Morgan James Publishing
Thinking about publishing with Morgan James Publishing? Here’s an independent, sourced look at whether it’s a legitimate hybrid publisher 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 5 of the 11 IBPA hybrid-publisher criteria.
- Writer Beware lists it.
- Author pays: Up to $5,000 deposit at signing + mandatory purchase of up to 2,500 copies at print cost plus $2 per copy over the life of the agreement.
- Author keeps their rights.
- Distribution: trade distribution.
Our assessment
Morgan James Publishing, founded in 2003 by David Hancock and headquartered in New York City, markets itself as a hybrid publisher but has been classified as a vanity publisher by Writer Beware (SFWA) in documented posts from 2016 and 2019. The core concern: authors must commit to purchasing up to 2,500 copies of their book at print cost plus $2 per copy over the life of the agreement, with reported deposits of up to $5,000 due at contract signing.
This directly contradicts the company's own marketing claim that "No Publishing Fee [is] charged, hidden or otherwise." Writer Beware (Victoria Strauss) further documents that MJP's claim that traditional publishers require authors to purchase 5,000 or more copies is false. A documented conflict of interest exists: the company's recommended PR firm Media Connect was co-founded by MJP Publisher Rick Frishman.
Cost terms are not disclosed on the company website and are only revealed during direct author contact. Distribution runs through Ingram Publisher Services, giving books genuine trade availability.
The company claims 20–50% net royalties and states authors retain their rights; the BBB assigns an A+ rating. ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors) does not list Morgan James Publishing in its rated services directory.
Against the 11 IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria, MJP fails the transparency criterion outright and leaves several others unverifiable. The mandatory author purchase commitment, combined with documented false marketing claims and opaque pricing, places this company in the not_recommended tier.
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
- Not rated
- Writer Beware
- Listed · source
- BBB
- A+
Writer Beware (Victoria Strauss / SFWA) has published multiple posts classifying Morgan James as a vanity publisher. Core concern: authors must commit to purchasing up to 2,500 copies of their book at print cost plus $2 per copy over the life of the agreement, with reported deposits of up to $5,000 at contract signing — despite the company's marketing claim of "No Publishing Fee charged, hidden or otherwise." Writer Beware documents that MJP's parallel claim that traditional publishers require authors to purchase 5,000 or more copies is false. The 2016 post also flags a conflict of interest: the company's recommended PR firm, Media Connect, was co-founded by MJP's own Publisher Rick Frishman.
Observable red flags
- Charges authors to publish
- Money required upfront
- Vague or hidden pricing
Terms
- Typical cost
- Up to $5,000 deposit at signing + mandatory purchase of up to 2,500 copies at print cost plus $2 per copy over the life of the agreement
- Royalty to author
- 20–50% of net sales depending on format (per company's own website); paid monthly
- Author keeps rights
- Yes
- Distribution
- Trade distribution
- What you get
- Editorial, design, and production services; trade distribution via Ingram Publisher Services; claimed marketing support; ISBN and imprint under Morgan James; monthly royalty payments; author retains rights and may take book to another publisher
- Website
- www.morgan-james-publishing.com/
Morgan James Publishing: frequently asked questions
Is Morgan James 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 5 of the 11 IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria, and Writer Beware lists it.
How much does Morgan James Publishing cost?
Up to $5,000 deposit at signing + mandatory purchase of up to 2,500 copies at print cost plus $2 per copy over the life of the agreement Always get the full, itemized price in writing before you commit.
What royalties does Morgan James Publishing pay authors?
20–50% of net sales depending on format (per company's own website); paid monthly
Does Morgan James Publishing take your rights?
No — authors retain their rights. Still read the contract's rights and termination clauses before signing.
Is Morgan James Publishing on Writer Beware or ALLi's watchdog list?
Writer Beware lists Morgan James Publishing. See the sources on this page for the listings, and research independently before paying anything.
Should I publish with Morgan James 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
- Writer Beware: Seven Prolific Vanity Publishers (2019) (writerbeware.blog)
- Writer Beware: Publishers Weekly Features Vanity Publisher Morgan James...Again (2016) (writerbeware.blog)
- Morgan James Publishing official website (morgan-james-publishing.com)
- Morgan James Publishing Compare page (morgan-james-publishing.com)
- Morgan James Publishing – Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- BBB Business Profile: Morgan James Publishing LLC (bbb.org)
- ALLi Watchdog Desk – services rated page (Morgan James not listed) (selfpublishingadvice.org)