Service Ratings for Indie Authors

John Doppler
This rating of the best and worst self-publishing services is a community outreach service from the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).
ALLi's Watchdog Desk, headed up by John Doppler, monitors the self-publishing services sector. We invite feedback from writers, good and bad, on any service.
If the service you seek is not on the ratings list, just let us know.
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Services
The ratings are the informed opinion of the Alliance of Independent Authors' Watchdog Desk. Authorized representatives of the companies listed are welcome to contact the watchdog desk to dispute a rating, request information on ALLi's assessment process, or present additional information for consideration. Contact us here.
Scroll below or use the search box to locate a particular service
| Company | Website | Rating | Concerns | Notes | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Covers | LINK | Recommended | Cover Design | ||
|
1106 Design |
LINK | Excellent (Partner) | Editorial Services, Design and Formatting Services, Marketing & Promotion Services, Audio Services, Multi/Full Services | ||
|
17 Studio Book Design |
LINK | Excellent (Partner) | Design and Formatting Services | ||
| 360 Digital Books | LINK | Recommended | Printing | ||
| 360 Ghostwriters | Caution | Transparency, Marketing, Service, Quality, Other | |||
| 48 Hours Publisher | Caution | Transparency, Quality, Value, Marketing, Legal, Other | Other | ||
|
5mediadesign |
LINK | Excellent (Partner) | Design and Formatting Services | ||
| A Novel Connection | Caution | Practices | Use of this service appears to violate KDP Select's rules on exclusivity. | ||
| A.H. Stockwell | LINK | Caution | Quality, Transparency | Although A.H. Stockwell represents itself as a traditional publisher, authors are being sold services. Quality (and sales) of many of the titles we examined were far below average. | |
|
Aaxel Author Group |
LINK | Excellent (Partner) | Writing Services, Editorial Services, Design and Formatting Services, Marketing & Promotion Services | ||
| Abbott Press | Watchdog Advisory | Quality, Value, Service, Communication, Transparency, Marketing, Legal | Author Solutions imprint | ||
| Accent Press | Caution | Quality, Service, Communication, Contract | |||
| Access Media Group | Caution | Marketing, Transparency, Quality, Value, Legal, Other | |||
| Acorn Publishing, LLC | Mixed | Value, Transparency, Contract | Company operates out of Irvine, CA. | ||
| ACX | LINK | Caution | ACX/Audible are no longer recommended services due to their policy of open-ended refunds, for which the author is penalized. | ||
|
Adam Heine Editing Services |
LINK | Excellent (Partner) | Editorial Services | ||
| Adaptations Tide | Caution | Marketing, Transparency, Quality, Value, Legal, Other | |||
| Adelaide Books | Watchdog Advisory | Service, Communication, Quality, Transparency | Writer Beware warns of Adelaide Books' hidden fees, upselling, and client dissatisfaction. | ||
| Adirondack Editing | LINK | Recommended | Editing | ||
| Adventure Time Narratives | Caution | Marketing, Transparency, Quality, Value, Legal, Other | |||
| Adverters, The | Caution | Marketing, Transparency, Quality, Value, Legal, Other | |||
| Aegitas | LINK | Caution | Quality, Transparency | ||
| Aimee Walker Editorial Services | LINK | Recommended | Editing | ||
| AJ Editorial Services | LINK | Recommended | Editing | ||
| Aladdin Books & Media Agency | LINK | Recommended | Offers film rights management for English, German, and Spanish translations. | Rights Management | |
| Alex James Novels | LINK | Recommended | Editing, Peer Critique | ||
|
Alkira Publishing Editing and Book Design |
LINK | Excellent (Partner) | Formerly AIA Publishing. | Editorial Services, Design and Formatting Services, Production & Distribution Services | |
|
AllAuthor.com |
LINK | Excellent (Partner) | Marketing & Promotion Services | ||
| Alliant Press | Watchdog Advisory | Quality, Value, Service, Communication, Transparency, Marketing, Legal | Partnership between Alliant University and Author Solutions | ||
| Alpha Books Solutions | Caution | Marketing, Transparency, Quality, Value, Legal, Other | |||
| Alpha Books United | Caution | Marketing, Transparency, Quality, Value, Legal, Other | |||
| AlphaScript | Watchdog Advisory | Quality, Value, Service, Communication, Marketing, Contract, Legal | Part of the same network of vanity press operators behind OmniScriptum and VDM. | ||
| Amazon Digital Publishers | LINK | Watchdog Advisory | Transparency, Quality, Marketing, Service, Other | This is very likely part of a ring of Philippine scams that fraudulently claims to be affiliated with Amazon. Like the others, this company has no connection to Amazon or KDP. | Publishing Packages |
| Amazon Pro Hub | Watchdog Advisory | An overseas vanity press ring that operates under several aliases, often using Amazon trademarks without authorization. | |||
| Amazon Publishing Hub | Watchdog Advisory | Likely the same entity as Savvy Book Marketing, this scheme has no connection to Amazon, and their unauthorized use of Amazon's trademarks is sure to bring swift legal action. | |||
| Amazon Publishing Pros | Watchdog Advisory | Legal, Transparency, Service, Quality, Value, Marketing, Other | This is very likely part of a ring of Philippine scams that fraudulently claims to be affiliated with Amazon. Like the others, this company has no connection to Amazon or KDP. | Publishing Packages | |
|
Amelia Winters Editing |
LINK | Excellent (Partner) | Editorial Services | ||
| America Star Books | Watchdog Advisory | Quality, Value, Service, Communication, Transparency, Marketing, Legal | Formerly PublishAmerica, a vanity press with a staggering number of complaints. | ||
| Amolibros | LINK | Closed | Quality | Rated as Mixed at time of closure. | |
| Ampersand Printing | LINK | Closed | This company was Recommended at the time of its closure. | Printing, Promotional Materials | |
| Amplify Publishing | LINK | Pending | Value, Marketing | An offshoot of Mascot Books, a hybrid/vanity press with poor sales performance. | |
| Amy Bee Book Coach and Editor | LINK | Recommended | Editing | ||
| Amygdala Design | LINK | Recommended | Website Design, Formatting, Cover Design | ||
| Anchor Virtual Assistants | LINK | Recommended | Virtual Assistant | ||
|
Angela Bissell Editorial |
LINK | Excellent (Partner) | Editorial Services | ||
| Anita D. McClellan Associates | LINK | Recommended | 0 | Editing, Coaching | |
| Annie Percik | LINK | Recommended | Editing services specialising in fantasy fiction, self-help and memoir. | Editing | |
|
Anthemion Software Ltd |
LINK | Excellent (Partner) | Production & Distribution Services | ||
| Apple (iBooks) | LINK | Recommended | Read our comparison of publishing platforms in Amazon vs. Apple | Distribution, Retail | |
| AppSally | LINK | Caution | Transparency, Marketing, Practices |
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