Author Solutions
Thinking about publishing with Author Solutions? 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 0 of the 11 IBPA hybrid-publisher criteria.
- ALLi rates it Watchdog Advisory; Writer Beware lists it.
- Author pays: Not disclosed on company website; packages require direct contact; third-party reports describe marketing upsells reaching tens of thousands of dollars.
- Distribution: online retailers only.
- Watch for: part of a known bad network, operates under rotating names.
Our assessment
Author Solutions is the largest self-publishing services conglomerate in the US, operating more than a dozen imprints including AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Xlibris, Trafford, and branded partnership imprints with Simon & Schuster (Archway), Thomas Nelson (WestBow), and Hay House (Balboa). The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) designates Author Solutions with a Watchdog Advisory — described by ALLi as its most severe warning tier — citing predatory marketing practices, excessive fees, and high-pressure sales tactics.
Writer Beware (sponsored by SFWA) has extensively documented complaints about the company, and a class action lawsuit filed in April 2013 alleged breach of contract, royalty non-payment, aggressive upselling of marketing packages, and profiting from correcting the company's own production errors; class action certification was denied in July 2015 and the cases were dismissed or settled by August–September 2015. Note: Author Solutions was explicitly excluded from Writer Beware's now-retired Thumbs Down Publisher List, which covered traditional publishers misrepresenting themselves rather than acknowledged self-publishing services.
BBB records show an A+ accreditation (since 2010) alongside a customer review score of approximately 1.27–1.38/5 with over 145 complaints in a three-year window, including recent reports of withheld royalties and high-pressure sales calls. Pricing is not disclosed on the company website; industry observers report marketing upsell packages that can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
Two formerly active imprints — Booktango (closed September 2016) and Abbott Press (partnership with Writer's Digest severed in 2014, imprint status unclear) — are included in the historical also_known_as list. The company's revenue model is oriented toward charging authors rather than selling books to readers.
Author Solutions was founded in 2007, acquired by Pearson for $116 million in July 2012, sold to Najafi Companies in December 2015, and acquired by Center Street Ventures in March 2025. It meets none of the 11 IBPA hybrid publisher criteria.
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+ (accredited since May 14, 2010; customer review score approximately 1.27–1.38/5 with 145+ complaints filed in the preceding 3-year window)
Writer Beware (sponsored by SFWA) documented complaints including deceptive promotional services, royalty non-payment, and aggressive upselling. A New York law firm (Giskan Solotaroff Anderson & Stewart LLP) filed a class action lawsuit in April 2013 alleging breach of contract, unjust enrichment, royalty non-payment, and violations of consumer protection laws; class action certification was denied in July 2015 and cases were dismissed or settled by August–September 2015. Note: Author Solutions was explicitly excluded from Writer Beware's now-retired Thumbs Down Publisher List, which covered traditional publishers rather than self-publishing service providers; Writer Beware has nonetheless documented extensive complaints about the company via blog posts and SFWA resources.
Observable red flags
- Charges authors to publish
- Money required upfront
- Vague or hidden pricing
- Aggressive upsells
- Part of a known bad network
- Operates under rotating names
- Solicits authors via cold outreach
Terms
- Typical cost
- Not disclosed on company website; packages require direct contact; third-party reports describe marketing upsells reaching tens of thousands of dollars
- Royalty to author
- Not publicly disclosed; complaints filed with BBB and in class action lawsuits allege consistent failures to pay earned royalties and provide accurate sales statements
- Author keeps rights
- Unknown
- Distribution
- Online retailers only
- What you get
- Print-on-demand and ebook production across multiple imprint brands; Ingram-distributed listing enabling retail platform availability (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.); access to ancillary marketing packages sold separately at high cost
- Website
- www.authorsolutions.com
Author Solutions: frequently asked questions
Is Author Solutions 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 0 of the 11 IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria, and ALLi rates it Watchdog Advisory, and Writer Beware lists it.
How much does Author Solutions cost?
Not disclosed on company website; packages require direct contact; third-party reports describe marketing upsells reaching tens of thousands of dollars Always get the full, itemized price in writing before you commit.
What royalties does Author Solutions pay authors?
Not publicly disclosed; complaints filed with BBB and in class action lawsuits allege consistent failures to pay earned royalties and provide accurate sales statements
Does Author Solutions take your rights?
We could not confirm the rights terms. Ask for the contract and check the rights and reversion clauses before signing.
Is Author Solutions on Writer Beware or ALLi's watchdog list?
Writer Beware lists Author Solutions. 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 Author Solutions?
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: Latest on Author Solutions — Self-Publishing Advice Center (selfpublishingadvice.org)
- selfpublishing.com: Author Solutions Review (ALLi code red Watchdog Advisory confirmed) (selfpublishing.com)
- Writer Beware: Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Author Solutions Inc. (writerbeware.blog)
- Writer Beware: Law Firm Investigates Author Solutions Inc. (writerbeware.blog)
- Author Solutions — Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- BBB Business Profile: Author Solutions LLC (bbb.org)
- Author Solutions Acquired by Center Street Ventures — PR Newswire, March 2025 (prnewswire.com)
- Author Solutions Sold to Private Equity Firm — Writer Beware (2016) (writerbeware.blog)
- Pearson Acquires Author Solutions for $116 Million — Publishers Weekly (publishersweekly.com)
- What Happened to Writer Beware's Thumbs Down Lists? — SFWA (sfwa.org)
- The Thumbs Down Publishers List (2015 archive) — Author Solutions explicitly excluded (patrickdevalera.com)
- Booktango Closing — Good e-Reader (goodereader.com)
- Writer's Digest Dumps Author Solutions (Abbott Press) — David Gaughran (davidgaughran.com)
- SFWA: Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Author Solutions Inc. (sfwa.org)
- Author Solutions Imprints (current) — authorsolutions.com (authorsolutions.com)