Consolidation continues in the self-publishing sector: the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Author Solutions (which already owns AuthorHouse, iUniverse, and Xlibris) has acquired Trafford Publishing. As with its January 2009 acquisition of Xlibris, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
As with Xlibris and iUniverse prior to their acquisition, Trafford appears to suffer from relatively few consumer issues. Writer Beware has received no substantive complaints about Trafford over the past few years, and there's not much complaint to be found on the Internet either. Not so for AuthorHouse--something that, post-acquisition, seems also to have become true for iUniverse. Which prompts the question: whither Xlibris and Trafford?
In blogging about the Xlibris acquistion, I wrote the following. It's even more true now:
This new merger is not good news for authors in another sense: it reduces the field of choice. As choices decrease, so does the pressure to compete, and decreased competition does not benefit consumers. While Writer Beware doesn't generally recommend the use of POD self-publishing services, except in certain specific circumstances (see our Print on Demand Self-Publishing Services page for a discussion), we feel that writers who do choose to self-publish are best-served by having the widest possible range of options, in a robustly competitive environment.
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20 comments:
WARNING! WARNING! DO NOT USE TRAFFORD!
I submitted a manuscript to Trafford Publishing on April 6th, 2009 (that is the date I received confirmation of receipt by Trafford). The eProof was supposed to be returned to me within 6 weeks of submission.
I have not received any further correspondence, despite repeated attempts to contact Trafford via telephone and email to determine the status of the book. Not a single contact (other than marketing emails) despite the fact that I have asked them repeatedly to return my calls and emails. Even when I call, I get a voice mail saying all representatives are busy and will return my call as soon as possible. But no one ever returns the call.
I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANY AUTHOR TO AVOID TRAFFORD PUBLISHING.
Warning....
Do not use Trafford!
I must confirm what has been said in the previous statement. My story is even worse. My book is selling well in Germany and has been translated into English. I wanted an international publisher. I signed a contract with Trafford in December. In March I submitted a "Press Ready" file with all the information. Since then I received only an eproof (after six weeks) with a page for the copyright completely wrong (this was the only page they had to do)
After this I have received nothing.
My emails, telephone calls were without result.
I am looking for a different publisher now. People are asking for my book and I have nothing.
As was said before:
DO NOT USE TRAFFORD!
From: a self-published author of Trafford.
I am well-pleased with the services from Trafford publishers. My book was successfully published and is selling on-line. Trafford did a great job with the cover and color pages. Trafford kept in touch with me via e-mail and returned my calls within a specified time and most of the time I was able to speak to an agent without any delay. The copyright was done and completed in a reasonable and I received 40 free copies of my book and 10 posters, bookmarks and 300 postcards to market my book. Trafford publishers has given me exposure to book retailers including Barnes & Noble, Borders and Target stores. I do not owe any money to Trafford as I paid the full cost of my package when I submitted my manuscript and Trafford also transcribed my manuscript because my materials submitted were not clear and concise for publication. I have just completed my second book and I will incorporate the services of Trafford as they have provided me with a discount. Also, I am pleased with my website: trafford.com/07-2133. The title of my book is: "Tones In Twilight".
I recommend the services of Trafford publishers to writers because they offer a huge variety of publishing services. I suggest that readers visit their on-line bookstore.
From a happy author.
sandyoceans@verizon.net
Dear Ms Hutt!
After checking out your book on your page and in Amazon.Com I realized that it was published in September 2008.
It seems clear to me that the problems with Trafford only appeared after the acquistion by Author Solutions. When I checked them out in December they seemd a really good choice compared to all other BOD companies.
You are lucky that you got your book out in good time. Unfortunately now it is very different with them. (see my comment before yours)
From a very frustrated author:
anneliesismail@yahoo.de
Sandra-Lee responds to anonymous...
I welcome your comments and complaints concerning Trafford which may be helpful to me in the near future in submission of my second publication to Trafford publishers. Please post the name of your book that was published in
Germany. Is it available on amazon.com.? There is a website:BookFinder4U.com which is informative for authors to track the number of booksellers that stock an author's book. I would like to purchase a copy of your book. Thank you for taking the time to view my website. Also, you may want to register with the
National Writer's Union.com. to help you locate a publisher.I wish you the best of luck. Please tell your friends about my book.
iUniverse appears to have suffered a deterioration of service after its acquisition by Author Solutions, so it wouldn't surprise me if the same thing happened with Trafford (and also Xlibris, which AS acquired just before it bought Trafford).
Response to Ms Hutt!
My book was published in Germany: "Mein Mann is Ägypter" and can be located in Amazon.de. The English title is: "My husband is Egyptian". It is not available in Amazon.com. It was translated into English and I had chosen Trafford because it seemed a good choice for international distribution. At that time thay had an office in UK which is closed now. I want to bring my book out not only in USA, UK but also in Egypt etc.
Now I can only wait..
Good luck with your new projects..
anneliesismail@yahoo.de
I paid Trafford almost $2000.00CDN in Nov of 2008 for the production and supply of my poetry book "Love Unveiled" In February of 2008, they told me the book was ready for production but they were moving their offices to larger quarters and the wait would be approx 16 weeks. I contacted them again in June, fully expecting my book to be ready but they never returned my call. As it stands now, they still have my money, will not reply to my calls or emails ( I emailed Author Solutions as well) and are forcing me to seek legal representation to have my funds returned. Not only that, but having already set up a web page www.loveunveiled.ca I have incurred the costs of hosting and pay pal as well throughout. Will someone please tell me...will I get my money back and where can I get an already proofread, formatted and simple project such as a poetry book published???
Best of luck to you all..and to me as well, I suppose.
W Ferguson
I am having the same problems with Trafford Publishing. After buying the most expensive package they have on offer and submitting a press ready file, they are refusing to respond to any of my emails or telephone calls. Not even a simple acknowledgment of the fact that they have received the files.
Is there anyway to get my money back from this company?
I am very disappointed to hear these comments about Trafford Publishing. My experience with them (Vancouver, B.C. office) was very professional, helpful and successful. This, of course, was about 5 years ago, so it seems the mergers and acquisitions have caused turmoil in the publish-on-demand industry. Sad... very sad.
It is indeed very sad. I feel as though I have been scammed over $2000 dollars and have no clue of how to go about getting this company to honor its commitment.
I think since this company was just recently merged with Author Solutions, it must be because the Canada company was going bankrupt. I'm sure the people at Author Solutions are now having to sort out a big mess. I'm sure over time, things will calm down.
Be patient, it can all work out!
After submitting a negative comment about six weeks ago and writing to all the people I could reach on Trafford, they finally moved and sent me a physical proof of my book. Now I am waiting since 10 days for the activation of the book without getting any response. Their problem is definately the lack of communication. If they had told me, just be patient it will take more time because of the merger etc. I would have understood. But no response for weeks is just not acceptable.
So hold on, your money probably is nor lost, it just takes time!
Good luck to all Trafford customers!
In response to Trafford authors that have posted their problems here, I would be glad to personally help address your problems. Feel free to contact me through my email address: kgray at authorsolutions dot com.
It appears that a lot of authors were neglected for a long time prior to our acquisition of Trafford in April. We are working hard to rectify these situations. We appreciate your patience.
Best regards,
Kevin A. Gray
Author Solutions, Inc.
WARNING WARNING WARNING ! DO NOT USE TRAFFORD!
After more than a year I have been sent Trafford copy of my manuscript paying more than 1.500 euro more than 5 times by email and mail but everytime they did not explain what was wrong. I asked for my money back but nobody asnwered me anyway.
Now I am going to contact by my legal office to have refund because I am very disappointed. Not serious and professional at all.Definetely.
They passwed me trough unprofessional staff telling me nothing substantially just chitting me all the time. Now I will stop this game.
Maria Gioia Mosca
I'm also a published author who successfuly used Trafford.
My experience was much like that of Ms. Lee Hutt. I also published prior to 2008 and their being accquired by this new company.
It really saddens me to hear of the woes that many are having.
They were a lifeline to me as this was my first time publishing. They returned all of my calls and emails in a timely and professional manner.
I'm now preparing a revision for my book, a travel guide,and had hoped to use Trafford again.
The title of my book is: "Up,Up and Away: The Complete Guide To Commercial Air Travel In America Today".
Becuase of these concerns raised here I must reconsider using Trafford. I will look into the resources provided by Ms. Lee Hutt. I can only hope to locate a publisher that offers the level of service that I enjoyed when I used the former Trafford team.
J. Renee Tribble
tribblescribble@yahoo.com
After reading the message from Kevin Gray I sent him an email stating my complaints about Trafford. This was over 2 weeks ago. I did not receive an answer!
So much for Mr Gray!
I still want to have one person as a focal point for the fulfillment of my contract (from December). Until now I am up to person number six and they all have no clue.
My book has been activated but the information on the web site is not correct and incomplete.
Very sad story!
anneliesismail@yahoo.de
Hello everyone,
I too have had recent dealings with Trafford, from unreturned phone calls, emails, and broken promises. In addition, there have been payments taken out of account from Trafford which were not authorized to occur, and no refund, attempts to refund, or ability to get anyone to even call back about this matter is now present. As a result, I, along with my business partner, have consulted with a law group, and are now in the process of gathering discovery for a lawsuit. There is discussion of class action being pursued, along with specifics of our situation. Therefore, if you feel you've been defruaded in any manner from Trafford Publishing, and in reading this blog, it appears many are, then please feel free to send any information, interest in being added to class action petition to become compensated appropriately for your time and loss, and best means for contact, to: tdslaven@yahoo.com. All information will be held confidential, and look forward to hearing from you all, and making our voices heard to stop this company of scam artists from promising future authors services in which they do no intend to deliver.
LIARS! LIARS! LIARS!
Trafford are crooks - they haven't paid me for a year and have evaded, promised and outrightly lied in response to my queries. My experience since 2006 was that I always had to push to get them to pay me; but, since Author Solutions took over, they've become that much worse. From excuse after excuse for delayed payment to simply no payment; and, when they run out of reasons not to pay, they simply don't respond to queries.
They are liars and deceitful schemers of the first order. I would advise anybody looking to self-publish to give Trafford and Author Solutions a very wide berth indeed.
As for Kevin Gray's fine words, he is amongst the liars!
As they have a UK Office, I intend asking UK Trading Standards to investigate them.
- Keith E Rice (keith@integratedsociopsychology.net)
i agree with all these complaints in regards to trafford.
They most definately do not live up to their name nor reputation compared to a year ago,since Author Solutions came into the picture their company had turned worse.
my book is currently on their websitee, but am still waiting on my prmotional stuff like bookmarks and posters and at least 20 free copies of my book
i find trafford publishing to be very deceptive and they simply suck people in with their lies.
for $4000 just to get my book published and recieve a free copy of my book? Is that it? if i had known then i would had gone for the cheaper package deal
i would not reccomend trafford to anyone, peroid.
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