iUniverse Review
Frankly, I’m surprised that so many self-publishers use a service like iUniverse. I’m an advocate of using a self-publisher that doesn’t call attention to the fact that it’s a self-publisher. Though many people familiar with self-publishing immediately know the difference between iUniverse, AuthorHouse, Lulu, and so on, there are many more people who do not know the difference – especially readers who are not also writers.
Your least savvy reader is going to know that a publishing entity called iUniverse is not your typical press. It has something to do with printing a book via a computer. Right off, it sounds less legitimate. The names AuthorHouse or Mill City Press do not have the same issue. But iUniverse is one of the best known self-publishing services, so it is one of the most widely used.
The cost of publishing with iUniverse isn’t much different than the other subsidy services that fall under the Author Solutions umbrella: AuthorHouse, iUniverse, and Xlibris being the top three Author Solutions’ services.
- At iUniverse the cheapest package is $599. The most expensive is $2099
- AuthorHouse: $598 – $1298
- Xlibris: $299 – $12,999 (not a typo)
Let’s set aside Xlibris’s most expensive package, which includes 250 copies of the book, postcards, bookmarks, and other promo materials. It’s likely out of most people’s price range. So what do you get for the cheaper package with iUniverse that you don’t get with the other services?
Xlibris’s cheapest package is very bare bones – a book cover that looks like a pre-made template, interior design template, and ISBN. Useful if you don’t want to do any work and don’t care what the book looks like. The better comparison is between the cheapest packages at AuthorHouse and iUniverse, which are priced identically.
With both AuthorHouse and iUniverse you get: One-on-one author support (even the terminology is the same on both sites), custom cover, ISBN, and online distribution – the basics. With AuthorHouse you get custom interior design. With iUniverse you get 5 free copies.
What iUniverse does have is it’s Editor’s Choice and Rising Star programs. Being that these programs are paid for based on the cost of the package, the jury is out how much booksellers take these designations into consideration. There’s an argument that iUniverse books are branded immediately as being self-published, so the Editor’s Choice may not carry as much weight.
However, the quality of iUniverse books cannot be in dispute. The cover designers at iUniverse generally design non-generic covers and the books are printed professionally, with no blurred images and with good interior design. And Barnes & Noble’s comments about the Star Program are enticing:
“iUniverse has a thorough screening process to identify promising new writers, and then invests real dollars in promoting their books,” says Barnes and Noble Chief Executive Officer Steve Riggio. “Their editorial review process greatly enhances the quality of the books they publish. We see the Star Program as a great opportunity to discover new authors and bring them to market.”
That said, being a part of the Star program is no guarantee, and once in the program, there’s no guarantee of being picked up by a major chain. Keep in mind also that Star designation is not available for those who choose the least expensive package. Overall, the distribution will likely be the same with iUniverse as AuthorHouse, even if the Star program gives the impression of reaching interested buyers. There are certainly other subsidy publishers available, but Author Solutions has the cheapest packages available, so if you’re looking to cut costs, this is mostly likely where you’re going to start. Personally, if I were looking into a subsidy house and I had $600 to spend, I would go with AuthorHouse, as it could avoid being tarnished with the stigma of self-publishing.
i wanted to say thank you for the article written about I-universe. It was very informative as I am working on a book which will most likely be published via p.o.d. I also appreciate the comparisons given on other known book houses. I wish you great success in your literary accomplishments,
Is iUniverse going broke? An author friend of mine who has published two books with iUniverse received a royalty check last week and it bounced! He called iUniverse and the customer service rep told him there had been an “accounting glitch.” (The fact that the check bounced was no surprise to the iUniverse rep.) Hmm . . .
are you aware of any changes at Iuniverse that are promising for authors of books that have been very well reviewed, but have not sold large numbers. They are urgung me to apply for the star program, this following a sharp note from me as to whether they had any interest at all in quality. I was able to get six newspaper reviews, locally, from papers with exacting book review standards and from two authors, James Brady and Bill Henderson. They were all raves. I also have two well received conventionally published books in the distant past, 1960 and 1975. They gave me editors choice & whatever the other one is called, but it seems to have meant nothing. On the other hand they do not seem to be requesting money for the star designation. What they do want is a contract that would make the authors’ guild wince. But then nothing is happening with the Dandelion War as it is. No agent or publisher has even wanted to look at it, despite the reviews.
I aopprecviate your putting your observations and thoughts on the line.
My regards to you.
Richard Rosenthal
Authorhouse, IUniverse and Xliberis are all owned by the same people? The comparison is worthless.
My first book published through iUniverse went okay, “the MidLife Health Guide for Men.” I had one PSA and they did what they said, only the editor made more mistakes than they corrected-more from formatting problems going from pDF to Adobe. Recently, tried doing the women’s version and it’s a different story. Many PSAs that don’t know squat about you or the work, what stage you’re at, etc. Once they got the $1.5K, then they wanted another $500, supposedly because of the book’s size-about 300 pages. When I got the formatted book in Adobe there were so many errors, I couldn’t really use a proof form; they agreed I could resubmit. Now they want another $750 about to correct 6/7 of their errors. This has been nothing like before. They don’t return calls or offer any help. DON”T USE THEM!!!! Chris Rao, MD
Do NOT USE iUniverse. I published my book in November2010. They made serious mistakes even on dedication page. IT WAS COMPLETELY THEIR FAULT. Then they wanted 500 dollars to correct. They are rip off. STAY AWAY FROM THEM. They are owned by same person who owns authorhouse.So same woulf in two uniforms! Authorhouse ripp me off of 400 dollars and iUniverse ruined my book! WHAT A SCAM !
If you’re an emerging author with no experience, DON’T even consider using iUniverse. They’re a book factory whose primary goal is making as much money as they can from author services, designed more for their success than yours. On the production end, they’re inefficient and uncaring to the point of being discourteous. Never mind the warm and fuzzy greeting you get from them before you write the first check. Once they’ve made the sale, you’re history.
I just completed publishing a book with iUniverse.com. I was very satisfied with the whole process and especially satisfied with the editorial review and the finished book. The quality is first rate. All of the staff from my first contact to the lasy who ordered my free copies were top notch. The only thing I didn’t like was losing control of the pricing. And they price them right out of the market. $22.95 for a softback. But I have to admit, that is the only negative I experienced. I don’t regret one cent of the fee. If you do your job as an author, they will package it as well as anyone can.
Please, avoid iUniverse at ALL costs (or it will COST you a ton)
I published my book during their move to another city/state and they dropped the ball on my project. The rep left and left me hanging. It took a long time to get back on track. When I was not happy with the quality of the printing in my book, I overnighted a copy of the book with a letter to the CEO of the company. NO REPLY at all from anyone. I spent THOUSANDS of dollars on the publication, promo copies and even a PR consultant…the results?
I’ve earned royalties so low, I’m embarrassed to even state them here. iUniverse is ALL about making money on selling services and copies of your book to you. They don’t give a FLIP about doing any promo for their authors. Even if you do generate some book sales, your royalty fee is SO LOW, you’ll never recoup your initial investment.
Stay AWAY from these scammers!
Can some one please tell me how hum royalty will I get from each book from IUniverse?
Emilia,
I’ve never been able to figure out my royalty checks from iUniverse. With so many book sellers who sell at varying prices, plus the book being in soft cover and e-book formats, it’s impossible. However, iUniverse offers a choice of two royalty cuts – 10% or 20%. The choice is yours – if you want to take the risk of having a frustrating publishing experience.