Buying reputation

iUniverse logo



iUniverse is a firm that offers self-publishing services for authors. The firm offers a wide range of packages with a somewhat bewildering list of features.



iUniverse publishing options (http://www.iuniverse.com/Packages/PackageCompare.aspx)

As the price goes up, the packages include more features. At the top end among the features included in the package are, "Book Buyer's Preview, Booksellers Return Program, Author Web Design Setup, Social Media Setup, Google/Amazon Book Search, Press Release-Web-Optimized Edition, Bookselling Promotional Materials (400), Book Signing Kit".



iUnivese publishing options (http://www.iuniverse.com/Packages/PackageCompare.aspx)

But the thing that I found to be quite remarkable was being to buy eligibility into the "Editor's Choice Recognition Program". This is available for buyers who purchase packages priced at $1299 or more.

iUniverse "Editor's Choice Recognition Program"

So, is this award worth anything? I'd put in the same category as a doctorate from a diploma mill. If you want to convince yourself that your book won a legitimate award, go for your life. I suspect you'll be fooling an audience of one.