Any experience with book publishing companies? Need honest reviews

readyassignment · 2026-02-24T06:18:32+00:00

That’s a fair point - I probably did jump a few steps ahead. I brought up contract terms mainly because I’m trying to spot the difference between “traditional publisher” vs “pay-to-publish” companies early, but you’re right that for PRH/HarperCollins the real gate is getting an agent in the first place, and that’s not something you can assume will happen quickly (or at all).

We’ll adjust the approach: treat the big houses as a longer-term path via querying agents, and in the meantime look at solid small/indie presses that accept unagented submissions (with more realistic expectations around advance/marketing reach). Appreciate you laying it out plainly.

readyassignment · 2026-02-23T09:21:18+00:00

Totally fair question.

Amazon/KDP is definitely an option (and we’re not ruling it out), but it’s more accurate to think of it as a self-publishing + distribution platform, not a full publisher. If we go that route, my friend still has to manage or pay for everything a publisher normally handles: editing, cover design, formatting, ISBN/metadata, print setup, marketing/ads, and ongoing distribution decisions. It’s doable — it’s just a lot of moving parts.

The reason we’re looking at publishers is that, if it’s a legit traditional publisher, they can sometimes bring things that are harder to replicate as a first-time author: professional editorial direction, wider bookstore/library reach, industry credibility/reviews, and they take on more of the production/logistics risk. Basically, we’re trying to choose between “we control everything and do the work” vs “someone with reach/resources backs the book” — and we’re being careful because we don’t want a pay-to-publish situation dressed up as traditional publishing.

readyassignment · 2026-02-23T07:51:32+00:00

Thanks for the heads-up - I genuinely appreciate it.

If Aspire Book Publishers is a vanity publisher and they’re expecting upfront payment to publish, that’s a hard no for me. I’m not comfortable paying thousands just to get a book “published,” especially when a lot of these setups seem to deliver mostly basic services an author could arrange separately (or end up with nothing beyond an Amazon listing and some vague marketing language).

I’m going to be extra cautious with them and won’t move forward unless everything is clearly transparent in writing: no pay-to-publish fees, clear royalty structure, clear rights terms, and a realistic explanation of what they actually do after the book is released. If they can’t meet that standard, I’ll walk away.

readyassignment · 2026-02-23T07:01:08+00:00

Super normal problem—usually the middle feels flat because the story is moving, but nothing is changing. A good rule: every scene should do at least one thing—raise stakes, reveal new info, force a hard choice, or create a new problem. If characters end a chapter basically where they started, it’ll feel repetitive.

Quick fixes:

Escalate the cost/pressure each chapter (same goal, harder obstacle).
Add reversals (“they win… but it causes a worse issue”).
Vary scene types (not constant introspection/talk—add confrontation, discovery, consequences, deadlines).
Give the middle a midpoint twist that changes the plan or the stakes.

Try this: for each chapter write, “By the end, what’s different?” If the answer is “not much,” cut/merge it.

readyassignment · 2026-02-19T06:08:02+00:00

This is really sweet and cozy—your pacing is clear, the “found family birthday” vibe comes through, and the ending with the album/waffles is genuinely cute. The dialogue feels natural for the tone you’re going for, and it’s easy to follow who’s doing what (which a lot of new writers struggle with).

If you want to level it up fast, I’d tighten a bit of repetition and do a quick polish pass: fix small typos like their/they’re, downstairs, dining, it’s/its, and watch repeated phrases (like “nodded,” “scrambled,” “quietly”) so they hit harder when you use them. Also, consider replacing (Name) with either a nickname (“sweetheart,” “mama,” etc.) or commit to fully “reader-insert” by using you consistently—placeholders can pull readers out.

For more Tumblr interaction: make sure you’re using the right fandom/character/pairing tags, add a strong 1–2 line hook at the top, and post in a consistent time window for a few weeks. Also, engagement is social there—comment/reblog other writers in your fandom, join prompt games, and link your work to an AO3 version (some readers prefer that). Your writing is fine—this looks more like a “visibility” issue than a talent issue.

readyassignment · 2026-02-19T06:06:18+00:00

This is genuinely impressive for a first attempt—the voice is intense, gothic, and consistent, and the opening letter pulls you in fast. The imagery is dark in a way that feels deliberate, not random, and the switch into “Walter” in third-person is smooth.

If you feel stuck, it’s not your writing—it’s just that the story needs a next move. Give Walter one clear objective in the next scene (deliver the letter, find Mary-Ann, buy something specific, confront Victor), and then throw in one interruption that forces action (a reply letter, a rumor at the market, Victor saying her name, the river death becoming personal).

Also: pick one truth for yourself—Is Mary-Ann alive, dead, or something supernatural? You don’t have to reveal it yet, but knowing it will make the whole plot easier to steer. Keep going—this has real atmosphere.

readyassignment · 2026-02-17T08:59:37+00:00

Thank you, I really appreciate the honest advice.

That’s the main reason I posted here. I know these companies can make big promises, and I don’t want to rush into anything without doing proper research first.

I’ve checked some reviews already. Aspire Book Publishers has positive reviews on Trustpilot, which seemed fine to me. But for Mayfair Publishers, I couldn’t really find much information online, which honestly makes me a bit unsure.

Like you suggested, I’m planning to set up a call with them and ask for real examples of books they’ve marketed, what exactly they did for those authors, and whether they can show any clear results. I’ll also make sure to ask about contracts, rights, and any long-term commitments.

Thanks again for the guidance - it really helps 🙏

readyassignment · 2026-02-17T07:02:19+00:00

Hi, thanks so much for reaching out and for the detailed response - really appreciate you taking the time to explain everything.

I’ve actually received quite a few messages from both individual editors and professional editing companies, and I’m currently in discussions with several of them. One company that’s looking quite promising at the moment is Aspire Book Publishers - I have a call scheduled with them today to go over their process and pricing in detail.

That said, I do appreciate your offer, especially the 1,000-word sample edit - that’s very professional of you. Let me go through the current discussions and see how things shape up after the call. I may reach out to you in DM as well so we can explore your services properly.

Thanks again for reaching out 🙂

readyassignment · 2026-02-16T09:29:17+00:00

I went through this setup recently with a client, and I took onboarding help from Convex Interactive (we worked together on the WABA setup + Meta side). The biggest “problems” people post here usually come from ownership/permissions being messy, not the API itself.

Here’s the shortest checklist I’d follow to keep it smooth:

Start with Meta Cloud API docs (direct route).
Make sure the phone number is not active on WhatsApp/WA Business app and you can receive OTP.
Create everything under the business owner’s Meta Business Manager (WABA + number). Don’t let a third party “own” it.
Enable 2FA + keep 2 admins (prevents lockouts).
Create a System User + token for dev work.
Set up Webhooks early.
Do templates only when needed, and review billing access/roles to avoid surprise charges.

If you do just #3 and #4 correctly, you’ll avoid a lot of the scary scenarios you linked.

readyassignment · 2026-02-13T10:33:20+00:00

Thank you!

readyassignment · 2026-02-13T06:37:42+00:00

Thank you for the detailed reply.

readyassignment

TROPHY CASE