ComplaintsforStellar Literary Press & Media

• Initial Complaint

  07/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  For $750 Stellar representatives promised me to print my book and get a contract with a big name publisher for proper distribution. The book is also to be available on Amazon. The book has been printed without proper margins so it looks poor quality. The book cannot be found on Amazon. And they said ********* wants another $500 to do a mass emailing. I asked to see a copy of *********'s proposal. They also suggested the big company wants $1000 to do a website but that was to make the mass emailing sound better. No paperwork from ********* was shown to me. The whole idea was to get a traditional publisher. That was the promise. My agent was *********************. This has occurred in the last twelve months.

  

  Business response

  07/17/2023

  We appreciate you bringing your concerns to our attention through the BBB. After carefully reviewing your complaint, we would like to address the points you raised.
  Firstly, we acknowledge that your book has indeed been successfully published on Amazon, which was part of the service you paid $750 for. We have not received any additional payments beyond that amount from you. Therefore, we are unsure about the $500 and $1000 you mentioned in your complaint, as we have no record of such transactions.
  Furthermore, it is important to clarify that we do not make any guarantees about being contacted by ********* or any other big publishers. Our services include assisting authors in creating query letters and providing guidance on the publishing process. While we strive to help our clients achieve their goals, we cannot promise or predict specific outcomes, such as securing a deal with a major publishing house.
  We genuinely value your satisfaction and would like to work towards resolving this matter. We kindly request you to provide us with additional information regarding the alleged payments of $500 and $1000 so that we can investigate the matter thoroughly.
  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to resolving this issue promptly.

• Initial Complaint

  07/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was contacted by Stellar who pretended to be a well-established literary agency. I didn't realize that literary agents don't make cold calls. A woman named **** told me that if I let them "re-publish" my books through them, they would present them to a traditional publisher. I didn't know that literary agents don't work in this way. When I agreed to try one of my books, she convinced me to give them access to all of my books by saying that ********* wanted to purchase all of the books for a very large amount. She quoted huge figures for each book in a supposed contract that they had given her. My daughter-in-law tried to convince me from the beginning that Stellar was a scam. She even contacted *********'s department that deals with scams, and was told that they had never done business with Stellar and that the offer was not legitimate. Unforunately, I had already agreed to pay close to $20,000 to Stellar for illustrations, and marketing. I sent an initial email saying I wanted to break the contract, but **** would keep calling and convince me of their lies. I finally saw that what my family was saying about the company was true, and I sent an email saying to cease and desist communication and that I retain all of the rights to my books. My daughter-in-law blocked their number so that **** would be forced to admit her lies in writing. She sent an email after I told them to stop communication with me in which she said, "My company is not a self-publishing company." Then wny did I pay them so much money to re-publish my books in my own name? I am most concerned that she said in that email that she plans to move forward with our phone discussion even after receiving my email to cease all communication and that I want to stop this. I never gave final approval on any of the work, and I'm scared that they will use my manuscripts for their own ends without my permission. I want in writing that they will not use any of the content from my books for any reason.

  

  Business response

  07/12/2023

  We appreciate the feedback and would like to address the concerns raised in the complaint. Our client has been with us since May, and we have maintained a positive working relationship with her throughout that time. Our transactions have been smooth, with clear communication and satisfactory services provided.
  However, it is important to note that the negative statements made about our company were initiated by the client's daughter-in-law, who is not our client and has never had any direct experience with our services. We find it unfortunate that someone unrelated to the business transaction has chosen to voice their dissatisfaction through the BBB.
  Regarding the amount mentioned, it is crucial to clarify that these funds were allocated for marketing and publishing services, as agreed upon in our contract. We are more than willing to provide receipts and documentation to substantiate these transactions.
  Furthermore, we would like to emphasize that our company does not guarantee the success of marketing campaigns or any specific outcomes. This information is explicitly stated in our contract and is a standard practice within the industry.
  We value the trust and satisfaction of our clients, and we regret any misunderstanding that *** have occurred. We remain committed to providing excellent services and maintaining open lines of communication with our clients. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to resolve this matter.

  Customer response

  07/13/2023

  I've asked more than once via email that you stop all work on this project. Please honor my request! I do not want you to have access to any of my book content, and I want to be sure that you do not try to publish any of my content yourselves. This comes back to the same thing. You promised over the phone over and over that you had received a contract from Macmmillan. You quoted specific amounts that they promised for each book. You said that they loved my books and wanted to publish all of them and that you were talking to them daily. My daughter-in-law contacted them, and they have no record of ever doing any business with you. I really should get my money back, but all I'm asking is that you say here that you will stop all work on my book. In the last email you sent, you said that you are not a self-publishing company. I just spent a lot of money for you to re-publish my books because you convinced me that this was what I needed to do. I now know that this isn't true, but I don't want you to try publishing these on Amazon without my permission. I just want this to be clearly said that you will not use any of my work. I can't talk on the phone with you. It is too difficult for me emotionally after all you have put me through. I really believed that **** cared about me. I don't want to have to deal with this any more!

  

  Business response

  07/17/2023

  Thank you for expressing your concerns regarding the cancellation of your services. We understand that you had initially requested a refund, despite the considerable work and progress made on your book, as we were moving towards publication. We have made multiple attempts to reach out to you and explain that we are a legitimate company dedicated to ensuring the success of your book.

  
  We would like to assure you that we value your satisfaction and have put your account on hold while we work towards resolving this matter. However, if you still insist on canceling the services, we can give it you however we regret to inform you that we cannot offer a refund at this stage. Extensive time and resources have already been invested in your project.
  We remain committed to resolving this complaint to the best of our abilities. Please feel free to provide any additional information or suggestions for a resolution.

  Customer response

  07/23/2023

  I just want confirmation that you are completely cancelling this project and will do nothing further with my books. Please confirm here that no more work will be done on and that you will not use the content from my books in any form in the future.

  *****

• Initial Complaint

  06/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 7/15/22, ***************************** and I, *****************************, agreed that I would have Stellar Literary publish one book in my name, and republish two books in my name for the price of $2000.00. I made a payment of $2000.00 on 7/15/22. When I did not receive a receipt or any response after I sent the payment, I filed a dispute with my credit card company on 7/22/22. I received a receipt on 7/22/22. I cancelled the dispute. On 7/29/22, ***************************** informed me that $2000.00 was not enough to cover the cost to have all three books done. I agreed to pay an additional $900.00 to cover the cost of all three books. The total amount of $2900.00 paid for the "Bronze publishing package $799 + Ebook Availability $250 + Hardcopy Availability $250," ($1299) and two "Rebranding | $800" packages ($1600). On 9/1/22, **************** took my $900.00 payment. On or about 11/16/22, I received two DocuSign agreements; a "Card Authorization Form" and a "Service and Distribution Agreement" from ******************************************************* Both forms were associated with the "Republication Gold" package for the publication of one book, "Don't Turn Your Back III." I did NOT sign them. On 11/23/22, I responded to the Email of DocuSign agreements sent by ******************************************************* stating that the wrong contract had been sent. I detailed the reasons why. I did NOT receive a response. From November 2022, till 3/16/23, I continued working with ******************* to prepare all three books for completion. On 3/16/23. I signed DocuSign agreements for all three books authorizing Stellar Literary Press & Media to proceed with the publication of my three books. On 4/26/23, I called ******************* and asked the status of my books. She stated they were waiting for me to sign the "Reproduction Gold" contract. **************** refuses to addressed the contract error. I have made every effort to resolve this matter amicably. Stellar Literary Press & Media have not honored our agreement. I want my books published as requested or a full refund, $2900.

  

  Business response

  06/15/2023

  We already resolve this issue with the customer. 

• Initial Complaint

  01/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  August 8 2022, I submitted $1200 to this company for their Gold Republication package.Nothing was ever done for my deposit. Talked to **** the manager in November and since nothing was done she was retiring my deposit. Since I have not been able to get a response when calling and leaving my phone number, I wonder if they are even open!I don't want to hire an attorney. As an 88 year old widow, author, I feel I need help! Trying you for that help.

• Initial Complaint

  12/29/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On September 26 2022 I paid $200 for literary agent services. At this time I never knew I had to pay for literary service because they are supposed to get paid after they obtain a publishing contact. After sending the money I never heard from them again and through research I found out this company is a scam. I had filed a complaint against stellar a few weeks ago because I wanted my money back. They told me to drop the complaint and then they would refund me. They wanted proof that I drop the complaint. After sending them proof.they cut me off completely and that's been two weeks since I was supposed to get my money back.they no longer take my phone calls. I just want my money back.

  

  Business response

  01/05/2023

  First, Stellar Literary Press and Media is not a company and we can prove our legitimacy. Second, the client paid $200 and signed the agreements including the refund process and the scope of the work or purchased service. The, client demanded the refund knowing that we already started the operation of his purchased service/product. We already explained to him that it is no longer refundable however he insisted. 

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩