Ladies/Gentlemen:

After dealing with this company since October of 2003, I finally got a poor quality product in May of 2004. I posted negative comments at that time about AuthorHouse and they called me to say that Writer's Weekly was a very important part of their audience and they didn't want any bad press so they would "redo my book for no charge." Previously they had said two pictures had to be changed due to my ex-webmistress having stolen possible copyrighted pictures - that was never proved. They took her word over mine, even after I wrote to the owner of the pictures, and he did not care that we used his work. AH pulled my book from production for almost three months now. And they told me that it would cost of $450.00 to redo the book for just those two pictures.

When I posted my complaints at Writer's Weekly, I immediately received a call telling me that they could "work a deal" with me if I would remove my comments from Writer's Weekly forum. I did not remove my original comments, but did make a change to the subsequent posting I had made, saying I would hold off of more comments until I got my book back.

Finally I have my "corrected" book back. The pictures, which were wonderful color graphics, had originaly been turned into horrible black & white, barely viewable blobs in the first edition. I had submitted color throughout the entire submission process and they never told me the pictures would not turn out in color. However, when I received my book and was told that was the way it was, I had no option other than to go along with that. But when they said they would redo my book for no charge I requested that, since they would be working in the PDF format, they at least lighten the pictures so that you could make out what they were.

They DARKENED the pictures. Now my book is worse than before and totally nonsaleable. It's downright embarrassing.

DO NOT USE THESE POD PUBLISHERS. THEY DO NOT HONOR THEIR WORD - THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE WRITER OR THE SALES AFTER PUBLICATION. THEY DO NOT RESPOND TO EMAILS - THEY ARE ON VACATION MOST OF THE TIME. AND IF YOU MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THEM OVER THE PHONE, THEY CONVENIENTLY FORGET THOSE PROMISES. I GOT TO THE POINT WITH THEM WHERE I WOULD ONLY COMMUNICATE VIA EMAIL BECAUSE OF THIS.

ALL THEY WANT FROM YOU IS YOUR MONEY AND ONCE THEY GET IT, YOU ARE AS IMPORTANT TO THEM AS A TEAT ON A FLEA.

Sincerely,
R.L. Zimmerman
King Lotor's Forest, the Story of a Raccoon
www.kinglotor.com
wolfencoon@yahoo.com
or kinglotor@yahoo.com

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R.L. Zimmerman
King Lotor's Forest, the Story of a Raccoon

I'm not defending the company, or saying anything against them, since I've never had anything published through them. However, when it comes to photos, you really need to know what you're doing. POD presses (as opposed to offset) simply do not do a good job with images on the interior pages (covers are fine) and most companies only offer black and white interiors.

For a colour photo to print properly it needs to be at least 300 dpi, CMYK colours, etc. If you are going black and white you need to consider other factors when prepping the file (halftones, for instance). I am not sure how you could get your hands on 300 dpi photos (those you see on the net are only 72 or 96 dpi) without scanning an actual printed photo -- at least one that was large enough to be useful for print. See, if it's 72 dpi online and it measure say 5 x 7 inches, when you put that into a program rendering at 300 dpi it will only measure 1.2 x 1.68 inches, and will need to be stretched, resulting in very poor quality. You can usually only increase a photo about 20%. Any "method" to upgrade a low res photo to a high res photo will result in a complete mess on publication in most cases.

In addition, all photos viewed on a screen are in RGB colour format and will need to be switched over to CMYK colours, or the printer will do this "on the fly." Some colours do not change over well, and many print up to 20% darker at CMYK (which absorbs light) as opposed to RGB (which reflects lights).

I guess what I'm saying is that the quality issues you are describing could simply be a result of the poor quality material you supplied the company. Designers see this every day, and unfortunately often take the blame for things over which they have no control.

Cathi

Hi Cathi,

The photos I submitted were done by a 12-year veteran graphics artist of the highest quality. So while I admire your reserve in believing that POD companies like AuthorHouse would do better with submissions of pertinent quality, that was not the case in regard to my book.

My photos were not only submitted 300dpi, but also sized for proper placement in the book. AuthorHouse chose to replace the photos and then after the book came out the second time, ruined them further by darkening them so that you cannot even make out what the pictures represent. AuthorHouse chose to change font styles, cover style, introduction font, and everything about the book. I "gave in" - have always "given in" due to the fact that I have no more money. And that is what AuthorHouse is all about - they want your money - period.

I will be more than happy to provide you with my expert graphics artist, her website, as well as comments from buyers of my book. They loved the story, hated the quality of the book itself.

This issue is now going into the hands of my lawyers for resolution. I have all the copies of AH's covers they sent me for approval - none of which I approved until I absolutely had to for lack of funds. I also have all copies of all emails pertinent to questions about color, quality, placement, their absence from office, etc.

R.L. Zimmerman
Author, King Lotor's Forest, the Story of a Raccoon
www.kinglotor.com
wolfencoon@yahoo.com
kinglotor@yahoo.com

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R.L. Zimmerman
King Lotor's Forest, the Story of a Raccoon

i had all those same issues.
except that my art turned out beautifully.
other than that, every single issue you mentioned has haunted me with author house/1st books, plus more. and now, laughably...they are courting me to publish more with them.
seeing as they never answer any of my emails of phone calls regarding the one book i published with them anyway....those letters go straight to the shredder.
-robin

I kept getting "courted" as well. Although I call it spamming and told them so. I demanded that Charles Henderson, the contact guy who is SO VERY personable up front quit sending me his emails. He sent me a nasty email back that these were NOT from him, but automatically sent out whenever something happened with my book. So I told him he had been warned; future emails would be considered spam.

He is the same person who, after my book had been with them for over four months, asked me when i was going to submit my manuscript.

I'm telling ya - all they want is money. They are a printing company, NOT a publisher, but I guess they can call themselves whatever they want, long as nobody complains.

I, personally, will continue to complain - and my book is now in the hands of my lawyers.

(I'm Robin also - and female by the way - I've gotten some emails that address me as Mr. but I'm a lady and everyone can feel free to call me Robin - thanks so much.)

Have a great day - I'm so sorry for your experience. It's really, really hard to have this happen to something you've put years of your hard work and love into. I understand....

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R.L. Zimmerman
King Lotor's Forest, the Story of a Raccoon

As I have stated before - vanity presses are not worth it. The money should always flow into the authors pocket, not out of it. Yes, money is the issue - not just with AuthorHouse, with all vanity presses. I agree that AuthorHouse is not a publisher, but rather a printer. It makes me nauseous to think that I entrusted my first book to these people.

I too receive many emails and letters in the mail offering me discounts to publish my next book with them. I still haven't received the last thing promised to me by AuthorHouse - reimbursement of hard cover copies of my book that they couldn't fulfill in an order that they lost. I have been sitting here for months and have not received these books that they were supposed to replace.

On a good note - I have been offered a contract by a 'TRADITIONAL' publisher. Finally!! I hope that my good news uplifts others and helps you to realize that it is not impossible to become traditionally published. Granted, it took much patience, creativity, and making alot of contacts to get this far. I have to credit Writer's Market Online for their precise, updated information that helped me to get the publisher that I have dreamed of.

To self-publish is to not give you or your work the proper credit that it deserves. Take the time, find the patience, and watch your creativity blossom in a way that no self-publisher could ever do.

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Broken Wings: You May Break My Wings, but You Can Never Break My Spirit - Zoe Jesnik

www.1stBooks.com/bookview/20270

Email: ZoeJesnik@neo.rr.com

Website: www.geocities.com/zoejesnik

Excellent advise, Zoe. Yesterday I checked out a copy of Writer's Digest at the library and am doing the legwork. My work deserves it. Sometimes we learn things the hard way but I guess that is what Writer's Weekly is here for.

Too bad there isn't a site to tell people about Writer's Weekly - lol.

I'm VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!!!! Congratulations!! :-)

Robin

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R.L. Zimmerman
King Lotor's Forest, the Story of a Raccoon