Page Publishing
Thinking about publishing with Page 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.
- Writer Beware lists it.
- Author pays: $3,000–$5,000+ upfront author fees (Writer Beware, 2019); basic packages cited at $3,200 (Indies Unlimited, 2015) and $3,795 on installment plans in author reports; additional hundreds to thousands for optional promotional upsells. Specific pricing is not disclosed on the company website..
- Distribution: online retailers only.
Our assessment
Page Publishing, Inc. (founded 2012, headquartered in Meadville, Pennsylvania) is a high-volume vanity press explicitly named by Writer Beware in a July 2019 post (updated February 2026) covering "Seven Prolific Vanity Publishers." The company describes itself as a "full-service publishing house" but charges authors upfront fees averaging $3,000–$5,000, paid on an installment plan over 10 or 12 months; costs are not disclosed on the website and are revealed only after contact. Writer Beware confirmed the company profits primarily from author fees rather than book sales and makes a demonstrably false claim that major publishers require authors to purchase 5,000 copies.
Indies Unlimited (2015) corroborated the vanity model: total investment was $3,200, with distribution through the Ingram catalog but no guarantee of physical retail placement; the company deducts 20 cents per book sold until the publishing investment is recouped. Page Publishing's own royalties FAQ confirms this structure but discloses no specific percentage rates.
The BBB rates Page Publishing A+ (accredited since May 2013) with approximately 20 complaints filed in three years, including reports of deceptive pricing and service failures. ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors) does not list Page Publishing in its watchdog ratings.
Authors are recruited primarily through aggressive TV and digital advertising. Of 11 IBPA hybrid criteria, only one (own ISBNs) is clearly 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
- Not rated
- Writer Beware
- Listed · source
- BBB
- A+ (BBB accredited since May 9, 2013; approximately 20 complaints filed in the past 3 years)
Named by Writer Beware (Victoria Strauss, July 12, 2019; updated February 18, 2026) in a dedicated post on "Seven Prolific Vanity Publishers." Identified as one of the most prolific vanity presses; fees average $3,000–$5,000 paid on installment plan over 10 or 12 months; uses aggressive advertising via Google ads and TV channels including CNN, Fox News, and the History Channel; makes a demonstrably false claim on its website that major publishers require authors to purchase 5,000 copies; profits primarily from author fees rather than book sales; authors must commit to purchasing up to 2,500 copies at print cost plus $2 during the life of the agreement.
Observable red flags
- Charges authors to publish
- Money required upfront
- Vague or hidden pricing
- Aggressive upsells
- No real trade distribution
Terms
- Typical cost
- $3,000–$5,000+ upfront author fees (Writer Beware, 2019); basic packages cited at $3,200 (Indies Unlimited, 2015) and $3,795 on installment plans in author reports; additional hundreds to thousands for optional promotional upsells. Specific pricing is not disclosed on the company website.
- Royalty to author
- Not independently confirmed by percentage. Page Publishing's own FAQ states authors receive 100% of profit until the publishing investment is recouped, after which the company deducts 20 cents per book sold. No specific percentage figure (e.g., 50%–80%) was located in any independently verified source.
- Author keeps rights
- Unknown
- Distribution
- Online retailers only
- What you get
- Books listed on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and iTunes; editing, cover design, page layout, ISBN, eBook conversion, and marketing materials; books entered into Ingram catalog (physical retail orders possible but placement not guaranteed); dedicated publication coordinator during production.
- Website
- pagepublishing.com
Page Publishing: frequently asked questions
Is Page 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 Writer Beware lists it.
How much does Page Publishing cost?
$3,000–$5,000+ upfront author fees (Writer Beware, 2019); basic packages cited at $3,200 (Indies Unlimited, 2015) and $3,795 on installment plans in author reports; additional hundreds to thousands for optional promotional upsells. Specific pricing is not disclosed on the company website. Always get the full, itemized price in writing before you commit.
What royalties does Page Publishing pay authors?
Not independently confirmed by percentage. Page Publishing's own FAQ states authors receive 100% of profit until the publishing investment is recouped, after which the company deducts 20 cents per book sold. No specific percentage figure (e.g., 50%–80%) was located in any independently verified source.
Does Page Publishing take your rights?
We could not confirm the rights terms. Ask for the contract and check the rights and reversion clauses before signing.
Is Page Publishing on Writer Beware or ALLi's watchdog list?
Writer Beware lists Page Publishing. See the sources on this page for the listings, and research independently before paying anything.
Should I publish with Page 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 (July 2019, updated February 2026) (writerbeware.blog)
- Indies Unlimited: Is Page Publishing a Vanity Press? (2015) (indiesunlimited.com)
- Page Publishing official website (pagepublishing.com)
- Page Publishing About page (founded 2012, Meadville PA) (pagepublishing.com)
- Page Publishing Royalties FAQ (pagepublishing.com)
- BBB Business Profile: Page Publishing (bbb.org)
- ALLi Self-Publishing Services Watchdog (Page Publishing not listed) (selfpublishingadvice.org)