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BEWARE OF AUTHOR HOUSE: I spent $1, 250 to publish my book with them PLUS $2, 500 for a "National Marketing Package".
Four months later, not a single paperback nor e-bbok has been sold.
Unless you like to throw money away, AVOID AUTHOR HOUSE ENTIRELY!
Michael
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Author House is stealing my royalties and every author that is under contract to them. I published with Author House. My book went live in November, 2008. Print reports show only one paperback sale in December, 2008 purchased by a friend. I got $9.68. It is now November, 2009 and I haven't had one book sale, except phony book vendors buying a few books. Total of royalties received in one year is $70.00. Yet, my book "The Chip Hustler, " by Barbara Lee is on hundreds of websites around the world. I know my book is selling. The local library in Henderson, Nevada told me my book has been out 12 times since it went live. The library says my book is popular. The Author House contract says that we authors agree not to sue and there is a binding arbitration clause. Some courts will overlook binding arbitration and that clause that says we authors can't sue won't hold up in court. At the present time, I and another writer are working with a class action lawfirm. It is looking good.
I can be contacted at [protected]. E mail: leebar@embarqmail.com
I AM SO EXCITED! I HAD TO SHARE THIS WITH ANYONE WHO THINKS THAT AUTHORHOUSE IS KEEPING ROYALTIES! YOU CAN GET A REPORT FROM NIELSEN BOOK SCAN. THEY WILL TELL YOU HOW MANY BOOKS YOU'VE SOLD IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS! SCORE!
If your book hasn't sold, have you ever thought it's rubbish? Just because you publish a book, it doesn't mean it will sell.
This will be my last comment to Mr. Roy, the publics Relation man from Authorhouse. I have to admit that his use of words. Trying to calmly explain away his company's fraudulant practices. Might persuade others who have never dealt with Authorhouse. But, Mr. Roy, propaganda only goes so far. As far as being professional, our prisons are full of professionals. His on going replies to my original email. Only tells me that Authorhouse is feeling the financial pain from it's scams. There's no reason for me to elaborate any further. This companies actions, originally as First Book, and now as Authorhouse, and who only knows how many other names. Continually provides the proof of what I and hundreds, if not thousands, have said. As far as answering Mr. PR's question of why I didn't do this or that. I, like most, took the advice and guidence of the people representing this company. I guess, when you want something bad enough. You want to believe that the people you're dealing with are honest.
I learnt too late that AuthorHouse is toxic, and one of the nastiest scams I've dealt with in my life.
My hell with Authorhouse started on 24 May 2010 through a misleading website called findyourpublisher.com, which is a bogus fraud site funnelling unsuspecting authors towards AuthorHouse and their partner scams. My first mistake - I gave them my contact details. I was conned into paying them around $1000 to publish my first book which I was told would be available at Amazon. The result was a shoddy, poorly produced crappy book which no reader would waste their time with. The book is still not available at Amazon or anywhere - I just get excuses.
Authorhouse is a scam, and they have stolen my dollars and succeeded in rubbishing of my work, that has left me deflated and completely disillusioned.
AuthorHouse should change their name to AuthorScam. These fraudsters have turned fraud into an artform, and it's time for government agencies to start taking a look at AuthorHouse and their partner companies, iUniverse, Trafford and Xlibris.
If you're a writer reading this: this is your wake up call. AUTHORHOUSE IS A HORRIFIC SCAM. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY.
Thanks for your many honest posting fellow wrters. I have not published with Authorhouse and will not thanks to the posting. I spoke with a rep. after viewing their website and am always receiving emails with these great publishing options. My parents (as i'm sure you may have heard this saying as well) If it souds too good to be true, it is to good to be true. I decided to do a little home work, such as checking scam alerts and once again the old proverbial proves true. I am so sorry for you all as a writer I can't imagine the heartache. I will be praying for you all! Sincerely M. L. Brass
M. L. Brass,
I would suggest you to do your own fact checking from trusted sites/organizations like the Better Business Bureau. In good business dealings, it is best for one to be well-versed and be willing to embrace all possible options to come up with the best decision. Deciding after reading all the mostly negative comments from here is not enough. It is more likely for someone to scream when in pain than when caressed in comfort. The same as it is more likely to have a website like where we are now than something that can perhaps be called as "Happy Customers Board". Broader your horizon and exert more effort in reaching out to those who were HAPPY with their experience. If AuthorHouse is indeed a scam, then why haven't we heard about Ex Senator Richard Lugar who had a book published with them or Jann Robbins (wife of famous Harold Robbins) who republished all of her late husband's books with AuthorHouse complain? Self-publishing and AuthorHouse are definitely real. But it is a business venture that should be approached realistically and wisely. If they sold you a package with services that are not applicable to you, then tell them. Those services are there available for you to choose properly from on what will work for you in terms of what your book needs, what help you need with, what your plans are, and of course your budget. Get them to explain to you each and every process. Throw out questions like you're investigating. Understand that you are buying the benefits, not the service itself. Before choosing self-publishing, know what it really means, how it differs from trad publishing, what the self-publisher's role and your role is in the process so you won't end up in a website like this. Work your way out, do your homework, gather as much unbiased facts and helpful information and I'm sure you'll arrive at the right destination.
So amusing. Another post paid for by the scam vanity publisher.
Hey XcH?bX. Why budget when none of the services AuthorHouse is offering are real? A real publisher pays you. I would rather a real company be honest with me about my writing than them them drag me through five layers of fake ### so they can make a buck. How come there a no AuthorHouse produced movies? I mean they advertise the laughable Hollywood Treatment package. That is really a complete insult to one's intelligence. How come not one mainstream store carries any AuthorHouse book you can actually touch and feel? I mean, that feature is promised in the contract. How come those Senators don't recommend AuthorHouse to other politicians? If AuthorHouse is so amazing why are big names like Sarah Palin choosing HarperCollins? People are complaining because they were sold a fabrication. They were made to believe that there would be a solid marketing plan when there isn't one. Furthermore XcH?bX, how come you aren't using this service yourself? You don't mention that you have a published AuthorHouse book. No hint of a success story here. I suggest you call and see for yourself what they offer you before you start blindly flapping your jaw.
Bottom line, find a real publisher. Anything worth having is not going to be easy. Stop being lazy people. AuthorHouse profits on those who won't get off the couch.
If you've found a real publisher who pays you Mr. Long then good for you. But to those aspirants who haven't even published a book before nor is a celebrity or a famous politician, are you suggesting that they'll wait until they're 73 and bedridden before they can hold their first book? I guess that answers your question on why Palin didn't have to "self-publish" her memoir. Self-publishing is for people who want to initiate and take control of the fate of their book without relying on a traditional publisher. But then again, you have to be wise and realistic before deciding to go through that path. If Lugar didn't really recommend AuthorHouse to other politicians, would that already mean that AuthorHouse is a crappy publisher? He self-published his book because he had all the resources to do so and knew who his target audience are and didn't have to worry if his book will sell because he's already known and capable of doing all the marketing and promotional approaches without having to pay AuthorHouse for these services. Palin made a great deal with HarperCollins because both parties knew the book will be a hit and worth the investment on the publisher's end. Do you think HarperCollins will invest on her book if she's an unknown citizen in our country? You and I both know we wouldn't do that if we have our own company too. And for the benefit of those who haven't researched yet, Legally Blonde, September Dawn, A Long March To Freedom are a few Hollywood movies that were originally AuthorHouse books. If your INTELLIGENCE was insulted by that so-called Hollywood Treatment, then why'd you even decide to go with AuthorHouse? That service as what I understood by the term "treatment" and "coverage" doesn't mean your book is gonna be a Hollywood hit overnight. No matter how much money one will spend to be connected with the Hollywood folks, if his/her book is not worth their investment, nothing will happen to it.
The same applies to brick-and-mortar stores. These companies are functioning independently and no publisher whether self or traditional have control over their business operations on what titles to store, promote or feature. Traditionally or self-published, best-seller or not, it is the bookstore's sole discretion whether they would place a book in their shelves or not.
No matter which path you take, going tradpub or selfpub, you'd be successful if you put your soul to your dream and do your part.
Now, I have a question for you and the rest of us here. Can you name me a company who has never had a single complaint or has pleased ALL of its customers? I would be very happy to reveal myself to that person who can give me an answer.
Single complaint...! There are thousands warning against the Author Solutions mafia. Drop the arrogant superior tone. It's too defensive. We can see through you.
Sir:
Before I'd reply to your post above, I understand that you indeed have had a bad experience with this company. Could you name me a company which never received a complaint? or never had someone complain about them?
You may disregard my previous post may read the longer comment before it.
Yeah I know. I admit I'm not good at these touch screen phones. I was using my pc earlier.
XcH?bX - In regards to the epic long paragraph you probably spent four hours piecing together for me. I still hate AuthorHouse. Breaking news - I'm still going to hate AuthorHouse. Fail.
I don't spend that long in front my pc whining over my failures and soliciting empathy from other people Mr. Long. I do have a life, fortunately. But thanks for sharing the heartbreaking news though.
Hmm...says the guy who spends four days trying to sell his opinion to me. I don't know what your trying to accomplish. I'l let you walk away the winner if that is what your trying to do. Get the last word in. I'll even give in and agree with you if thats what you need in order to move on from this. Failure? Well you keep coming back for more so there must be something about me you can't get enough of.
But remember the Authorhouse mafia train their brainwashed slaves to persist until they get the last word...or a sale..!
Move on! Barks the dog who's been here for a month. And it wasn't even his post that I commented on.