Xlibris
Thinking about publishing with Xlibris? 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: $999–$15,699 for publishing packages (Spark $999; Classic $2,099; Crest $4,199; Prime $5,799; Expert $10,499; Signature $15,699); marketing add-ons include a Publicity service at $10,399 and Hollywood pitching packages reaching $16,999.
- Author keeps their rights.
- Distribution: trade distribution.
- Watch for: part of a known bad network, overseas boiler-room operation.
Our assessment
Xlibris is a vanity press imprint of Author Solutions, LLC (acquired January 2009; current owner Center Street Ventures as of March 7, 2025), which also operates AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Trafford, Palibrio, and at least 17 other imprints. The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) rates the Author Solutions network — including Xlibris — at its Watchdog Advisory tier, its lowest designation, citing concerns around quality, value, service, transparency, and legal conduct.
Writer Beware (SFWA / Victoria Strauss) has documented a pattern of complaints since the 2009 acquisition. David Gaughran's sourced investigation documents 732 sales staff (594 Philippines-based) operating under monthly revenue quotas of up to $75,000, a single employee handling royalty calculations for 180,000 authors across 225,000 titles, and internal use of fake award designations ("Rising Star," "Editor's Choice") as pressure tactics to prompt additional purchases.
Publishing packages run from $999 (Spark) to $15,699 (Signature), with individual marketing add-ons including a $10,399 publicity service and Hollywood pitching packages reaching $16,999. Authors retain book copyright per Xlibris's own FAQ, though Xlibris's contract language retains ownership of production files created on the author's behalf.
Distribution is primarily online (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Xlibris storefront) via Ingram wholesale; the Signature package adds a pitch campaign to 25 independent bookstores with a returnability program, but no standard trade distribution is provided across all packages. A class action lawsuit filed in 2013 alleging deceptive practices was settled or dismissed by 2015.
Author Solutions holds a BBB A+ accreditation despite a high volume of complaints and low customer satisfaction scores on third-party review platforms. None of the 11 IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria are met: submissions are not editorially vetted, pricing is not fully transparent, contract terms are not negotiable, royalty rates are below industry norms, and distribution does not meet trade standards across the product line.
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 2010; Trustpilot customer rating approximately 2.2/5; high volume of complaints with low resolution rate per third-party complaint trackers)
Writer Beware (Victoria Strauss / SFWA) documented concerns beginning with Author Solutions' acquisition of Xlibris in January 2009, noting a pattern of service deterioration mirroring what occurred when Author Solutions acquired iUniverse. Reader testimony in the Writer Beware comments records aggressive upsells and complaints about service quality following the acquisition.
Observable red flags
- Charges authors to publish
- Money required upfront
- Part of a known bad network
- Aggressive upsells
- Pay-to-win awards
- Overseas boiler-room operation
- Vague or hidden pricing
Terms
- Typical cost
- $999–$15,699 for publishing packages (Spark $999; Classic $2,099; Crest $4,199; Prime $5,799; Expert $10,499; Signature $15,699); marketing add-ons include a Publicity service at $10,399 and Hollywood pitching packages reaching $16,999
- Royalty to author
- Not publicly disclosed as a percentage on the main site; one independent FAQ reference cites 10% of net receipts for print; independently reviewed as "very little" relative to package cost; multiple complaint-board reports document authors receiving total royalty payments of approximately $2
- Author keeps rights
- Yes
- Distribution
- Trade distribution
- What you get
- POD paperback and/or hardback and eBook formatting, cover design, listing on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Xlibris storefront; Ingram wholesale catalog listing giving theoretical access to library and bookstore ordering; the top-tier Signature package includes a pitch campaign to 25 independent bookstores and a 36-month bookstore returnability program; optional press release and marketing add-ons sold separately at high cost; no guaranteed bookstore shelf placement
- Website
- www.xlibris.com
Xlibris: frequently asked questions
Is Xlibris 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 Xlibris cost?
$999–$15,699 for publishing packages (Spark $999; Classic $2,099; Crest $4,199; Prime $5,799; Expert $10,499; Signature $15,699); marketing add-ons include a Publicity service at $10,399 and Hollywood pitching packages reaching $16,999 Always get the full, itemized price in writing before you commit.
What royalties does Xlibris pay authors?
Not publicly disclosed as a percentage on the main site; one independent FAQ reference cites 10% of net receipts for print; independently reviewed as "very little" relative to package cost; multiple complaint-board reports document authors receiving total royalty payments of approximately $2
Does Xlibris take your rights?
No — authors retain their rights. Still read the contract's rights and termination clauses before signing.
Is Xlibris on Writer Beware or ALLi's watchdog list?
Writer Beware lists Xlibris. 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 Xlibris?
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)
- Writer Beware: Author Solutions Acquires Xlibris (Victoria Strauss) (writerbeware.blog)
- Author Solutions — Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Xlibris — Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- selfpublishing.com: Xlibris Review (pricing, ALLi rating, red flags) (selfpublishing.com)
- David Gaughran: How the Author Solutions Scam Works (sales structure, royalties, awards) (davidgaughran.com)
- Author Solutions LLC — BBB Business Profile (bbb.org)
- Author Solutions acquired by Center Street Ventures — PR Newswire (March 7, 2025) (prnewswire.com)
- Xlibris Publishing Plans (official pricing) (xlibris.com)
- Xlibris FAQ: Do I still own the rights to my book? (xlibris.com)
- Writer Beware: Class Action Lawsuit Against Author Solutions — Update (writerbeware.blog)
- Author Solutions imprint page for Xlibris (authorsolutions.com)