AuthorHouse Reviews

I read the five-star reviews and wonder if there are two different publishers called AuthorHouse. I could write a thousand words and still not convey just how bad an experience I had. For an extended period, AH staffers did not answer emails or answer my questions. The few people who finally did respond told me different (often contradictory) things, and each new “thing” was to cost anywhere from $1000 to $5000 in addition to the $5000+ I paid initially. I came to disbelieve anyone’s praise because it was always coupled with spending more. Marketing was the worst. As a traditionally published author of 7 books, I had hopes of finding readers for my novel. I spent over $10K at AH for marketing and I do not believe it led to any sales. I am a person of some means so I could absorb the cost but I hate to think of an author of limited resources cajoled into wasting money as I did. I would never consider engaging AH again, or recommend it to anyone.

Date of experience: April 30, 2022

After 10 years I still don't know who my point of contact is and when asked I get no reply unless they need money for a promotion they are running. It's been now 2 months and still no word from 5 more minutes if my book will be a movie. Sank money I didn't have to try and nothing but radio silence

Date of experience: December 29, 2022

Customer service is horrible. I could never get through to the person I was trying to contact and had to wait for an email. I was told at the initial contact that bookmarks and cards would be a part of my package like they were provided with the last book I published with author house, then after the book was complete I was told that was never an option. I had to email Jose in marketing 3 times, before finally receiving a reply! I asked that a supervisor contact me regarding the bookmarks and I have heard nothing! This is the third and possibly last book I ever publish with Author house! Staff, customer service etc...used to be top notch! That is no longer the case!

Date of experience: April 07, 2023

My experience with AuthorHouse surpassed my expectations in every regard. Their exemplary step-by-step service not only simplified what could have been a daunting process but also made it a genuinely enjoyable one.

Date of experience: January 25, 2024

Author house got me started in the self publishing world but in such very wrong ways: it couldn’t provide the size book I wanted—-I hated the large square size. It couldn’t provide the sales price I wanted—-they charged more than $20 a copy for a children’s paperback book! And their royalties stink. Like a few cents per book with that kind of sales price. Finally, they insisted on my bank account information or they wouldn’t pay me the royalties. They refused to send a check or pay by zelle or venmo. They wanted direct deposit into my bank account and since I left them for a much better priced and sized book and fatter royalties—-I don’t want them having my bank account info. I’m so sad I used them. I changed publishers but cannot get rid of their ads coming in front of my new ones. It’s a big mess.

Date of experience: January 01, 2023

The book was supposed to go out for Christmas. The graphic designers kept messing up the art, the MS Doc was not copy-pasted properly, meaning the ITALICIZED text didn't match the original script. The book jacket had mistakes that weren't corrected and I didn't receive my final copies before the Pitchfest in Beverly Hills like the other authors, so I felt stupid, unprepared and unprofessional. All in all, it was a miserable pain in the ass, after spending $14,000 with poor results.

Date of experience: March 04, 2023

So it starts out wonderful and they sell you and I mean sell you a great deal. Then here come the add ons and you quickly figure out that maybe the original purchase was not that good. Take for instance the Social Media Marketing that was included. It is and I mean this is it, some electronic PDF files sent to you in email to read and its very basic. I would think twice and three times before doing this

Date of experience: September 05, 2022

Published my book in May still have not gotten paid for it! My website was supposed to be live months ago but now they are trying to force me into a new agreement for that and i do not agree with the new contract they are sneakily and forcefully trying to coerce me into! On top of that they didnt provide the editorial services that are in my contract so my book has errors that they should have corrected! Its humiliating! I was never shown any proof of my book publication announcement being sent out! Barely recieved access to my author account a few months ago! The turn around rate this company has is unbelievable as well! I Keep getting run arounds. They did not disclose important information and wont give me any up to date reports or access to my google book account. They are the worst in they're industry. Would NEVER reccomend they're services. Do not make the same mistske i did!

Date of experience: June 01, 2022

Everything was great with the exception of the
Marketing department that sells upgraded social media, Amazon, etc. initial sales, production, and book ordering all very good.

Date of experience: January 02, 2023

AuthorHouse and it's employees made sure I n stayed up to date with the processes my book was in. Everyone was awesome thank you for the experience of publishing my first book!!!

Date of experience: April 02, 2023

The quaily of work is outstanding! The staff was patient and professional and kind and didnt mind explaining and instructing me on things that I didnt understand and things that I needed to do. That made my experience awesome.

Date of experience: November 17, 2022

This was my first attempt at writing a Children’s book. I was assigned 5 different people to work with as each one had different areas of expertise. The first two people were fabulous. They were extremely friendly and helpful. The illustrations were wonderful,It went very smoothly. Unfortunately it went downhill from there. The next two people had little patience, didn’t return emails and I was forced to go over their heads. Their supervisors were very understanding and helpful but one of the staff stopped returning phone calls and told me he had to many authors to work with, among other things. I led a large company with 70 employees and an answer like that is unacceptable. So in essence, I’m not sure if I would publish again with Authorhouse. I was made to feel inadequate as I did need assistance with the computer which I took it upon myself to hire someone. Everything took 5 minutes to understand if only their employee was willing to take a few minutes to help me.

Date of experience: May 22, 2023

AuthorHouse was a great publishing company to work with! They were easy to get in contact with, prompt to accomplish what needed to be done, and exceptionally friendly!

Date of experience: December 01, 2022

everyone I have dealt with has been helpful and I have found your company to be reliable and trustworthy. I am very happy that you have helped me to publish and fulfil my dream

Date of experience: April 02, 2023

Everyone was so helpful from the beginning to the end. My illustrations are perfect and I have great responses from my buyers of my book. I will have to write another one soon.

Date of experience: February 19, 2023

I can never get in contact with my book support personnel...
I am, however pleased with the printed publication, but the support is not there for us.

Date of experience: September 21, 2023

I have written and had 4 books published by Author House. The first book rendered up a very small amount of royalties but every now and then I would get a cheque for around £2. That was years ago. Now I get nothing. I know my books are selling because I've had feedback from readers. Author house website now implies that the first 2 books didn't sell any copies at all? They are keeping the royalties from the other books because they've not reached the self-imposed £75 minimum value! Then I've just discovered that you must have a bank account in the USA! How could I possibly comply with that when they know I live in Britain? I've tried complaining but it's all just a big scam. Beware!

Date of experience: February 06, 2023

it was good in the beginning, but since the beginning of 2022, my publishing consultant started to sound so forceful behind a kind tone of voice. Elvira Presley made me contact anyone to see if they be happy to pay for me. when I deliberately told them i am capable to pay for myself, its just that i waited for the agency i work for to finish with my references so i could start. my book and marketing consultant were definately demanding about marketing my book. author house is a self publishing service that why i picked them. but they have no power over my book i am the author and writer of the book i get to choose what is good for my book not them. i will continue to publish future books through authorhouse, but be a lot stricter with my consultants. they really thought they could put ,e down and talk down on me because i am a new young author.

Date of experience: February 10, 2022

My book was laid out and published nicely. That part was good. But I want to warn all would-be authors. My book was recently voted one of the best in its class and been out over a decade, and yet according to AuthorHouse it sold only 250 copies and I receive only 12 cents per eBook sold! That's right, 12 CENTS! For soft cover and hard cover I might make $1-$2 per book although it retails for more than $25, so you can expect to get maybe 5% on the book price or less. Where does the rest of the money go??? Big money loser if you self-publish there unless it's worth it for your ego. And my book is sold worldwide and in major bookstores like Barnes and Noble, with 4-5 stars on average. I think the industry is a joke, scam, and needs major scrutiny. AuthorHouse will give you every excuse as to why your book does not sell and why the royalties are so low. It's never their fault and "rest assured" (when the phone reps tell you this, rest unassured) they will do everything to support you (read: support their money interests at your expense). Don't buy it. Something is VERY MAJORLY WRONG there, and I am on Trust Pilot because I do not Trust AuthorHouse. The company and entire industry need to be thoroughly investigated, authors need to get the money back they deserve, and if the royalties are actually correct after the expenses are deducted, then this is the most inept, mismanaged company I have ever encountered. Self-publish if you like, but just beware your book will 99% not sell much (under 50 copies if that) and you will lose big money on it. I am planning to write another book and will not use these AH's again.

Date of experience: March 06, 2024

The experience was amazing. Every department made me feel as if I were the only client at the time. I will utilize their services in the future.

Date of experience: October 11, 2022