ComplaintsforGotopublish.com

• Initial Complaint

  09/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Last year (2023) I entered into a contract with Gotopublish, formerly Litfire Publishing, (*********************) to publish my book, Always Tomorrow, in addition to other programs that would promote future sales. The contract entered into specifically states that royalties from sales would be sent, through the publisher, to me quarterly by means I determine.The book went "live" February 2024, sales have been made, yet the company has provided no royalty payments to me whatsoever, nor have they provided any sales data after I requested both. It must be noted that Medalle told me in a phone conversation that I had indeed made some money from sales. It was only after I refused to pay for any more "programs" until I saw a return that all communication ceased from them. I have called and emailed with no response from anyone in the company since. It has been very difficult for me to promote my book knowing Gotopublish is withholding any and all sale royalties. They are clearly in breach of contract at this point. Note also that I have discovered, too late, that this company is listed on the Writer Beware website as a scam. After receiving legal counsel, I request the book be removed from all platforms, working now to revoke any and all rights from them to publish, advertise, promote or otherwise benefit from my work. Or, at the very least, have those platforms send any and all royalties due directly to me. I also request a refund of at least 50% of monies paid to them for programs they failed to provide written details of, as well as expected results.

• Initial Complaint

  05/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  There has been very little effort to honor the agreement and now they are avoiding getting the product done. No results with now....no interaction.....!

• Initial Complaint

  10/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Gotopublish was suppose to market my book. I paid for them to pitch my book. To display my book. To review my book and more. They say they did work but it is a con to take your money. Nothing came out of it and at the end when the book is suppose to display in book stores it does not because they are not real.

  Business response

  11/05/2023

  We are trying to reach the customer for possible resolution on this matter. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/12/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  March 20, 2021 I reached out to gotopublish to get assistance with publishing and marketing my book, *******. The package promised to publish and market my book. I would get 100% royalties, be provide a lifetime publication and they'd distribute my book worldwide. There would be global distribution with over ****** online retailers, including schools, library and bookstores. I would have an ISBN number, professional cover design, layout. I'd have a 30 day social media campaign including ********* and target a market using demographics and Psychographics study, have an agent to fully manage my ************ accounts and post articles, curate and compelling counts about my book on a daily basis, and do activities to help me engage my readers. I would have a Campaign Manager, Campaign Strategist, Ad Specialist and ********* I am not very computer savy but somehow, I signed a contract that I could never pull up. Which I was still ok with if they did what they promised. On April 1, 2021 They took out $636.66, May 1 they took out $593.67 and June 1, $593.67.I was questioning this right away because i was not getting answers to my questions about the promises.This went back and forth and was even escalated, with no response/resolution. I have many emails back and forth. I decided to give them one more chance on August 17,2022. I got a response from *********************. He was very apologetic and was going to make sure that I was taken care of. He got me excited that I was going to get my book published! *** told me that they should have done this for me, and he was so sorry this didn't happen. I tell you; this man was good! He made me feel like her really cared about me and my family. He offered to "credit the $1824 that I previously pd" towards the ********* International Book Fair September 12, 2022. I would only need to pay an additional $1394. I declined the book show.*** would not/could not show me what they had done for me. I want my money back.

  Business response

  09/27/2022

  We are currently working with the author on his book project. Author has agreed to continue publishing with us. Interior and cover drafts of his book has been sent to the author and we are just waiting for his approval before going to the final stage.

• Initial Complaint

  05/31/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I hired ************* over a year ago ( January 2021 ) to publish my next book ****** and His Friends, Between that time and 2 months ago April 2022 they had breached the contract by changing book consultations 5 times, and each time I had to resend all the files as they made drastic changes to the book from it's original and wanted to charge me more. So when asking for updates they sent me the first black-white illustrations which I pointed out the correctio. however, when they came back in color back in August 2021, nothing was corrected. when April 2022 came around I asked for updates but they ignored my calls so I sent them an email stating that I'm ending their relationship as a breach of construct and wanted my full refund. they keep ignoring me. I've called and emailed but I get the run around with the latest gentlemen ( ***** ) ***** is the most uncaring manager, ****** and **** both are no longer there as well as ***** whom the first contract was made from. I want my full refund of **** plus a loss of book sales of *****.. please help

  Business response

  09/26/2022

  This has been resolved and refunded. 

• Initial Complaint

  11/17/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Dear Better Business Bureau,I had *************************** of *******, ** send a letter to ***********. To date, *********** has not satisfactorily resolved matters. I am filing this complaint to amicably resolve the issue without the need for future litigation. Most recently, Manager *******, contacted me by both telephone and email. However, when I made it clear as to what I want to resume work with ***********, (with a deal that I feel is fair) she stopped communication. I am uncertain as to what explains what seems to be such a pattern with GTP management: When their feet are held to the fire to accept fair business accountability, they stop communication as was done with upper manager ***************************** whose halt in communication led to my securing a letter to them from ***************************.At this point, I feel that the support of the Better Business Bureau will help navigate this matter to final closure based on best business practices expected by your agency.Upon the receipt of an email address, I will send your office the most recent correspondence that I have had with ***********, with my last letter to manager ***************************** starting out as is showing below:Mon, Nov 15 at 11:27 AM Hello *******,Thank you. I will authorize an email from *********** to fully satisfy a response to the attorney's letter. With that said, the following wording would provide the statement that is necessary to resume my project:Thank you,******************************************** This letter to ******* was my way of asking her to write a response that showed that she would accept the terms laid out in the ****** Law Firm letter dated September 28, 2021. I have not heard a response to that letter that would allow my unfinished project to resume.Very respectfully,******************************************** Please find below the names of the involved *********** parties:*******************************, *****************************, ***********************, *********************************, the ***********

  Business response

  12/14/2021

  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and for the opportunity to present our side of the case.
  *********************************** and our consultant ***************************** resumed communication on November 12, 2021 when our consultant returned to work after a 3-month maternity leave. Our consultant and ********* have already agreed on the terms delineated in *************************** letter dated September 28, 2021 . I have attached the email correspondence by our consultant ***************************** and *********************************** .
  We hope the actions we have taken are enough to bring this case to a close. In this regard, we request that this complaint not be counted against *********** records. Should you have any questions regarding this request, feel free to contact us.
  
  

  Customer response

  09/15/2022

  Hello *****, GTP has the perception that it's attempting to avoid the accountability of the ******* BBB as well as the possibility of facing legal action in the ***********. Various examples exist to support this perception. I would like to create a win / win. GTP has continued practices that result in the delay of my project, I would be willing to accept a full refund and in so doing relieve GTP of any further need to fulfill its Agreement to me as shows in the current Agreement that was issued to me on yesterday and is now with the ****** Law Firm in *******. Last year, GTP sent the ******* BBB a statement showing that they would adhere to all points listed in a ******* Law Firm letter outlining the products that the BBB agreed to provide for me. Events of the past 12 weeks have led me to believe that GTP is trying to back out of the Agreements that ***************************** put into place before she resigned from GTP a few months ago. With specific focus on the latest concern pointed out by Attorney ****** that the Agreement that upper manager ********************* provided for me to sign yesterday changed their Business Address on the agreement from ** to the City of London. It appears that GTP is hoping to move my Agreement from the current position that allows the ******* BBB and the ****** Law Firm to take action against them if they fail fulfill the commitment that they made to the BBB ***************************** was back from Maternity Leave and ALL the points in my agreement were accepted by their company in my favor. Recently, following a statement by ********************* during a telephone conversation, I had to remind ********************* that GTP could not tell me that they could not honor the terms of ********* Agreement since they had already accepted them in a written statement to the ******* BBB as part of their effort to insure the the BBB would stop the adverse action prepared for them if they continued what appears to be misconduct in business practices. Please reopen my case against GTP.

  Business response

  09/18/2022

  Author has been in constant communication with our Fulfillment supervisor. And we have been responding to author via email and phone call. 

  Customer response

  09/19/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ********************************************

  Customer response

  02/13/2024

  I do not want to ask for a refund from GoToPublish (GTP), but I want the Company to transition forward without further delay after the resignation of yet another upper manager, ********************* (October 2023). Note: A little over a year before this, ***************************** resigned, with no transition plan and eventually with correspondence that included the ******* BBB, ********************* carried my project forward with excellence (honoring the Package that ******* endorsed to me in her role as the previous upper manager of my project). It should be further noted that I was in a car accident in May of 2023 - my doctor took me off of work as the *** of E. E. Blessings Publishing, separating me from my work with *****. When I returned to GTP to resume the work with ***** (the oversee of the formatting of my interior, completion of my book cover, website construction, and the 90-day social media Author Launch Pad for the release of my 3 books), after multiple attempts at failed efforts to resume meetings with *****, I learned of her resignation. *********************** who worked under ******* with me, was reassigned to my project. In addition to multiple no-shows to scheduled meetings due to illness, ***** recently had an untimely death in her family. With my full sympathy for the situation, I've shown patience in various ways, but requested that upper manager ****** (whose email address does not transmit to her - thus, I've requested with *** and **** with the billing department) that GTP assign *** as a second staff to fill-in for ***** when she's out.Note: The last time I spoke to ***, he indicated something to the tune of GTP is concerned about the completion of my project but is busy with other authors. It's my feeling that I have been patient and fair and request that the BBB can involve it's influence to support more effective business practices with GTP to be evidenced by the successful completion of my project. I'd like to communicate direct with ****** whose in a management position.

  Business response

  02/13/2024

  This has been addressed and FO is in constant communication. 

   

  Customer response

  02/14/2024

   
  Complaint: 16283555
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  While I too am happy with the open communication started between me and *********************** yesterday (included below), as part of an attempt to eliminate the consistent problem I have experienced with GTP, which is multiple and back-to-back no shows to meetings by ***** (with no email or telephone contact to indicate the scheduled telephone meeting cancellation), I request consideration for the following:

  That ****** will authorize in writing the continuation of the weekly schedule of meetings every Friday at 2PM PST for up to 1 hour that was carried forth by ********************* before her resignation. This schedule, executed with efficacy by *****, provided the continuity needed for desired project progress. 

  The reality of what ****** communicates in her correspondence copied below (that ***** has other projects) is why I proposed that *** be involved in the execution to completion of my project. (If memory serves, this was something approved by ****** during her tenure. As someone who I was informed has a talent and interest in creative drawing, *** was assigned to do the artwork for the AMONGUS book cover - again, if memory serves. I have a series of emails sent to him with artwork for AMONGUS as something that corroborates what I recall).

  In fairness to *****, I feel I feel the workload that has accumulated surrounding my project due to various issues on the part of GTP is weightier than is fair to someone in her role. That said, in the event that my feeling is correct, I would like ****** to consider a schedule that would include her alternating with ***** every other Friday. What I speak of is this: ***** and I would meet on a Friday and ****** (or her appointee) would meet with me on the alternate Friday.

  With tasks to be completed as shows in the correspondence below, this plan would support the completion of my project after much delay. In addition to this, or in lieu of this, if ***** continues as the sole GTP staff assigned to meet with me, I request the continuation of the schedule we have had on paper of weekly Friday meetings at 2PM PST. The addition I would like in writing is that in the event that ***** has to no show for some reason, either ****** or her appointment will contact me in *****'s stead as a measure of to support project continuity and completion.

  Thank you in advance for full consideration of what I see as an improved and workable plan forward.

  Very Respectfully,

  *********

   

  Response to BBB's Forward Involvement
  Yahoo/Sent
  
  
  ****************************;
  From:**************************
  To:***********************
  Cc:*******************,*********************,Gotopublish Billing
  
  Tue, Feb 13 at 11:41 AM
  
  
  Note: ******************* has been copied on to forward to **************.
  
  
  
  *****,
  
  
  Thank you for today's meeting. In response to how I'd like the ******* *********************** tied in, I would like for ****** as an upper manger to respond to the BBB with the Go To Publish commitment for a forward steps plan for project completion. 
  
  
  The Package that ******* endorsed in writing (submitted to the BBB and *****) and *****'s acceptance on behalf of GTP includes the following:
  
  
  -3 books formatted with pictures and book covers included (support for the upload of files onto the ************************* portal will be provided)
  
  -90-day ************ Author Launch Pad
  -Website construction with a payment portal
  
  
  
  Note: In the absence of *****'s role, I request that *** be added to the Emails to God project as the support person who will manage the book-cover creation for AMONGUS - ****************** Man (as his jumping off project). I request that other elements of the project be assigned to him after the completion of the AMONGUS book cover as his first project.
  
  
  
  My feeling is that a weekly meeting that alternates you and *** to start at 2PM PST time and end by or before 3PM PST will establish the project continuity that will insure successful project completion in a timely manner. This plan will also allow movement forward. I request that email notification will be provided if a meeting must be cancelled for a particular week.
  
  
  Due to the extent of unanswered responses from GTP, I request for consideration for ****** to provide an email address where I can copy to her attention my correspondence with ***** and ***.
  
  
  
  It should be noted that *****'s communication is always exemplary when we speak. Unfortunately, during other communications with certain other staff, at times I have experienced what I feel has been below par/unprofessional conduct.
  
  
  
  Thank you in advance for the Go To Publish team's consideration of this.
  
  
  
  Very Respectfully,
  
  
  *********
  
  ***********************;
  

  From:****************************
  To:**************************
  Cc:***********************
  
  Tue, Feb 13 at 3:25 PM
  
  
  Dear ************,
  
  I hope this email finds you well, and I appreciate the opportunity to address your recent concerns.
  In the meantime, I wanted to provide a bit more context and clarify a few details.
  
   1.Please note that this project is assigned to ***** as your FO, and its not the only project that she's handling. So please do understand that at certain times she may not be able to cater your needs at an instant. And *** is a sales consultant and calls on his line are queuing most of the time.
  
  2. With the number of projects and calls that they are receiving/catering to, its best that scheduled calls are put on calendar.
  
  I'm all copied to all of ***** and *****'s email so I'm aware that all necessary steps in our process are being followed.
  
  So I hope this would enlighten you and rest assured that your project is taken cared of until its completion phase.
  
  
  Thanks,
  
  ***********;

  ****************************;
  From:**************************
  To:****************************
  Cc:***********************,************************************************
  
  Tue, Feb 13 at 6:52 PM
  
  
  Thank you, ******,
  
  
  I'm almost certain thar ***** would be glad to confirm that I've shared frequently the following: 
  
  
  In the event that at the time of our scheduled meeting she is unavailable,  please notify me by email. Communication is an expected courtesy.
  
  
  With that, I digress to say, Impacted schedules and emergencies are understandable.  However, the pattern of constant no shows with no contacts heightens concerns, 
  
  
  Especially with the multiple times my project has passed to different hands after a GTP staff's resignation with no transition plan in place  I've reached out to GTP. nudged by uncertainty. 
  
  
  I feel confident that going forward,  since able to communicate any glitches directly to you for your guidance, ***** and I will achieve effective project completion. 
  
  
  Again, thank you for your kind involvement and for the opportunity to work with ***** as a highly qualified professional. 
  
  
  Very Respectfully, 
  
  
  *********
  
  

   

   

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ********************************************

*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. ↩