Menu
For Business Write a review File a complaint
America Star Books / Publish America Customer Service Phone, Email, Contacts

America Star Books / Publish America
Reviews and Complaints

www.publishamerica.com

Learn how the rating is calculated

2.4 39 Complaints
Claim Your Business
Take control of your profile: address complaints and engage with reviews
Write a review File a complaint

America Star Books / Publish America Complaints 39

ComplaintsBoard
P
10:43 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

America Star Books / Publish America Being unfair

personally, i think its a bunch of ### as an author of publish america, you have to buy your own damn book when they should actually send you a free copy of your book and plus this other ### you have to pay for like the damn conventions and if you pay so much money you get your books put in books stores or you get book to sell on your own sometimes i wish i would have never signed that damn contract its a ###ing rip off ...

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 1 comment
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
1 comment
Add a comment
S
S
Sonja Williams
US
Sep 21, 2022 1:32 pm EDT

My situation wasn't resolved I didn't receive no type of money so how could you say or be fraudulent to me and lie to the courts about this issue being resolved if it was I would not be contacting you now you stole my money fully I want my money for my hard work and creations

ComplaintsBoard
C
8:56 am EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

America Star Books / Publish America publishing of manuscripts

Publish America would probably publish any manuscript past 20 pages long. I wrote a decent book once. It is true that it cost me nothing up front. But all of the sales and marketing falls upon the author. They were no help at all. My initial order of books was at a great discount. Then all further orders kept going up and up in price until it didn't make any sence to order again. You cannot sell a 120 page book for $19.95! I would have had to do that to make .60 per copy. (compared to my first order when I could make a profit of $3.90. per unit, and also sell the book for $9.95. Fortunately I had my own music store to sell them through. But in the long run it was very hard to make a good profit. And this is really why you want to write, not just to see your name in print. If I ever write again, I will spend more time searching out a more reputable publisher! I hope this helps any future authors!

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 2 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
2 comments
Add a comment
J
J
Jing04
Wayland, US
Nov 28, 2012 9:35 am EST

I found this on another listing on this website. If you have been deceived by Publish America, there is a lawsuit filed by Hagens, Bergman, Sobel, Shapiro, LLP.
Contact Info: PublishAmerica@hbsslaw.com

A
A
ahagblom
South Jordan, US
May 27, 2012 9:29 am EDT

I too have been scammed by Publish America. I wrote my book in 2010, I along with at least 100 of my friends and family bought my book and I ended up seeing no royalties. They simply told me that my book didn't sell anything. My book is also way over priced. My book is on barnes and noble's website for $24.95 when I can pick up the new Nicholas Sparks book for $11.99. I am very interested in going together to file a class action lawsuit or something to at least get money I'm owed and my rights back. Please contact me if anyone is doing so... spoiledbrat1881@hotmail.com

ComplaintsBoard
S
5:46 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

America Star Books / Publish America total lies

Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2011 06:56:15 -0500
Subject: RE: BBB Complaint Case#[protected](Ref#85-[protected]-[protected]-13-500)

They have an F, the lowest Rating which can be assigned to a company.

Barbara G. Enders | Director, Dispute Resolution & Trade Practices

Tel: [protected]

Fax: [protected]

Email: [protected]@greatermd.bbb.org

www.bbb.org | Start With Trust

NEW ADDRESS

BBB | Greater Maryland

502 S. Sharp Street, Suite 1200

Baltimore, MD [protected]

I wish io knew this before I signed up with this company

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
H
10:37 pm EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

America Star Books / Publish America book pricing

This is my first published book, a children's book, meant to be read aloud. It is a collection of short stories about a little black dog, maybe 30 pages long. Publish America, at first named a price of $9.99, seemed fair. Then I see the book listed on their website at $24.99! This is a simple book with a price of a major bestseller. When I tried to talk to someone I was directed to a website for authors. You must submit an email and wait for someone to give you half an answer to your questions. They made one adjustment down to 19.99, still too high and when I tried to complain I was told "to ask politely". To add insult I had ordered 10 books when they offered a 50% discount, one day only. They insisted on charging me the higher price even though it had been lowered! Then I get daily offers of 65% off, and when I asked for that price they said it was not false advertising to offer a final discount and then to lower it the next day.
Are there any responsible managers there? The phone rings and an answering machine comes on . I suspect they make all their money badgering the authors to pay for any promotions of the books. I am very disappointed with them and plan to get a lawyer and cancel the contract.

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 2 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
2 comments
Add a comment
T
T
The Write Agenda
New York, US
Nov 12, 2011 2:56 am EST

Are these your articles too? http://www.publishedauthors.net/dlroe/ar.html

T
T
The Write Agenda
New York, US
Nov 12, 2011 2:43 am EST

What is the name of your book? PublishAmerica is not in Salt Lake City, are you? Is this book on Amazon?

ComplaintsBoard
K
11:01 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

America Star Books / Publish America False advertising

Warning: PublishAmerica

PublishAmerica advertises that they don't want your money. then they offer and inundate you with “Bargains, ” offer you representation and press releases, and you never hear from them again.

They make a lot of money because no matter how much your book weighs; whatever “bargain” they offer you have to buy books to get it, i.e., Book Fairs, Catalog listings, Promises to promote, promote, promote.

Here's the catch: Even if your book of Poetry weighs 3, 4, or 5 ounces; every book is shipped at a cost of $3.99 which you have to purchase; then pay for shipping. For example: Your overpriced book, weighs 5ounces. Your offered agents, talent scouts, introductions to traditional publishers, Hollywood movie making, etc., etc.

So you pay for your books: They demand a minimum order and then you are charged $3.99 for each book to be shipped. On their blog it states you can no where find better shipping rates. They are unprofessional, discourteous, promise to post you and your website, etc., etc. and you never find a thing. Most of their most important links are always broken. They are so arrogant as to quote one of their Authors

They will offer to sell YOU Hard Covers to buy but they claim (as documented) that they do not publish hard covers. They are not available for sale or listed for sale. For example: my soft cover has an ISBN on the inside front cover for a Hard Cover. No such Hard Cover exists.

Here is an example of an Author amazed at their cover: Their art department is the only thing of value. Below is from their actual Home page. Why would anyone publish much less advertise such poor grammar.” Go PublishAmerica.net and look at the quickly moving “Author” quotes on the top. I copied directly from their home page but it would not convert.

PublishAmerica Cover Design
i just reviewed the front cover and i gotta say i'm very impressed

I have 573 saved emails from PublishAmerica that come almost daily and often, which are resent if you don't reply. Available to any Journalist. At this time I will provide my name.
Frederick, MD 21705

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 1 comment
View 0 more photos
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
1 comment
Add a comment
O
O
One of many betrayed authors
US
Mar 27, 2014 2:20 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

You say that comment text cannot be empty. My originally leaving comment text empty was just a metaphor for Publish America (America Star Publishing) soul. It is just empty, but what they will eventually come to realize is that all things do have a season. Their season will come. America Star Publishing/Publish America, think that they have absolute power, but what they have forgotten that absolute-corrupted- power does eventually fall ... absolutely.

If anyone say they are impressed right now with the outlandish publisher mentioned above, be very careful. Remember what the Spider said to the Fly. "Welcome to my Web ..., " and we all know how that turned out for the Fly ...if we are not wearing blinders ... we do.

ComplaintsBoard
D
2:05 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

America Star Books / Publish America SCAM ARTISTS

This is the long awaited book sale totals from PA from their remarkable advertising campaign. I wasted all of my strength and marketing energies for them to do this to me? Now I am on board with all of the of disgruntled authors that I use to just read about. This is what I received just yesterday you decide and below it is my response to their con game. After you read this share your thoughts and opinions to: [protected]@gmail.com put PA in subject line.

Royalty statement period: February, 2011 to July, 2011
Your book sold no copies during this past sales period.

Author: Darrell Willis Sr.
Title: St. Moses, Handicapped Hunter

Retail Discount 0%
Returned Books 0
Quantity 0
Sales Price $0.00
Total Amount of Royalties Payable: $0.00

Frequently Asked Royalty Statement Questions:

What Happened To Books Sold Last Month: all books bought directly from PA are included in this statement; books sold through vendors, including. Amazon, may not yet be included. PA pays royalties on sales proceeds that it has received. Vendors, however, have up to 90 days or longer to pay PA. Thus, PA may not have received payments yet for books sold by some retailers and online vendors. PA will include royalties for those sales on the next royalty statement.

What Are My Royalty Cut-off Months: January and July, typically the last week; we forward our semi-annual statements at the end of February and August.

Where Are The Royalties On Copies Of My Own Book That I Bought: authors are not paid royalties on books that they purchase themselves, per your contract, unless we ran a special promotion that indicated otherwise.

Who Do I Contact For Questions About My Statement: email your query to [protected]@publishamerica.com; we will make every attempt to fully answer your question within seven business days.

To whom this may concern,

No! I have at least a hundred different websites showing that my book is being sold worldwide. Some of my books are being sold as used now meaning that some were read. I can't even begin to express my level of disappointment with this news.

I have proof verifying that your companies accounting methods are inaccurate and needs to be overhauled. I would suggest that you rerun the numbers again as I have evidence that reveals sales of my book on an International level.

If some area of resolve in this matter can not be found then I will be left with no alternative but to
forward all information regarding this matter to the MD District Attorney's Office.

Darrell A. Willis Sr.
"St. Moses, Handicapped Hunter"

TO ALL, I LEND MY PERSONAL OPINION AVOID PUBLISH AMERICA! IF YOU ELECT NOT TO AVOID PA AFTER WHAT YOU WERE JUST EDUCATED ON THEN YOU DESERVE WHAT THEY GIVE YOU. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND KEEP WRITING STAY ENCOURAGED.

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 1 comment
Update by dave2010
Mar 31, 2012 12:44 pm EDT

It's sad that so many aspiring authors have been taken advantage of by PA. I wish that all of you would contact the Attorney General's Office in your individual states, and let's expose these PA crooks together on a united front. If you all would back me I will spearhead the campaign to expose PA'S fraud. Send me an email saying "let's unite" in the subject line to dwillissr@gmail.com, and I will add you to an ever growing list of swindled authors in preparation of getting the attention of the Attorney General.

Hide full review
1 comment
Add a comment
S
S
3Stacy6
Clanton, US
Mar 31, 2012 11:05 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I will never use them again. I had no idea that they were con artists. I had such a difficult time understanding the contract. It was my understanding that all rights belong to me. I had found typos that weren't my fault and I had a letter stating that they will fix any typos free of charge. I told them about this and they denied it saying that I will have to pay for corrections. I have just 4 typos. They want to charge me $200. That's $50 a word! Are they kidding me? I know I'm a good writer but how will people know when PA won't do any leg work? I even believe my books are grossly overpriced by about $12. But what can I do? Rewrite some of the book, change the title and take it elsewhere? It IS my book. They've already breached the contract. I haven't heard from them about my royalties. I was supposed to hear something by Feb. It's almost April. I'm going to try to get out of my contract.

ComplaintsBoard
P
4:36 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

America Star Books / Publish America FRAUD AND LIES

MORE NEW PROMO FRAUD PUT OUT BY PUBLISH AMERICA ! One scam leads to another---Book Masters has teamed up with PA . Graph Expo in Chicago know nothing about PA being there.
now PA authors can send in $299 and get weekly updates on status of one book for six months .
all on my site
http://paulaspublishamericainformationsite.weebly.com/

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America
Update by paula commerford
Jul 29, 2011 4:17 pm EDT

WANT NEW NEWS ON PUBLISH AMERICA?
GO TO WEBSITE--------http://paulaspublishamericainformationsite.weebly.com/ NEWEST SCAM THERE------THIS ONE IS BIG=
SO BIG IT GOT ME OUT OF THEIR CONTRACTS----JUST YESTERDAY

Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
U
3:20 pm EDT

America Star Books / Publish America Stay away from publishamerica.com

Well being a writer and just wrote my second book, publish america made promises on I seeing my book in all book stores, that it will advertised in the local paper, and also made into a movie...etc I have not seen any of these promises being done...not even one royalty pymt...after one yr...well this tells me they are not who the say ...I would like to find a agent, or a publishing co that say what what they promise and do it ...if any one can help me please do, and stay away from publishamerica.com.

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
J
12:31 am EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

California Books is steal selling my book http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=1280057419&searchurl=ds%3D30%26isbn%3D9781591296034%26sortby%3D17 It is time where we Authors have trusted into this contract with Publish America, that our royalities would be distrubed as the promises that was made to us, Publish america publisher compensation" we...

View 0 more photos
Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 2 comments
ComplaintsBoard
S
3:39 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

America Star Books / Publish America Rip me off

I had a book published by Publish America, the quality was garbage, the price was way over priced and they just keep raising the price without my concent. I have wrote them many times and they just keep rejecting my complaints, they also won't pay nothing when my book is sold, they have breached their own contract many times and I want my book off their web site. I was hoping there were others who have had this same problem and found that there are many thousands who have had the same scam done to them by this company. I also want to know if there is anyone who can tell me what to do, so I can get my book out of these rip offs hands and try to recover what they have stolen from me... What a rip off, I would not recomend publish America to no one, , It is a big scam and they publish junk books, over priced, and they are destroying many authors dreams of being a published author...

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 4 comments
Update by snowflakesandiamonds
Jun 24, 2010 8:57 pm EDT

Yes and people like you have nothing better to do than to make trouble, , , Go to hell where you belong, what are you a pig or something worse, , probably, , nothing better to do, , you need to write a book, nothing better to do for dummies, dummy

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
4 comments
Add a comment
W
W
whoknowsbutme
Campbellsville, US
Sep 25, 2013 1:27 pm EDT

Take action people. Don't only take advice but take action and follow the advice. Read on http://www.writers.net/forum/showthread.php?59278-PublishAmerica-and-the-Attorney-General

A
A
ajaf2005
Ballston Spa, US
Jul 01, 2010 12:04 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hold on a second, let's take a look at that word: "idiot." An idiot, by definition, is a person of subnormal intelligence. Does gathering intelligence and making one more well prepared for an argument, make one an idiot?

A
A
ajaf2005
Ballston Spa, US
Jun 27, 2010 12:53 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Dawniette, you are an idiot.

D
D
dirdeedeedz
Newburgh, US
Jun 25, 2010 3:35 pm EDT

To the business owner: Dawniette is an individual who has set out to cause damage to businesses listed on here. Her (or his) sole purpose is to cause damage. I am in discussion with the law firm of Starrs Mihm, LLP to bring extortion and defamation charges against Complaints Board. In that process, we can subpoena records relating to the IP address of "Dawniette". Consequently, this sewer rat will be made public. If you would like to join me, please send an email to dirdeedeedz@gmail.com (designated for this website), and I will have my attorney's contact you. I have the wherewithal and vigor to stop this.

ComplaintsBoard
P
8:13 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

America Star Books / Publish America Blatant Breach of Contract

What boggles my mind is the fact that this and other websites aren't filled with hundreds of agreeing statements of how PublishAmerica.com has-- rendered unsellable most books, stolen royalties, published unedited manuscripts, and blatantly breached contracts to the extent that SOME law-firm SOMEWHERE wouldn't perk their ears and want to start a class action lawsuit.
I too was taken in by their scam and lost my book for 7 years. Their methods of false advertising are slick.
The website makes promises of pie in the sky, but when you receive the "standard contract" it cleverly mentions nothing of the promises on their website.
Remember, the contract is "God" in the legal world.
My book was published with errors that their "editing department" injected, overpriced the book, and rendered it unmarketable to the extent that no book store will stock it, and all on-line bookstores have dropped it from stock.
No professional book reviewer will TOUCH a book published by them. Get that?
You can't PAY someone to review your book if published by PublishAmerica.

The BBB of Maryland was useless. Their reply was that it was a business to business transaction.
The Atty General was useless, they referred me back to the BBB!
All I asked for was for them to lower the price of my book or cancel my contract.
If you are considering using them to publish - Don't.

You are better off buying a laser printer and printing it yourself!
PublishAmerica is a Scam.

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
K
3:01 pm EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I am writing this to warn all my fellow writer’s out there some advice about the so called publisher Publish America .com. I, just like many new author’s out there was extremely excited about the thought of my book being published that I foolishly signed the contract with Publish America. I was so happy, all my dreams were coming true. I was a published...

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 26 comments
ComplaintsBoard
E
10:05 am EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

America Star Books / Publish America booksellers with copies of my books

I am STILL finding independent booksellers on www.half.ebay.com who have "BRAND NEW" copies of my five novels, listed as "direct from the publisher/manufacturer" or "never been read" or having multiple copies, able to be shipped "within three days." My royalty statements from Publish America do NOT reflect any evidence of these kinds of transactions or where these other sellers obtained NEW copies of my works. Some mention that there might be "remainder" marks, which would indicate warehouse clearances of some kind. I suspect that PA or its printer Lightning Source is selling copies that I am not getting credit for. Attempts to find out from the booksellers where they obtained my books have been left unanswered. One reply I received from PA (from the usual anonymous person at support) said that these listings were "virtual listings" and that the booksellers did not actually have copies. Well, getting a copy of one of my books from PA usually takes close to a month, so there's no way the sellers could promise to send the book out in 1-3 days if they would have to wait almost a month just to get the book from the publisher or printer! Authors beware! Look on half.com and see if anyone is selling YOUR books!

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 2 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
2 comments
Add a comment
S
S
Smokie Brannaman
Greenleaf, US
Mar 15, 2011 2:57 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Count me in.. Another ripped off author.. My book was self published before signing with PA and sold over a 1000 copies. In 6 months PA has sold one not counting the ones I have purchased from their multiple emails asking me for money to promote it, list it on amazon, etc etc.. All for more money of course.. New authors please stay away from this rip off outfit.. Smokie Brannaman

C
C
CaptMark
Chester, US
Dec 21, 2010 2:45 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I, too, am a victim of their lies. They published my book in March of 2009. After sending me an email stating they had sold ZERO books, after my first six months, I complained. It was only then that I received a check from them for $170. I have not seen a check since. We need to compile a list of us that are experiencing this rip-off, pool our monies together, and take legal action. Please feel free to contact me captmark435@atlanticbb.net

ComplaintsBoard
R
9:26 pm EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

America Star Books / Publish America Fales advertising, marketing

I agree with Vanessa, I've been published with PublishAmerica since 12/2017. To make a long story short. I know a large amount of people who has purchased my book of poetry entitled Eyes through me. My proof came to me as a shock. I had a myspace account and a tagged account. I was amazed by the amount of e-mails which I was recieving was boosting my self-esteem greatly. I'm talking about people from the UK, Asia, local areas surrounding my home town. Friends and family members as well. My only question is. WHERE'S THE MONEY? I haven't been sent not one check. Dear reader, if you're looking to publish a book. PLEASE DO NOT DO IT WITH PUBLISHAMERICA. That company has messed with the wrong brother, because I stop at nothing. It's a shame that a company would name it's self after a great place and then play games with peoples lives. Or is this how America deals business?

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 5 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
5 comments
Add a comment
D
D
divinityawakend
tolland, US
Sep 03, 2010 11:37 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

To Whom it may concern,

I've been having many troubles with PublishAmerica since my book came out in April 2017. I've had these problems: mistakes in the text, failure to correct them appropriately or entirely, refusal to void my contract, and the latest: My book is unavailable to the public. Friends have been searching Amazon and B&N and ordering the book only to be told three weeks later that the book is unavailable and the order has to be canceled. The companies are obviously been told that the book is unavailable by PublishAmerica. It is clear that Publish America makes its money by selling books to its authors; every day there's a new gimmick in my email. My book was published with errors that their "editing department" injected, overpriced the book, and rendered unmarketable to the extent that no book store will stock it, and all on-line bookstores have dropped it from stock. No professional book reviewer will TOUCH a book published by them.This Publish on demand (POD) company has been misleading authors for years. They claim to be traditional publishers, which is a total LIE. This company has made bundles of money off new gullible authors by publishing their books and selling them back at discounted rates to the authors. They do no conduct any promotions or distributions, even if the authors facilitate it. The alleged promotions are paid for by the authors when they buy their own books. No one will actually ever know if these promotions have actually taken place. PA's representatives are only addressed by first name or anonymously as "Publish America support." It takes miracle for them to get back to you with the simplest question. Most book stores will not carry Publish America books, because they equate PA to any other self-publishing house or worse. It also takes over two months to receive a book after you order it from Publish America.
Their royalty statements are vague and inaccurate. You will never know how many books your book has sold, unless you hire a private investigator. They can basically do whatever they want. This is an unethical and integrity free company. You are better off being unpublished than being stuck with this alleged publisher. Review the innumerable complaints against this company on the internet. It is truly a publishing mill that will publish anything they receive. They actually have an electronic editor that will keep your book filled with mistakes. You better hire an editor before you approve your final transcript assuming that you will decide to go with this scandalous company. Ironically, their representatives are taught to defend their scams, and they pretend to have pride and ethics. Publish America is truly the biggest scam in publishing history! It's so big that many other scam artists have started their own POD publishing houses. Breech of contract is easy to prove. Please help me. TLK

Margaret Curry
Margaret Curry
Belfast, GB
Jul 14, 2010 2:39 pm EDT

PublishAmerica refused to accept VITAL changes to a book I have written and are insisting on publishing it without them. The reason the changes were vital was because the book deals with the 1920's when Ireland was partitioned and Ulster became six counties while Eire retained the other 26. There was a lot of violence at that time and some of it was depicted in the book but given the recent resurgence of violence here, in particular with the Real IRA, I thought that this needed to be toned down. I did that, I also deleted 4 blank pages but because these two incidents caused the page numbers to drop from 246 to 240 pages PublishAmerica refused to accept the changes. I have since discovered that this company does not actually employ Editors to check and proof-read. What a mickey mouse company it really is. I want to publicly disown the book, its called, "Ma's Secret", not the book written about the East End of London but the one about Belfast in the 1920's. If you should see it - which is unlikely - because something else I discovered is that the books are only sold by PA - don't buy it. Boycott the book. Pass it on. However, they only have the copyright for another 18months or so, then I will take it to a proper publishing house. I'm hoping this will serve as a timely warning to anyone else contemplating using PublishAmerica - DON'T DO IT - THEY'RE RUBBISH AND RUBBISH WHAT THEY PRINT - I SHOULD KNOW, THEY'RE PRINTING MY BOOK AND ITS NOT FIT FOR PUBLISHING!

J
J
jameshkenyon
Davie, US
Nov 17, 2010 8:11 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I too as many of other people out there have just realized what a scam company publishamerica is.
I see my books for sale in almost every online books store, but yet the company says it has sold 0 copies for the last two years. not only that, but after finding a copy in the local barn and noble, I saw it was not what I had approved, it is riddled with errors and typo's when I discused it with them, they were rude and told me straight up, they thought it was in marketable condition and would make no changes. Viset my website and sign the pitition to file a class action suite. that all we can do.

L
L
love me love my words2009
Fairfield, US
Jul 02, 2010 4:34 am EDT

i wrote a poetry book july 2017 called love me love my words isbn [protected] i signed a 7 yr contract with a agreement of every book sold i would get 16.95 per book and the only payment i received was a check for 7.55 and that everytime it comes around to royalties i dont get no royalties and my book is valued for more some book stores are selling it used for almost 250.00 per book used and new 16.95 www.buys.com is an example, www.amazon.com is another, the list is endless, its sold in 6 countries and i have not been properly compensated and they sent me a letter over 2 yrs ago asking me to accept 11.95 a book instead of 16.95 i told them see you in court, they are a scamming publisher and i havent received what is due me, and i want to know what i should do, my name is virginia sue le master, email address is kissingfrogs@fuse.net

View 0 more photos
M
M
Maggs3petts38
Belfast, GB
Jul 11, 2010 4:53 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

They scammed me too and I live in Northern Ireland! I had two books I was interested in getting published and searched the internet for a publisher. PublishAmerica didn't charge for publishing and although they didn't give Advances I thought well at least it won't cost anything to get published. So I signed up. I sent them two drafts of two different books and they were happy enough. Then I was very ill and the books were the last thing on my mind. I heard no more from them until about 3 wks ago. They emailed and told me they were going to publish the poetry book and I informed them that it was only a draft and not finished. After a LOT of arguing they finally agreed that I could make the necessary changes and they gave me a deadline. The same thing happened with the novel and they sent it back to me in PDF format ready for publishing and told me to make any changes. I did and sent it back and they refused to accept the version with the changes incorporated. They are publishing it with LOADS of mistakes in it against my wishes. I am now publicly denoucing the book and want nothing more to do with it. So DON'T buy, "Ma's Secret", by Margaret Curry.

ComplaintsBoard
G
12:57 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

America Star Books / Publish America Manuscript

My nonfiction book deals with childhood sexual abuse and is a serious work. Against my better judgement I signed with PA as I have an online Bookstore and I knew I could order copies and market the book myself, online.
My PROOFS just came in--emailed, of course. The manuscript they are printing is missing the final {2} chapters. They are ignoring my complaint and seem to think I will order the book the way it is.
Anyone with a similar issue is free to email me at [protected]@aol.com. I know they have had shady dealings in the past-.I saw one of their books, Intimate Terrorism (a nonfiction work on domestic abuse) and since it was an excellent book, I had hoped they were cleaning up their act. I am stunned that they would alter the book's ending and end it on page 91 with no resolution of the problem.

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 1 comment
Hide full review
1 comment
Add a comment
C
C
CaptMark
Chester, US
Dec 21, 2010 2:46 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I, too, am a victim of their lies. They published my book in March of 2009. After sending me an email stating they had sold ZERO books, after my first six months, I complained. It was only then that I received a check from them for $170. I have not seen a check since. We need to compile a list of us that are experiencing this rip-off, pool our monies together, and take legal action. Please feel free to contact me captmark435@atlanticbb.net

ComplaintsBoard
P
8:32 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

America Star Books / Publish America 7 year contract

Is there a publisher out there for a children's book (first time author) I submitted to Publish America and heard back from them in just a few days. They wanted to pay me one dollar, have me sign a 7 year contract and price the 13 page picture book at 24.95. I went on web and there are so many complaints about various companies. I am unsure what to do next.

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 3 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
3 comments
Add a comment
C
C
CaptMark
Chester, US
Dec 21, 2010 2:52 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I, too, am a victim of their lies. They published my book in March of 2009. After sending me an email stating they had sold ZERO books, after my first six months, I complained. It was only then that I received a check from them for $170. I have not seen a check since. We need to compile a list of us that are experiencing this rip-off, pool our monies together, and take legal action. Please feel free to contact me captmark435@atlanticbb.net

J
J
Jim Gilliam
Warwick, US
Sep 05, 2010 3:30 pm EDT

Here is my experience with PA. Jim Gilliam, Author, Point Deception

RE: 16 CFR Sect. 255 (2007); Sect. 5 of the FTC Act Prohibiting unfair and deceptive acts in commerce; USC Title 3--The President, E.O. 10214(quoted in pertinent part) (5) False pretense. With respect to obtaining property by false pretense, the false pretense may be made by means of any act, word, symbol, or token. A false pretense is a false representation of past or existing fact. In addition to other kinds of facts, the fact falsely represented by a person may be his power or authority to effect a certain result, his opinion, or his intention. Consequently, one who represents that he presently intends to perform a certain act in the future, but who at the time of his representation does not honestly intend to perform the act, makes a false representation of an existing fact--his intention--and thus a false pretense.

Paragraph 2. of the contract provides: "it is specifically understood and agreed, that the said volumes(s) will contain all manuscript pages as submitted by the Author . . ."

Based on this statement I have a reasonable expectation that integrity of my manuscript will be preserved, especially in view of the statement contained within the cover:
PublishAmerica has allowed this work to remain exactly as the author
intended, verbatim, without editorial input.
The e-copy submitted to me for my approval prior to publication was completely butchered, and of decidedly inferior quality, requiring forty eight pages of corrections. This is unacceptable and I do not approve this as the "final version of the manuscript" stipulated in paragraph 8. of the contract. Quoted in pertinent part: "8. Delivery and Advance: Author agrees to deliver to the Publisher the final version of the manuscript (hereinafter referred to as the "Completed Manuscript"), as an electronic file, within 15 days of the Effective Date. . . . After the Author's submission of the Completed Manuscript, no changes and/or corrections shall be made except to correct Publisher errors. . . ." A comparison of my manuscript (see attached) and the PublishAmerica manuscript (see attached) readily demonstrates the multitude of publisher errors.

Evidently I am not the first author to complain of PublishAmerica's substandard performance regarding manuscript integrity between what is submitted and what is printed. Accordingly, I submit the following string of self-explanatory e-mails:

Publish America email exchange
________________________________________
From: PublishAmerica Pre-Production Dept
Date: 9/8/2009 8:30:48 AM
To: championbd@aapt.net.au
Subject: Brian Daunter: Time Bandit: Text changes

Hi Brian,

As indicated in our cover letter when we
Submitted your book's proofs for your final
Review, in accordance with what you agreed to in
Your contract, no more changes can be made to a
Completed Manuscript, other than correcting
Publisher's errors, if any. The Completed
Manuscript is presumed to contain the voice and
The language precisely as the author means to express them.

The list you are now submitting contains changes
Of a different nature. Unfortunately, no such
Changes can be made at this point unless we
Interrupt our production process and withdraw
Manpower from already scheduled assignments. If
You insist on us making these changes anyway, we
Must charge you $99 for rescheduling text department assignments.

Please let us know how you would like us to
Proceed. If you opt for having the change
Implemented, we will call you for your credit card information.

Thanks,
Pre-Production
PublishAmerica

From: Brian /Richelle
Date: 9/17/2009 10:16:17 AM
To: theresa@publishamerica.com
Subject: Time Bandit Brian Daunter

Hi Theresa,
The errors are in the proofs; therefore unless they are corrected PA is in breach of contract and it is now null and void.
PA's response indicates the possibility of lack of due diligence or deliberate production of incorrect proofs. If the later is the case then the situation moves from civil contract law to criminal law.

Kind Regards,
Brian

From: Brian /Richelle
Date: 9/21/2009 6:30:36 PM
To: Lorettal@publishamerica.com; jeannetteg@publishamerica.com
Cc: kristineb@publishamerica.com
Subject: Brian Daunter Time Bandit

Because the prima facie evidence suggests that Publish America is attempting
To defraud with the intent to extort; I have had to refer the situation to
The Internet Crime Complaint Centre (ICCC). The ICCC is a partnership
Between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); National White Collar
Crime (NWCC) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The ICCC will
Assign the appropriate agency (FBI; BJA) to conduct the investigation.
Officers of Publish America (PA), such as yourself, as well as PA, are
Liable for prosecution if any criminal impropriety has been committed.
If as officers of PA, you consider that you have acted rightfully in a
Proper manner, and or unwittingly or coerced in to duplicity, then you are
Advised to contact the ICCC or FBI.

Kind Regards,

Dr. Brian Daunter

Then you produce it without my permission or contractual agreement (fraud; extortion)
I have forwarded your email to the ICCC.

-------Original Message-------

From: PublishAmerica Author Support
Date: 9/21/2009 7:51:22 AM
To: championbd@aapt.net.au
Subject: Brian Daunter: nonsense

Dear Brian Daunter:

Please explain how you have been defrauded, extorted, or otherwise
Maligned, not frivolously but convincingly. In the absence of such
Convincing explanation we will continue to produce your book as scheduled.

Thank you,

PublishAmerica Support
support@publishamerica.com

If any one has had or having similar experience with Publish America, contact ICCC
ic3.gov/default.aspx
________________________________________
Last edited by championbd; 09-28-2009 at 08:51 AM.

From the foregoing it would seem that I am in a similar situation to that related by Dr. Daunter.

Paragraph 13. of the contract provides in pertinent part: "The Author agrees to actively participate in promoting the sales of the said literary Work in his home town area and elsewhere, by making himself available to media interviews, book readings and/or signings, and other public sales promotion appearances." When I first made an inquiry regarding your, "too good to be true" advertisement on the Author's Den website I informed you that I was leaving my previous publisher because I could not afford their fees to promote my book. You assured me that you did not want my money only my book. I have just now retired after 28 years of service to my country first in the Coast Guard, then the Army, and finally the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command. Therefore, I am on a fixed income that has been further complicated by the total destruction of my home by fire on 10 March 2010, and cannot afford to spend any money to promote my book, nor can I afford to buy any of my books from you at any price.

The Restatement of (Second) of Contracts states in Section 153 ("Where a mistake of one party at the time a contract was made as to a basic assumption on which he made the contract has a material effect on the agreed exchange of performances that is adverse to him, the contract is voidable by him if he does not bear the risk of the mistake under the rule stated in Section 154, and (a) the effect of the mistake is such that enforcement of the contract would be unconscionable, or (b) the other party had reason to know of the mistake or his fault caused the mistake.")

Since PublishAmerica advertises openly on the Author's Den I had every expectation that PublishAmerica was a "traditional" publishing house as depicted in their ad and that they adhered to the highest ethical standards of the publishing industry as also promised in their e-literature. Imagine my chagrin when I discovered that PublishAmerica has been ripping authors off for years. Having just made that discovery after signing the contract I hereby declare that it is unconscionable, as set forth in Section 154(a) that I would have signed the contract had I been aware of PublishAmerica's reputation prior to that signing. Therefore, the contract is void by reason of mistake.

Section 153 changes the traditional doctrine stated in the original Restatement in
two ways. First, a unilateral mistake can render a contract voidable if "enforcement of [such] contract would be unconscionable" whether or not the nonmistaken party had a duty of disclosure. Second, a unilateral mistake can render a contract voidable if the nonmistaken party had "reason to know of the mistake, " even if he or she did not have actual knowledge of the mistake. Of eighty-nine cases from the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Claims Court and Court of Federal Claims, and other federal courts within every circuit but the First Circuit and Federal Circuit and from local courts in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Colombia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, MARYLAND and thirteen other states none of them rejected Section 153 or cited it in a negative manner. Accordingly, should it become necessary to litigate my contract with PublishAmerica in either federal court or Maryland state court my assertion that the contract is void for reasons of mistake and unconscionability would most likely prevail.

I will send this e-mail notice of termination of this contract to you via certified mail return receipt requested No. [protected] as required by paragraph 25. of the contract dealing with termination. The one dollar ($1) advance tendered by PublishAmerica to me will be returned to you in the same envelope.

By return certified mail you will send me written notification of your understanding that the contract between Author JAMES WILLIAM GILLIAM, II and Publisher PUBLISHAMERICA has been terminated.

James W. Gilliam
Author, Point Deception

J
J
jlhooker888
kalamazoo, US
Sep 20, 2009 8:04 pm EDT

i submitted to them also and heard from them by e-mail and a=got the contract in my e-mail. I was happy at first but now since reallly reading the contract and seeing all these complaint i am very leary of them. I don't think i will sign i have a copyright on my title and story though.

ComplaintsBoard
A
10:39 am EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

America Star Books / Publish America Scam and cheating

I would like to make known my bad experience with publish america. I am a new author and didn't suspect that I would be taken in by an unscrupulous publisher. They published my manuscript, a novel called, 'Familiar Stranger.' The promises they made regarding distribution of my novel are, it appears, dishonest.

I order 200 copies of my novel for which I paid the shipping as well as the cost of the books. They shorted me 50 copies on the order and refuse to correct their error.

They should not be allowed to deal with the public. It appears that they are, at best, scam artists. I hope a class action suit to set things right and pay damages can be raised. This company should not be allowed to operate!

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 4 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
4 comments
Add a comment
R
R
Ray H. Parker
NC Sunbury, US
Apr 01, 2024 1:35 pm EDT

Publish America published a book entitled "Tag the Tailless Reindeer" for me in 2009. The book is currently available on Amason. How would I find out if the book paid any royalties and if so, why have I not received any pay out from the book?

S
S
Steve Fernback
US
Jan 17, 2023 3:32 am EST

Fortune Cookie Wisdom 2005

Any luck?

Stephen Fernbach

FERNBACHS@AOL.COM

A
A
afreen Siddiqui
SA
Mar 07, 2020 4:54 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This is to inform you that though my book is available on many online web stores, the publishing company had failed to give me my royalty once.
Author
Afrin siddiqui

Margaret Curry
Margaret Curry
Belfast, GB
Jul 14, 2010 2:43 pm EDT

I agree with your comments they scammed me too. I have contacted the DA's Offce in Baltimore and asked them to investigate this mickey mouse (sorry mickey) publishing company. Q: What publishing house doesn't employ Editors to proof read the literature they receive? A: PUBLISHAMERICA

My advice - contact the DA's Office in Baltimore - the more complaints they have the more likely they are to investigate this CRAP publisher.

The DA's Office in Baltimore can be contacted via email - check it out!

ComplaintsBoard
V
12:20 pm EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

In 2007 I contacted publish america with regard to publishing my poetry books. After looking one book over they sent me a 7 year contract that would automatically renew for another 7 years. I couldn't alter the contract to my specifications so I emaiiled them informing them that after the 1st 7 years the contract is to end. When proofreading got a hold of...

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 71 comments
ComplaintsBoard
B
11:01 pm EDT
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

$1064.97 is what I paid for very poor quality books. In light of the lack of quality in the printing and in considering the abnormally high price of the books, I got ripped off! PA is in breach of the contract. They have breached the contract in the following ways: FIRSTLY, for failing to produce “attractive and substantial-looking” copies of the book...

Read full review of America Star Books / Publish America and 15 comments

America Star Books / Publish America Reviews 0

Looks like America Star Books / Publish America has no reviews yet.
Write a review
Subscribe to receive notifications of all new customer feedback

If you represent America Star Books / Publish America, take charge of your business profile by claiming it and stay informed about any new reviews or complaints submitted.

👉 Claim your business

Overview of America Star Books / Publish America complaint handling

America Star Books / Publish America reviews first appeared on Complaints Board on Oct 25, 2008. The latest review Publishing contract for angoleth's hair and angoleth's sacrifice was posted on Sep 19, 2023. The latest complaint Over priced books was resolved on Jun 24, 2012. America Star Books / Publish America has an average consumer rating of 2 stars from 39 reviews. America Star Books / Publish America has resolved 14 complaints.
Trust badge
Collect Your Trust Badge
Be recognized for outstanding customer service
  1. America Star Books / Publish America Contacts

  2. America Star Books / Publish America phone numbers
    +1 (301) 228-3853
    +1 (301) 228-3853
    Click up if you have successfully reached America Star Books / Publish America by calling +1 (301) 228-3853 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached America Star Books / Publish America by calling +1 (301) 228-3853 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached America Star Books / Publish America by calling +1 (301) 228-3853 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached America Star Books / Publish America by calling +1 (301) 228-3853 phone number
    Author Support Team
  3. America Star Books / Publish America emails
  4. America Star Books / Publish America address
    P.O. Box 151, Frederick, Maryland, 21705, United States
  5. America Star Books / Publish America social media
  6. Jenny
    Checked and verified by Jenny This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn more
    Jun 13, 2024
America Star Books / Publish America Category
America Star Books / Publish America is ranked 148 among 175 companies in the Books and Magazines category

Most discussed America Star Books / Publish America complaints

Scam and cheating
1
(opinions to this review)

Our Commitment

We stand for unbiased reviews

We make sure all complaints and reviews are from real people sharing genuine experiences.

We help resolving issues

We offer easy tools for businesses and reviewers to solve issues together. Learn how it works.

We advocate freedom of speech

We support and promote the right for reviewers to express their opinions and ideas freely without censorship or restrictions, as long as it's respectful and within our Terms and Conditions, of course ;)

We ensure transparent and fair ratings

Our rating system is open and honest, ensuring unbiased evaluations for all businesses on the platform. Learn more.

We care about your privacy

Personal details of reviewers are strictly confidential and hidden from everyone.

We are easy, free and open to everyone

Our website is designed to be user-friendly, accessible, and absolutely free for everyone to use.