I have a self-published book listed with Xlibris/Authorhouse, and according to their records my book is not selling. Pertaining to this, I can accept the fact that my book might-not be selling. But, what I have a problem with: is that a reader (outside the United States) made contact with me to express how much he had enjoyed reading my book. For me, a red flag went up because-over the years-others had informed that they had purchased the book, also. Yet, my royalty statement(s) did not indicate any sales. Two years of this!
Finally, this year, I made contact with Xlibris to question my online royalty statement and I was told, "What is listed online is the true amount of books sold." With that, I asked about the missing $2.00 royalty that should have been posted as the result of the reader mentioned who had reported that he enjoyed the book. Next, I was asked, "How did he get the book?" I was asked this question because the rep did claim there was no record of the sale. I did ask myself, "If Xlibris is maintaining...no record of sale for that book purchased, how many other sales might there be that I don't know about? On this same day, I spoke with another rep to request a sales statement. (I was promised that the report would be sent to me via email.) I am still waiting, Xlibris... I-still-have the same email address.
Two days later, something strange did happen. When I checked my online royalty statement, there was that missing sale posted. This spooked me to believe: all of the bad things I have read about Xlibris/Authorhouse might be true. Stealing; changing sales reports and ignoring requests-as the request I had made for the sales report.
The rep of Xlibris did tell me that they only handle sale-tracking for my book on Amazon.com. I did question who is in charge of tracking sales for the so...so many web pages my book is listed. Xlibris said they would conduct an investigation because they didn't know about this, and it should not be. (I did insist that they search the web to view what I did.) My book is listed with the following book pages: E bay; E campus; Indiaplaza; QBD; Glendora Books; Abe; Books-A-Million; Tower; Nbcindia; CDWow; the Nile; Dealtime; Yasni; Play.com; Flipkart; Next Tag; Epinions; Buy.com; Books Express; Unread; Loot.co.za; Booksplus; Buecheride; Bol.it; Libreriauniversitaria; Biblio; Booktopia; Library Thing; Agitateur de Curiosite; Krisistomus; BookFinder 40; CDON,com; Scribbly Gum Books, and Book Army-just to mention a few. I don't have an issue with my book being listed with these pages, but Xlibris is saying, "It isn't so."
If there are no sales, why are used copies of my book posted.? Is there something I am not understanding? And according to Biblio, there are 30 new copies in stock. Also, with Ecampus, my book is up for rent. And the odd thing with that is: Xlibris is not listed as the publisher. (Another publisher is listed.) Xlibris, I am still waiting for that report...
In conclusion, my book is listed on the web-threading from Japan; Africa; Italy; France and Ireland. And Xlibris/Authorhouse is reporting not-one-single-sale!!!!
I read a complaint-once-where the CEO of a publishing house had stated, "We can't resolve these royalty issues, because the authors won't list their names. They must be making up stories and that is why they hide. Here I am, Baby...Darlene Black/Necromancy It is..what it is!!
*My book has several errors, but Xlibris created them. When I had asked Xlibris to correct the errors, they wanted money to do so.
Horror Writer
Philadelphia,#2Author of original report
Thu, August 14, 2014
PLEASE REMOVE!!