Based on looking at the website authorsuccesspublishing.com, it presents itself as an end-to-end eBook publishing service.
The site claims to empower first-time authors with various solutions from ghostwriting and editing to publishing and marketing.
While the stated services aim to cover the entire publishing journey, a comprehensive review of the website reveals several areas that raise concerns regarding transparency and typical industry standards for reputable publishing assistance.
Overall Review Summary:
- Service Scope: Comprehensive, covering ghostwriting, editing, publishing, design, and marketing.
- Target Audience: Primarily first-time authors seeking full-service assistance.
- Pricing Transparency: Vague. costs are mentioned as ranging from $300 to $2,500 without clear package breakdowns.
- Credibility Indicators: Lacks strong, verifiable trust signals like client testimonials with independent verification, clear team bios, or robust industry affiliations. The listed address is a shared office space.
- Customer Support: Offers live chat, phone, and email.
- Intellectual Property: Claims authors retain 100% copyright for ghostwritten work, which is standard but requires careful legal review of contracts.
- Ethical Stance: While the service itself isn’t inherently unethical, the lack of transparency and verifiable details typical of established agencies raises a red flag regarding potential risks for authors, such as undisclosed fees, unclear service deliverables, or issues with quality control, which could lead to financial disappointment and wasted effort.
The website provides a broad overview of its offerings, from crafting content in various genres like fantasy, romance, and non-fiction, to handling digital distribution across major platforms like Kindle and Apple Books.
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They emphasize personalized strategies and end-to-end promotions, including metadata optimization, targeted marketing campaigns, and even book trailer videos and author website design.
However, the site’s reliance on generic positive testimonials without linking to published works or detailed client success stories, combined with the absence of detailed company information or robust portfolio examples, makes it difficult to assess their actual effectiveness and reliability.
Authors typically look for concrete proof of successful book launches, transparent pricing structures, and clearly defined service agreements.
The broad price range mentioned $300-$2,500 without specifics about what those tiers include makes it challenging for authors to understand the true investment required or compare it with other services.
For those seeking professional writing and publishing support, prioritizing transparency and verifiable success is paramount to avoid potential pitfalls.
Best Alternatives for Ethical and Professional Writing & Publishing Support:
- Reedsy
- Key Features: A marketplace connecting authors with vetted publishing professionals editors, designers, publicists, ghostwriters. Offers a diverse range of services.
- Average Price: Varies widely based on service and professional’s rates. authors receive custom quotes.
- Pros: Highly vetted professionals, transparent quoting system, direct communication with freelancers, strong focus on quality.
- Cons: Can be more expensive for top-tier professionals, requires authors to manage multiple freelancers for different services.
- Fiverr Pro
- Key Features: Hand-vetted professionals on Fiverr for high-quality ghostwriting, editing, and design services.
- Average Price: Varies by service and professional, often starting from a few hundred dollars for specific tasks.
- Pros: Access to top talent, diverse service offerings, clear project-based pricing, platform provides dispute resolution.
- Cons: Still requires authors to be diligent in selecting the right professional, communication can sometimes be less personal than dedicated agencies.
- Upwork
- Key Features: Global freelancing platform where authors can find ghostwriters, editors, proofreaders, and book marketers. Offers various contract types hourly, fixed-price.
- Average Price: Highly variable based on freelancer experience and project scope. often provides competitive rates.
- Pros: Vast pool of talent, flexibility in hiring, ability to review portfolios and past client feedback, direct negotiation.
- Cons: Requires more effort in screening and managing freelancers, quality can vary, no centralized project management for all services.
- BookBaby
- Key Features: Comprehensive self-publishing service offering editing, design, print-on-demand, eBook distribution, and marketing.
- Average Price: Packages typically range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on services chosen.
- Pros: All-in-one solution, reputable in the self-publishing industry, offers print and digital distribution.
- Cons: Can be more expensive than hiring individual freelancers, less personalized than working with a single independent professional.
- Scribe Media
- Key Features: Specializes in helping non-fiction authors write, publish, and market their books, particularly for thought leaders and entrepreneurs.
- Average Price: High-end service, typically thousands of dollars per project.
- Pros: Highly structured process, strong focus on author branding and impact, excellent for those who need significant guidance.
- Cons: Very expensive, primarily geared towards non-fiction and specific author goals, not suitable for all genres or budgets.
- Kirkus Reviews Author Services
- Key Features: Offers editorial review, book design, and marketing services, leveraging the prestige of Kirkus Reviews.
- Average Price: Varies by service. reviews alone can be several hundred dollars, while full packages are more.
- Pros: Association with a respected literary review, professional services, can help boost credibility for indie authors.
- Cons: More expensive than many alternatives, reviews are not guaranteed positive, services are often add-ons rather than a complete bundle.
- KDP Kindle Direct Publishing
- Key Features: Amazon’s direct self-publishing platform for eBooks and paperbacks. Authors upload their manuscripts, design covers, and set prices.
- Average Price: Free to publish. authors earn royalties. Costs are associated with optional services e.g., professional editing, cover design, marketing sourced externally.
- Pros: Largest eBook market, direct access to readers, full control over publishing process, excellent royalty rates.
- Cons: Requires authors to handle all aspects of preparation editing, design, marketing themselves or outsource them independently.
Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.
IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.
Authorsuccesspublishing.com Review & First Look
The homepage is clean, professional, and uses clear calls to action like “Get Started” and “Live Chat.” The value proposition is explicitly stated: “Empower First-Time Authors with End-to-End eBook Publishing Services Online.” This instantly sets the expectation that they cover everything from the initial idea to the final launch and promotion.
The site highlights key service areas such as ghostwriting, editing, publishing, design, and marketing, promising to turn a book into a “market-ready brand.” They even mention niche services like book trailer videos and author website design.
From a first glance, the site attempts to convey competence and a full-service approach. However, what’s absent is equally telling.
There’s no clear “About Us” section detailing the team behind the operation, their experience, or their publishing track record.
This lack of transparency regarding the professionals authors would be entrusting their work to is a significant oversight for any legitimate service provider. Pipxpert.com Review
Furthermore, while testimonials are present, they are generic text snippets without any verifiable links to the authors or their published works, making it difficult to ascertain their authenticity.
For instance, a quote from “William Quinn” states, “Author Success Publishing offers all the ABCs of e-books that new writers and seasoned authors can expect…”—a statement that, while positive, provides no concrete evidence.
This absence of verifiable proof points to a potential concern for authors looking to invest their time and money.
Evaluating Trust Signals on Authorsuccesspublishing.com
A crucial part of assessing any online service, especially in publishing, is the presence of strong trust signals.
Authorsuccesspublishing.com attempts to build trust through a few common methods, but falls short in critical areas. Deliverydevs.com Review
- Physical Address & Contact Information: A physical address is provided: “140 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017.” A quick search reveals this address corresponds to a WeWork shared office space. While many legitimate businesses operate out of co-working spaces, the absence of any specific suite number or a more detailed business presence beyond a shared address can indicate a less established or less transparent operation. Reputable publishing houses or agencies often have dedicated offices or at least clearly delineated business units within shared spaces.
- Team & Expertise Disclosure: There is no “About Us” page or section that introduces the team of ghostwriters, editors, designers, or marketing specialists. Authors are expected to trust that “our experts” or “our talented designers” will handle their work, but their qualifications, experience, or portfolio are entirely undisclosed. This is a glaring omission for a service that hinges on creative and professional expertise. A legitimate publishing service would showcase the credentials of its core team, highlighting their industry experience, published works, or notable clients.
Industry Comparisons for Transparency
When compared to established self-publishing service providers like BookBaby or freelancer marketplaces like Reedsy, the contrast in transparency is stark.
BookBaby, for example, provides detailed information about their services, clear package pricing, and often showcases success stories with links to published books.
Reedsy allows authors to browse individual professional profiles, review their portfolios, read past client testimonials, and directly communicate with multiple freelancers before making a hiring decision.
This level of transparency fosters confidence and allows authors to make informed choices. Withfaye.com Review
Authorsuccesspublishing.com’s approach, while visually appealing, lacks the foundational elements of trust and verifiable information that are standard in the professional publishing services industry.
Authorsuccesspublishing.com Pros & Cons
When evaluating Authorsuccesspublishing.com, it’s important to weigh what the website communicates as its strengths against its potential weaknesses, especially given the crucial nature of publishing decisions for authors.
Stated Advantages and Potential Benefits
Based on the homepage text, Authorsuccesspublishing.com positions itself with several enticing promises for authors:
- Comprehensive Service: The site offers “End-to-End eBook Publishing Services,” covering ghostwriting, editing, cover design, formatting, publishing across multiple platforms Kindle, Apple Books, marketing, and even book trailers and author websites. This all-in-one approach could appeal to first-time authors who feel overwhelmed by the complexities of self-publishing and prefer a single point of contact. This convenience is a significant draw for many.
- Personalized Approach: They claim “Custom Author Strategies” and “Personalized Publishing,” stating, “We believe no two authors are alike—so your publishing journey shouldn’t be either.” This suggests a tailored experience, with services designed around the author’s “voice, goals, and creative direction.” This level of customization, if delivered, could be highly beneficial for authors who want their unique vision preserved.
- Market-Focused Promotion: The website emphasizes “high-visibility, reader-focused launches with ebook marketing solutions that truly convert.” This includes “Targeted Marketing Campaigns” email campaigns, Amazon ads and “End-to-End Promotions” for reviews, rankings, and ongoing engagement. For authors, effective marketing is critical for discoverability, and the promise of strategic promotion is a strong selling point.
- Genre Versatility: Authorsuccesspublishing.com states it covers “20+ genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and niche topics,” with “dedicated teams for each category.” This indicates a broad appeal and an ability to cater to diverse literary works, suggesting specialized knowledge across various writing styles.
- Intellectual Property Retention: The FAQ section explicitly states, “You retain 100% copyright under a work-for-hire agreement” if a ghostwriter is used. This is a crucial point for authors, ensuring they maintain full ownership of their creative work.
Identified Disadvantages and Areas of Concern
Despite the attractive promises, a critical review of the website reveals several significant drawbacks and areas of concern:
- Lack of Transparency: This is the most prominent issue. There is no information about the company’s founders, the team of professionals ghostwriters, editors, designers, their qualifications, or their experience. Authors are essentially asked to trust a service provider without knowing who is behind the work. Reputable agencies always highlight their team’s expertise and track record.
- Vague Pricing Structure: While the FAQ mentions “Costs range from $300 to $2,500 depending on services,” this is an incredibly broad range. There are no clear service packages, detailed breakdowns of what each price point includes, or a transparent fee schedule. This lack of clarity makes it difficult for authors to budget effectively or compare services with competitors. Hidden costs or upselling tactics could be a concern.
- Unverifiable Testimonials: The testimonials on the site are generic text snippets without any links to the authors’ published books, their websites, or external review platforms. This makes it impossible to verify the authenticity of these claims. In the publishing industry, proof of success often involves showcasing the actual books launched and the authors who recommend the service.
- Shared Office Address: The listed New York address 140 E 45th St is a known WeWork co-working space. While not inherently problematic, the absence of a specific suite number or a more substantial online presence e.g., detailed business registration information, industry affiliations beyond generic claims could suggest a less established or less stable operation than implied.
- No Portfolio of Published Works: For a service claiming to offer “End-to-End” publishing, there is a complete absence of a portfolio showing books they have published or worked on. Authors need to see tangible examples of successful projects to gauge the quality of editing, design, and overall production value. Without this, claims of “polished data” or “quality refinement” remain unsubstantiated.
- Aggressive Discount Offers: The homepage prominently features “Huge Discounts are a Click Away!” with 25% off for signing up and “Massive 50% OFF by chatting with us live.” While discounts can be appealing, overly aggressive or time-sensitive offers, especially before understanding the core service details, can sometimes be a tactic to pressure customers into quick decisions without full information.
- Limited External Presence: A thorough search for independent reviews or third-party validation of Authorsuccesspublishing.com reveals very little beyond their own website. Legitimate and established services often have a significant digital footprint, including reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google Business, or mentions in industry blogs and forums. The limited external presence raises questions about their actual operational history and client satisfaction.
In summary, while Authorsuccesspublishing.com presents a compelling vision of comprehensive, personalized publishing support, the lack of transparency, verifiable proof points, and detailed pricing information poses significant risks for authors.
Without knowing who you’re working with, what exactly you’re paying for, and seeing concrete examples of their success, authors should exercise extreme caution.
Authorsuccesspublishing.com Alternatives
Given the concerns regarding transparency and verifiable success at Authorsuccesspublishing.com, it’s prudent for authors to explore more established and transparent alternatives. Hasty-boost.com Review
These alternatives often provide clearer pricing, verifiable portfolios, and a stronger track record.
Why Seek Alternatives?
Authors invest not just money, but their passion, time, and creative vision into their books.
Choosing a publishing service requires due diligence.
Key reasons to look beyond Authorsuccesspublishing.com and towards other options include:
- Transparency and Trust: Reputable services clearly outline who they are, their experience, and their past successes.
- Verifiable Quality: Authors need to see tangible proof of good editing, compelling design, and effective marketing outcomes.
- Clear Pricing: Understanding the true cost upfront, without hidden fees or vague ranges, is essential for financial planning.
- Author Control: Ensuring authors retain intellectual property and have clear communication channels throughout the process.
Top Alternatives in the Self-Publishing Space
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- Overview: Reedsy is a curated marketplace connecting authors with a global network of vetted freelance professionals—from editors and designers to publicists and ghostwriters. Each professional has a detailed profile showcasing their experience, portfolio, and client reviews.
- Key Services: Editing developmental, copyediting, proofreading, cover design, interior formatting, marketing, publicity, ghostwriting.
- Why it’s a Strong Alternative:
- Transparency: You see the exact professionals you’re working with, their credentials, and reviews from other authors.
- Quality Control: Reedsy vets all professionals, ensuring a high standard of service.
- Competitive Bidding: Authors can request quotes from multiple professionals, allowing for comparison and selection based on budget and fit.
- Direct Communication: Authors communicate directly with their chosen freelancers.
- Considerations: Requires authors to manage the project themselves coordinating different freelancers, though Reedsy provides tools for this.
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- Overview: BookBaby is a well-known all-in-one self-publishing company offering a full suite of services, particularly strong in print-on-demand and global distribution.
- Key Services: eBook and print book distribution to Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, etc., professional editing, cover design, interior formatting, marketing services, ISBN assignment.
- Comprehensive Packages: Offers bundles that cover most publishing needs, simplifying the process.
- Reputation: Long-standing and reputable in the self-publishing industry.
- Global Reach: Strong distribution network ensures wide availability for your book.
- Author Support: Provides dedicated support for authors throughout the publishing process.
- Considerations: Can be more expensive than purely DIY approaches or hiring individual freelancers, and customer service reviews are mixed.
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KDP Kindle Direct Publishing + Independent Professionals
- Overview: This approach involves using Amazon’s KDP platform for direct publishing, combined with hiring independent, vetted professionals for editing, design, and marketing.
- Key Services: KDP offers free eBook and paperback publishing, royalty tracking, and promotional tools. Independent professionals can be found on platforms like Reedsy, Fiverr Pro, or Upwork for specific tasks.
- Maximum Control & Royalties: Authors retain full control over their book and receive a higher percentage of royalties from KDP.
- Cost-Effective: By hiring freelancers for specific tasks, authors can often get high-quality work without paying for bundled services they may not need.
- Flexibility: Allows authors to choose professionals based on their specific needs, budget, and desired style.
- Market Dominance: Publishing directly to Amazon gives access to the largest eBook market.
- Considerations: Requires authors to project manage and source individual services, demanding more time and research.
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- Overview: Scribe Media formerly Scribe Writing focuses on helping busy professionals and entrepreneurs write and publish non-fiction books, often involving a significant ghostwriting component.
- Key Services: Structured book writing process, ghostwriting, editing, cover design, publishing, and marketing strategy.
- High-Quality Ghostwriting: Known for its structured process and experienced ghostwriters, particularly for thought leadership.
- Guided Process: Provides extensive guidance and support throughout the entire writing and publishing journey.
- Author Branding: Strong emphasis on leveraging the book to build the author’s brand and authority.
- Considerations: Very high-end service, typically more expensive than other options, and primarily geared towards non-fiction.
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Lulu Globalshopaholics.com Review
- Overview: Lulu is a self-publishing platform that offers print-on-demand services, eBook distribution, and various publishing packages. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and print quality.
- Key Services: Print book publishing paperback, hardcover, eBook publishing, global distribution, design services, editing services through partners.
- Ease of Use: User-friendly platform, especially for print books.
- Good Print Quality: Often praised for the quality of its print-on-demand books.
- Flexible Options: Allows authors to choose between DIY and assisted publishing services.
- Considerations: While it offers design and editing, these are often less comprehensive or more costly than specialized service providers. Marketing support is also more limited than full-service agencies.
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- Overview: Draft2Digital is a popular eBook aggregator that simplifies the process of distributing eBooks to multiple online retailers from a single upload. They also offer free formatting.
- Key Services: eBook conversion and formatting free, widespread eBook distribution to Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, etc., including Amazon if desired, sales tracking.
- Simplicity and Efficiency: Streamlines distribution to many platforms with one upload.
- Free Formatting: Provides free, professional eBook formatting.
- Excellent Customer Service: Highly regarded for its responsive and helpful support.
- Author-Friendly Terms: No exclusivity, authors retain full rights.
- Considerations: Primarily a distribution service. authors still need to arrange for editing, cover design, and advanced marketing independently.
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- Overview: Gatekeeper Press is an award-winning self-publishing company offering a range of services from editing and design to marketing and distribution. They pride themselves on transparency and personalized service.
- Key Services: Editorial services, cover design, interior formatting, eBook conversion, print-on-demand, global distribution, custom marketing plans.
- Personalized Approach: Emphasizes working closely with authors.
- Transparent Pricing: Clear packages and pricing models.
- Award-Winning: Has received recognition for its services, adding a layer of credibility.
- Author Support: Known for being responsive and supportive throughout the publishing process.
- Considerations: While comprehensive, it may be a mid-to-high cost option, depending on the chosen services.
These alternatives offer a range of solutions, from marketplaces where authors can hand-pick their professionals to comprehensive service providers that manage the entire process.
Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, but they all provide a higher degree of transparency, verifiable track records, and clearer service agreements compared to Authorsuccesspublishing.com, allowing authors to make more informed and confident decisions about their publishing journey.
Authorsuccesspublishing.com Pricing
The information regarding pricing on Authorsuccesspublishing.com is notably vague, which is a significant concern for any service provider, especially one dealing with creative and potentially costly endeavors like book publishing.
Clarity in pricing is a hallmark of reputable businesses, as it allows clients to budget effectively, compare services, and make informed decisions.
What the Website States
The FAQ section of Authorsuccesspublishing.com includes a question: “What is the average cost of publishing an ebook on Amazon Kindle?” The answer provided is: “Costs range from $300 to $2,500 depending on services.
We offer flexible pricing and transparent packages, making professional-quality Kindle publishing accessible—whether you’re a first-time author or building a full catalog.” Epicvin.com Review
Additionally, the homepage features prominent discount offers: “Huge Discounts are a Click Away! Enjoy 25% OFF by Signing up Now Or Get Massive 50% OFF by chatting with us live.”
Analysis of the Pricing Information
- Broad Price Range: A range of “$300 to $2,500” for “publishing an ebook on Amazon Kindle” is extremely broad and unhelpful. For comparison, professional editing alone can easily fall within this range, let alone ghostwriting, design, and marketing combined. This wide variability suggests a lack of standardized packages or a reluctance to disclose typical costs upfront. It doesn’t clarify what services correspond to the lower end versus the higher end of the spectrum. Is $300 for basic formatting only? Is $2,500 for a full ghostwritten book? The ambiguity makes it impossible for an author to understand what their investment would truly entail.
- Lack of “Transparent Packages”: The claim of offering “transparent packages” directly contradicts the absence of any detailed package descriptions or pricing tiers on the website. There are no “Bronze,” “Silver,” or “Gold” packages outlining specific services included at different price points, which is common practice for many publishing service providers. Without this information, the term “transparent packages” rings hollow.
- Aggressive Discount Strategy: The aggressive 25% and 50% discount offers, particularly the “chat with us live” for a 50% discount, can be a high-pressure sales tactic. While discounts can be appealing, offering such significant reductions without clear base pricing or service details can lead to hurried decisions. It often implies that the initial quoted prices are highly inflated if they can be cut in half so readily. Authors should be wary of services that rely heavily on immediate, deep discounts rather than inherent value and clear pricing.
- No Itemized Service Costs: Authorsuccesspublishing.com lists various services ghostwriting, editing, design, marketing, etc., but there’s no indication of how much each individual service costs, or how they combine into the “dependent on services” range. This lack of itemization makes it difficult for authors to pick and choose services based on their specific needs and budget, or to understand the value proposition for each component.
What Reputable Services Offer
In contrast, established and ethical publishing service providers typically offer:
- Detailed Service Pages: Each service e.g., developmental editing, copyediting, cover design has a dedicated page explaining what it includes and its associated costs or clear starting prices.
- Tiered Packages: Many offer packages e.g., basic, premium, all-inclusive with a clear list of what’s included in each tier and the corresponding price.
- Custom Quotes: For more complex projects like ghostwriting, they clearly state that a custom quote is required after a consultation, but they often provide a clear methodology for how those quotes are generated e.g., per word, per project scope.
- No Hidden Fees: They clearly state that all costs are upfront, with no surprises.
- Examples & Case Studies: Often showcase success stories with an indication of the scope of work involved, giving authors a sense of the investment versus the outcome.
The opaque pricing model on Authorsuccesspublishing.com creates an environment where authors cannot make an informed decision.
It necessitates direct engagement phone call or live chat to get even basic pricing, which could lead to sales pressure.
This lack of transparency is a significant concern for any author seeking professional and ethical publishing assistance. W11stop.com Review
How to Avoid Unethical Publishing Services
Navigating the self-publishing world can feel like a minefield, especially for first-time authors.
While many legitimate services exist, a significant number of unethical or predatory operations lurk, eager to exploit authors’ dreams and wallets.
Avoiding these pitfalls requires diligence, research, and a healthy dose of skepticism.
Here’s a pragmatic approach to safeguarding your literary project and financial investment. Tlfapparel.com Review
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Before you even consider signing a contract, be on the lookout for these common red flags:
- Unsolicited Contact or “Discovery”: Be extremely wary of companies that contact you out of the blue, claiming they “discovered” your manuscript online if you’ve uploaded it anywhere or through a literary database. Legitimate agents or publishers rarely cold-call, and reputable service providers rely on inbound inquiries.
- Guaranteed Success/Best-Seller Status: No legitimate publishing service, agent, or publisher can guarantee a best-seller. The market is too unpredictable. Promises of instant fame, high sales numbers, or guaranteed placement on best-seller lists are almost always deceptive.
- Aggressive Sales Tactics & Pressure: If a service pushes you to sign immediately, offers massive “limited-time” discounts that vanish, or employs high-pressure sales calls, back away. Reputable companies provide time for due diligence and clear decision-making.
- Vague or Hidden Pricing: As seen with Authorsuccesspublishing.com, a lack of transparent pricing, broad ranges without clear service breakdowns, or refusal to provide itemized costs upfront are major red flags. This often leads to hidden fees, upselling, or an overall higher cost than anticipated.
- Lack of Verifiable Information:
- No Team Bios: Who are the editors, designers, or ghostwriters? Are their credentials listed?
- Generic Testimonials: Testimonials without full names, verifiable links to published works, or external review platforms.
- Shared or Virtual Office Addresses: While not always a red flag, if combined with other issues, a generic shared office address can indicate a less established or less transparent operation.
- No Portfolio: A publishing service should have a portfolio of published books, showing their design and formatting quality. If they only show concepts or claim confidentiality for all projects, be suspicious.
- Demands for Large Upfront Payments with No Clear Deliverables: Be cautious if they demand a significant sum upfront before any work has commenced or without clearly defined milestones and deliverables linked to payments.
- Unusual Contract Terms: Be vigilant about contracts that:
- Claim ownership of your intellectual property you should always retain 100% copyright.
- Require you to buy a large number of your own books.
- Include clauses that are difficult to understand or seem overly restrictive.
- Inflated Promises for Marketing: Promising “viral marketing,” “major media placements,” or “millions of readers” for a modest fee are often unrealistic. Effective book marketing is complex and expensive.
- Grammar, Spelling, or Professionalism Errors: If their own website or communication is riddled with errors, it’s a strong indicator of low quality in the very services they claim to offer.
Steps to Take for Due Diligence
- Research Thoroughly Online:
- Search for Reviews: Look for reviews on independent platforms like Trustpilot, Google Reviews, Better Business Bureau BBB, and author forums e.g., Absolute Write Water Cooler, Kindle Boards.
- Scam Lists: Check websites like Writer Beware! run by Victoria Strauss for lists of known scams and cautionary tales.
- Company Name + “Scam,” “Reviews,” “Complaint”: Use these search terms to find any negative feedback.
- Verify Contact Information:
- Call the phone number provided. Does a professional answer?
- Email them. How quickly and professionally do they respond?
- If a physical address is given, check it on Google Maps. Is it a legitimate business location or a PO Box/virtual office?
- Request Specific Samples & Portfolios:
- Ask to see specific examples of books they have edited, designed, or published.
- For ghostwriting services, ask for samples of their work though specific author names might be protected by NDA, they should have general samples.
- Insist on a Detailed Contract:
- Ensure the contract clearly outlines all services, deliverables, timelines, payment schedules, and intellectual property rights.
- Have an attorney ideally one familiar with publishing contracts review the contract before signing.
- Talk to Past Clients If Possible: If testimonials are provided, ask if you can contact those individuals directly. If the company refuses, consider it a red flag.
- Understand the Publishing Process Yourself: The more you educate yourself about editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing, the better equipped you’ll be to spot unrealistic claims or shoddy work. Resources like Jane Friedman’s blog are invaluable.
- Prioritize Transparency: Choose services that are upfront about their team, their processes, their pricing, and their track record.
By adopting a rigorous, skeptical, and informed approach, authors can significantly reduce their risk of falling prey to unethical publishing services and instead partner with professionals who genuinely want to see their books succeed.
Authorsuccesspublishing.com vs. Industry Standards
When examining Authorsuccesspublishing.com, it’s beneficial to hold it up against the accepted industry standards for reputable publishing service providers.
This comparison highlights areas where the website aligns with or deviates from what authors typically expect from professional assistance, particularly in the self-publishing ecosystem. Taskperks.com Review
What Industry Standards Dictate
Reputable self-publishing service providers, independent editors, designers, and marketing professionals typically adhere to several key standards to build trust and deliver value:
- Transparency of Services and Pricing:
- Standard: Clear, itemized lists of services with explicit pricing structures e.g., per word for editing, flat fees for cover design, tiered packages with detailed inclusions. No hidden fees.
- Authorsuccesspublishing.com: Provides a vague price range $300-$2,500 without outlining what each tier includes. Promotes significant discounts without a clear base price.
- Professional Credentials and Team Information:
- Standard: “About Us” pages or team sections detailing the experience, qualifications, and background of the professionals involved editors’ experience, designers’ portfolios, ghostwriters’ specializations.
- Authorsuccesspublishing.com: Completely lacks any information about its team, their expertise, or their individual contributions. Authors are asked to trust “our experts” without knowing who they are.
- Verifiable Client Success and Portfolios:
- Standard: Case studies, success stories, or portfolios showcasing actual published books they have worked on, often with links to the books on retail sites or author testimonials that can be verified externally.
- Authorsuccesspublishing.com: Offers generic, unlinked text testimonials. There is no visible portfolio of books they claim to have published or designed, making it impossible to assess the quality of their work.
- Clear Intellectual Property Rights:
- Standard: Contracts explicitly state that the author retains 100% copyright and intellectual property rights for their work.
- Authorsuccesspublishing.com: States that authors retain 100% copyright for ghostwritten work, which is positive. However, without reviewing their full contract, the full scope of rights is unknown.
- Industry Affiliations and Professional Memberships:
- Standard: Membership in professional organizations e.g., Editorial Freelancers Association, Independent Book Publishers Association, Alliance of Independent Authors can indicate a commitment to professional standards and ethics.
- Authorsuccesspublishing.com: No mention of any industry affiliations or professional body memberships on their website.
- Communication and Customer Service:
- Standard: Clear communication channels, responsive customer service, and often a dedicated project manager or point of contact.
- Authorsuccesspublishing.com: Offers live chat, phone, and email, which is standard. The quality and responsiveness can only be judged through direct interaction.
- Realistic Expectations and Promises:
- Standard: Reputable services avoid guaranteeing sales, best-seller status, or specific income. They focus on providing quality services that improve a book’s chances in the market.
- Authorsuccesspublishing.com: Implies high visibility and “truly convert” marketing solutions. While not explicitly guaranteeing best-seller status, the marketing language can sometimes be overly optimistic without concrete, data-backed examples.
- Physical Presence and Business Registration:
- Standard: A verifiable business address and clear information about company registration.
- Authorsuccesspublishing.com: Provides a shared WeWork address, which, while legitimate for some businesses, lacks the specificity e.g., suite number often seen with more established entities, and when coupled with other red flags, raises more questions than it answers.
Conclusion of the Comparison
Authorsuccesspublishing.com falls significantly short of several critical industry standards, particularly in areas of transparency, verifiable credentials, and concrete examples of past success.
While it presents a professional facade and promises a comprehensive suite of services, the absence of detailed pricing, team information, and a visible portfolio makes it difficult for authors to conduct proper due diligence.
Authorsuccesspublishing.com’s approach places the burden of blind trust on the author, which is generally not recommended when investing in critical services for one’s creative work.
Authors should prioritize services that openly share their expertise, clearly outline their costs, and proudly showcase the books they have helped bring to life. Saphirose.com Review
FAQ
How legitimate is Authorsuccesspublishing.com as a publishing service?
Based on the website’s content, Authorsuccesspublishing.com presents itself as a legitimate service, but it lacks several key transparency elements, such as verifiable team credentials, detailed pricing breakdowns, and a portfolio of published works, which raises significant concerns about its overall legitimacy and trustworthiness in comparison to industry standards.
What services does Authorsuccesspublishing.com claim to offer?
Authorsuccesspublishing.com claims to offer end-to-end eBook publishing services, including ghostwriting, editing, book cover design, interior formatting, publishing across multiple platforms Kindle, Apple Books, book marketing email campaigns, Amazon ads, book trailer videos, and author website design.
Is Authorsuccesspublishing.com transparent about its pricing?
No, Authorsuccesspublishing.com is not transparent about its pricing. Shophydrolite.com Review
The website only provides a broad cost range of “$300 to $2,500” for eBook publishing without detailed package breakdowns or an itemized list of services and their corresponding costs.
Does Authorsuccesspublishing.com provide verifiable client testimonials?
No, Authorsuccesspublishing.com does not provide verifiable client testimonials.
The website features generic text testimonials without links to the authors’ published books, their websites, or external review platforms, making it impossible to independently confirm their authenticity.
What is the typical timeframe for publishing an eBook with Authorsuccesspublishing.com?
According to Authorsuccesspublishing.com’s FAQ, the total timeframe for writing and publishing an eBook depends on the project scope, but it typically takes “8–16 weeks from writing to publication” due to their “accelerated publishing system.”
Does Authorsuccesspublishing.com claim authors retain intellectual property rights?
Yes, Authorsuccesspublishing.com states in its FAQ that authors retain 100% copyright under a “work-for-hire agreement” if a ghostwriter is hired. Zenesadigital.com Review
Are there any red flags concerning Authorsuccesspublishing.com’s website?
Yes, several red flags include a lack of transparent pricing, absence of detailed team information, generic and unverifiable testimonials, no visible portfolio of published works, and the use of a shared WeWork office address without a specific suite number.
How does Authorsuccesspublishing.com compare to established self-publishing services like BookBaby or Reedsy?
Authorsuccesspublishing.com falls short compared to established services like BookBaby or Reedsy, which typically offer greater transparency in pricing, verifiable professional credentials, clear portfolios of past work, and robust external reviews, allowing authors to make more informed decisions.
Does Authorsuccesspublishing.com offer discounts?
Yes, Authorsuccesspublishing.com prominently advertises discount offers, including “25% OFF by Signing up Now” and “Massive 50% OFF by chatting with us live.”
What genres does Authorsuccesspublishing.com cover?
Authorsuccesspublishing.com claims to cover “20+ genres,” including fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery, sci-fi, children’s books, autobiography, self-help, and research.
Can authors request changes to their manuscript before final publication with Authorsuccesspublishing.com?
Yes, Authorsuccesspublishing.com states that authors can request changes, emphasizing “author control” and a “collaborative revision stage before publication,” and that they “never publish without your explicit approval of the final version.”
Is Authorsuccesspublishing.com suitable for first-time authors?
Authorsuccesspublishing.com positions itself as empowering “First-Time Authors with End-to-End eBook Publishing Services,” suggesting it aims to be suitable for them.
However, the lack of transparency might pose greater risks for inexperienced authors who might not recognize potential red flags.
Does Authorsuccesspublishing.com provide physical book printing services?
Yes, in addition to eBook services, Authorsuccesspublishing.com lists “Printing” as one of their services, stating their “top-notch ebook printing services ensure that physical copies of your book provide a premium touch.”
How can I contact Authorsuccesspublishing.com?
You can contact Authorsuccesspublishing.com via phone at +1 917 310-3932, email at [email protected], or through their live chat and contact form on their website.
Does Authorsuccesspublishing.com offer an AI book name generator?
Yes, the homepage of Authorsuccesspublishing.com features an “AI Book Name Generator” where users can input a genre and creativity level to generate names.
Is there an “About Us” section on Authorsuccesspublishing.com?
No, there is no dedicated “About Us” page or section on Authorsuccesspublishing.com that introduces the company’s founders, its history, or the specific professionals who comprise its team of ghostwriters, editors, and designers.
Does Authorsuccesspublishing.com help with ISBN registration?
Yes, Authorsuccesspublishing.com states that they handle “ISBN registration” as part of their services to maximize publishing impact.
What is Authorsuccesspublishing.com’s approach to book marketing?
Authorsuccesspublishing.com focuses on “high-visibility, reader-focused launches” through “Targeted Marketing Campaigns” including email campaigns, Amazon ads, promotional strategies, and “End-to-End Promotions” for reviews, rankings, and ongoing reader engagement.
Can Authorsuccesspublishing.com help with creating an author website?
Yes, Authorsuccesspublishing.com offers “Author Web Design” as one of their services, aiming to create professional websites that reflect the essence of the author’s literary work.
What are the main steps in Authorsuccesspublishing.com’s publishing process?
Authorsuccesspublishing.com outlines a “Simplified and Streamlined eBook Publishing and Marketing in Four Phases”: Publishing Strategy, Content Creation, Quality Refinement, and Launch Execution.
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