Archway Publishing
Thinking about publishing with Archway Publishing? Here’s an independent, sourced look at whether it’s a legitimate vanity press or one to avoid — measured against the IBPA hybrid-publisher criteria, the ALLi Watchdog, and Writer Beware, and last checked on 2026-06-09.
Key findings
- Not recommended — meets 1 of the 11 IBPA hybrid-publisher criteria.
- ALLi rates it Watchdog Advisory; Writer Beware lists it.
- Author pays: $2,499–$17,699 for current publishing packages (Pathfinder to Leader tiers, per Archway's official comparison chart as of 2026); additional paid marketing add-ons documented; business packages historically priced to $25,000+.
- Author keeps their rights.
- Distribution: online retailers only.
- Watch for: implies false affiliation (e.g. with amazon), part of a known bad network.
Our assessment
Archway Publishing is a paid self-publishing service launched in November 2012 as a joint venture between Simon & Schuster and Author Solutions Inc. (ASI), with all operations handled by ASI (which was acquired by Center Street Ventures in March 2025). The company's own homepage states it is "Operated by Author Solutions." The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) issued a Watchdog Warning against Archway, citing high package costs, an affiliate scheme paying $100 bounties per author signup, and ASI's documented history of non-payment of royalties, inaccurate royalty reporting, misappropriation of rights, and harassing upsell calls.
Writer Beware flagged Archway at its 2012 launch, describing costs as "eye-popping" and calling Author Solutions "the most hated name in the self-publishing services world." Current packages range from $2,499 to $17,699 (Pathfinder to Leader tiers) per Archway's official comparison chart. Royalty rates (10–25% print, 50% eBook net) are substantially below what authors can achieve through free direct platforms.
Authors retain rights to their manuscript text under a non-exclusive agreement, but Archway retains ownership of design and production work product including cover files. Distribution is through Ingram and online retailers; physical bookstore placement is explicitly not guaranteed.
The BBB lists Author Solutions with an A+ accreditation rating but a 1.27/5 customer review score. Archway meets only 1 of 11 IBPA hybrid publisher criteria (ISBN/LCCN assignment), failing on submission vetting, transparent pricing, editorial standards, trade distribution, royalty adequacy, and rights management.
The Simon & Schuster branding constitutes a misleading affiliation signal: S&S does not edit, curate, or distribute Archway titles through traditional trade channels.
This is Glass Elevator’s assessment based on the sources listed below. Facts are attributed; opinions are the watchdogs’ own.
IBPA hybrid criteria
- Defines a clear mission & vision
- Vets submissions (is selective)
- Commits to truth & transparency
- Provides a negotiable, clear contract
- Publishes under its own imprint & ISBNs
- Publishes to industry standards
- Ensures editorial & design quality
- Manages a range of rights
- Provides real distribution
- Demonstrates respectable sales
- Pays higher-than-standard royalties
Watchdog ratings
- ALLi Watchdog
- Watchdog Advisory · source
- Writer Beware
- Listed · source
- BBB
- A+ (BBB accredited, but customer review score 1.27/5 with numerous complaints; BBB notes customer reviews are not used in calculating the letter grade)
Writer Beware posted a specific warning at launch (November 2012) describing Archway's costs as "eye-popping" and calling Author Solutions "the most hated name in the self-publishing services world." Documented problems cited include non-payment of royalties, improper royalty reporting, and making out-of-print works available without author consent.
Observable red flags
- Charges authors to publish
- Money required upfront
- Implies false affiliation (e.g. with Amazon)
- Part of a known bad network
- Aggressive upsells
- Vague or hidden pricing
Terms
- Typical cost
- $2,499–$17,699 for current publishing packages (Pathfinder to Leader tiers, per Archway's official comparison chart as of 2026); additional paid marketing add-ons documented; business packages historically priced to $25,000+
- Royalty to author
- 10–25% on print (25% through Archway's own bookstore; 10% through distribution channels including Amazon); 50% of net on eBooks — substantially below what authors can achieve through free direct platforms such as KDP (up to 70%)
- Author keeps rights
- Yes
- Distribution
- Online retailers only
- What you get
- Print-on-demand and eBook production, ISBN and LCCN assignment, worldwide online retail distribution via Ingram and direct online retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble online, Kobo, Apple Books, etc.); physical bookstore placement is not guaranteed and subject to retailer discretion; optional paid marketing add-ons with a documented pattern of non-delivery
- Website
- www.archwaypublishing.com
Archway Publishing: frequently asked questions
Is Archway Publishing a legitimate hybrid publisher or a vanity press?
Glass Elevator's assessment is "Not recommended." Watchdog advisories, serious red flags, or membership in a known bad network. We do not recommend it. It meets 1 of the 11 IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria, and ALLi rates it Watchdog Advisory, and Writer Beware lists it.
How much does Archway Publishing cost?
$2,499–$17,699 for current publishing packages (Pathfinder to Leader tiers, per Archway's official comparison chart as of 2026); additional paid marketing add-ons documented; business packages historically priced to $25,000+ Always get the full, itemized price in writing before you commit.
What royalties does Archway Publishing pay authors?
10–25% on print (25% through Archway's own bookstore; 10% through distribution channels including Amazon); 50% of net on eBooks — substantially below what authors can achieve through free direct platforms such as KDP (up to 70%)
Does Archway Publishing take your rights?
No — authors retain their rights. Still read the contract's rights and termination clauses before signing.
Is Archway Publishing on Writer Beware or ALLi's watchdog list?
Writer Beware lists Archway Publishing. ALLi has issued a Watchdog Advisory for it. See the sources on this page for the listings, and research independently before paying anything.
Should I publish with Archway Publishing?
That's your call, but here's the basis: Watchdog advisories, serious red flags, or membership in a known bad network. We do not recommend it. Compare it against the IBPA checklist and watchdog ratings above, get every term in writing, and remember that traditional trade publishers pay authors rather than charging them.
Sources
- ALLi Watchdog Warning: Archway Publishing (January 2013) (selfpublishingadvice.org)
- Writer Beware: Archway Publishing launch warning (November 2012) (writerbeware.blog)
- Archway Publishing official homepage (confirming Author Solutions operation) (archwaypublishing.com)
- Archway Publishing package comparison chart (current pricing) (archwaypublishing.com)
- Archway Publishing FAQ: royalty calculation (print) (archwaypublishing.com)
- Archway Publishing FAQ: eBook royalty percentage (archwaypublishing.com)
- Archway Publishing FAQ: author rights retention (archwaypublishing.com)
- Archway Publishing worldwide distribution page (archwaypublishing.com)
- selfpublishing.com: Archway Publishing review (2026) (selfpublishing.com)
- BBB: Author Solutions LLC profile (bbb.org)
- Author Solutions Wikipedia: ownership history and imprints (en.wikipedia.org)
- PR Newswire: Author Solutions acquired by Center Street Ventures (March 2025) (prnewswire.com)
- David Gaughran: Simon & Schuster partners with Author Solutions (davidgaughran.com)
- WritersWeekly: Complaints about Archway Publishing (writersweekly.com)