Is WestBow Press legitimate?

WestBow Press is a real company operating as a division of Thomas Nelson, now owned by HarperCollins. However, WestBow Press is operated by Author Solutions, which has a documented history of complaints from authors including aggressive post-signing upselling, marketing packages with poor results, and high prices relative to deliverables. The Thomas Nelson association lends credibility to the brand but does not change the underlying operating model.

Can I republish a book I published with WestBow Press?

In most cases yes, if your contract does not include exclusivity clauses. Your manuscript is your intellectual property. A new ISBN removes WestBow as publisher of record. Columbia Publication works with Christian authors and can publish from $1,499 for completed manuscripts.

WestBow Press: What Christian Authors Need to Know

Q: How much does WestBow Press cost?

WestBow Press packages range from approximately $1,999 to over $10,000 for initial publishing services, with additional marketing and promotional packages sold post-signing. Columbia Publication publishes from $1,499 with no post-signing add-ons.

WestBow Press markets itself to Christian authors as the self-publishing division of Thomas Nelson, one of the most respected names in Christian publishing. The Thomas Nelson association is real. What is also real is that WestBow Press is operated by Author Solutions, the company with one of the most documented complaint histories in self-publishing.

By Gia Kahn, Director of Editorial and Book ProductionUpdated May 20268 min read

Disclaimer: This review draws on publicly available sources including Writer Beware, the Alliance of Independent Authors Watchdog Desk and author forums. Columbia Publication is an alternative service. Not legal advice.

The Thomas Nelson Connection

WestBow Press was established through a partnership between Thomas Nelson and Author Solutions. Thomas Nelson, now a HarperCollins imprint, is a legitimate and well-regarded publisher of Christian content with a decades-long history. Author Solutions, which operates WestBow Press, is a separate entity with a distinct operating model and complaint history.

Publishing through WestBow Press does not give your book editorial consideration from Thomas Nelson editors, nor does it place your book in Thomas Nelson's distribution channels or catalogue. It is a self-publishing service that uses the Thomas Nelson brand association in its marketing.

What Christian Authors Report

Per the Alliance of Independent Authors Watchdog Desk, Author Solutions imprints including WestBow Press appear in its list of publishers requiring caution. Consistent author reports across writing forums describe: initial packages priced from $1,999 to over $10,000; aggressive post-signing contact with offers of marketing packages, awards submissions and promotional services; and marketing results that authors describe as producing no measurable book sales.

Writer Beware, maintained by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, has documented the Author Solutions operating model extensively. Christian authors who specifically chose WestBow Press for its Thomas Nelson association report discovering the disconnect between the brand and the operating reality only after signing.

AuthorHouse, the largest and oldest Author Solutions imprint, carries the same documented pattern under a different brand name. Authors who published there can see what to do if you published with AuthorHouse for a dedicated walkthrough. Xlibris, the imprint that began as an independent company partly owned by Random House before Author Solutions bought full control in 2009, carries a comparable record today. See what to do if you published with Xlibris. Trafford, the Canadian print-on-demand company Author Solutions acquired that same year, follows the same pattern. See what to do if you published with Trafford.

Publishing Your Christian Book Independently

Christian books have specific distribution requirements. IngramSpark distribution reaches the Christian retail network including LifeWay and other Christian bookstore channels. Amazon KDP places the book in front of the largest online Christian book-buying audience. Neither requires publishing through an Author Solutions imprint.

Columbia Publication publishes Christian books across all these channels from $1,499. The Christian book publishing page covers the full process for faith-based authors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WestBow Press part of Thomas Nelson?

It markets itself as the self-publishing division of Thomas Nelson but is operated by Author Solutions. Publishing through WestBow does not involve Thomas Nelson editors or distribution channels.

How much does WestBow Press cost?

Initial packages from approximately $1,999 to $10,000+, with additional post-signing marketing packages. Columbia Publication publishes from $1,499 with no post-signing add-ons.

Can I republish my WestBow book elsewhere?

In most cases yes, if there are no exclusivity clauses in your contract. A new ISBN removes WestBow as publisher of record. Columbia Publication works with Christian authors and can publish completed manuscripts from $1,499.

Will my book reach Christian bookstores?

Through IngramSpark distribution, which Columbia Publication includes in the Global Publish package at $1,499, your book is available to the Christian retail network including LifeWay and independent Christian bookstores.

Free Consultation for Christian Authors

Whether you are researching WestBow Press before signing or looking to republish a book already published through them, Gia K. reviews every request personally and responds within one business day.

Book a Free Consultation →

Reviewed by Gia K. Sources: ALLi Watchdog Desk, Writer Beware, author forums. Updated May 2026.