Archway Publishing Reviews 393

They charged me over $3,000 for marketing services they never produced. It's been over six months now and still no marketing except to lower the price of my ebooks.

My family bought more books than Archway show were sold. Where is the credit and the royalties for those missing books?

Stay away!

Their response is pure BUNK! It's been many months since I paid them over $3000 to market my book. It's well over six months! They promised me ongoing updated reports but todate I have received ZERO from them.

They have never sent me any royalties. I have the right banking information but nothing from Archway Publishing.

I've been working with Archway for over six months on the publication and marketing of my first novel. My book is now published and available through online sellers but it has been a very hard road to get here.

The best way I can describe my overall experience with Archway is that it reminds me of trying to fix my home internet. If I can get ahold of anyone, it's a poor, kind soul half way around the world who desperately wants to make a good impression, but has absolutely no idea how to provide any real help. With Archway, their employees may be local, but the experience is otherwise similar. I have continually been treated kindly by people who seem to to have no idea what they are doing. The repeated low quality, poor communication, and simple mistakes are astounding. They always apologize and try to fix the mistakes, but after a while it gets exhausting and feels like I am doing all of their work for them.

I chose Archway because I thought their connection with Simon and Schuster would guarantee a reasonably high level of professional service. I thought they would be able to do things I could not, and do them well. This was not the case. With a little bit more experience, I could have done a much better job of everything I paid Archway thousands of dollars for. I would definitely not recommend them to other authors.

Like many companies, Archway is very responsive--until they receive your money. Then, nothing happens. I submitted my manuscript and the documentation requested, and I haven't received even a templated email response. I wish I had read these author reviews before signing a contract with Archway. It sounds like many writers have had better success elsewhere.

They are a horrible company one you should not go with. If you want to feel good about publishing a book, and accomplished and get paid what you deserve and not have the company profit off your book sales more then you do by a shit ton. This is not the company for you. They will ask for more money every chance they get trying to sell you “deals” that really don’t do you any good but lower your bank account money status. They also make you feel as though all you paid for and all the work you and time you put in to write a book was worth nothing but more money for them and a book online or maybe in stores in return for you.

The response from Customer Service was inaccurate. Archway sends out "Approval" forms prior to letting you know what it is you are approving, then they claim you have not approved and thus hold up your work. Instead of the 90 completion promised back in May, Marketing recently told me that they operate on a "first come first serve" basis. Feels like a lottery not a professional firm. I've asked for a refund but they have refused. PS: Name is incorrect; first name is Manfred.

I see they replied to my last complaint. Don't fall for it folks. Since the time I wrote the last bad review and they put their sorry ass response up there, they STILL have not contacted me - not one person. It's their marketing department that is worthless - its a giant money suck. I have had to turn this matter over an attorney - it is that bad. Much of this could have been avoided had anyone there had the guts to pick up a phone.

Started this process in December, still no book, no book cover no nothing but I'm still being emailed to purchase additional packages for marketing. Marketing what? Can I get a book first? I'm so frustrated, they have taken all of the joy and excitement out of publishing a novel.

Archway does not care for writers or their work, they are a total scam. They promise and don't deliver. Beware of any branch from Author Publishing.... They are not Simon and Schuster.

From start to finish, my book looks professionally done. Love the way my book turned out.

Very responsive, helpful crew from start to finish. Their author learning center is a great resource and wealth of information.
Archway made the publication process easy, and politely put up with my neuro-divergent brain.
Calls and emails were answered quickly, and concerns or issues dealt with easily and professionally.
I highly recommend them.
But here is a reality check: No matter how good your book is, it will cost you a lot (and I mean a lot!) in money, time, and effort to get it “out there”. Archway can help but you will pay big bucks for it. Remember: there are hundreds of thousands of other writers out there doing the same. Your book isn’t magically going to sell well. But for the money, Archway is a good start in the right direction.

My books arrived today...on time! It looks good... I am impressed. I started selling books out of the box. Thank you Archway!

The help getting my book to print was amazing.

I don't know if I have enough space to write everything I need to write, but I'll give it a shot. My journey with Archway Publishing started February 12, 2024. The staff that I communicated with along this journey, was there and ready to answer any questions I had. They were willing to spare time and have a conversation with me in order to insure I understood everything every step of the way. I know that's what employees are supposed to do. But in today's day and age, that's not always what happens. Before one step of the process was completed, I was being informed about the next step to come, so I felt well prepared and ready without feeling overwhelmed. I am more than happy with the outcome of my project... in fact I am down right impressed. With my instruction, they managed to capture exactly what I saw in my head, and made it a reality. I will never forget what Archway Publishing did for me. They made it possible for me to actually hold my dream in hand. I can't wait to work with them again! If you're thinking about working with them, just know, they are worth every bit of it.

They are very misleading in how they present themselves.

While they repeatedly associate themselves with Simon and Shuster, and while they will tell potential clients about being an imprint of Simon and Shuster, with all the implications of being associated with a traditional publisher, they are nothing more than a fancy printshop with services they want you to buy.

Being a first time author, I was fooled by their pitch.

I will note they didn't bother to check if the book title had been used previously - which I learned later to be true.

Here are the communications that illustrate Archway Publishing refused to let me see or approve the design and layout of my book before it was sent to production.
From me:
Can you please send me some examples for the design and layout of the interior pages of my book? I’m looking forward to working with you and your production team to create visually interesting layouts to compliment the 15 years of work that has gone into the publication. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Reply from Archway Publishing
I apologize if I wasn’t able to get back to you immediately. As much as I’d like to send a few samples (of the layout and design of the book) to you, I do not have the resources to do so.

Sent to Archway Publishing

I have asked for a full refund. It has taken months just to get the links to upload the photos and text (something that should be a very straightforward process that can be completed in one day, but you refused my repeated requests to send the links for weeks at a time). And now you are refusing to show me the design and layout of my own book before it gets sent to production. I cannot be expected to approve a layout and design that I’ve never seen. Saying the book has to be sent to production without the author having the opportunity to review and approve the design and layout, and there will be extra charges if changes are needed later, is not how professional publishers treat their authors. Unfortunately, your communications have been confrontational instead of collaborative and supportive.
(a full refund has not yet been provided 4 weeks later).
Update: Despite sending the wrong version of my book (a short draft version that I sent just to check the formatting) to production, then over two months of delays trying to get things sorted out, followed by refusing to allow me to see or approve the layout of the interior pages before they were sent to production, I asked for a refund and less than one third of what I had paid was ever refunded. There was no ‘confusion’ or ‘misunderstanding’, Archway Publishing acknowledged these facts and simply refused to act in good faith. This post is to caution anyone thinking of self-publishing to look elsewhere if you are looking for an honest, competent, respectful self-publishing firm.

In general, the experience was okay. However, a question I asked about empty pages was not answered correctly. Little things like these mean a lot. The printed copy has empty pages that could have been used. I also missed a typo that I want to fix.

First they wanted me to go back and change the names of people in my memoir. Then names of companies. Then publish as anonymous. A memoir . They were afraid of being sued. These people are dead, in the public domain or from 30 years ago. Got my money back as my husband is a lawyer, otherwise their agreement would have allowed them to keep it. Wasted 6 months. New publisher published book without a question.

As I begin the process of publishing my 5th novel with Archway Publishing, I feel the need to share my thoughts and experiences. I have been so happy with their services. Archway staff is professional, trustworthy and easy to work with - they have a process in place that ensures the writer's vision is met.

I have been so pleased with the quality of my first four books. I feel safe in their hands.

I haven't received a royalty check since 2021. However, Archway Publishing has received over $5,000 in sales from my books. Customer service is horrible and haven't been supportive in helping me. The manager is currently on vacation, however I have yet to be paid for my hard work.

My biggest and most significant complaint is that I was unable to “work with one of our designers” as promised in the package I purchased. Having been told by my “concierge” that designers are not “author interfacing”, there was no interaction in order to discuss page design and format (nor cover design) which I am not pleased with at all. I believe that even a brief discussion with a designer would have improved my book with regard to spacing, margins, size of typeface, very basic things which I was unable to visualize and assume are second nature to a designer.