AuthorHouse Anmeldelser 984

I wrote a children’s book with no prior experience in publishing and chose AuthorHouse to help guide me through the process. Unfortunately, my experience was extremely disappointing.

I paid what I now realize was a very high upfront fee to publish my book. Only after paying did I learn that little to no meaningful marketing support was included. Instead, I was repeatedly encouraged to spend additional money on marketing services, with no clear explanation of the results or value.

At the same time, I struggled to get answers to basic questions. The website that was supposed to be set up for my book was never clearly completed or explained, and I received little to no communication when I asked about it. I was also not given clear information on how to track book sales or understand royalties.

Most concerning, I did not receive clear answers regarding payments for books sold. This lack of transparency and communication made the entire experience frustrating and concerning.

If you are a first-time author, I strongly recommend doing extensive research before committing to any paid publishing service. I wish I had better understood the process and what was (and wasn’t) included before making this investment.

I want to provide honest feedback about my experience with your marketing and sales processes.

The level of disorganisation has made the entire journey extremely difficult to manage and I will highlight why. I received many emails requesting confirmations and approvals for marketing steps, making it almost impossible to keep track of what is required. Important messages get buried simply because the volume is unmanageable.

I was also told that the challenge comes from having hundreds of offices around the world, which inevitably makes it difficult to maintain an efficient and organised process. While I understand the scale, the current system places the burden on authors to chase, track, and manage fragmented communication that should be streamlined on their side, which could be done with an app or more efficient dedicated process, instead of overwhelming authors with hundreds of emails.

Additionally, the sales and marketing teams feel misaligned with the actual process of writing and publishing a book. The sales team, especially the marketing department, will call repeatedly to push additional marketing packages, yet the delivery of those services has been minimal. Despite the heavy emphasis on purchasing more marketing products, the marketing system itself has delivered next to nothing in terms of actual sales or measurable results, no follow ups on results, nothing.

Overall, the experience has felt disorganised, overwhelming, and not aligned with the expectations set during the sales process. A more centralised, transparent, and results‑driven system would significantly improve the author experience.

Due to this reason my book for the 2nd time running was delayed in being shown at the London Book Fair.

After asking for a refund because I am no longer interested in the service and because the experience and process has been abysmal I was told that I had not approved my book being presented at the London Book Fair when I have the proof that I had. I have sent them the email in which my approval was confirmed.

This situation has highlighted a serious issue in their internal processes. The fact that my book was not presented at the London Book Fair — and that I only discovered this because I physically turned up at the event — shows that even if I had not approved my book, there was no intention or system in place to notify me. There was no follow‑up, no prompt, and no reminder asking for approval at any stage. If there was no communication leading up to the London Book Fair, it is clear there would have been none at all.

This makes it evident that my book would never have been presented unless I happened to be there in person to question its absence. That is not an acceptable or reliable process for authors who trust you with their work and their investment. I do not want to continue my investment with this company for this reason, and there fore I insist on a refund for that marketing campaign.

Just to show the continued disorganisation that exists in this company.

Authorhouse has a long way of reaching an acceptable standard for book publishing.

Scam.
They took my manuscript placed author house onto my book and offered me 25% royality and linked the account to themselves also charged me £600 which seems pretty unfair.

I had my book published 7 years ago. I paid a lot of money for it. I kept paying money out, but I'm yet to see any sign of royalties, or payments. Don't get me wrong I am grateful for my book being published, but nothing came of it. I just wished i got paid for my work. I've completed a manuscript for a novel, and am looking to get it published, but this as put me off. You may still have my details, im not sure.

Have yet to see a copy of my book -promised before Christmas! I have paid a joining fee and a marketing fee (kept email receipts)- chose to do my own editing. I have emailed 'Donald'(?) about this, but have yet to receive a response. None of the 'people' I have spoken to have a convincing Google profile (some don't exist) - and I have yet to speak to a non-American person, despite the company marketing themselves as Authorhouse (UK).
Any advice would be welcome!

Zero stars. Breached contract took a widow needing brain surgery for 5 k

I co authored a book, The Truth as the Lord Lives, which was published in 2021. I have received one royalty check several weeks after the book was on the market for a total of $38! I spent over $2,000 for their publishing fees. I’m still waiting for a check four years later!! I personally have bought the book many times so where is the royalties owned me and the author?? Scam, scam, scam. There is no way to find out how many books have been sold then and now. There is no paper trail or accountability. Never use this company ever!!!!

If you do not want some faceless people to eat ALL of your sweat, DO NOT deal with AuthorHouse

Almost everything about this company is a joke. They’re VERY EAGER to get your credit card information so you can make a payment and then they just kinda….stop. Emails are rarely responded to, and if they are, never in a timely manner. Employees do not pass along critical information to other departments and no one takes accountability when things go south. My salesperson, Brad Wilhem, did not respond to my emails requesting an order of books. Two weeks later I called and asked to speak to management. He was suddenly on the phone for me placing the order. I told him I needed the books by August 7th. Guess what’s arriving on August 9th…. When I called to talk about this they claimed to have had no notice that this was needed. I also paid them to create an ad and the quality is laughable. If a 6th grader made the ad I wouldn’t be surprised. They are not good at reporting your sales either. All in all a terrible experience. No one is held accountable and they don’t offer you anything when they screw up. Terrible company.

I used AuthorHouse to publish my first book, “The Shadow of my Youth Follows Me”. I was very pleased with the quality of printing. Other than that, I am so disappointed! I know of some sales I’ve had on Amazon that I didn’t get credit for. I even purchased one myself to see if they reported it and they didn’t. When I contacted them about it, they wanted me to tell them all the sales I have through Amazon and the dates they were purchased . There is no way I could know that. The percentage of the money they credit me for sales is often less than they promised. Also, I never got my one page website and it’s been over a year. For what I paid them, I feel cheated. I wish I had gone with another Publisher.

What happens when you have a publishing company that won't pay royalties because the author lives in Australia? All the creative work l have done including marketing my books to libraries and bookstores and all the earnings remain with AuthorHouse. It is now my job to bring awareness and to deal with them legally.

Interesting response that you are actively trying to find a solution but as usual lying to me and the public. You steal dreams as well as finances. Businesses like yours need not exist.

Made an enquiry with Author house a few years ago for some information in regards to getting my book published, decided not to bother using them after hearing a few bad things. since I've been getting several emails a day from someone called Emma Smith. asking to schedule a call or have we got the right email Address. I have emailed back several times to politely tell them I'm not interested in using there service but they still email me..which now goes to my spam folder. so glad I didn't use this company after reading all the negative reviews. I'm always suspicious when a company has to hound you.

I chose AuthorHouse to self-publish my first fiction book because they called so many times and assured everything would be great. The publishing part was ok, but they have the worst customer service in the industry. One example would be that they took 4 months to make a one page website, then I asked to update my email on my website, it has been 3 months and 20 emails but they won't do it. Marketing department is probably the worst, they only exist on paper.
Indie authors beware, do not give in to the sales calls!

Probably Scam. I was talking to a "Sales Rep", but very sure it was an AI bot. Not recommending them.

I had a book published by these clowns back in 2009. It cost me a significant amount to have the book published. My first royalties were mailed to me from the USA in the form of cheques (that's checks to you Americans) - these were for 52p and just over £1; it cost more than that to mail them to me. I just checked my account (something I've not bothered to do for more than 10 years because they have never contacted me or sent me anything) to discover that I have earned royalties. I've never received anything after those two cheques back in 2009 and 2010. They claim to have paid money into a bank account that was closed down 4 years ago and into which no money has ever been paid by them. It's only a small amount but I don't like being lied to. Avoid this company at all costs - they are con merchants.

And now a response to your response. As already mentioned the bank account to which you claim to have made these payments was closed in 2021. If you want to continue this conversation here in a public forum, I'd be happy to do so. Or perhaps you might reply to my emails and we can keep this conversation about what I consider to be your dishonesty between ourselves. Up to you.

This is a bad company to deal with being a first time author. I purchased additional editing and I had to have corrections done so many times. The Royalties suck!! Compared to other companies you can get a much better deal. I have had different marketing consultants that were not really helpful. Every time you look there is a cost for something. I would not recommend them to ANYONE!!!

Do NOT Trust Author’s House Publishing!

I wish I had taken the time to read the reviews before I was scammed into believing this company was going to help bring my book to life. I was promised a smooth, professional experience and that they would support my passion for helping people. Instead, they’ve ruined my experience and taken my hard-earned money.

Not only did they fail to deliver my book as intended, but they also refused to give me a refund, despite me explaining multiple times how much the $1,700 I paid meant to me and how it was a huge financial stretch. They assured me they would "take such good care of me" and that the investment would be worth it. It was not worth it at all.

Their communication was abysmal, their customer service non-existent, and I honestly feel like I’ve been completely taken advantage of. It’s hard enough to pursue a passion like writing, and this company has only made it harder for me. Please save yourself the stress, the heartache, and the money – there are much better options out there for aspiring authors.

Do NOT trust Author’s House Publishing. I would give zero stars if I could.

It is unfortunate that I have to give this a 'star' listing of any sort because I have no personal contention with this company's published material, I have never written for them, I don't know them etc etc., and so cannot objectively comment upon their publishing. That is not my issue. But this is …

I am a professional writer of many years standing and am partner in a commercial publishing house. I am fully aware of GDPR requirements.

I contacted this company in mid-January 2025 by telephone with a query regarding one of their writers. I am currently working on a book in which I mention the man. I have met him and his wife in person at my home; we have exchanged correspondences and books. We know each other. Shortly after we last met I learnt he had died. I have lost contact with his family so for reasons of professional courtesy (ie. citing him) I wished to confirm nothing more than his year of death. I was surprised to learn this company does not give such information. Curious; he is deceased, after all, so is hardly likely to complain. So, in line with standard practise, I asked if they could request his wife to contact me instead. They would not do that either.

I was dealing with someone who was not prepared to assist me with my request in order to properly cite a fellow writer in a book. Which, per se, is odd. Especially as I have since found five separate publicly-accessible free-to-access sources that give me the information I sought.

I have sent a written query to this company’s offices seeking an explanation for their reticence and, as at early February, have yet to receive any acknowledgement. By any yardstick this is poor practise.

I am concerned by this organisation’s protocols and their complete lack of response. I offer no further comment other than this statement of facts and in the anticipation that it may prove helpful to anyone deciding whether to commit themselves.

AuthorHouse always makes me happy. I published without leaving the house too. (Working with their super team in Bloomington, IN) They were on top of everything and kept in contact with me, walking me through every step. They told me what I would need and I listened. 2025 is off to a wonderful start!
AuthorHouse and dreams coming true! I worked with their team's experience and knowledge for this industry and weighed their suggestions carefully. I was able to do so much on my own. Footwork is on me and so rewarding!) AuthorHouse does superior work and an excellent job.
Deborah Cromer
Poet/Author/Indie

The publishing arm of the company performed very well. Very happy with the end result.

However, dealing with some if the people in Bloomington, Indiana..not great. Trying to get someone in the phone to order books is difficult.

I did get the company president on the phone-Eugene-who was nice enough, but when I told him of my frustration of dealing with his employees, he took their side and, by doing so, essentially called me a liar, in so many words.

One woman called me to get me to order a marketing service, and seen I declined, hung up on me. Eugene told me she didn't mean to, without even knowing anything about the incident.