Author Solutions

In April 2008, Author Solutions Marketing Director Keith Ogorek said that 1 out of every 17 books published in the United States is from AuthorHouse.{{cite news | last = Kaelbe | first = Steve | date = April 2008 | title = Publishing for the people: Bloomington is home to the no. 1 company in self-publishing | url = http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/178616946.html | work = Entrepreneur }} In 2009, Author Solutions, acquired two top competitors – Xlibris in January {{cite news | last = Trachtenberg | first = Jeffrey | date = January 8, 2009 | title = Print-on-Demand Publishers Marry As Author Solutions Buys Xlibris | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123142714635864491 | work = The Wall Street Journal }} and Trafford Publishing in April.{{cite news | last = Kaufman | first = Rachel | date = April 7, 2009 | title = Author Solutions Buys Yet Another Rival | url = http://www.mediabistro.com/mediajobsdaily/author-solutions-buys-yet-another-rival_b358 | work = Media Bistro - Media Jobs Daily }} Later that year the company partnered with leading Christian publisher Thomas Nelson to launch a first-of-its-kind self-publishing partnership, WestBow Press.{{cite news | date = October 2009 | title = Thomas Nelson and Author Solutions Launch Christian Self-Publishing Imprint | url = http://www.bookbusinessmag.com/article/thomas-nelson-author-solutions-launch-christian-self-publishing-imprint-413578/1# | work = Book Business Magazine }} In June 2010 Author Solutions launched its first Spanish-language imprint – Palibrio.{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases-test/author-solutions-inc-launches-spanish-language-self-publishing-imprint-palibrio-95524859.html|title=Author Solutions, Inc. Launches Spanish-Language Self-Publishing Imprint Palibrio|publisher=Author Solutions, Inc.|date=3 June 2010|via=PR Newswire}}{{Non-primary source needed|date=July 2020}} Palibrio was initially offered only to the U.S. Spanish-speaking market, but later was made available to authors in Spain.

In 2012, Pearson (which also owns Penguin Random House) acquired Author Solutions from Bertram Capital Management for $116 million.{{cite web |last=Reid |first=Calvin |date=July 19, 2012 |title=Pearson Acquires Self-Publishing Vendor Author Solutions For $116 Million |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/53077-pearson-acquires-self-publishing-vendor-author-solutions-for-116-million.html |accessdate=December 29, 2012 |work=Publishers Weekly}}{{Cite web |last=Gaughran |first=David |date=2013-07-16 |title=Penguin Random House Merger Boosts Giant Scam |url=https://davidgaughran.com/penguin-random-house-author-solutions-scam/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=David Gaughran |language=en-US}}

In 2013 Forbes magazine and Publishers Weekly reported that Author Solutions and its associated companies were being sued as part of a potential class action suit alleging deceptive practices. Damages of $5 million were sought.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/suwcharmananderson/2013/05/07/penguin-author-solutions-sued-for-deceptive-practices|title=Penguin And Author Solutions Sued For Deceptive Practices|author=Suw Charman-Anderson|date=7 May 2013|work=Forbes}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sfwa.org/2013/05/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-author-solutions-inc/|title=Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Author Solutions Inc. - SFWA|work=SFWA|date=2 May 2013}} Publishers Weekly reports that the suit has been filed in the Southern District of New York.{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/57046-authors-sue-self-publishing-service-author-solutions.html|title=Authors Sue Self-Publishing Service Author Solutions|work=PublishersWeekly.com}} In July, 2015, the court denied class action certification to the suit,Albanese, Andrew. (July 6, 2015). "[http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/67400-court-denies-class-action-in-author-solutions-case.html Court Denies Class Action in Author Solutions Case]". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved May 29, 2016. and in August 2015 the lawsuit was "discontinued without prejudice" after a settlement was reached between the parties.Albanese, Andrew. (August 24, 2015) "[http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/67887-author-solutions-case-ends-with-settlement.html Second Case Against Author Solutions Is Dismissed]". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved May 29, 2016. A second case was dismissed in September.Albanese, Andrew. (September 14, 2015) "[http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/68050-case-against-author-solutions-is-dismissed.html Author Solutions Case Ends With Settlement]". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved May 29, 2016.

On December 31, 2015 Author Solutions, LLC was sold to Najafi Companies, and is no longer associated with Penguin Random House.Milliot, Jim. (January 5, 2016). "[http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/69062-author-solutions-sold-to-private-equity-firm.html Author Solutions Sold to Private Equity Firm]". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved May 29, 2016.

In recent years, Author Solutions has formed partnerships with traditional book publishers to offer self-publishing imprints to authors: Simon & Schuster (Archway Publishing),{{cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Leslie |date=November 27, 2012 |title=Simon & Schuster Steps Into Self-Publishing |url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/simon-schuster-introduces-self-publishing-service/ |work=The New York Times}} Thomas Nelson (WestBow Press),{{cite news |last=Trachtenberg |first=Jeffrey |date=October 13, 2009 |title=Nelson Adds Self-Publishing Line |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703790404574469261581770876/ |work=The Wall Street Journal}} Hay House (Balboa Press),{{cite news |last=Nelson |first=Marcia |date=May 14, 2010 |title=Author Solutions Creates Imprint with Hay House |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/43172-author-solutions-creates-imprint-with-hay-house.html |work=Publishers Weekly}} and Guideposts (Inspiring Voices);{{cite web |date=18 April 2011 |title=Guideposts Announces Launch of Inspiring Voices, a New Publishing Service |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/Guideposts/Inspiring_Voices/prweb8311509.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025171457/http://www.prweb.com/releases/Guideposts/Inspiring_Voices/prweb8311509.htm |archive-date=October 25, 2013 |work=PRWeb}} as well as with Writer's Digest (Abbott Press).{{cite news |last=Reid |first=Calvin |date=January 31, 2011 |title=Writer's Digest, Author Solutions Launch Abbott Press |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/45955-writer-s-digest-author-solutions-launch-abbott-press.html |work=Publishers Weekly}}

Author Solutions is frequently criticized by author advocacy groups for predatory marketing practices, excessive fees, high-pressure sales, and poor customer service by Author Solutions and its subsidiary companies. These criticisms led to Author Solutions' inclusion in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America's Thumbs Down Publisher List,{{cite web|url=https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/thumbs-down-publishers/|title=Thumbs Down Publishers List|work=SFWA|access-date=September 13, 2018}} multiple Watchdog Advisories from the Alliance of Independent Authors,{{cite web|url=https://selfpublishingadvice.org/allis-self-publishing-service-directory/self-publishing-service-reviews/|title=Best and Worst Self-Publishing Services|work=The Alliance of Independent Authors|access-date=September 13, 2018}} and alerts from Writer Beware.{{cite web|url=https://accrispin.blogspot.com/2013/08/more-warnings-spectacular-productions.html|title=More Warnings: Spectacular Productions;Balboa Press/Author Solutions|work=Writer Beware|access-date=September 13, 2018|date=August 30, 2013}}

• Archway Publishing
• Author Learning Center
• AuthorHouse
• AuthorHouse UK
• AuthorHive
• Balboa Press
• Balboa Press UK
• Booktango
• GABAL Global Editions
• iUniverse
• LifeRich Publishing
• megustaescribir
• Palibrio
• Partridge Publishing
• Partridge Africa
• Partridge India
• Partridge Singapore
• Trafford Publishing
• WestBow Press
• Wordclay
• Xlibris

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.authorsolutions.com Author Solutions] - official site.

Category:Book publishing companies based in Indiana

Category:Companies based in Bloomington, Indiana

Category:American companies established in 2007

Category:Publishing companies established in 2007

Category:2007 establishments in Indiana

Category:Self-publishing companies