Published Through Author Solutions? Here Is What Happens Next.
Most authors who contact us after an Author Solutions experience are not angry about the money. They are angry because the book they worked on for months did not get the treatment it deserved. The cover looks wrong. The editing was not what was promised. The marketing packages produced nothing. That is a fixable situation.
What you own.
Your manuscript is yours. Author Solutions contracts retain copyright with the author. The ISBN is the complication — if Author Solutions assigned it they are listed as publisher of record for that edition. A new edition under your own ISBN from Bowker ($125) removes this entirely. Your content, your story and your right to publish elsewhere are not affected by the Author Solutions relationship.
Why this happens.
The model is structured around post-signing revenue. Per Writer Beware's publicly accessible records, consistent reports include aggressive post-signing upselling and marketing packages that produced no measurable results. The Alliance of Independent Authors includes Author Solutions imprints on their Watchdog Desk.
A class action lawsuit was filed in 2013 in the Southern District of New York and settled; terms were not disclosed. The Author Solutions imprint list includes iUniverse, Trafford, AuthorHouse, Xlibris, Balboa Press, Westbow Press and others operating under the same model.
Your three options.
Option 1 — Fix the cover and relaunch
$300 to $600, two to three weeks. New cover design matched to genre and market. New ISBN if desired. Replaces the Author Solutions edition as the active listing on Amazon while your manuscript content stays the same. Best for authors who are satisfied with the writing but not the production quality.
Option 2 — Full production relaunch
$1,500 to $2,500. New cover, copy edit, full interior reformat, new ISBN. This produces a professionally produced second edition indistinguishable from a traditionally published title. Timeline: four to six weeks after manuscript is received.
Option 3 — Full engagement from Columbia Publication
Starting at $499. Dedicated Book Production Manager, no post-signing upsells, milestone approvals throughout. Every stage has a named deliverable and an author sign-off point before work advances. Columbia Publication manages editorial, cover, formatting and global distribution to Amazon KDP and IngramSpark.
What professional publishing looks like when it works.
Scope agreed before payment. Every stage has a named deliverable and an author approval point before advancing. No additional packages. Columbia Publication manages editorial, cover, formatting and global distribution to Amazon KDP and IngramSpark. Authors receive sales reports and royalties directly from the platforms — there is no intermediary taking a cut.
The difference between a satisfying publishing experience and a frustrating one almost always comes down to whether expectations were set in writing before money changed hands. Columbia Publication requires a signed scope document before any engagement begins.
Who this is for.
Authors for whom getting the book right matters. First-time authors who signed with Author Solutions without fully understanding the model. Professionals republishing a book that deserved better production. Anyone whose Author Solutions experience produced a book that did not represent their work at its best. Columbia Publication works with authors at all stages — new manuscripts, existing manuscripts, and republishing from any starting point.
Common questions.
Can I republish through Author Solutions?
In most cases yes. Review your contract carefully for exclusivity clauses before proceeding. Most Author Solutions contracts do not include exclusivity provisions that would prevent republishing with another publisher.
Do I need to tell Author Solutions?
Review your contract. Most Author Solutions contracts do not include distribution exclusivity. You are generally free to publish a new edition under a new ISBN without notifying or involving Author Solutions.
What does a Columbia Publication engagement cost?
From $499 for completed manuscripts. No post-signing upsells. The full scope and price are confirmed during the free consultation before any agreement is signed. What you agree to at the start is what you pay at the end.
How long does republishing take?
8 to 12 weeks for production-only on a completed manuscript. 3 to 5 months for full editorial-through-launch. Timeline is set in the scope document before work begins.
Is Author Solutions a scam?
Writer Beware and ALLi classify it as requiring caution, not fraudulent. The platform is legal. The consistent issue documented publicly is that post-signing upsell revenue creates incentive misalignment with author outcomes. Review all documentation carefully before signing anything.
Free Consultation — No Obligation
Gia K. reviews every manuscript request personally and responds within one business day. Free, no commitment. If Columbia Publication is not the right fit for your situation, we will tell you who is.
Request a Free ConsultationReviewed by Gia K., Book Production Manager at Columbia Publication.