On the whole, a positive experience. Leila and Saffron in particular are both excellent. The book was received in the post yesterday and looks fantastic. The reason Leila is good is because she is o... See more
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I have published 3 books through them and I'll admit my experience has gotten better over the years. My Production Coordinator for my first book was very slow to answer my emails, that if she even ans... See more
Company replied
The editing process took far too long. On a few occasions, you tried to change horses in midstream that frustrated me. Anyway, the cooperation was harmonious.
Company replied
Hello, I am the author of "Lonely Monkey". This is my second book published by Olympia Publishers in UK. My first book published was "My Hakka Mother". I really enjoyed working together with the... See more
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Company details
Written by the company
We are an independent publishing house, with offices in London, Los Angeles, UAE and Mumbai. We pride ourselves on our wide range of genres and giving ambitious authors a platform that is so rarely available in the publishing industry today. All of our books and authors are enormously special in their own way. We believe that a story can evoke a large range of emotions; they can make you laugh, cry and, most importantly, change a life.
Contact info
Tallis House, 2 Tallis Street , EC4Y 0AB UK, London, United Kingdom
- +44 (0)203 719 5833
- info@olympiapublishers.com
- olympiapublishers.com
3.7
Average
169 reviews
Replied to 72% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 week
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Vanity publisher, total scam
Vanity publisher, total scam. It took me some weeks to realize it as I initially got super excited when I received their ''offer'' for ''author contribution'', and it was already late. Lesson learned, I guess. But for those who are considering Olympia - DON'T. Just don't. You deserve much better. They take your money, and then they do even worst than ghosting - they respond with automated or bot-like emails, they just don't care when you tell them you need more help with the marketing, and finally they cancel your contract out of the blue without any notice and revert the rights back to you because your book doesn't sell (Jeez, I wonder why, Olympia...)
Search for the article: "Olympia Publishers and the art of soft scam", it explains it all. Hope it helps.
September 13, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello,
We are disheartened by your 1-star review and would like to take some time to refute your claims.
Your label of "Vanity Publisher" is insensitive and incorrect. We are very clear with our authors during the submissions process, and with potential authors on our website, that we offer a Hybrid Publishing Model.
This model allows us to help first-time authors release their work for a global audience, and through a professional publishing house who can support and distribute your book.
We work with our authors throughout production, designing their book cover and working together on turning your manuscript into a completed work. Then in the marketing and publicity process, the team work closely with you so your intentions can be realised.
In a publishing market, where thousands of titles are published everyday, we focus work on what is local and most important to each of our authors - this is where we've had the greatest success. We cannot promise anyone book sales, but will always endeavour in procuring them.
We are disappointed to hear that you are unsatisfied with your time at Olympia Publishers, but we'd like to wish you luck in your publishing journey moving forward.
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
Vanity publishers.
This one is very retrospective.In May of 2018 my mother passed. She had been with Olympia Vanity publishers for a few years working on 2 titles. I did warn her against signing any contract with them.But she stubbornly followed her dream and parted with £6000 in the process. I contacted them after her death and I could see how she had been taken in by the false camaraderie. For 2 months I kept being called with offers to buy her remaining copies of books at a discount. Amazing!! She'd already paid for them. When it became apparent that they would get nothing from me I received a"copy"of a letter that my mother would have received approx ' 2 weeks before she died. It said that the titles had been remaindered and the rights were returned. Strange how I never found the original copy of that letter and that my mom never mentioned it at the time. A dear John letter. When I put this information on their Facebook page they demanded that I retract it. I didn't so they blocked me. If you're an aspiring author.... Take heed. Do your research on this company first.
September 10, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello Rob,
We would like to take some time to address some of the points made in your review.
Firstly, as you state in your opener, this is a retrospective review. We would like to inquire as to why you have chosen now to write this review?
Next, you label Olympia Publishers as a "vanity publishers", which is untrue and very disheartening. We offer authors Hybrid and Traditional contracts, with your late Mother being signed on a Hybrid one. As also stated in your review, this required your Mother to pay an upfront cost on the publication of her work.
You have incorrectly determined that this payment means she is entitled to all printed copies of her work, free of charge. This is incorrect, and is detailed clearly for all of our authors in their contracts.
The upfront cost supports our Production, Design and Editing teams as well as allowing our Publicity team to have your book professionally printed and distributed. Larger publishing houses will only sign authors who they determine are financially liable for their business model.
We use Hybrid contracts as our passion lies with first-time and developing authors, those who larger publishers would reject based on the risk that signing them would involve. The risk still stands with our publishing house, but is off put with the willingness of authors to pay up front.
We reward this payment with a higher royalty share of sales, something that larger publishing houses are also adverse from doing.
Our remaindering process returns the rights of the manuscript to the author in the light of poor sales. We offer any remaining stock to the author at a discounted rate, with the contract between the author and Olympia Publishers terminated.
We hope we have clarified our publication process for you.
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
Pay them and they'll disappear
They took our money, sent us physical copies, and then never fulfilled any other obligation on their end.
It's funny how again and again their response to authors is that they can only send out emails about our books, and we manage to not hear back from a single person. Without any evidence of these emails that are being sent out, I'm not sure I can believe it, as my book has a 5 star rating on several sites, and again, never heard from a single person.
It's been over a year, we haven't heard from anyone and reaching out is virtually pointless unless you want to be led in a circle of excuses.
If you do get conned into believing they will help pursue your dream of becoming an author, at the very least do NOT let them write the back blurb. It will be generic, forgetful, and if my experience is any indicator, will spoil part of the book. Trying to push for the unique and fun blurb I'd had ended with essentially being told they're the professionals and know what would pull attention better than I would.
I spent a year living off change because aside from rent this was my most important bill to get paid, only to feel completely taken advantage of at the end. It's heart breaking to be an aspiring author in a time when the only way to do that is with exorbitant amounts of money. If you can't afford an agent your options are vanity press which largely take advantage of our dreams, or by the online superstore who's also incredibly misleading in what you'll get.
September 4, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello Jill,
We are discouraged by your thoughts of our process at Olympia Publishers.
A high proportion of our authors are looking to be published for the first-time, and we endeavour to help them along each step of the way towards publication.
Our production process, for example, is done in collaboration with the author and the publishing house, aiming to get a book that lives up to the author's dreams and that is best positioned to sell in a highly-competitive book market.
The finished cover and inners will not be sent to print until you the author have signed them off, so it is regrettable to hear that after this process, you were dissatisfied with the finished product.
In the publicity process, we reach out to a combined collection of contacts - from our resources and from the local area of the author. As a first-time writer, larger retailers are oftentimes wary to stock copies of your book. However, bookstores local to the author, who may perhaps have a personal connection to the shop and its staff, have a greater success rate of being stocked and sold.
Emails are always sent for all of our authors but we are unable to guarantee a positive response. Ultimately, it is up to each individual business as to whether they wish to stock copies of your book or not.
We aim to best promote all of our titles so please reach out to your publicity coordinator so efforts can be improved to publicise your work.
They can be reached at publicity@olympiapublishers.com
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
I paid almost 2500 £ for a 232 page…
I paid almost 2500 £ for a 232 page book to them, waited almost three years for the release, at end a disgusting result, only thing they did was cover and backblurb, they did nothing to the manuscript, only took pictures out and left the comments in, many grammar mistakes, looked all in all as a mess, and zero marketing, they don't care how many get sold, they have your couple of thousand and they win and you loose
March 1, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello Evert,
We are disheartened by your comments.
The production process is always conducted in collaboration with our authors - to help turn their completed manuscripts into published books. To hear that you had a troubled experience now, rather than when your title was still being worked on, makes it very difficult to assist you further.
In regard to marketing, our publicity team work to have your book printed and distributed globally, meaning any reader in the world has access to your book. We cannot guarantee sales - in fact no publisher will be able to guarantee this for you. Our team contact bookstores, libraries and other media outlets on your behalf but in a competitive market, it can prove difficult.
We encourage you to reach out to your Publicity Coordinator at this time so we can figure out the next steps for your book and work together on making your title a success.
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
Kauai Kisses
Olympia turned my dream into a reality. I never imagined having a physical copy of my story available for the world to read. So excited to be moving forward on this journey.
August 30, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello Shelby,
Thank you for the four-star review! We're glad we've made your dream a reality.
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
After securing a contract for my client…
After securing a contract for my client with Olympia Publishers, I was impressed by the tremendous support and assistance provided by their Submission team, editors, and Publicity department. As a Literary Agent, it was an honor to work with Olympia Publishers, who demonstrated exceptional professionalism at every stage of the process. I highly recommend Olympia Publishers to both authors and agencies—they will not disappoint.
Luther Akyoo
Literary Agent
August 27, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello Luther,
Thank you for your kind words and praise for our team. We're glad to hear you enjoyed your time working with Olympia.
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
Olympia Publishers
If you want to work with a professional, top grade, supportive publisher then look no further than Olympia Publishers. From the beginning to the end, Olympia are with you every step of the way, keeping you updated and informed about the process.
Fully recommend.
August 20, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hi Nichola,
Thank you for your generous compliments!
We're glad to have your recommendation!
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
Working with Olympia was a great…
Working with Olympia was a great experience and an educational insight. Each stage and department were extremely helpful and efficient in their communication.
I am grateful for them giving me an opportunity to produce a book.
August 16, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello,
Thank you for the full five-star review. We're glad to hear that you've had a great experience with Olympia Publishers!
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
I am very happy to recommend Olympia…
I am very happy to recommend Olympia Publishers. They have always been helpful and professional. I am just happy to get my book out there, even if make no money out of it. There are after all 500 books published daily in the UK!
August 7, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello Keith!
Thank you for your heartfelt recommendation. It's been a pleasure working with you across three titles, and we look forward to what's to come!
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
Working with Olympia Publishers has…
Working with Olympia Publishers has been a wonderful experience! I felt supported as a first time published author and appreciate their time and effort put into creating my book. They respected my ideas for edits and helped bring my vision to life. Thank you!
August 1, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hi Lauren,
Thank you so much for the positive review! We're glad to hear that you've felt supported through the publishing process and look forward to our continued work together.
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
I had an amazing experience with the editing process
I had an amazing experience with the correspondence and the attention i received from Olympia. I truly appreciated the work done on editing the book and creating my book cover.
July 29, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hi Aubrey,
Thank you so much for your review! We are so excited to see yours and the books success.
Kind Regards,
Olympia Publishers
Olympia has been incredibly helpful…
Olympia has been incredibly helpful throughout the entire publication process. From sharing many helpful leaflets of the process of publication to answering my many questions. Olympia has helped me become a published author through wanting to share my work with the world and I could not be more grateful.
July 26, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hi Kirsty,
Thank you so much for your glowing review! We really enjoyed working with you, and we look forward to seeing the book grow!
Kind Regards,
Olympia Publishers
Don't waste your time or money!
A few months ago I wrote a glowing review of Olympia Publishers. This time, however, I would like to amend my previous statement.
If you have a dream of becoming an author, DO NOT submit your work to these guys. You'll get lured in by empty promises, flashy-looking websites, and doctored reviews, only to have your dreams shattered.
Since my book was published a little over a year ago, I've been left to flounder. I'm still waiting to hear from their publicity department.
My book (The Terropendium) has sold out at least three times on Amazon, and sites like Gardner, W. H. Smith, and others only have one or two copies left in stock. But apparently Olympia Publishers only owe me £9 in royalties over two statements. I paid them £2,500 to have my book published (I know, I was sucked in by their cleverly written lies) and all I've made is £9! I won't even see that, though, as they'll only pay out if you make £20 or more.
Needless to say, my hopes and aspirations have been thoroughly stamped on by Olympia Publishers. I still have a passion for writing, and my depression-inducing experience with this publisher has not killed that,but in future I will attempt to have my work published independently or by a reputable, legitimate publishing house.
Please don't fall for the scam I fell for.
July 24, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello Adam,
It is unfortunate to hear that you have felt the need to update your review for us. We believe the driving force of this update is due to our recent contact with yourself concerning THE TERROPENDIUM's royalties.
As a publisher, we do not guarantee sales, in fact no publisher will be able to guarantee this for you due to various reasons which I am sure you must be aware being in the publishing industry.
Your book is amongst thousands of books which are published each month. It is a competitive market.
By signing with Olympia Publishers, your book is now available globally through our worldwide distribution network and has been professionally edited, designed and bound so a physical copy of your work now sits on your bookshelf.
Your insinuation that our company is a scam is simply untrue. Our submissions team work closely with each new author to explain each facet of our contract and to answer any questions they may have. We can not force anyone to work with our company, but are very keen to help aspiring authors achieve their goals.
To this end, we encourage you to reach out to your Publicity Manager who is more than happy to answer any of your outstanding questions and concerns. Furthermore, please email royalities@olympiapublishers.com if you would like to speak further about your most recent statement.
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
Heartbreaking.
I have had a very devastating experience with this publisher and advise to anyone considering signing with them to reconsider.
I have not yet received any royalties and sent countless emails.
No marketing was done and despite any claims Olympia made to have sent out press releases, they did not.
The worst was that upon my book release the colour, finish and quality of the book was horrible.
I promoted the book myself and had over 100 people purchase. To my embarrassment they all received what look liked home job books. It was only randomly that the printer started printing the book normally (after I was already in discussions to leave the publisher).
I am left heart broken and truly taken advantage of.
P.s the non existent management won't ever contact you back and address issues. I have tried and tried.
January 1, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We'd like to take some time and address some of the issues that you've brought up in your review.
At the time of writing, royalty statements are still being compiled and will be sent in due course. After the royalty window closes - which was on June 30th - our team have up to 12 weeks to compile, check and distribute all statements and payments. Please email royalties@olympiapublishers.com if any issues arise.
In regards to the marketing of your book, the first stage of that process is making your book available through our global distribution wholesalers, providing bookstores around the world the access to physically printed copies of your work. The next stage is us making those stores aware of your book through press releases and direct emails. This will have been sent shortly after your book's publication. This is what we have fulfilled as part of our contract with you.
We cannot guarantee sales -in fact no publisher will be able to guarantee this for you. Our team contact bookstores, libraries and other media outlets on your behalf but in a competitive market, it can prove difficult. We always aim to help our authors achieve their goals, and will continue to do so for you and your release.
Finally, the printing of your book is handled by an external printing company, but we are equally disheartened to hear about your experience and the quality of your book. We encourage you to reach out to your publicity coordinator by emailing publicity@olympiapublishers.com, where they can contact our printers directly and fix any outstanding issues.
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
I immensely enjoyed the process of…
I immensely enjoyed the process of publishing my first book with Olympia Publishers. The whole team, in various departments were professional and caring and made the experience a really positive one.
July 10, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello Lana,
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us. We're proud to hear you've enjoyed your time with us.
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
Multiple Books Published
I have three books published with Olympia and all three have turned out great. Good communication and follow through with requests and feedback.
July 5, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello Thomas,
It is lovely to hear such positive feedback from you! It has been a privilege to work with you on all three of your titles.
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
So patient with me as I went through…
So patient with me as I went through the changes that I wanted to make. Helped me to have a better understanding of the process and have nothing but good to say about them
July 1, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Thank you Christine! It has been a great experience to work with you and hope you are as pleased as we are with the publication of THE OTHER MRS TRIPPETT!
As a first time older author the…
As a first time older author the publishing world is a alien environment. All the staff that I came into contact with at Olympia Publishers were encouraging, positive, patient and made me feel like part of their work culture.
I have enjoyed the process, experience and valued their professionalism, guidance and support
June 12, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello Maria,
Thank you for leaving your review. We are always happy to help our authors, as much as possible, and appreciate hearing that the work does not go unappreciated.
We wish you and Old Woman Rock the best of success!
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
Five star...no hesitation..
Five star...no hesitation... it's been an awesome experience with the Olympia publishers every step of the way. Right from submission onwards it was a thorough professional approach. I got the first response within 3 weeks after the submission form the commissioning editor, Mr James Houghton. That letter showed how thoroughly the entire editors team perused my work and honestly admitted that they saw potential in my work. A big thanks to them.I was assigned Ms Ruth Ridley as the cordinator, a really enthusiastic and energetic person who oversaw the entire process and used to update me of the progress with diligence, hat's off to her. The way the publicity team has formulated the publicity process has made me speechless. I never anticipated such a hassle free endeavour. God bless the entire team.
June 4, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello Aqib,
Thank you for this positive review! It's wonderful to hear your praise about the members of our team - I will make sure to pass on your comments.
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
Olympia opened the path to publication
Olympia publishers supported me and helped me to get published when no one else would. I have done much academic work and branched out into sci-fi. I am dissident intellectual and have given up on being able to participate. Olympia opened up a possibility to publish in a very fair and self-directed process.
May 30, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Olympia Publishers
Hello John,
Thank you for the glowing review! We love to help out authors who want to share their words with the world but have struggled to find the place to do that.
We hope to see you and your book Tribe Canada reaching great heights!
Kind regards,
Olympia Publishers
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