Publishing Arvostelua 19

Scam. Deceptive to the point of lying

I got hooked by the promise to buy manuscript generation credits that expired before I used them. When I wrote the help desk, I only got more frustrated. The scam is real. When one buys something, it should not evaporate like water!

Do not pay for the advanced course!!! This is a waste of money. The coaches do not know enough to be teaching others. One lady couldn’t answer any questions so she kept repeating things from a script and it was obvious that she didn’t understand the material enough to teach. They claimed they would send me a welcome gift and a gift for completing the 7- day challenge. They did not. They claimed they did and gave me a confirmation number, I went to the post office and they said it was an invalid number and asked if it was a legit business.

I enrolled in a publishing course with this company, hoping to build a better future for my kids. As a struggling solo mum, I paid the initial USD $2,000 by adding it to my mortgage, a huge step for me financially. Sadly, the experience has been extremely disappointing and upsetting, a complete waste of both time and money (which I am still paying off on my mortgage).
After joining, I was subjected to high-pressure sales tactics to upgrade to their “Accelerator” programme, which cost thousands more. During those calls, I was even asked whether I could extend my mortgage, increase my credit card limit, or borrow from friends and family, despite having already explained that I was struggling financially. I found this approach deeply unethical. Thankfully, I did not agree to join the Accelerator programme and give them even more money.
I also discovered later that there were many additional costs that were never disclosed before enrolment. Expenses such as editing, formatting, book covers, advertising, KDSpy, Grammarly, and reviews are all presented later as “optional” if you question them. In reality, however, it is extremely difficult and time-consuming to handle these tasks on your own if you have no prior experience in the publishing industry. I have struggled to continue with the programme because of these extra costs, which I was not aware of. I was firmly under the impression that the initial USD $2,000 investment would cover everything I needed. Even when they tried to sell me the Accelerator programme, no one ever mentioned these other unavoidable costs.
When I twice requested a refund, I was told I was outside their refund window. Their refund window is only three days (!!), which feels completely unreasonable given the size of the investment. I am now out of pocket a large amount of money that I do not expect to recover.
I have reported my experience to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and strongly encourage others who feel misled to do the same. I understand that the company is currently being investigated by the FTC. I also find it concerning that another reviewer (who left a two-star review here on Trustpilot for publishing.com) mentioned that many of the five-star reviews were allegedly written by people who were offered free coaching calls in exchange for posting them. This claim has not been addressed publicly by the company at the time of writing, which I find troubling.
Based on my experience, I would urge anyone considering this course to research carefully, ask detailed questions about all costs, and think twice before committing. In my view, the Mikkelsen Twins and their staff operate more like aggressive, ruthless, and uncaring salespeople than educators.

This company uses deceptive and extremely coercive marketing. I signed up for a basic program that would help me write a book in my field of expertise. This cost around $2,000. They then made me feel like I was some special candidate for a program that few would have access to. I later realized that they were just scheming to upsell me another $8,000. I repeatedly told the marketing agent that I did not have the money for the upgraded program, upwards of 10 to 15 times in our conversation, yet he still pressed on with selling to me. I was in a vulnerable place and really needing to generate finances so I finally said yes. When I had internet challenges and life challenges that made it difficult program fully while also finding that the program did not meet my needs, they refuse to give me a refund and now I'm basically left with a $10,000 bill for a program that was very unhelpful and did not meet my needs. The initial $2000 program was exactly what I needed. This company has plenty of money and resources to take care of their students better especially when they have a valid issue. Instead they use coercive marketing and deceptive tactics while refusing to refund students who are dissatisfied with their program. On their website they currently say that they have a waiting list for the program I'm signed up for. I have offered to downgrade my program allowing space for new students to join and they will not honor this.

Way too expensive for the service they provide and with very poor UX working with the program.

No refund, they will automatically charge your credit card again unless you happen to catch it. SCAM. Do not use this company to write a book. Too many avenues to learn and not enough teaching and coaching. If you have $10,000. dollars to throw away then go for it, but its not worth it.
J. Floyd

I couldn't agree more; I'm one of the despondent people who believed in the promise of the 'publishing.ai / publishing.com, Mickelson brother dream'. It cost me an absolute fortune. As recommended by the (expensive) 'Publishing Accelerator promise', I followed every step, working long hours between my full-time job, and it yielded absolutely zero income (yes, my book got over 20 good reviews).

The cost of this platform and promise is not worth even half of what it cost.

Very disappointed, I feel scammed.

Honest Feedback:
I’ve been sitting with all of this for a while. And I want to speak plainly—not just for myself, but for all the people who’ve felt the same way and didn’t know how to put it into words. Your voice matters more than you know. Hearing from you will help!

Publishing.com is, in many ways, a brilliantly built program. It’s thoughtfully structured, well-designed, and filled with smart, capable people. The Mikkelsen twins have business talent and have hired skilled team members to make the content easy to follow and incredibly detailed in certain areas. And in some places, the guidance does make parts of the publishing process feel doable. You can learn so much!

But this is also why I feel so disappointed—and honestly, misled.

Because a company this smart and well-resourced can’t pretend it doesn’t know what it’s doing when it comes to how it sells.

When I enrolled, I thought I was upgrading from one program into another, not realizing I was being billed for two separate tiers. I thought I was getting 1:1 coaching and could get a refund easily if not satisfied. I thought there weren’t additional significant costs. I thought I was being guided into a business that could, within six months, realistically start generating income (profit). But that’s not the whole story.

The reality is that publishing—even with AI tools—requires ongoing time, money, tech skills, and an incredible amount of patience. There’s a huge learning curve, especially for those of us who didn’t grow up working with multiple apps, file systems, or advertising platforms. I’ve seen other students struggling with basic computer tasks to get a file into the right format. It’s not just about “doing the work”—it’s about knowing how even to begin.

And yes, they do say “you have to work at it”—but that’s mixed with a lot of messaging about how easy it is to “click your way to passive income.” It’s intentionally vague. Carefully crafted. Just enough transparency to stay technically compliant—but not enough to set realistic expectations. And that’s the heart of it: you don’t need to lie to mislead someone. You just need to leave things out.

You say you care about students more than anything. Then why not be clear? Why not show an actual cost breakdown of what students might expect to spend if they want a shot at real success? Why continue to hard-sell people—especially older adults—into high-ticket programs with limited support windows and steep learning curves?

Yes, I’ve seen the module that tells students to “suck it up” and do the work if they want reviews. I even laughed when I first saw it—it was bold and direct. The Mikkelsen twins are incredibly charismatic, likable, and persuasive. It was so easy to trust them- they come across as genuine and passionate about helping others succeed. But now, after watching how many students are overwhelmed and confused, I don’t find it funny anymore. I find it dismissive.

Let’s also be honest about the book market itself. Amazon is being flooded with AI-generated books. Some of your students are publishing 20 or more books at once using this system. Quality is dropping. Readers are noticing. Eventually, Amazon may require full disclosure of AI authorship—not just internally in KDP, but to readers. What happens then?

I’m not writing this out of bitterness. I’m writing this because I believe in this program. I was excited about it. I trusted it. And I’m not the only one. But when a program is built to say all the right things while hiding key truths, it’s not integrity. It’s a strategy.

You’ve made millions—not from publishing books, but from teaching others to try. And for many of us, it hasn’t been passive income. It’s been stress, confusion, and feeling like maybe we were the ones who just didn’t get it. That’s not right.

If you genuinely care about your students, then start by being honest with them before they buy.

– Pamela

We Were Misled About Coaching and Costs — FTC Is Now Investigating

My husband and I joined Publishing.com (also called Publishing AI) after being told we’d receive step-by-step support, 1:1 coaching, and everything we needed to publish books without major extra expenses. We were told we could earn up to $4,000/month and that the system would walk us through it easily.

We were extremely open with them from the start—my husband is a quadriplegic and we’re on a fixed income. We shared that we were saving for a gurney and a van to help him get out of the house. During our intake Zoom calls, he was literally lying in bed. Despite knowing our situation, they still pushed us into the most expensive program with promises that now feel incredibly misleading.

We were told we’d have a 1:1 coach. I even have an email from Dylan Stewart confirming that we’d share one unless we paid $9,800 more. Later, I received a survey asking me to rate my 1:1 coach and give feedback. But when I reached out to ask why we hadn’t received one, I was told that 1:1 coaching “doesn’t exist.” I was then told the survey was “a mistake” and offered no explanation. It felt dismissive and dishonest.

We were also told the Platinum program would cover what we needed. But after signing up, we were hit with ongoing costs:
• Book cover design: $199
• Formatting: $59–$1000
• Editing: hundreds more
• Facebook review ads & Amazon ads (which they say are necessary): at least $20/day
• Review systems: complex and not easy without a social media following

This all adds up to thousands more per book—none of which was disclosed in advance. We were sold a program with missing services and unclear pricing, which created more stress than support.

When I voiced these concerns to one of the coaches, she was kind and forwarded my messages to management. But nothing has been resolved. I’ve since filed an official complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, and learned that over 60 complaints have already been filed by others who feel the same way.

I’m not against working hard. We’re not afraid of the effort. But this wasn’t just a hard program—it was one that was sold with half-truths, omissions, and shifting promises. They rely on people being too overwhelmed to speak up.

If you’re considering joining, ask very specific questions and get everything in writing. And if you’ve already joined and feel misled, you’re not alone—and you can speak up!! File a complaint with FTC. They are taking this very seriously and hired expert witnesses.

Brian Chang's workshops are great! Very structured in his delivering information and training yet very patient, positive, encouraging and directly helpful. Thank you!

I started with publishing.ai in 12/24 and upgraded to their accelerator program on 1/3/25. I have spent thousands of dollars on personal coaching, and this is the same approach and investment for developing the skills to publish and establish my own business. I have read the reviews here and want to voice that the twins have never portrayed this program as easy, cheap or instant. My coach is accessible, and the modules are clear and very detailed, with lots of supportive content. Their support is outstanding and clear, and they have been able to give me clear responses to all my questions. As I sit in some of the meetings, there are those who attend who expect this to be a picnic. As an entrepreneur for over 2 decades, I know it's a lot of work, consistency, dedication, and the willingness to fail. If you are considering this program, read your contract and ask questions so that there are no surprises. Be aware of getting in the trap of blaming an outstanding program if you don't succeed. Success depends on your personal commitment to the investment.

This clearly is not about helping people with generating a little more income. Its about taking what little you have left. Stay clear like its a landmine

February 20, 2025 - Additional information added here:

I got a refund in September 2024 and incurred a currency loss. My PA membership expired this week. I am leaving this program and would like to share my genuine experience.

+++++++++++++++++++++

From Feb 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024. Published one full-length book.

I spent on average 20 hours per week on training videos, workshops, coaching calls, editing the manuscript, trouble-shooting problems, and all other self-publishing activities. Time spent on reading books to earn Pubby snaps, on FB to build a review team, or on monitoring Amazon Ads was not included.

85% of the total cost went to membership and subscriptions - USD$9795 (US$1995 initially then US$7800 to be a Publishing Accelerator student for 6 months. Got another 6 months after requesting more time.) Hidden costs like internet, utilities, etc. were not included.

Total loyalty earned: CDN$73.

End of August 2024, publishing.ai was restructured. I was given 5 days to pay a promotional rate and a price lock for future subscriptions. At that time my existing membership was still valid for another 5 months, and it made no sense to pay again for the same services.

September 2024, I was told that I could pay the promotional rate and pause the subscription until I was ready to use it (meaning when my already existing membership expires). I paid and could not pause the subscription. It had to be done via messaging, which I did. Then I received no further information. Finally after a few days a message claimed a confirmation had been sent and I did not get it because I had “unsubscribed” the email list! This confirmation indicated they could not honour the previously promised pause but a refund would be possible if requested within 45 days. I asked for a refund and incurred a currency loss of CDN$67.

After joining this group in Feb 2024, I began receiving irrelevant promotional emails multiple times a day! I quickly unsubscribed but could still receive all relevant messages and responses, except for this single crucial confirmation containing time-sensitive information. I believe it was done by design!

October 2024, I was asked by a coach to post a positive review on Trustpilot because an internal contest was to award the coach that got the most good reviews. I found it manipulative and didn't do it. How many 5 star reviews were posted under such or similar circumstances?

The program is sufficiently comprehensive and robust. Some coaches are excellent, and the communication is generally prompt and helpful. However, I did experience high-pressure sales tactics, questionable practices, and misleading advice. Also the website does not allow users to change payment information or cancel subscriptions.

Self-publishing is a business that requires time, effort, and on-going expenses on ads, promotions, subscriptions, producing more books, and reader management. One snapshot of a 4- or 5-figure royalty payment does not reveal the actual cost and labour involved. Be cautious of the sophisticated sales pitch. Think twice before taking actions!

Subject: Appreciation for Your Professionalism

Dear Publishing.AI Academy Team,

I want to express my sincere appreciation for the level of professionalism you exhibit. It is rare to encounter such dedication in today's business environment.

I firmly believed I had a valid reason for pursuing self-writing and enrolling in the Publishing.AI Academy. However, I now recognize that I may have been in the wrong classroom, potentially due to my inexperience as a new writer. I also understand that the individual handling my refund was simply performing his role with professionalism.

As I mentioned, the system you have in place is outstanding. It is well-detailed and easy to understand, making it highly accessible to aspiring writers. Your coaching program and video materials are exceptionally well thought out, offering great value to nonfiction writers looking to incorporate AI into their book-writing process. I need to add these comments. I would like to commend you once again for the remarkable way in which you assist and motivate aspiring writers. Your method of writing is truly inspiring and offers a unique opportunity for those looking to express themselves through words.

In today’s world, where many spend endless hours engaged in video games, your approach stands out as one that encourages productive and meaningful pursuits. Any business that seeks to shift people toward more impactful activities, such as writing, certainly deserves recognition. Through your innovative use of modern technology, you have successfully opened the door for individuals to embark on their writing journey and realize their potential.

The reimbursement I received serves as a clear testament to the quality of your professionalism and your genuine commitment to supporting your members' success.

Although I may not have been the right fit for your program, I am deeply grateful for the experience. Thank you, Publishing.AI Academy, and I wish you continued success.

Best regards,

I left a message in a general mailbox and Andersen called me. He helped me figure out my next move. He sent me a link to help me with moving forward. He was very kind, professional and patient with me!
Everyone at Pub Ai gives the best customer service of any company I've dealt with in the past. Thank you to all that have been involved in assisting me. I really appreciate all of you! 😊

Sur leur site il est indiqué qu'ils ont 5 étoiles sur Truspilot alors que je n'en trouve que 3 (4 avec celui-ci). Aussi, ils indiquent qu'ils sont les 19ième sur INC5000, alors qu'ils sont les 75ième... En plus, le prix est exorbitant (1995$) pour mettre en forme un livre généré par l'IA que l'on peut faire à moindre coût ou même gratuitement avec GPT et LibreOffice Writer. Un vrai scandale ! Je ne comprends pas pourquoi Truspilot n'intervient pas lorsque des scameurs utilisent faussement leur logo...

Over 1 hour of a video to sell a service. Wondering where is the Trustpilot high reviews here?

This product was promoted on YouTube from AI Publishing Academy. They say up front it is a free way to make money publishing books and claim it's a super time saver. The presentation you have to watch is over an hour - NOT a time saver - repeats the same information over and over, and in the end is NOT free. The whole thing screams scam!! You can figure out how to use free AI tools and online book publishing without getting scammed. Oh, and they claim in the video training they have 4 stars on TrustPilot, which I was unable to find. This publishing.ai company has NO REVIEWS on TrustPilot.