be sure. - Heidi Thomson, Canada april 16, 2015
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Reason of review:
I told people how to do better on their own.
3 comments
Guest

I am glad of post like this, I was looking into two companies Page Publishing and Author House and found this post to be very helpful. I have two books that I wrote one in 2006 and the other in 2009 I was scared to let it out for fear of scams. Thanks for the information.

Guest

@Heidi Thomson; are you saying that the contract had to be sealed perfectly before sending your manuscript and payment for the packages?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-974963

Considering her whole review said publish it yourself and stay clear from this co.! why tempt fate!

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Anonymous

Scammy and won't stop

Authorhouse - Scammy and won't stop
The first time they tried to contact me, was last year in 2014. I declined, seeing as they have many bad reviews. But they won't stop trying to contact me! They just called me right now after I told them not to contact me again, and I am getting very angry. It's Amber Richards who first contacted me march of last year, but to be honest I don't know who it was this time because I didn't give a crap. If they call me again, I am going to be seriously pissed off, and they'd better not email me either. I have provided the screenshots from last years messages (just the beginnings of them), and the number they called me today is: 1-81*-650-****
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Anonymous
map-marker Zachary, Louisiana

Authorhouse is a con

I sent my manuscript for review and was told it was acceptable. So i gave authorhouse $530.00. After getting my money Authorhouse started to give me the run around for over 7 months. I got disgusted and canceled my contract. Authorhouse kept almost half of my money. I found that Authorhouse had translated my first book into 3 languages and i never received a penny of those royalties. Authorhouse publishing is a con. Let me know if anyone want to start a class action law suit. donaldbritt44@***.com. I will be happy to join you to stop these crooks.
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Loss:
$230
Cons:
  • Misled me
  • Fact that they misled me
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Dhriti Zzg

appalling! How are they gettin' away with this?? They do not disclose this kind of TAKING in the contract they provide.

Anonymous
map-marker Smithville Flats, New York

FRAUD AS SIMPLE AS THAT. THEY ARE A SCAM

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They are not for filling their agreement. I paid them $900 to publish the book and have all right to the book. 20,000 book companies have this book and it is even being sold on e-bay but authorhouse is not sending me any royalities because I don't want to pay them more money to promote the book further when I'm not seeing money go anywhere but in their pocket. A layer friend of mine is going to check into this. This company is a scam and takes advantage of authors. I bought 25 books off Amazon and authorhouse published the books. Where is my money.
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Loss:
$900
Pros:
  • Very unsatisfied
Cons:
  • Failure to honor contract
  • Fact that they were evasive
  • Misled me
Reason of review:
Problems with payment
Anonymous
map-marker Toronto, Ontario

I am thinking of publishing with Arthurhouse - comments

I have been getting emails and many phones calls from a representative of arthurhouse. I don't have a compliant but I do find them pushy in getting me to contact them. I did indicate that I needed time to review the internet to determine the optons that are available to me but the calls continue. It does sound very promising. I guess it didn't help when I talked about my book and the sales person felt that I could indeed have a larger market that what I originally thought. My question to the group - I would like some thoughts. Thoughts
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
2 comments
Guest

I've been experiencing the same thing. I've also been curious about publishing with Authorhouse, but after reading the numerous bad reviews on this site, I may decide to take my business elsewhere.

I've received several calls and emails through the company asking me to contact them. They are pretty persistent, but after a while, they do seem to stop unless you show any slight bit of interest.

They've switched representatives on me (I think to see if I would feel more willing to speak with someone different), and are indeed pretty pushy, but if you are adamant about not talking to them, the cold shoulder technique works well. I haven't heard anything from them for months.

Guest

I had the same issues with them contacting me a lot and sending me emails, dont really have a problem with it. Dont know if it means any harm.

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Anonymous
map-marker Lawrenceville, Georgia

Authorhouse - Publishing Service Review from Lawrenceville, Georgia

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I'm told author house to pull my book off the market. I have sent them two thousand for my book and a website. My book was $17.00 dollars and now it is $2.00. Now they want me to send another $2500.00 hundred dollars for a movie script. My husband is pissed.
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
1 comment
Guest

That 's what happened to me. When I refused to pay more money when I paid them $900 and haven't even seen $100 in royalties I no longer hear from them.

The $900 was supposed to be to promote my book. They get a commission on every book they sell so they are still making money off it. My book is all over the IOnternet and even being sold on e-bay. Why would authorhouse coontinue to print books that are not selling since it is print on demand.

Authourhouse isa total scam. I asked them how I was suposed to keep track of books that other companies sell and they told me they have to go through them to pub,ish the book and they keep track of it.

Novak Rzs

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Brooklyn, New York

Not receiving Proper Royalties

When I published they made typos so you would have to spend more money I received a check for $1.90 cents and my book has been published for several years and yes people have been buying it. The book is sold in different states as well. Some of my friends stated in buying the book they paid up to 25 dollars for a copy and cannot locate it in the sites they advertised it would be. Overall very disappointed and I will never deal with this company again but I do plan to publish again. I would like my checks
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Loss:
$1000
Cons:
  • Failure to honor contract
Reason of review:
I have been deceived

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

2 comments
Guest

This sounds familiar! I wrote a book in 2002 and it was published by 1st Books...now Author House.

I received hardly any royalties. Later I discovered that the book had apparently done very well but not for me. It had even been translated into foreign languages and sold overseas.

As I own all the rights I may republish to try to recoup some of the money they took from me. They didn't even use the cover I wanted.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-966473

George and group, this is a common thing, another dishonest thing that AuthorHouse does. There is a class action lawsuit that is FREE to you to post your complaints that may help you recap some, maybe all of your money.

Go to www.gslawny.com and let them know what has been going on. AuthorHouse has been taking advantage of people for years and it needs to stop! So fill out the form on the law firm's website and submit it, please and thank you. The more people the firm have that joins the suit the stronger the case will be.

I joined the suit a couple years ago. AuthorHouse is taking advantage of people worldwide.

I pulled (cancelled) my book a year ago because I experience the exact same thing that you George are talking about. They said I did not have any sales, but I do find it online although they were (per their contract) to take it down within 30 days. It's still out there after a year and I see "used" books for sale.

How could there be used books for sale if I never had any sales??? It's very hard to be nice when I am so angry with them.

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Anonymous
map-marker Cullompton, Devon

Failure to refund payment

Early May 2015 I signed up to the Author House self publishing programme, but three days later I received an offer to publish my typescript from a UK agent. As I hadn't even forwarded the typescript to Author House, I formally requested refund of my £400. 00p payment in accordance with the terms of the agreement I signed. Eight weeks later I am still awaiting the refund. Mr Dennis Kenyon. Kings Caple, Hereford, England. I note there is a requirement to employ at least one hundred words. This simply tells me this company's behaviour is bordering on a scam. xxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx x xxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx
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Pros:
  • Very unsatisfied
Cons:
  • Failure to honor contract
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
Anonymous
map-marker Newark, New Jersey

Authorhouse - Book Publishing Review from Newark, New Jersey

Its johnnydogood. All these people need to go to jail--book Retailers know what crooked publishers are doing. Its why when you ask a publisher to see their original sales order receipts from their online Retailers, A Crooked publisher will always tell you no.You can't see that we don't allow it, But it's, us Authors Books their Selling. An we can't see Retailers receipts what's been sold before it reaches Author houses hand..This was also told to me -through the Indiana ATG..office during an investigation, when I went to them for help. The ATG office said they couldn't make Author house turn over Retailer Receipts. I believe some one could be on Author houses pay roll in the ATG office to keep allowing this type of robbery, fraud and money laundering to keep happening. I see this type of fraud on American Greed --people just stealing from people.
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous

Intense Pressure to Sign

I was contacted by a rep. of this company about a true account of a disorder as it reveals itself in the older population. There is much about this newer study for the younger population but nothing yet that I have. They were greatly interested in this book BUT required to purchase a pricey "kit" before even beginning the book. I have written previously and was instantly skeptical of this "kit" I must purchase prior to dealing with them. (They knew ONLY what I said on the phone - had no idea if I could actually write something publishable or not.) But, what completely turned me was intense, daily multiple calls to go forward with them - very high pressured. Then came a sarcastic (I felt) email asking if I "was serious about publishing my book." Early on I felt something amiss with this company and am thankful for a sense of caution, esp. when such a company is way too demanding and eager. I was not treated with professionalism.
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11 comments
Guest

The company publication managers are enthusiastic when potential works and authors contact them. If you believed in your ability to write something and initiated interest from them and then expect any publishing company not to have any charges then you are very naïve.

Also procrastination is a major problem with new authors, they know you have a fear of non success and even ridicule so the tactic is to keep your idea alive by making contact with you. It seems you have not written the piece yet, you might consider contacting them again when you do have a draft document. Your only expense thus far would then only be a note book a pencil and lots of midnight oil. I am a first time author and have had a very positive experience bringing my book to publication.

They have an expert polite staff and as for you being annoyed at the email asking if you if you were serious about publication I think you mis-understood the question. If you told them you were committed to write and publish your piece then they would offer you valuable advice and recommend mentors and publications to guide you through your endeavor at no charge. Of course they also offer professional services to you for a fee and also offer financhial advice and instalment payments. To sum up I think you might re-open a dialog with them and take as much advice as you can without spending a penny.

When you have your document draft then talk about their fees to help you self publish.

They do a really good job at a very competitive price. Tou will need a computer of some type with word and PDF files in order to do business.

Guest

I too have been hounded by a young lady from this company for well over a year now. She mentioned she is based in the Pillippines and has young children to feed so she is trained to be pushy.

The concept for self-publishing is a workable plan but being required to invest in a package deal up-front lacks professionalism. Beware, your best interests are not in their training manual!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-914151

You are so naïve, Do you really expect professional services free! Only if you have become a celebrated author or a text book professor can you hope for no charge publishing.

Unless you have some kind of nepotism available then *** will freeze over before you get a piece published on goodwill alone. AuthorHouse offer a very competitive package at all levels and it is after all your work so unlike many publishers you retain all the intellectual rights. They offer a lot of pro advice for free to enable you to produce a valid final draft for submission. You can do this without spending a penny.

Then for a very competitive fee they will guide you through the process to an end product proof read and edited and published on all e-book formats, and hard copies printed to YOUR agreed designs, What do you all expect?

A book on the shelves at Barnes and Noble without professional effort or advice? You are all non serious wanna be writers, Take charge and make use of this low cost avenue to publication. By the way have any of you read a book on Kindle that has not been professionally formatted and proofed.

It is comparable to stories from a 10th grade English class full of bad spelling, grammar and incredibly poor formatting. Is this what you want then go ahead, but think before you leap blindly into the unknown.

Guest

They are not very interested in ANY book, they're just interested in your credit card. They aren't a real publisher, they are a scam vanity publisher pretending to be self publishing when they aren't even that. Real self publishing is free like Smaswords

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-905782

Utter Rubbish. How *** you are.

Guest

I have just received a call regarding my childrens book and thought the same. Why would you ask for payment and yet you know nothing.

I asked them where they were based , this seemed to offend and I was told.

why would it matter its not my dream to publish?? confused.com

Guest

Real publishers are extremely selective and don't cold call people or ask for any money this is a fake scammy vanity publisher. If you can't get an agent or real publisher for your book you can self publish for free on Smaswords as an ebook and lots of people buy self published ebooks, where they wouldn't pay out for an expensive print copy.

Self publishing in print is a nonsense waste of time unless you have already sold 10,000 or more ebooks. Because people don't want to risk the expensive cost of a print book if it's self published unless it's already popular, but they will take a chance on the ebook.

Guest

I also initially contacted Authorhouse to ask questions. I felt it was not for me in that, as one said here, Authorhouse really had no idea if I was a good writer or not.

They also pursued me. I'd rather know that I am wanted because my work is of quality, not just someone who says they have a book to publish. I have been offered a contract from another such publisher, but again, it was the same. Self-publishing is exactly that- that you have someone publish your book and they make money off of you.

I have seen the work that some have produced by these publishers and they are not always very good. Every person I know who wanted to self publish was able to and got a contract. This is one side of the coin. The other side are the ones who have been published by self-publishers and are happy.

I also was happy that as a kid, I played school with my siblings and made up my own curriculum and "books" for everyone to read. I was a legend in my own mind. Today, in real life I could actually sell my own books, I'm sure, but are the publishers really going to scrutinize and actually tell me if I'm not ready? I would hope so.

By the way, regular publishers laugh if you put down that your published work(s) was self-published. Another name for self-publishing is "Vanity Press".

The only time I think a self-publishing place would work is if you had a family history that would not be interesting to the whole of the population. Regular publishers make that determination.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-890192

Real publishers never ever ask for money from authors they are PAID for their work. I found a real publisher that wanted my work and I get paid.

I only made $1000 but at least I was paid not stolen from!

I have never self published myself, but I have friends who have self published for free on Smashwords. I am here reading these comments because my relative was scammed by this horrible company.

Guest

Sorrry to hear about your nasty experience dear,but I think it was one of those isolated and unfortunate cases.I have a wonderful story to tell about AuthorHouse though,and it contradicts your experience.I have been attended to by a very professional personal consultant who 'treats me like a king that I'm' because I'm indeed their king!I've had financial challenges for some time but my consultant always had something good to say and to comfort me.

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