Amplify Publishing Group (APG), a division of Mascot Books Inc., has carved out a notable niche in the hybrid publishing/self-publishing industry. Founded in 2003 by Naren Aryal, the company aims to provide high-quality publishing services for authors who want more control over their projects. With twenty years of experience, Amplify Publishing Group has grown significantly, offering extensive services through six distinct imprints, including Amplify Publishing for business and politics and Tagged for memoirs and nonfiction. However, as with many publishers in this competitive landscape, Amplify Publishing Group has its pros and cons, which are further illuminated by online reviews and ratings.
What Does Amplify Publishing Group Offer?
Amplify Publishing Group operates as a hybrid publisher, which means that while authors pay an upfront fee for the company’s publishing services, they retain creative control, intellectual property rights, and 85% of royalties. APG’s range of services includes:
- Editing (developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, etc.)
- Design (cover design, interior layout, and visual elements like infographics)
- Formats (print, e-books, and audiobooks)
- Marketing (publicity campaigns, branding, author websites)
- Distribution (assisting with bookstore placements and wholesale distribution)
This business model makes Amplify Publishing Group an attractive option for writers who want agency over their work while still benefitting from professional guidance. Their transparency in services offered and royalty splits has been praised as a helpful and refreshing aspect of their operations.
The company also publishes a wide variety of genres, from business and self-help to fiction. Notable titles published by Amplify include The Midlife Male by Greg Scheinman and Transforming Disruption to Impact by Doug Bolton.
Pros of Working With Amplify Publishing Group
- Creative Control
Writers maintain their intellectual property and have significant input into the production process, something traditional publishing does not always allow. - High Royalties
Retaining 85% of royalties is a generous offer compared to industry standards, giving authors a meaningful share of their earnings. - Comprehensive Services
From manuscript editing to marketing and distribution, APG provides a one-stop shop for authors who want a polished final product.
Red Flags and Challenges
While Amplify Publishing Group offers many benefits, there are notable downsides, some of which are echoed in online feedback and ratings.
One recurring concern is the lack of customer reviews about the company. Despite operating for two decades, detailed first-hand accounts from clients are sparse, both on consumer sites and independent platforms. This shortage of testimonials can create uncertainty for prospective authors, as it is difficult to gauge overall customer satisfaction or consistency in results.
Another red flag is tied to the fact that Amplify Publishing is not transparent nor upfront about their pricing on their website. It can be particularly off-putting for an author to browse Amplify’s website and not find any pricing.
Trustpilot and Mascot Books/Amplify Publishing Reviews
Amplify Publishing Group operates under the parent company Mascot Books, which holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, like APG, Mascot Books also suffers from a dearth of customer reviews. Despite its high BBB rating, Mascot Books has only a few reviews online and carries a mediocre 2.9-star rating on Trustpilot. This inconsistency between a stellar BBB score and lukewarm Trustpilot ratings raises questions about the company’s customer service and reliability.
A particularly scathing Trustpilot review is worth mentioning. An author recounts their experience with Amplify Publishing Group, stating, “My husband and I began to believe they were misplacing the royalties.” The reviewer alleged that sales were being incorrectly marked as returns to Amazon while their books were still being sold through third-party retailers. For this author, the perceived lack of transparency became a dealbreaker, leading them to warn others to “avoid at all costs.”
On the flip side, there are also positive reviews on Trustpilot. One reviewer described Mascot Books and its imprints, including Amplify Publishing, as “THE best hybrid publisher,” praising the quality of services provided and emphasizing their value for money. This suggests that client experiences can vary widely, depending on expectations and circumstances.
Criticism from other platforms for Amplify Publishing/Mascot Books
Selfpublishing.com highlights that APG does not disclose upfront pricing for its services. Issuing customized proposals for each project might make sense given the unique nature of each book, but it can also leave authors in the dark about whether their budget aligns with the publisher’s costs until late in the process. This lack of financial clarity can be a deterrent for authors seeking a firm understanding of pricing before committing to a publisher.
Amplify Publishing Group/Mascot Books review
Summary
Amplify Publishing Group, with its parent company Mascot Books, occupies a unique yet sometimes contentious space in the publishing industry. The company’s commitment to retaining authors’ creative agency and rights is commendable, and their range of services can appeal to writers willing to invest in professional-quality books. Yet, there are legitimate issues that cannot be overlooked.
The most pressing concern is the lack of reviews and clearly documented experiences from customers. For a company with two decades of operations, the absence of robust, independent testimonials online undermines its credibility. Additionally, the 2.9-star Trustpilot score for Mascot Books, coupled with negative personal experiences shared by some authors, raises questions about financial transparency and customer satisfaction.
For authors exploring the hybrid publishing world, Amplify Publishing Group could still be a good fit, particularly if creative control and professional services are important. However, prospective clients are advised to do thorough due diligence, request detailed documentation, and approach with a healthy degree of caution. Ultimately, exploring all options—including self-publishing or a different hybrid publisher with stronger customer feedback—is essential for finding the right path to bring a project to life.