iUniverse Reviews

408  Average
TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

3.6

In the Media Company category

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Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Communication is important

I did like the communication. If a call was scheduled, it took place right on time. The process moved very quickly, once a commitment was made. I wish that someone helped more with social media, but overall it has been a good experience, especially for my first time.

Date of experience: May 16, 2024

Reply from iUniverse

Thank you for this review - we appreciate you publishing with iUniverse


Rated 3 out of 5 stars

They did a beautiful job on my book

They did a beautiful job on my book, titled "Me and Mr. Bear"! The design is amazing. I didn't like the fact that my friends received their books before me! My friend had to drive over to my house just so I could see my finished product. They let me borrow the book so that I could make a video on tiktok.

Date of experience: May 15, 2024


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Master Craftspeople

My publishing experience took place in a timely manner. Each task in the publishing process was linked together, from manuscript submission to print publication. I enjoyed communicating with each staff person; they explained the possibilities beforehand. Overall, I would highly recommend IUniverse publishing to a writer.

Date of experience: March 01, 2024

Reply from iUniverse

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that your publishing experience with us was both efficient and enjoyable. Our team strives to ensure a smooth process from manuscript submission to print publication, and we're glad that the communication you received was clear and helpful. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to possibly working with you again in the future!


Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Uncomfortable and Kinda scary Experience

I contacted this company in regard to publishing as a first-time publisher. They made me feel very uncomfortable, and even started to insult me when I told them I had yet to decide who I was going to pick. The man said it sounds like I'm procrastinating (Kelly) and made me feel like I was being yelled at for thirty minutes straight because I didn't commit! Don't go to this company, authors be aware! Not professional staff.

Date of experience: February 15, 2024

Reply from iUniverse

I am sorry you felt this way on the call, it is not the experience we want to provide authors. We have put you on the do not call list. If you would like to engage with us again, please feel free to reach out.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Huge thumbs up for service.

As a novice writer, I didn’t know what to expect from iUniverse publishing my book. Many questions hovered over my mind, mostly if I had chosen the right publishing company. Two years later, I can confidently affirm that I made the right decision going with iUniverse. They were quick and easy to deal with, took the extra step to be helpful, called me when I didn’t respond to an e-mail promptly, and last but not least, they delivered an excellent product, as well as set up a personal authors page to monitor my book sales. My readers love the design of my book, of course along with the story, and I couldn’t be happier having chosen iUniverse. Kudos to iUniverse! Keep up the good work!

Date of experience: January 21, 2024

Reply from iUniverse

Thank you for your wonderful review.


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Pleasant experience

Lot's of people in this company and the feedback is good. Call backs, follow-ups answers to questions are responded in a timely fashion. The staff is great friendly and outgoing and always thank you for calling I-Universe. Some departments are hard to reach and waiting time is too long on the phone.

Date of experience: January 05, 2024

Reply from iUniverse

Thank you for sharing this. We are happy that your overall experience was good.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The First Experience with iUniverse Set the Stage

My first impression was how well the design team did on the book jacket. It exceeded all my expectations. Secondly, the editorial evaluation was wonderful. The staff member reviewing my manuscript did a fantastic job pointing out my book's strengths and weaknesses. The check-in coordinator did an awesome job advancing the manuscript. The marketing executive proposed many great angles to the promotion. Lastly, Tiffany, my book consultant really put a hook into me on how great your entire team is. I have just received my first batch of books, and my fan club is giving me rave reviews after purchasing and reading my book. I am currently working on book three of the trilogy and will definitely use iUniverse as my publisher.

Date of experience: January 11, 2024

Reply from iUniverse

Thanks for leaving us such a wonderful review! The entire team will be thrilled to read it.


Rated 1 out of 5 stars

You changed “klick” (referring to…

You changed “klick” (referring to kilometers) in my sci fi book, to “click”. You showed no interest in my book or the will to understand any of it, instead you tried to cater to ego. You kept referring to the “development editing” that you did on my book - you did not do any development editing. You aggressively advertised other of your services. You pressured me to complete before Christmas. You did not offer any book cover that included anything sci fi related - which was something I paid you for (you merely used the proposal cover I made myself).

Date of experience: December 07, 2023


Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Undecided

The actual product and graphics were great. Editorial Service was excellent. I was expecting more from the marketing package deal. It did include a website where readers can buy online with buttons for Amazon and Iuniverse. For maintenance $129 annually for two years. I guess I expected a little more consulting on marketing not just six emails. Everything was ala carte and expensive. Thousands of dollars just for iuniverse to push your book at the book fair. Everyone gets a cut. Never mind the airfare and hotel. To participate in a podcast. $2000. The six emails marketing package ie. click through on a google graphic $3000. The only staff that called me were salespeople. Customer service was slim. I had to call Author Solutions and Iuniverse. .

I have a series to publish and have an account on TikTok Just starting to do lives as @Fortunapage1. I am undecided about where to publish the next book in the Series.

Date of experience: February 01, 2024

Reply from iUniverse

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I am glad you are happy with with your book design and editing services. It is true that we charge fair prices for the valuable work we perform. You are never required to purchase any marketing. It is a great idea that you are leveraging TikTok.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Able to take an amateur mass of garbage…

Able to take an amateur mass of garbage and turn it into something professional looking. When I look at the finished product, I can't believe I did that. Or did I? It doesn't matter as I'm very proud of the job iUniverse helped me do. If I could sell a couple of books, I'd be so happy I'd do it again. I especially appreciate the editor evaluation and the final copy.

Date of experience: August 09, 2022


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

IUniverse provided a professional…

IUniverse provided a professional product in a timely manner. My only concern is that having paid for the book, IUniverse claims a big percentage on off each book ordered. I think there should be a bigger author discount.

Date of experience: October 14, 2023


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Free Electronic Copies

I especially liked receiving free electronic copies of the book for my friends and family to redeem, for the photos show to the best advantage in that format.

I found the early parts of the process to be slower this time than ever before. [This is my ninth book with iUniverse.] Don't know just what the problem was.

Date of experience: September 21, 2023


Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The Worst

This was one of the worst experiences for me and it costed me to take the risk. I was so excited to get started. Paid almost 2 grand and when it got close to finishing the project, they went ghost. No communication what so ever for almost a month. They rushed me to send in my unfinished manuscript because once you do that you’re locked in. They can drop the ball but once you cancel from fear of failure and/or fraud, they will take 50% without lifting a finger. Nothing was done on their behalf and it still costed me over $900. Who has money to throw away? If you’re thinking about going with this company I have one word of advice…Don’t. Do not send them your manuscript. They get a little lazy after you do or they’ll just keep trying to get money out of you for marketing. Don’t fall for it

Date of experience: December 12, 2023

Reply from iUniverse

We are sorry to hear about these challenges. It appears there were some issues between us and some opportunity for us to improve with the communication. There was some confusion about book sizing and the illustrations you provided, which caused some delay. At this time it looks like all of your money was returned to you. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us at inquiries@authorsolutions.com


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Evaluation of IUniverse

IUniverse was always patient and polite. They answered my questions gave me advice and encouragement.

IUniverse published my book (ONLINE FINITE Element COURSE). I have already received 30 copies of my book. I am totally satisfied with the book.
Thank you,
Dr James A. Mandel, P.E.
Project Id: 845433

Date of experience: September 24, 2022


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We were very happy and impressed working with iUniverse…

We were very happy and impressed with iUniverse. This was our third book published with this company. Each aspect of the project went smoothly and each project manager was very helpful and knowledgeable. Our communications were addressed very rapidly. Any question we had was answered quickly. We were impressed with the design team as well. The cover is beautiful, as well as the interior. As you can see, we are very happy with the process, the people and the design of our book. Our book went into production very rapidly and we received our books quickly.

Date of experience: March 03, 2023


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

iUniverse editorial services is the jewel in the crown.

IUniverse editorial services are why I publish with them. The editorial screening is most useful. Graphics and book design less important to me. They are sometimes slow in responding to questions and when the book is ready it’s more prudent to just go to print than deal with unanswered issues. But quality is very high. One other problem is trail book pricing based on page count which is not good for marketing.

Date of experience: December 24, 2020


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

During this difficult COVID time none…

During this difficult COVID time none of us should expect good service from anyone. Fortunately iuniverse was able to deliver what they promised in a reasonable amount of time. There was always present however a 'upsell' presence of which you must be aware. After all, it is in sales as well.All in all, I feel they did a great job with a first time author.

Michael Gellis MD

Date of experience: August 31, 2021


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

iUniverse has been great to work with

iUniverse has been great to work with! I do wish the editing process was a little quicker (about six months) as well as the website construction (two weeks so far). However, other than these few delays, I've enjoyed my experience at each level of the publishing process. Everyone has been courteous and professional. I appreciate iUniverse helping me realize my dream!

Date of experience: June 07, 2022


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Grateful for the gift of publishers like iUniverse

I was skeptical at first to publish my memoir “Beans To Means” with IUniverse, not because of the reviews but I was afraid that my book will be denied. The people who worked on my book were so patient and had an excellent attitude despite the pressure holding on to my almost-not published book because of some issues. Thank you all, you know who you are. My people from the Philippines whom I entrusted this book. I understand the adversities, the time difference, the weather along your friendly nature to pursue regardless how stressful this was at the very beginning. Kudos! Love you all! From the bottom of my heart and hypothalamus.
Sincerely,
Melvin Lumauod RN, BSN

Date of experience: September 04, 2022