Outskirts Book Publisher
Complaint 192671 Details

This company charged me $899 for the publishing package they advertise “… the greatest profit margin and the most free options of any publisher. All Diamond books include standard interior black & white layout, an ISBN number, a price-embedded barcode, and unlimited wholesale printing, fulfillment, and distribution via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Bertram, and others...” In addition they charged me $1320 for editing which was remarkably poor, and another $120 for “galley editing”, that was so unsatisfactory after more than six months of working with them I left to another company. They deceived me about their incompetent work and illegally profitted. I demanded the company to replace my author representative, who was lazy and didn't do the job she was supposed to, but they refused. After I wrote that I do not want my book poblished with such irreputable company, Cherry Breeding, the director of production, promised that she will work with me directly, but there were still too many errors during the final editing process. So much frustration during a long period time affected my health (I am an insulin dependant diebetic) so, instead of wasting my time and limited energy with incredibly incapable people, I went ahead and published with another company. (Besides, they charged me for copyrighting fee of $199 at the beginning, which they refunded me after I notified that I'm done with them.) I spent more than $2,500 for their unworthy services. If I get 50% of it, which comes to $1,250 I can find some peace in my old age. There are too many dishonest "self-publish-your-book" publishers who suck blood out of authors like myself; that I belive my efforts to find some justice in this matter will help other authors they'll fall prey to this dishonest company. Please read the emails I sent and their responses. I can add many more emails. Please let me know if you need more.

From: Therese Park
To: Cheri Breeding
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 4:38 PM
Subject: Re: Re:
From: Therese Park
To: Cheri Breeding
Sent: Friday, November 25, 2011 5:52 PM
Subject: Re: problem viewing IP_V3 - Re: Message from Jennifer Rush 163999A

I have expressed that Jennifer doesn't do her job in August, but you did nothing. And now, I want to back out after four months, you hints that you have other AR? That's a discovery. It's a tragedy that one of your authors feels this way. Can you at least provide me the same review-proof pages I sent you a few days ago, approving that it's ready to be entered in the galley book, so I can compare what I did and how it came back. Outskirts can do that much for their customers...?

Therese

Message flagged
Saturday, December 3, 2011 6:21 PM
Hello Therese,

I can submit a request to refund the copyright option not used and the last round of edits and galley fee. Contractually, all other fees paid are non-refundable as production was approved. We are very close to publishing and I respectfully ask you to think a bit more and perhaps change your mind to finish. We want you to be happy and published as you've paid for. Many authors once published with books in hand, understand the perks and perils of self publishing, end up ultimately satisfied when they view their books. Self publishing is a two part process between the publisher and the author, as even traditional publishers require authors to review galley proofs and accept them for printing. You might consider asking a local college student involved in journalism (many are willing to assist for the experience and other mature authors have found this to be helpful for them) or a friend or family member to assist with the edit process.

And I've got one last proposal for you as an option, I can assign a new book designer with a fresh pair of eyes to go over your last edits and make changes, requesting they spot and correct any misspellings. We do not usually offer this but our goal is to maintain a higher level of integrity. This would be done at no charge and in lieu of the previous option of 50 free edits. We would create a new proof for you to look over and hopefully, it will meet your approval to print.

Just some food for thought.

Kind Regards,

Cheri Breeding
Director of Production
[email protected]

Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 S. Parker Rd - 515
Parker, CO 80134
888.672.6657 ext 711
888.208.8601 FAX
----- Original Message -----
From: Therese Park
To: Cheri Breeding
Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2011 8:50 AM
Subject: Re: Re: 163999A

(After seeing more mistakes in the returned proof-reading file, I wrote below)

Cheri,

I am changing my mind. I was unhappy since August and why did I think I will be happy with your performance at the last stretch? A wishful thinking, I guess. Looking back, I always had that nagging feeling. So, please process whatever you can refund me. The bottom line is, I do not want my book to show Outskirts Press on it. As you know, fighting a big shark like Brent Sampson for a small writer like myself seems like a joke, but the Truth should come out one way or another. And this decision is Final. I wish you all good luck. You need it!

Sincerely,
Therese

----- Original Message -----
From: Therese Park
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 9:40 AM
Subject: Fw: Re: 163999A

Cheri,

Your last suggestion was worse than the others. Please see it yourself. If the updated Word were important, OP (Outskirts) should have made it clear to me before I submitted my final revision of The Northern Wind on August 1st. I am canceling my contract with Outskirts Press as of today. Yes, I'm glad I had to consider other options. Nothing changed from 2 days ago. Please read my Dec. 3 message, which I pasted below. Please request the refund of $199 for copyrighting of my book charged and was taken out of my account on August 3rd.

Use "a fresh pair of eyes... to maintain a higher level of integrity..." on someone else. I feel I have spent all my good energy for nothing that I must rejuvenate myself. Again, I am 70, going on 71. Thank you.


Message flagged
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 11:03 AM

Hi Therese,

I've tried to explain that formatting would be lost in the conversion from current PDF proof file type to MS Word. The text itself doesn't change. I did not have anyone review the last edits based on our email communications and wanted to be proactive by sending the file for you to choose on how to move forward.

We can work together to resolve this but self publishing does require some steps be done by the author. Rather than see you stop production now, I'd like to have a new designer go back to review and redo your last edits submitted, as previously discussed, then create a new proof for you to review. At that time, you could still enter up to 50 edits at no charge.

Please consider this request and let me know if you agree. As a sign of goodwill, I have requested the $199 copyright option be refunded to you regardless of what agreement we confirm on the production of your book.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Cheri Breeding
Director of Production
[email protected]

Cheri,

Message flagged
Thursday, December 8, 2011 2:50 PM
Cheri,

Glancing briefly, I found two mistakes not done. Edit no. 92 It reads, "Actually I can't tell exactly you how I felt": Edit 121. It reads now "conversations, unlike in the clinic. conversations, unlike in the clinic”. I deleted "elsewhere" from original. I will be stuck with Outskirts forever. I went to the doctor, and my thyroid function has changed. Too much stress. In my opinion, Outskirts Press made GOOD money on me so far.