Arthur Lazarus
USYou Get What You Pay For This is my second go-around with iUniverse. I got what I paid for using the "Pioneer" package -- a print copy of my book plus an e-pub on Amazon with a Getty-image cover and transcription of my manuscript without any professional proofreading or copy-editing. Make sure your manuscript is in print-ready form before submitting it. They are efficient and responsive. You must do the marketing, however, and do not fall for or pay for their promises to make you a star. They are a business designed to make money. They are not going to make money for you, and they do not care about your writing. If your expectations are realistic, there is no problem. Everything is outsourced to workers in the Philippines, but I was able to discuss issues by telephone, and they were polite. FYI, the price for your publication package is negotiable. Addendum 4/24/2024: As of this date they have failed to make my e-pub available per contract. Several calls and emails have gone unanswered, or someone in customer services unsympathetically says they will get back to you in 24-48 hours (untrue). Also, about 7-10 days after my book was published in paperback I began to receive calls on my personal cell phone from complete strangers -- scammers with Filipino accents -- wanting to help market my book for a hefty fee. I did an online investigation and discovered this was a common occurrence with iUniverse (google iUniverse and "Logan Crawford"). If I write another book, it certainly won't be published by this untrustworthy organization.
Janta Franklin Jan
USThe 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
Alexandria Bugaj
USUncomfortable 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.
Jeanne Pagano
USUndecided 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.
Katy Duncan
USHuge 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!