THE (BITTER) iUNIVERSE EXPERIENCE
I purchased the PREMIER PRO book package which promises "One-on-One author support". But my assigned publising assistant was inexperienced and incapable of effectively guiding me through the publishing process in a way that supported what I was trying to achieve. The iUniverse publishing experience is an extremely frustrating one, characterized by sub-professional output, endless delays, the one-on-one author support is in reality conducted by a pool of publishing assistants who stand between the author and the technical and creative staff that actually produce the book. it is not possible - except on rare occasions - to communicate ideas directly to production staff and work out solutions to problems with layout or design. Calls are never returned. Communication is conducted by email. When you are involved with a throny creative issue the waiting can seem endless as days and, in some cases, even weeks pass by. Publishing assistants work with a 9-5 mentality and seem to have little genuine passion for their work. The politeness and "have a wonderful day" positivsm do not constitute true professionalism but are geared to softening customer anger and weakening the resolve of frustrated authors to confront iUniverse in its failure to deliver on promises made in the marketing text.
I had to do virtually all the work on interior and exterior and work extremely hard to get my ideas into print. Post production assistance is virtually non existance. For the last two weeks I have tried to get information from my assigned book consultant. To no avail.
In fact to date I have never received a written response from this book consultatnt - I was forced to call in to find out why it took two months for me to receive a copy of the book I published after it had been sent to the printer.

THE iUNIVERSE MARKETING PROMISE:
Only iUniverse has professionals with extensive industry knowledge who make it easy for you to affordably publish your book. Our "learn as you publish" approach combines specialized author support with value-packed publishing packages and a variety of high-quality, competitively priced editorial and marketing services

The iUniverse Difference: With experienced leadership from the worlds of publishing, sales and marketing and technology, our management team is dedicated to helping you achieve your publishing goals

You've written it. Now it's time to begin production! iUniverse has made this process painless by providing you with great tools and the professional advice you need to produce a flawless book.

Custom Cover Design - actually sub professional.
Book Design and Page Layout - were template driven and unsuitable to the book.

Ultimately, from my experience, the premier pro package was neither premier, nor pro. It was a slap in the face. A slap which continues to resound and which I hope comes across here. My advice to anyone interested in selecting iUniverse is: don't believe the marketing text. Look at other publishing companies. Get author feedback.

I signed up with iUniverse Publishing last 8th of July 2008 to get my manuscript get edited, and published professionally, affordable and fast (per Get Published! Professionally, Affordable, Fast - a book written by Ms. Susan Driscoll, Author, President and CEOof iUniverse). My manuscript was submitted and accepted by iUniverse, Inc. after payment of the required fee and was assigned two personnel by the name of Liesl Shapker, my appointed Publishing Services Associated and Amy He, my appointed Publishing Consultant.

I was informed that my manuscript would have to go through several stages, under 4 different authors, one author responsible for correcting grammar and spelling, one author responsible for ensuring it is in the right format, etc.

After over 3 months has passed, I kept sending emails to Liesl Schapker on the status of my book. Then about the first week of Oct. 2008, I received a telephone call from one Eugene Hopskins that he was cancelling my contract with iUniverse and get the money I paid for, be refunded. According to Eugene Hopkins, ( He is the client services manager per Liesl Schapker) my manuscript was not the kind of story they would publish. I asked him why it took him over 3 months to decide and tell me that. Eugene was apologetic and
said, 'I'm sorry.'

As per several e-mails from my assigned PSA, Liesl Schapker, the amount of $899.00 will be refunded. I have checked my bank for electronic transfer but there was no record of any transaction coming from iUniverse Publisher.

iUniverse wasted my time for over 3 months and delayed my going over to another able and capable publishing company. It was a mental anguish for me to wait over 3 months and to be told that my manuscript was not the kind of story they wanted to publish.