Diania Nky

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Verified Reviewer

I Am An Author With Them And This Business Needs An Auditor

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My book was recently placed as one of the best in its class by Book Authority and yet my royalties are 12 cents per book sold and my last royalty check was for 24 cents! I am down 90% of the money paid to Authorhouse, sold only about 200 books in over a decade and yet my book is so highly rated online and ranked highly on two major sites.

How can this be possible? I found a way to get back so that was fine, but I warn anyone considering self-publishing with Authorhouse to not do so. I thought this was a legitimate company but it is not. Penguin Random House bought Author Solutions (parent company) and then booted them out (check online for this story).

I had planned to do a big marketing campaign with them but will not do so. Maybe that's their strategy, withhold legitimate royalties and contact you to say if only you marketed it with them you could be the greatest author?

LOL but not LOR (royalties). Avoid.

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Loss:
$1800
Pros:
  • Named recognition
  • Book layout
Cons:
  • Previous lawsuits posted online
  • Makes mistakes publishing books and needs redoing
  • Marketing is insufficient

User's recommendation: Read All About Parent Company Author Solutions Online Before Committing To Authorhouse

Anonymous
map-marker Toronto, Ontario

Scammers

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I have used Authorhouse for my book publishing and marketing. This is one of the deepest regrets of my life. Once you sign up, they will continuously tell you your book is the best book they every read and you will make millions .and will push you to buy more expensive package from them. I spend around $15000 for marketing and They sold around 65 books.
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User's recommendation: Even if you try to sell yourself still it’s better than Author house

Alex F Dng

Harassment

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I enquired into AuthorHouse in 2018. I never signed any contracts after realising it was a scam. Its the end of 2023 and theyre still calling me, 5 years later(!!) to try and get me to publish with them. Ive blocked multiple numbers theyve used, and emailed saying Im no longer interested. They still continue to harass me. AVOID AT ALL COSTS
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Cons:
  • Greed
  • Harassment

Preferred solution: Apology

User's recommendation: AVOID

Emeka N Oio

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Guarulhos, Sao Paulo

Update author contact information

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I want to update my contact information and want to know of any outstanding royalty checks for me as I have not been bothered to make inquiries up until now that a friend of mine check up for the novel online and asked that I prove am the author if the novel as per the different names I used to published the novel from my actual name. I was given the logging but that was about 8 years ago while in Amsterdam and a lot have changed in my life I have lost lots of useful information that I didn't save. I want to update my information now and it will never change again save natural disasters like death do us path, my address could change and phone numbers because I move around different countries but my email will never change as it's been verified with google ezvozlishtraa@***.com

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Humara M

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Verified Reviewer

I have been let down by this AuthorHouse. I am a writer

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They were very quick to get the money off me.

My book was published, and I am happy with this.

I paid Β£1500 to market the book and they have done nothing at all.

I told them to market in US Amazon, but they sponsored the book in USA Amazon.

They have not paid me any royalties - they just say 'check your account'.

I haven't made any money on the book but have spent Β£4000 .

I am very disappointed with this publishing shark scam company.

I have many other books to publish - so they have been very short-sighted .

If they were trustworthy and followed their promises , I would have given them my 5 books and also my son is a writer, and they would have published his book as well.

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Loss:
$2000
Pros:
  • Publishing
Cons:
  • Royalties
  • Marketing
  • Finanace

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

User's recommendation: Avoid like the the plague

1 comment
Marnell Aoh

They are just pure scam alledgedly run by the Mafia to pull scam after scam and they use Authorhouse, Xlibris, Iuniverse etc... to launder money from other criminal activity. If you can get your bank to cancel the payments do so.

Dror R And

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv

My calls are being ignored

Hello

My name is Dror Rofe.

In November 2021, I contacted Ms. Kelly Allison for book writing.

Ms.

Allison sold me on the premium package. At that time, I

paid in full $7500.

I believe the order number is 90805****.

I had some trouble coming up with a manuscript due to personal problems.

I recently sent several emails to Ms. Allison to inform her that I am ready with my manuscript. I was hoping she would direct me to whom I should be working.

Unfortunately, Ms. Allison did not reply to my emails. In addition, I called and left a message with the operator several times yesterday and on her answering machine.

Ms.

Allison ignores all my attempts to reach her.

I feel misled and wish to be refunded my money to go somewhere else and publish my book.

Please respect my wish and process my refund as soon as possible.

Thank you, D. Rofe

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Loss:
$7500

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: None at this time

LeRoy J Bzs

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Chevy Chase, Maryland

Follow up

I am still waiting for AuthorHouse to fulfill its obligation to me by refunding the money I paid them after I informed it that I was terminating my agreement with it. Si far, I have received several long emails from several of its associates who have attempted to influence me to revisit my decision. This, however, is a futile endeavour because my decision is irrevocable. I just want AuthorHouse to fulfill its legal obligation to me. LeRoy R. Johnson
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Loss:
$3000
Cons:
  • Aggressive marketing services associates

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Marnell Aoh

They are scammers and send the emails partly so you'll run out of time with your bank. Contact your bank immediately toi get them cancelled from your card anyone who is in this situation.

They will never help you they will only pull scam after scam. I heard they are in league with the Mafia and launder money for them allegedly.

Pauletta J

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Sewell, New Jersey

Highly disappointed at the promises and no delivery. Knowing my book is a good one!

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The credibility and integrity of this company is very questionable. I have published a book in November 2021, In March they showed my royalties as 14.92. I know for a fact how many books were put out by Amazon, even with a great deal being initially purchased by myself and family members. Each book has sold at 20.99. Their documentation, costly publishing and Marketing prices are beneficial to them and not to the authors! I am hurt and greatly disappointed at the lack of integrity. At this point, I must seek legal counsel in order to get everything belonging to me for the sales of these books. Absolutely horrible! Fake promises. Publishing costs, Marketing costs, but hidden agenda.
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Loss:
$6000

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

Delvina Inf
map-marker Longmont, Colorado

Need re-call from Valerie

Valerie called me early today. I asked her to call me later. So far , she has not. Can you help? Thanks. Judith Cordary
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Matt T Lhc

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Verified Reviewer

Disaster

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I contracted with AuthorHouse to get my book published. It was the worst experience I have ever had witih any vendor in my entire life.....and this includes cable and internet companies. Over a period of 3 months I got nothing from them but 3-4 emails telling me I had to edit my manuscript (which I'd done 5 times already) and take out certain parts, all of which were benign and not even approaching any libelous content. Their rep never even called me. Their sales rep, however, told me he had reviewed the manuscript and said it should be ready for publication in about 30 days. I had to wonder if this outfit was a scam. I've requested my money back but as of yet have not seen it. My suggestion? Go elsewhere.
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Loss:
$3700
Cons:
  • Wasted 3 months

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: run for the hills

3 comments
Marnell Aoh

They are pure scam and criminal nothing else in my opinion.

Guest

I qwas about to deal with author house but from what5 I've read i9n your review I have had a chyange of mind thanks for that you've been a great help.

Matt T Lhc

thank you. I'll look elsewhere.

View more comments (2)
Joseph A Qdz
map-marker Orange Park, Florida

Publishing with Author House.

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I am a first time Author and went to Author House to get my first novel published and at the recommendation of another Author who has published seven books through them. My experience with them from the beginning, quite honestly, has been excellent.

My book, which I had edited privately, was sent to them ready for printing. The cover design, publishing and communication with them has also been good. It is the book price that is too high, and their ad costs are reasonable if they work. They have no statistics to back up their claims.

I asked them to provide how many in their target audience, and they could not tell me. I asked them did they have any information on the success of these campaigns previously. They could not tell me. All they said was every Author and book are different.

That response has nothing to do with, an average return based upon historical data, which they should have. Self-publishing is a personal business that requires investment for success, and it is not cheap, but throwing good money into an ad campaign without some data is crazy. I have had very limited sales, if it is honestly reported.. I believe the non-adjustable initial high price they set has hurt sales.

My limited reviews are 4 and 5 star. I have wanted it at a lower cost. They refuse to change it. The company did a great job getting it out, but I would not pay them to advertise anything without some data.

All I wanted was to make a reasonable business decision, but I couldn't without something to base it on other than hype.

Get your book done with them, then go find someway to mass market it yourself. excellent, but the roll out price out price respone.

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Preferred solution: Full refund

Leslie L Wft

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Verified Reviewer

Debra Sencil has asked me to speak to her. I Just cannot get hold of her. Can youask DEBRA SENCIL to phone me as soon as she can on my mobile phone which is (+44) from abroad (0)782750****

I NEED to speak to Debra Sencil and I just cannot reach her. Can you ask her to phone ASAP please on (0)7827 50****
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Preferred solution: I NEED to speak with Debra Sencil as soon as possible as I just can't manage to get hold of her

Kim A Nbu

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Verified Reviewer

False Hope, Empty Promises and Emptied my Credit Card

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Updated by user Aug 26, 2021

No calls... no replying to emails. They got all the money they needed and now they have moved on to another poor author who thinks AuthorHouse has their best interest at heart.

Updated by user Aug 26, 2021

Tried contacting support, but they take FOREVER to come back... but when I was in the process of having my book published, they were constantly phoning to the point where it was like harrassment.

Updated by user Aug 26, 2021

Nothing. Now that they have my money, support is 'not supporting'

Updated by user Aug 26, 2021

After complaint, a "copy and paste" reply was given. They knew I was South African and to only pay royalties, I have to have a US Bank Account

Original review Jul 25, 2021
A beloved, long time story I had conjured eight years ago, finally came a reality when AuthorHouse published it. I was incredibly expensive, and as a South African, the money caused many, many sleepless nights.

As you may, or may not know, is that due to the economic crisis in South Africa, the Rand (South African currency) is extremely weak to the US dollar, Euro and Pound. To give you an idea, this is where we currently stand: R1.00 = $14.84
AuthorHouse contacted me on 4th January 2021 by Mikayla Gamboa. I must admit, they are very good with the right things to say, using excellent salesman talk. All Mikayla wanted was my credit card details, and was not interested in what I was writing.
I finally caved in and went for the Starter Pack, in which I could pay in 3 months instalments.
The total price was $649.50, excluding an additional $75 for process fee?
I completed the novel and submitted the manuscript on 30th April 2021.

Everything seemed to be in order and the process stage commenced. On 24 une 2021, I filled in my banking details on their website and received a confirmation letter stating ,"Greetings Kim. This email confirms that we successfully received your updated Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) information. We will use this information to deposit royalties earned from the sale of your book."
On 6 July 2021, I sent a follow up email asking if my details were correct, as it was the first time I'd dealt with an overseas firm.

They replied asking if it was a US account. I replied saying no, as I never set foot in America and therefore have no account in the US. They now want a US bank account, or I'll never receive any royalties. To date, I've spent 17 774.84 Rand (South African currency) just for 1 book, and now they won't help me!
An actual book, called "The AuthorHouse Scam" was published by a lady named Robin Levin, explaining how quick they were to take her credit card details, but never saw royalties (and she's an American citizen!).

You can find it on Amazon.
True what they say. People like AuthorHouse prey on desperate writers trying to make a name for themselves. I can't believe this. The little money my mother left me after she died, went into this novel to turn it from a dream to a reality.

But now, I feel I failed my mother and money we, as a struggling family lost so much. I don't know who to turn to.
View full review
Loss:
$17774
Pros:
  • Very unsatisfied
Cons:
  • Tendency to pressure authors
  • That they took advantage of me

Preferred solution: Apology

User's recommendation: STAY AWAY!

Anonymous
map-marker Douglasville, Georgia

Refund

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I have begged May and Mike to return my money. Mike does not return phone calls and Mae has promised me that my money will be refunded back to me. However, about one month later,r I've not received my money. Today, I realize that Authorhouse is a dishonest company.
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User's recommendation: Do NOT have any encounter with Authorhouse.

Janet H Gwh

Book order

Hi I ordered books. When paying I asked to change the order. I was told Michael Grady was only one who could change the expensive hard copies to soft copies and modify the order. I was placed on hold then told he had gone for the day. I have called two additional times and no one has responded and no order on the way. No follow up at all.
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Cons:
  • Customer service rep seemed clueless

Preferred solution: Please call me and fulfill my order requests. ASAP.

Kim A Nbu

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

Scammers

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The silky smooth salesman talk lured me into their clutches. As a first time author being published, I thought it was wonderful that someone was taking me seriously. The constant phone calls and wanting my credit card details was very disturbing. They didn't even know what my book was about. Only wanted credit card numbers. Now that I am a published author, I won't be receiving royalties, as I am a South African citizen. Quick to send me a screenshot of the contract I signed, saying they have 2 methods of payment. Either a US bank account or a check to deliver to my address. When I opted for the check option, they changed their tune by meaning "deliver the check to a US bacnk account!STAY
View full review
Loss:
$1197
Pros:
  • Faith in them is gone
Cons:
  • Excllent at taking money

Preferred solution: Apology

User's recommendation: STAY AWAY! ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE NOT A US CITIZEN!

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