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AuthorHouse Complaints 107

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7:54 am EDT
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AuthorHouse fraud alert

I have a children's book that I got published through authorhouse so I could show it to my mother (the Author) just before she died so she could be proud. I found it in the attic after 40 yrs based on a true story. She was a very well known artist. So I am now getting a $2.38 check every 2nd quarter. But I know thousands of the book has been sold. So I contacted the printers, They were going to tell me how many they printed (Lightning Source) And then called back and Authorhouse told them not to tell me?so they wouldn't let me know. It is bad enough that they are ripping us off like this but to a dieing mother, that I was trying to make her feel proud before she went to see God.That is unbelievable.Several websites keep being sold out according to what they tell me, so it could be in the 10's of thousands easily.

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Sam K
US
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Feb 29, 2016 9:04 pm EST

I forgot to add - I've apparently sold no copies, only ones I bought myself with... one exception.

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Sam K
US
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Feb 29, 2016 9:01 pm EST

I've been with AH since '05... I'm running an ad on Bing/Yahoo, Ive had 969 clicks on the ad and 18 conversions (clicks on "buy book") since May. I am very surprised and I hope the FTC checks them out... If they are doing nothing wrong, they have nothing to lose. I do not want to publish with someone else...

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Lesliema
Owings Mills, US
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Sep 03, 2010 1:56 pm EDT

Hi,
This is to the Author House consultant, print on demand has nothing to do with not understanding the process. I understand the process of print on demand, but what I will say is that author house charges me $8.70 or more to purchase a copy of my book but I researched printing companies along with ingram and it only cost $1.50 to $3.50 to print a book so why is Authour Housemaking all of the money from my hard work. They are not doing anything but ordering the book, they are not printing the book. I have also seen my book on Amazon.com being sold by individuals as used or new and when I asked Author House about it they said that can't be possible. I am located in Maryland and I will be doing more research on this and getting the Attorney General involved. If anyone is interested in doing so contact me at lcexposedbooks@yahoo.com

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Leslie Tribolet
Prin, US
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Aug 01, 2010 11:52 am EDT

The Better Business Bureau is a joke. I sold advertising for their yellow page book in Houston back in the early 80's and we were allowed to sell ads to massage parlors... yep, hookers. Who cares what the BBB says.

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John-Hassan Jor'dan
calumet park, US
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Jul 07, 2010 3:24 am EDT

I've just finished production of my book through authorhouse, i submitted a retail price of $19.95. I visited Authorhouse store and saw the book on sale for $5.80, as i proceeded to make a purchase, it changed to $8.70. they want to sell my book for what ever price they choose and give me .40 cents per book. thats like selling out the back door! they claim they can't change the price, the few minutes i was on site the price changedright be for my eyes.

will contact K.Gray, pr manager

"I'll be back"!

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Wes Leroy
US
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May 29, 2010 10:02 pm EDT
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April,

A lot of authors complain on here about AuthorHouse because they're simply misinformed on how print-on-demand self-publishing works. My 2 bits of advice would be to have your Publishing Consultant at AuthorHouse explain the process thoroughly so you don't go in with unreal expectations, etc.

Also, check out AuthorHouse on the Better Business Bureau. We're rated an A+ with under 200 complaints over the last 3 years. Over that same period of time, we've published over 25, 000 titles. You tell me...200 complaints divided by 25, 000 titles...less than 1% unsatisfied authors...could we be the largest, most experienced and most successful self-publisher in the world if we are truly the way we're portrayed by many misinformed authors?

All the best,

Wes LeRoy
Publishing Consultant
AuthorHouse

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Apra D.
US
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May 12, 2010 11:15 pm EDT

Hi Yall,

I was just reading the reviews on Author House book publishing company. I am in the process of finishing my manuscript to submit to them. However, I have not paid any money to them yet or signed a contract. I am just double checking everything about them before I do anything.

But from the complaints I'm reading here, I strongly should not deal with this publishing company. Please advise me somebody...

Email: aprilsmail2@yahoo.com

Thanks.
Apra D. 05/13/10

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RISKI RAT
Lowell, US
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Feb 09, 2010 2:29 pm EST

WHAT CAN WE DO AS PUBLISHERS?
COULD WE NOT ALL JUST BAND TOGETHER AND SPLIT A CLASS ACTION SUIT? NOT TO MENTION FRAUD CHARGES?
MY E-MAIL IS RISKIRAT@ATT.NET PLEASE LETS FIGHT THESE PEOPLE AND SHOW THEM THAT THEY CANNOT GET BY WITH THIS!

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Angee
CA
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Dec 18, 2009 7:57 pm EST

I published a Self Help, Only 4 Good, Dec. 2005, Angee.
I sold a few books to my friends, didn't have money for advertising, and after a year of POD, my contract with Authorhouse was over. Now, in 2009, I see my book advertised all over the world, lots in India, even a few on ebay... even in different languages... I never said it was ok to print my book in another language... furthermore, I have received no money from Authorhouse, other than a few hundred pennies in 2006 in royalties... *****If this has happened to anyone else, please contact me at plainandsimples@live.ca, thanks so much, :)'s.

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V.R. Peterson
Saint Leo, US
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Nov 08, 2009 1:23 pm EST

Kamber Edelsen of Chicago is interested in class action law suit against Author House, very successful firm, contact them

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MichelleH46
US
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Sep 10, 2024 4:10 pm EDT

I would be interested. I helped publish my Dad's book of poems(at least his 4th one) he's deceased. I've received one check from them. I'm also interested in possibly getting my own work published. No one answers.

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I wrote shacking up 40 reasons why not to and it can be found on Dr. Laura Schlessingers "reading corner" she has 10 million listeners a day and I haven't seen a dime in the last three years...oh Im sorry they just sent a check for $1.28. These people need to be prosecuted for stealing royalties from writers...I've asked a few lawyers and they don't want to...

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12:04 pm EDT
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AuthorHouse authorhouse — self-publishing rip off

AuthorHouse is a rip off. It makes all its money off it authors, not sales to readers. It makes money off the author during the publishing process, and it makes most of the money when the book is sold. I have a paperback book with AuthorHouse that sells for $20, no photos, just text. I earn about a dollar per book.

The problem is because AuthorHouse makes so much money from production that the books are priced beyond what customers will pay for them, so the books don't sell. But AuthorHouse doesn't care because it makes its money from the author, from high production profits and sales to the author. Also, AuthorHouse keeps the rights to the final PDF format of the book and the cover art--though I selected the designs for my books. Thus if you want to go to a different publisher, you have to start the process all over again.

I published three books with AuthorHouse for over $10, 000 (much more if the costs of the books I bought is included) and have earned about a $100--that right one hundred dollars. Why did I do so? Because I was uninformed and just assumed self-published authors can't expect to make money. Then I read Mark Levne's The Fine Print of Self-Publishing. I'm not being paid to plug his book, but I do feel an obligation to Mr. Levine for preventing me from making the same mistake again. I was totally depressed when I read that AuthorHouse falls into his PUBLISHERS TO AVOID category and wished I had read his book years, but it wasn't available then.

If you are an author who is about to self-publish your book, first read Levine's book. I bought it used on Amazon.com.

Good Luck.

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R.D.Brawn
US
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Aug 26, 2013 11:07 am EDT
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I also published with Authorhouse with the draw of special offers for publishing my books, three in all, until I realised that the only sales made where ones I made, I soon put a stop to that. I also paid £500 pounds to go onto the Hollywood data base, and a advert in Writers Forum though I doubt if anything will happen from either. I have now removed my books and am listing them directly onto Amazon. I have also been introduced to a book printing firm where I can get 25 books for £4.50 each (it depends on the number of pages) post paid, whereas to buy from Authorhouse I also had to pay postage making each book over £12 each.

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ryan walker
Manchester, GB
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Jul 15, 2013 2:30 am EDT

I'm British, and a person called Marie Castro has contacted me via yahoo.co.uk saying she works for Authorhouse.co.uk and claims can help publish my book even on a half-a-grand (£) budget. Up until I read all this rip-off stuff I assumed she/he was British herself (as we also have a company with this name), then I read under her sign-off the words 'bloomington' and IA (which I'm sure is short for Indiana). The weird thing is I actually contacted Authorhouse UK a few years back, which means this is probably how she/he has spotted my contact details.
Surely, the site of the same name in Britain can't also be as bad? Or am I just being naïve?

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UpsetWriter
Jackson, US
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Nov 19, 2011 5:54 am EST
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I agree that publishers are banking in on writers who self-publish. You live and learn. The good thing is that the lesson is learned by most people who complained.

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Lounett Holloway
Syracuse, US
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Aug 11, 2011 4:45 pm EDT

Thanks for the complaints about the self-publishing companies I had already read that iunverse and trafford were brought by Author olutions. I think everyone should read this blog before self-publishing.

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New_author
US
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Feb 02, 2011 4:13 pm EST

OMG! i am soo glad i read this thread, i just talked to someone from authorhouse and he really sold me on their packages. I'm glad i saw this before signing on the dotted line. Thanks for the warning guys.

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Lisa Vaughn
Stonewall, US
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Feb 11, 2010 7:54 pm EST
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Thank you so much! I was about to sign with them and thought I better check them out first. But they have so many books in the major bookstores, so I thought they couldn't be that bad.
Lisa Vaughn
Please check out my book at http://www.itsoktobedifferent.com

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BRP
Phoenix, US
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Jul 10, 2009 6:30 pm EDT

Author House merged with iUniverse and one of the reasons I chose iUniverse was fewer complaints and nothing serious that I could find, compared to some publishers. I didn't know then that they'd eventually become Author House which had serious problems. If I knew I would never have chosen them. Older complaints about Author House indicate their sleazy tactics have become the M.O. of iUniverse. I would not use them again nor recommend them to anyone.

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AuthorHouse ripped me off

I paid them $2300. to self publish a book and I find out that I'm getting little in royalties from my own book. I could understnad if they published that wihtout money from me. But I gave them ALOT for nothing in return. They said I approved only getting less than 2.00 a book, they also said I approved 22.00 onAmazon and Barnes and NOble. but when I got the price sheet. I was told 13.00 for my hard cover book, and 8 for my soft cover. I would have never approved such a thing. I was scammed!
They hope I come back and have a second book published. Oh the bonuses I will get they say. Places like Amazon.com, and barnes and Noble are profiting big off the book I paid so much to get published. They have quite a raquet going and probably will never get caught. I heard that they are cheating the IRS too, They know how to write things and do things that looks legal and up front. I hope they fall.

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mfstout
Chicago, US
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Aug 26, 2013 9:51 pm EDT

Authorhouse sucks. Their printers can't print a book cover without scuff marks and scratches. Their book sales people will quote Authorhouse authors huge prices that are above retail, and then when challenged they will claim they looked at the wrong number and then quote the correct 'author member' cost for printing books. They re bad news. Stay as far away from them as you can. There are plenty of legitimate self-publishing companies out there. I would use any one of them over Authorhouse.

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tonyma40
Southfield, US
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Oct 06, 2011 12:50 am EDT

tonyma
Run from Authorhouse as fast as you can! They sold me an marketing package for a 1.000 dollars with absolutely with no results.

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Lip Gloss Girl
Tempe, US
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May 17, 2011 11:20 pm EDT

Has any author recently signed a book contract with positive results with Author House? I am currently deciding which self publishing company to work with. Any advice? Also, does anyone have any recommendations for a company that actually delivers what they promise, and what you paid for? Please help!

Lip Gloss Girl

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24/7
Green Bay, US
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Nov 26, 2010 8:18 pm EST

Risk 84,
I just have 1 question, are they keeping royalties from authors?

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larry-vance
Pleasanton, US
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May 06, 2010 9:40 am EDT

Note to 'real people' re previous post. You said

>> This is a preditory company and it prays of the dreams of hard working people.

If you really were an executive with this company, no wonder there are issues. Three misspellings in a single sentence. Let us hope you don't also fashion yourself a writer.

Yes, authorhouse nickels and dimes you for all you're worth if you give them your book. It's what they do and from what I see, they aren't trying to tell you otherwise. 99.9% of the books they publish suck. That's why they weren't published by a respectable house in the first place and why they don't sell.

If you open a store on a desolate road and sell cheap crap and nobody comes in and buys anything, would you sue the guy who built the building? The one who put up your sign? You seem to be saying that lots of people are driving by, so you must be selling something. Your vendors must be ripping you off.

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oldnewsguy
Indianapolis, US
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Apr 15, 2010 12:11 am EDT

ATTENTION: AuthorHouse, Trafford, ExLibris, IUniverse and several others are not all THE SAME COMPANY. They are based in Bloomington, Indinaa. STAY AWAY.

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real people
Bloomington, US
Send a message
Apr 03, 2010 3:56 pm EDT

AUTHOR SOLUTIONS FRAUD
Customers beware….!
Investors Beware….!

This is a preditory company and it prays of the dreams of hard working people.

As a former executive with this company, I can tell you that the "current" business model is an absolute joke. Not to mention that this is a customer rip-off of intergalactic proportions. The (CEO) Kevin Weiss has been under legal / ethical scrutiny before, and must be smoking crack when he dreamt up this forecasting plan for 2010.

Try Googling "Kevin Weiss Fraud" and see what you read...oh sure he wasn't "convicted"...

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TheGreatAuthor
Stateline, US
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Mar 19, 2010 1:40 pm EDT

Maybe your book is not selling well that's why you dont have royalty. Why dont you try to have your book reviewed by professionals if you need something to fix it.

I published my book from author house and have no problem. My book sales is great.

I know, good for me. I hope you have a great book same as mine.

Good luck!

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SmarterThanYou
PH
Send a message
Mar 17, 2010 7:16 pm EDT

TO TODD LIDDICOAT:

How were you scammed? How were you lied to? How were you misinformed?

Most important question of all, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT AUTHORHOUSE TO DO FOR YOU? Do you really understand how they do things? Do you even know the difference between SELF-PUBLISHING & TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING? This is where people usually get disappointed because they assume things too much and they don't ask outright. I'm not saying that everything is your fault because the consultant that you talked to might not have explained things properly and gave you a wrong idea. He or she may have painted a really good picture about how much you can get if you publish with them.

The thing here is that self-publishers help authors get published, not sell their books. They can help you sell books through marketing but that also depends on the book--whether the book has quality or not. Because even if the book is packaged in the best way possible but the book sucks or doesn't make sense, why would people buy it, right?

Think people.

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big fraud
Henderson, US
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Nov 08, 2009 5:38 pm EST

Everything is true about Author House. I published my book with them. It went live in November, 2008. Author House is stealing my royaltie's. Amazon. Com., Ingram's, ISBN agency and other co -conspirator's are involved. The Attorney General in Indiana has tons of complaints against Author House. I pray that the Feds get Author House and everyone that is involved for tax fraud against the IRS. It's coming. I can feel it.

I have signed a retainer with a class action law firm in Chicago against Author House. This law firm would like to hear from you.
Call the Kamber Edelson law firm in Chicago. Ask for Michael Aschenbrener at [protected]. He will send you an retainer to sign at no cost to you. It is a contingency.

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This publishing company is awful. Not only do they sike you out, they send you a finish product and that's it! Where's the money from the sales? I know i've sold plenty of books and I was sitting at # 1 for sometime... where's my money??? Stay away from this place or you'll be searching for a good lawyer like me!

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AuthorHouse terrible experience

Got my book 'published with Author House'. FINALLY!? Thought and asked several times was $799 going to be my final price, with out any printed books of course (those are priced according # in one production run). I was told 'yes, thats all it takes for the production). Got just hammered by another sales/marketing man, Convinced me, that I had to have this, that, and these promotional items. Newspaper adds, etc... I bought in to way more than what I bargained for. For the almost 6, 000 my 'marketing rep said it was a GREAT plan'. I sold more books self-promoting and doing my OWN book signs, than I did on the 6, 000 'investment'.

I wont even start about the pains of working with their publishing consultants, or their production team? ehhh... Nightmare and they stuck me with more production charges(on a finished script, already professionally edited...

Nickel and dime you to death, thats all they do. Book quality was OK; however, follow up and ordering books, is still a f'n pain. Was going to do book two with them, but even with the 'discount' the headaches alone drove me to another publisher(self). Be careful out there as well in the Self Pub arena, Author Solutions(the parent company to Author House), owns a great deal of the industry. From word of mouth its just the same repackaged junk.

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Nikki M Kelly
US
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Mar 16, 2024 8:25 pm EDT
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I have been working with this company for almost 2 years and have gotten little to nothing accomplished. I have paid for services that I have yet to receive, and have been contacting them for months about web page issues. They are rude, pushy and out for only your money. I have not seen any royalties and I know I have many books that have sold.

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Terry19782024
Atlanta, US
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Feb 07, 2024 5:12 pm EST
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Same here. Blueprints Poetry for Life I published in 2012. No royalties ever with many copies sold.

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Dawn Erin
US
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Apr 10, 2023 7:04 am EDT
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I self published my first novel The Iron Horse with AuthorHouse in 2011. My book has only sold modestly but I haven't seen a royalty check in many years from them. I wish I knew sooner that a class action suit was available!

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Bunko
Chicago, US
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Apr 02, 2023 9:24 am EDT

AuthorHouse is 'SCAMMING' authors of their royalties! Contact me if you are an author with AuthorHouse publishing company. I am initiating a class action lawsuit against them. Contact P. D. Shackelford at bearafun@yahoo.com

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Bunko
Chicago, US
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Apr 03, 2023 2:36 am EDT

Authorhouse is scamming authors out of their royalties. Contact me for class action lawsuit. bearafun@yahoo.com

P.D. Shackelford

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Gary W. Emas
US
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Oct 07, 2019 4:34 pm EDT
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I was ripped off from day I I lost hundred thousands of dollars. They took all the money and gave me royalties of 3.50, in which I will never receive.I talked to President of company out of New York. He told me to sue him. THE most state of IN would give is the amount I paid. Then they wanted 10, 000 top promoter and they didn't, after I refused.

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R.thomas1
Pittsburgh, US
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Jul 02, 2014 2:59 pm EDT

Also watch out for the extend of the license you give to AuthorHouse because your novel might get distributed in e-book without your approval,

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Michella
GB
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May 20, 2013 5:39 am EDT

I published my book, Flat Pack Kids, over three years ago.
I spent a £1000 and saw little for it. And to this day, I have never received a royalty cheque (for sold copies accounted for). This company has caused me so much heartache and great financial loss, including bills for the hundreds of call I have had to make. Sometimes it has taken me a couple of months to receive news/correspondence about my concern. I cancelled my book with them in February, but one can still order it from various sites...? So who is printing it and who is getting the money?
I would advise anybody to not sign with them and to warn other authors about this company.

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Pat Dalton-Graham
Garnett, US
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Oct 31, 2012 1:59 am EDT
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After reading these complaints it's clear to me that we all are suffering the same issues. One other issue they promised was to give me my age in free books. Then after printing they reneged and said they didn't say that. I argued over and over that they most definitely did. I had it in my notes. They refused to give me a written contract even after my lawyer talked to them. Not their practice. I finally did get the total amount of free books because my lawyer went to the top. They refused to give advice like what color should I use for the book's cover? They can't even tell me what's the best color to attract buyers. We went around and around on this one. I wanted advice to sell my books. But oh no, can't do that. That's must be my decision alone. Same with the pricing of the books. Can'thelp me with that either. Geez, what are they there for but to give problems?

EmilySuess
EmilySuess
Indianapolis, US
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Jun 14, 2012 4:47 pm EDT
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I interviews authors who've had trouble with the companies owned by Author Solutions on my blog Suess's Pieces. If you're interested in sharing some more details, I'd like to tell your story so that other writers will know to steer clear of these scammers.
Emily Suess
blog.emilysuess.com

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3:26 pm EST
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AuthorHouse fraud

I'm writing this not only for myself, but for the thousand of published authors who have been fraudulently delt with but 1st books, now Authorhouse. There is no doubt in my mind that this company has been pocketing royalties that rightly belong to only god knows how many authors published by them.

I have one question. I only ask you as the reader to use your own logic. What are the chances of any product, whether it's good or bad. A product that's being advertised on at least fifteen, probably more like thirty web sites. Web sites in the United States and in the UK, of never being purchased by anyone, at least once? If you take a few minutes and check out a number of web sites on AOL and Yahoo. You will find some very interesting reading.

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Update by david robinson
Aug 07, 2010 9:28 pm EDT

According to Mr. Leroy, the professional. Everyone with a complaint against his beloved Publisher's Clearing House, excuse me, Authohouse, is lying or just doesn't get it. For all you people out there who don't understand the intricate workings of this company. I suggest you check out the numerous websites having to do with authors. The vast majority, if not all, say that Authorhouse is a company you should steer clear of.

PS. To Mr. Leroy, prisons in this country are full of professionals.

Update by david robinson
May 17, 2010 1:37 am EDT

We can go on and on with this. But Authorhouse has a long history that supports my position. You work for these scam artists. So, no matter what I and hundreds if not thousands of others say. You're right and we're all wrong. Eventually, your actions will catch up with you.Then once again, Authorhouse will have to change its name or buy another on demand company. So they can continue screwing the people who trusted them. I, like all who have been taken by you and your partners in crime, will never do business with you again, or recommend Authorhouse to anyone. The more you keep stating your case only continues to build a stronger and larger case against Authorhouse. One more point of interest. I received an email a few weeks ago from someone else you ripped off. She said that the Indiana state attorney general's office has at least fifty complaints against Authorhouse but refuses to act. True or not? I' wouldn't be surprised if it were. I'm done replying to your pro Authorhouse crap. I and thousands of others know what you are. Here's hoping you receive all the bad fortune you and your partners truly deserve. If this country had a just legal system. Authorhouse and companies like them, would be out of business and a few individuals would be serving prison terms. But then again, look at Publishers Clearing House. Just another scam that has been allowed to continue. You guys should get together each year and have a convention. END OF STORY.

PS. And don't give me that what did I add for my royalty crap. During my last conversation with Authorhouse I asked the guy I was talking to what would be acceptable. I added what he recommended. You can go on and on with your untruths. Why not leave Authorhouse and go into politics. You'd fit in nicely

Update by david robinson
Apr 14, 2010 8:53 pm EDT

Unfortunately, I had a book published by Authorhouse. They told me I could set the retail price. The print cost per book was $6.50 each. I wanted $2.00 in royalty per book. The book should have retailed for $8.50. Authorhouse retailed it for $14 plus dollars, each. Because of the length of the book. Their fraudulantly exagerated retail placed the book far above what the average person would pay for it. Even so, copies were sold. and the royalties? WHAT ROYALTIES? STAY AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE. IF YOU CAN'T GET A PUBLISHER TO PICK UP YOUR MANUSCRIPT AND STILL WANT IT PUBLISHED. FIND A REPUTABLE PRINTING COMPANY, COME TO AN AGREEMENT. HAVE THEM PUBLISH IT. PURCHASE YOUR BOOK IN VOLUME. THEN GO AROUND TO EVERY BOOK STORE IN YOUR AREA AND ASK THEM TO HANDLE IT. FORGET AUTHORHOUSE. AND FORGET ABOUT HAVING CONSUMER PROTECTION, FAIR TRADE COMMISSION OR ANY ATTORNY GENERAL'S OFFICE GOING AFTER THEM. THESE ORGANIZATIONS AND ATT: GEN'S ARE NOW IN THE BUSINESS OF PROTECTING THOSE WHO PREY ON THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

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bjlconcerned
Boise, US
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Feb 27, 2013 12:01 pm EST
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It's interesting that self-pubishing companies like Authorhouse have no accountability with quarterly royalty checks to their authors? By this I mean their quarterly statement never includes the breakdown of sales from Amazon or other on-line book companies. Any company conducting this kind of nebulous reporting would be investigated, yet these self-publishing companies continue their scam on unsuspecting authors. Worse, many publishing companies hide international sales. Why isn't this investigated? How do we know that large amounts aren't being skimmed from the author? We don't. This is what Authorhouse tells their authors on their FAQ board:
"Unfortunately, due to privacy reasons, we cannot share this information. On your royalty statement, you will see how many of your books were sold through the retail channel and how many were sold through AuthorHouse." So what's with the "privacy reason" for not reporting all sources of sales? Isn't time authors take a stand and say I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore?

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books
Patchogue, US
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Jul 27, 2016 7:49 am EDT

I had two books published with this company and the books are doing good but i have never received any royalties, they keep saying the books are not saeeling.

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Launa Jean Ellison
Minneapolis, US
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May 21, 2010 7:38 am EDT

I paid authorhouse $1, 082.43 and they did nothing! I sure would like that money back.

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MissPissedOff
Rockaway, US
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Aug 31, 2010 8:20 am EDT

I have spent well over $4, 000.00 with this company and for what!? They get your hopes and dreams up and DOES NOT DELIVER. Not only do I feel as they have ripped me off for the over all price for the quality of work but also for the "one on one author support" but they are also ripping me off for my royalties. And Im suppose to OWN the rights to my work! YEA RITE! My attorney is looking in to that as we speak! PS The Rapid Release Program is a bunch of BS. Keep your $500 in your pocket.

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DarrenHogan
LV
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Dec 17, 2010 8:53 pm EST
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AuthorHouse formerly 1st Books, is a notorious vanity publisher. This company is a bogus scam and was found guilty by a US circuit judge in 2006 of committing fraud. Do not give this company your money, they have bad distribution, bad management, bad customer service and, as the Publishers Weekly article shows below, AuthorHouse is completely corrupt.

Publishers Weekly Article:
AuthorHouse Ordered to Pay Up
by Claire Kirch, PW Daily — 8/8/2006

The Kansas district judge presiding over the defamation lawsuit brought by romance writer Rebecca Brandewyne against AuthorHouse ordered Friday that the POD subsidy publisher pay Brandewyne $200, 000 in punitive damages. Brandewyne’s co-plaintiffs in the suit, her parents, also were awarded punitive damages of $20, 000 each.

This past May, a Wichita jury found AuthorHouse guilty of publishing a book, Paperback Poison, in November 2003 by Brandewyne’s ex-husband that libeled her. The jury awarded Brandewyne $230, 000 in actual damages (PW Daily, May 16).

In his 14-page decision, Judge Jeff Goering asserted that AuthorHouse ‘acted towards the plaintiffs with wanton conduct, ’ in publishing Paperback Poison, despite the fact that Gary Brock, the book’s author, had informed AuthorHouse during contract negotiations that iUniverse had rejected the manuscript on the grounds of possible libelous content.

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Janet Horton
Lake City, US
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Mar 07, 2013 12:56 pm EST
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From experience, and as a publishing consultant, I can tell you there is almost NEVER a reason to go with a publish-on-demand or vanity publishing company. They either get your money up front with no way of knowing if there is any return on your investment, or they get your money in royalties with no evidence of a return on your investment. You even lose on your royalties by the time bookstores and Amazon like places pound their royalties and commissions out of you. The only people who benefit are the publishing companies and lawyers. Where there is a breach by the publisher, yes you can almost always get out of the contract by taking your complaint public and to the social networks. You are entitled to a financial accountability, the print ready file - unless you signed away your ownership rights, then you own nothing; and the distribution and listings should be yanked from all places claiming commissions and royalties under the name of the publisher.

For the unestablished, and sometimes to an established, author the world of publishing is intimidating, confusing and overwhelming. There are a multitude of different types of publishing houses and sources in which to use. Which is right for you? What happens when you go with a less than honorable vanity or print on demand publisher? What steps are involved in the writing, printing, publishing, distribution and marketing of a book? How does an author proceed safely with their dream? How does an author determine what is the best course of action for their book? As an author, writer and publishing consultant my goal is to help the author determine what their best course of action is and sometimes how to undo a bad choice and how to start over. www.janethorton.net

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Ann_Anomy
Vancouver, CA
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Jun 20, 2012 12:19 am EDT

Hi, my name is Ann and I’m a new out of the closet writer that finds your topic very interesting! I actually created a blog reviewing some of the popular Self-Publishing Companies. You should take a look at my site at http://anonymousann.blogspot.com/. You might find some interesting information on my site. If you wish to add anything that is currently not there please feel free to do so. I’m still researching on some of the companies listed and I should have a complete list by end of the month. Thank you and enjoy! 

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Les Davenport
US
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Oct 14, 2011 5:09 pm EDT
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After realizing AuthorHouse was a total scam-operation, I published with Outskirts Press and asked AuthorHouse to pull my book from their printer and off all websites. I had to threaten to sue them before they replied and said they'd comply. Four months after the fact, they were still printing and selling my book. I took them to court in Illinois. They did not even show up in court, and I got a default judgment which they will not pay. I'm in the process of working with the Illinois Attorney General to stop them from doing business in Illinois. They are, in my opinion, thieves pretending to be publishers. They are outward crooks that feast on new authors!

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paffoman
Townsend, US
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Oct 09, 2011 12:11 pm EDT

Authorhouse charges for editing, however that is as far as it goes I wonder if they even have editors employed. We had an author who had a book published by AuthorHouse that was submitted for a possible movie. The producer told this author that the book needed a lot of editing. So now the author has to pay to have the book really edited and then re-submit it for consideration. One thing I will say is that companies have to make adjustments to royalties paid when the book is sold through Amazon. Amazon pays royalties to the publisher at a rate of 45% of the cover. Straight up AuthorHouse, Publish America, Xlibris are give us your money and we will give you nothing.

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Cloud K. Long
Winter Park, US
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Jun 11, 2011 7:35 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Personally addressing me with an insult got you a reaction. You can't tell me that this is not what you were seeking when you consciously decided to throw a monkey wrench into the conversation. I'm not addressing you with questions. I thought you were a butt hurt Authorhouse employee. That was the only reason I said anything to you. Other wise I tap on the scroll button and move past replies from people who are seeking attention. For some reason I thought you were different, and you turned out to be just another troll clogging up my conversation with some one relevant to the goal. My mistake. AuthorHouse actually responds with smug one liners and pseudo insults when you confront them. Thats why I miss understood you. Well, case closed. Your not AuthorHouse. (taps scroll button)

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Overview of AuthorHouse complaint handling

AuthorHouse reviews first appeared on Complaints Board on Nov 13, 2008. The latest review The production department Annie Barrete, Hailey Alison, Operations Supervisor May Arado, Ellie Go, and Marketing Supervisor Tony McMillan was posted on Dec 5, 2023. The latest complaint Mis sold products and royalties was resolved on Aug 19, 2021. AuthorHouse has an average consumer rating of 2 stars from 107 reviews. AuthorHouse has resolved 23 complaints.
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  1. AuthorHouse Contacts

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    1663 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, Indiana, 47403, United States
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