ComplaintsforBrilliant Books Literary
Publication
Need to file a complaint?
BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.
Complaint Details
Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.
Initial Complaint
03/30/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
Hi,My complaint about this company is that they claim action but dont deliver. I paid them money in good faith that they would market my book. It was a lot of money, but I figured it was an investment. The minute I stopped giving them money, they stopped all communication regarding , royalties which I had been receiving, accounting of my book sales, which I had been receiving and updates on coming events. I gave them $16,000 over a year to promote my book. I received checks for royalties in the form of a personal check. There was no invoice on my book sales. I had to practically beg for information on my book sales. I received one printout, but my literary agent stopped calling me to give me updates. It was incredible. The minute I stopped giving them money as I was getting suspicious, they stopped all communication. I have requested information in emails, but Ive heard from nobody.Initial Complaint
02/22/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
My mother is trying to self publish books. This company Brilliant Books Literary has taken her money for two books and trying to get more money for a third book.Initial Complaint
12/18/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Delivery Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I hired BBL to represent and market a book I had written. They insisted on re-publishing it, though I didn't see why. A proposed cover was sent to me and was approved after some changes. I never received a copy of the re-published book but I did send to them an order I had received for **** copies. To my knowledge, nothing was done with that order. I wrote several times to their *************************** to get some action on the order and on the new version of my book. All I got was requests for more money, Eventually ***** stopped responding at all.Initial Complaint
12/01/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I paid Brilliant Books Literary for a return insurance policy so that when Brilliant Books placed my books in actual bookstores, the bookstores could return any that are not sold. They have not placed my book in any bookstores. They will not return my emails. Various phone numbers published are NO GOOD. THEN my Brilliant Books representative and marketing consultant,***********************,charged me an additional $1000 for a "query letter" requested by ***** and ********, who send her a letter expressing keen interest in publishing my book. THEN, she advised me she was moving to a different company, and was taking my files with her to continue her work. Neither Brilliant Books Literary or *********************** will return my calls or emails, asking for an explanation of what is happening. Some phone #s don't work at all, or go to a different person's voice-mail. NONE are ever returned.Initial Complaint
11/07/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
They took a deposit without being able to produce the book. They then refused to refund. They are a scam They harrassed me constantly to do business with them. They clearly said they could produce a manuscript from an audiobook. After paying them a deposit she said she cannot do it, all was my responsibility and they will not refund.Please ask them for phone call recording. This is a scamInitial Complaint
08/21/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
***********************, Literary Agent for Brilliant Books Literary has continually harassed with threats of ruining my name and reputation using her connections in the industry. This was initiated when I refused to work with her and referred to her demeanor as unprofessional.Initial Complaint
05/02/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I was contacted by ******************* with Brilliant Book **************** claiming to be a Sr **************** Manager. The email stated: Dear ***********************, It is my great pleasure to inform you that your book entitled The Masked Verity has been shortlisted by our in-house book critics and book scouts for possible book acquisition. Upon their initial examination, they were thoroughly impressed with your material and believe it is worthy of the attention of potential investors. I would love to discuss your book further and strategize on how to make it an irresistible option for potential investors. Please let me know when it is most convenient for ** to talk. You can respond to this email or call me at the phone number below. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Warm regards,After calling **************** he then attempted to solicit me and use past book reviews to talk me into purchasing packages and sending money. When I said that literary agents do not ask for money and there is no money required to represent- *** ****** then hung up the phone. I am filing a complaint for soliciting due to I have received multiple calls and also this email which are lies and false advertising. I also am filing a complaint for other writers who look up The Brilliant Book **************** for information to see if they are legit. I want to save other authors money and heartache and advice to NOT give your money to this company as I have researched them after this incident and found that they are a scam!! And, if they claim to not be a scam and there was miscommunication, I am requesting that the company hold up their agreement they sent through email and represent my book without trying to collect money as literary agents do not collect money when taking on a book, but they take 10% of ************* once a contract is signed. I want the Brilliant Book **************** Agency to hold up to what they promised.Initial Complaint
03/13/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
Details of the contracts I've signed with Brilliant Books Literary:I was contacted on May 4, 2022 by ***************************, the Senior Literary Scout Manager and **************** Manager of Brilliant Books Literary, a **************** and ****************** with headquarters in **********************************************************************, and Literary ************* in ************************************************************************************. He informed me that another agent would be contacting me to discuss the republication of my collection of poetry named SEASONS AND SENSES. I was contacted by ******************* on May 9, 2022. I agreed to pay $1,500.00 for the republication process. To date, I have paid $17, ****** for a variety of services by Brilliant Books Literary between May 9, 2022, and March 13, 2023, including: 1) ********************** 2) Press Release, 3) Literary Today Magazine Full Page ad, 4) Bookstore Placement, 5) *************** 2022 Book Display, 6) Book Video Trailer, 7) L.A. Times Festival of Books 2023 Book Display, and 8) Query Letters. I have received only one quarterly Royalty Report for the Third Quarter 2022. I was told I had $2,701.00 in royalties but received $701.00. The other $2,000.00 was reportedly used for expenses for one of the contracts listed above. I do not have a receipt to prove that, however, I do have receipts for the total amount of expenses listed above. I was warned by other agencies this company is a scam. I checked your website and see that their grade is D+. Their office in ***********, ** is not listed with you. They supposedly manage the financial records. I want to get the services I've paid for but do not want to file a lawsuit. I am hoping that your agency can apply enough pressure to assist me in seeing results for monies I've spent or getting a full refund for those services not yet completed.
*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. ↩
BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.
BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.
When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.
BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.
As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.
Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating
Customer Complaints Summary
11 total complaints in the last 3 years.
8 complaints closed in the last 12 months.