iUniverse
Thinking about publishing with iUniverse? 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: $1,299–$15,699 per publishing package (Founder $1,299 / Pioneer $2,099 / Voyager $5,299 / Explorer $10,499 / Navigator $15,699, as of 2025–2026).
- Author keeps their rights.
- Distribution: online retailers only.
- Watch for: part of a known bad network.
Our assessment
iUniverse is a vanity press imprint of Author Solutions — currently owned by Center Street Ventures (as of March 2025), having previously passed through Pearson (2012–2015) and Najafi Companies (2015–2025). The company was founded in October 1999 and acquired by Author Solutions in September 2007.
It operates alongside sister imprints AuthorHouse, Xlibris, Trafford, and Palibrio under the same parent infrastructure. The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) Watchdog Desk has issued a Watchdog Advisory (code red) against Author Solutions and all its imprints, including iUniverse, characterizing the company as one that "makes money from its Authors, not for them" by selling authors expensive services that do not result in meaningful book sales.
Writer Beware (SFWA) has extensively documented complaints about iUniverse on the Writer Beware blog; SFWA's historical Thumbs Down Publisher List has been discontinued, but the blog record of Author Solutions concerns is substantial. A class action lawsuit was filed in May 2013 alleging deceptive practices and false marketing of publishing services; the court denied class certification in July 2015, and a private settlement was reached in August 2015 after that denial.
Packages run from $1,299 to $15,699 upfront based on current published pricing. Print royalties via distribution channels are 10% of net received — well below hybrid-publisher norms.
A 2005 Publishers Weekly analysis found that of more than 18,000 iUniverse titles published through 2004, only 83 had sold at least 500 copies. Authors report high-pressure upsells, quarterly-delayed reporting, and limited pricing control.
ISBNs are assigned under iUniverse's imprint, not the author's. Distribution is limited to online wholesale catalog listing rather than active trade placement.
Zero of the 11 IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria are met.
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+ letter grade (BBB rating reflects responsiveness to complaints, not resolution quality; Author Solutions has a low customer star rating on BBB with numerous complaints filed)
Writer Beware (SFWA) has extensively documented Author Solutions and its imprints including iUniverse on the Writer Beware blog, identifying the company as one that charges authors fees rather than paying authors to publish. Note: SFWA's historical "Thumbs Down Publisher List" has been discontinued (the list is no longer actively maintained as the original listed publishers closed); Writer Beware coverage of Author Solutions/iUniverse imprints is on the Writer Beware blog at writerbeware.blog.
Observable red flags
- Charges authors to publish
- Money required upfront
- Part of a known bad network
- No real trade distribution
- Vague or hidden pricing
- Aggressive upsells
Terms
- Typical cost
- $1,299–$15,699 per publishing package (Founder $1,299 / Pioneer $2,099 / Voyager $5,299 / Explorer $10,499 / Navigator $15,699, as of 2025–2026)
- Royalty to author
- 10% of net receipts for print sold through distribution channels; 25% of retail price for direct iUniverse bookstore sales; 50% of net for ebook sales. An optional paid "Author Advantage Royalty Program" (additional fee, 3-year term) offers 15% of list price for channel retailers (e.g., Amazon, Barnes & Noble) and 60% of list price for direct iUniverse store sales.
- Author keeps rights
- Yes
- Distribution
- Online retailers only
- What you get
- Cover design, ISBN assignment (under iUniverse's imprint, not the author's own), print and ebook formatting, listing on Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Ingram wholesale catalog, and a set number of complimentary print copies depending on package. Books are available via Ingram's wholesale catalog but are not actively placed in physical bookstores with returnable distribution; access is effectively online retail only. Quarterly (not real-time) royalty reporting.
- Website
- www.iuniverse.com
iUniverse: frequently asked questions
Is iUniverse 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 iUniverse cost?
$1,299–$15,699 per publishing package (Founder $1,299 / Pioneer $2,099 / Voyager $5,299 / Explorer $10,499 / Navigator $15,699, as of 2025–2026) Always get the full, itemized price in writing before you commit.
What royalties does iUniverse pay authors?
10% of net receipts for print sold through distribution channels; 25% of retail price for direct iUniverse bookstore sales; 50% of net for ebook sales. An optional paid "Author Advantage Royalty Program" (additional fee, 3-year term) offers 15% of list price for channel retailers (e.g., Amazon, Barnes & Noble) and 60% of list price for direct iUniverse store sales.
Does iUniverse take your rights?
No — authors retain their rights. Still read the contract's rights and termination clauses before signing.
Is iUniverse on Writer Beware or ALLi's watchdog list?
Writer Beware lists iUniverse. 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 iUniverse?
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 (selfpublishingadvice.org)
- iUniverse Wikipedia entry (en.wikipedia.org)
- Author Solutions Wikipedia entry (en.wikipedia.org)
- iUniverse Publishing Options (official site) (iuniverse.com)
- iUniverse Royalty FAQ (official site) (iuniverse.com)
- iUniverse Author Advantage Royalty Program (official site) (iuniverse.com)
- selfpublishing.com iUniverse Review (2 of 5 stars) (selfpublishing.com)
- Writer Beware blog: Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Author Solutions (writerbeware.blog)
- SFWA: What Happened to Writer Beware's Thumbs Down Lists? (sfwa.org)
- Publishers Weekly: Author Solutions Case Ends With Settlement (publishersweekly.com)
- PR Newswire: Author Solutions acquired by Center Street Ventures (March 2025) (prnewswire.com)
- Bertram Capital: $116M Sale of Author Solutions to Pearson (2012) (bertramcapital.com)
- WritersWeekly: Complaints about Author Solutions imprints (writersweekly.com)
- Emily Suess: iUniverse Complaints Complete Index (emilysuess.com)
- BBB: Author Solutions, LLC Business Profile (bbb.org)