Archway doomed my book from the start I spent thousands to have a top line review of my manuscript and recommendations. Practically none were done. Only side notes like to “spell out acronyms.” Meanwhile my cover story was rewritten to appeal to a readers who watch soap operas instead of the legal and medical community. Archway even required that I write it as fiction though the evidence could easily be sourced for accuracy through the public medical boards and court records. Archway did everything to sabotage my book as they ran off with thousands of dollars and then asked for even more. I refused after that.They are a complete rip- off publisher. I may have sold a total of ten books in 5 years.

Here are the communications that… Here are the communications that illustrate Archway Publishing refused to let me see or approve the design and layout of my book before it was sent to production. From me: Can you please send me some examples for the design and layout of the interior pages of my book? I’m looking forward to working with you and your production team to create visually interesting layouts to compliment the 15 years of work that has gone into the publication. Thank you again for your time and consideration. Reply from Archway Publishing I apologize if I wasn’t able to get back to you immediately. As much as I’d like to send a few samples (of the layout and design of the book) to you, I do not have the resources to do so. Sent to Archway Publishing I have asked for a full refund. It has taken months just to get the links to upload the photos and text (something that should be a very straightforward process that can be completed in one day, but you refused my repeated requests to send the links for weeks at a time). And now you are refusing to show me the design and layout of my own book before it gets sent to production. I cannot be expected to approve a layout and design that I’ve never seen. Saying the book has to be sent to production without the author having the opportunity to review and approve the design and layout, and there will be extra charges if changes are needed later, is not how professional publishers treat their authors. Unfortunately, your communications have been confrontational instead of collaborative and supportive. (a full refund has not yet been provided 4 weeks later). Update: Despite sending the wrong version of my book (a short draft version that I sent just to check the formatting) to production, then over two months of delays trying to get things sorted out, followed by refusing to allow me to see or approve the layout of the interior pages before they were sent to production, I asked for a refund and less than one third of what I had paid was ever refunded. There was no ‘confusion’ or ‘misunderstanding’, Archway Publishing acknowledged these facts and simply refused to act in good faith. This post is to caution anyone thinking of self-publishing to look elsewhere if you are looking for an honest, competent, respectful self-publishing firm.

Outstanding support; highly recommend Archway I’m writing this while still in the process (read that—not yet published). Thus far I haven’t run into any of the negative issues described by other reviewers. My calls/emails/questions have been answered immediately and knowledgeably. Yes, there is some up-selling—but you have to look at this as a printing service. In short, you get what you pay for. If you need or want additional help ( Ie, an illustrator to help design a cover), you have to pay for that. I completely self-published a previous book in 2013, and it cost 4k to do so. I’ve spent 5k with Archway for far more help, quality, and support. In terms of the process I give them 5 stars and 2 thumbs up.

Archway publication process has been… Archway publication process has been excellent. The only problem I had was that editing takes too long. That is true for my first book and also for current second book. Publicity has to be aggressive as very few copies of my first book got sold. I tried to have my second book about half the size of first book, hoping that price of the book will be according lot less. But again, it is almost $30 for paper back.

Little things mean a lot In general, the experience was okay. However, a question I asked about empty pages was not answered correctly. Little things like these mean a lot. The printed copy has empty pages that could have been used. I also missed a typo that I want to fix.