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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This guide empowers you to choose the best self-publishing partners for your book and author business, from large players like Amazon KDP, Google and Apple Books down to your local friendly freelance. It also draws on ALLi’s Code of Standards for partner members to show you how to assess any service for yourself.
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