Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Review: Raider Publishing

A few weeks ago, I received a request from someone who had come across the popular Review: Westbow Press post. This reader requested that I look at Raider Publishing. After asking this reader a few questions via e-mail, I learned that she had used them to publish a book and was disgruntled with them. One of her complaints was that Adam Salviani was not responding to her e-mail and he was “unavailable” when she called his office in New York. This was brought on by her concern because she had not received an advance copy of her book and found that it had been published without her being informed. In her e-mail, she stated that she had been in contact with other customers and they had received the same treatment.


I did what I normally do when I receive a request like this concerning a company I don’t recognize. I looked for as much third-party information as I could find on the web. Interestingly, I did that search before I realized she was disgruntled and I found relatively little to tell me that they were to be avoided. There were hardly any complaints to the Better Business Bureau. That doesn’t always mean much, but some of the other subsidy presses have several complaints recorded. I didn’t find much in the way of bloggers who were complaining about them.


But I did see a few things that caused me to question whether they should be used. Primarily, their own website it what raised questions in my mind. In looking at the services they provide, they look very much like other subsidy presses, but the website itself looks cheap and some of the statements they make don’t ring true. For example, one of the first things they list in all of the packages is the amount of royalties the author receives. For Bronze and Silver Packages, the author receives 51% of the book’s royalties. For the Gold and Platinum Packages, the author receives 61% of the book’s royalties. My assumption was that what they really mean is that the author receives 61% of the suggested retail price of the book, which tells us that Raider Publishing makes all of their money from the setup fees they charge, rather than book sales. But the statement itself also tells us that they don’t understand the concept of royalties. Royalties are a license fee charged by the copyright holder to anyone who wishes to make copies of copyrighted material. To say that the author receives 51% or 61% of the royalties doesn’t make sense. The nature of royalties is that the author receives 100% of the royalties.


Another thing that caused me concern was what I saw in Adam Salviani’s statement on why he started Raider Publishing. “…my publisher did nothing to help. As it turned out my novel was quite a success in several places, but I only earned eight percent of the royalties, while my publisher walked away with ninety two percent of the profits…” The tone of his statement is that of a disgruntled author who doesn’t understand how the publishing industry works. Here again, he is using the term “royalties” incorrectly. The 8% he received is somewhat typical for a traditionally published book, but you’ll notice that he conveniently classifies everything else as “profits”.


Given that the bookstore gets 30 to 40 percent of the price of the book, the most profit a publisher can hope for is 52 percent, but it isn’t really profit when you consider that you have to pay someone to edit the book, do the typesetting, design the cover, etc. So, it began to look like a clear cut case of Raider Publishing being yet another company to avoid.


Maybe that is still the case, but I sent Adam Salviani an e-mail and he responded. He stated that all authors receive a copy of the PDF before it is sent to the printers. The authors are told that the book will be available three weeks after they sign off on the PDF. He stated that they have always fulfilled their contractual obligations and have been involved in no legal disputes during the five and half years they’ve been in business. Only six of about 500 authors have received refunds during that time. They had some problems with formatting and some problems with book orders, but Adam Salviani believes they have resolved those issues. They have a broadcasting network that reaches 20,000 people and a magazine with distribution to 30,000 people, presumably to help market their customers’ books.


He also states that they offer a 50% discount to booksellers, which causes me to question his math again. As you recall, the author is receiving at least 51% and may get 61%. That adds up to 101% and 111% respectively. Most likely what that means is that the 51% is applied against a different number than the 50%.


I’ll have to say that I remain on the fence with this one. Adam Salviani did respond to my e-mail and Raider Publishing does appear to be trying to do what is right, but they also have the appearance of not knowing very much about the publishing industry. My gut feeling is that if you decide to go with them that they will attempt to provide you with the services they are advertising, it just isn’t very clear what they are offering.


Be sure to check out

Mother Not Wanted Book Cover

Mother Not Wanted

15 comments :

Anonymous said...

Raider Publishing and Mr Salviani are simply a scam outfit and its manager.To start with,the complaints are typical and can only be under-exagerated.I got published under the title MORGAN V and the book is everywhere hanging out in different websites,since 2008,yet I only got about 20 dollar as my entire royalties,which I wrestled from them after a big fight.I reported on-line to the FBI but nothing came out of it,presumably because,well I regret to think,am just another Nigerian complaining against a white guy who could do no wrong.And I am force to suffer in silence.The only thing I can imagine is that the American justice system is just another Owellian gambit where,at a glance,all animals-or men-appear equal until,well,we see some walking elegantly on the hindlimbs,holding swagger sticks.

Anonymous said...

I have have sadley been published with Raider publishing. Adam's claimed that you are sent a PDF copy of book bfore they publish it-it took me 6mths to get this after book was published. They put it out as an e-book without 'rights' to do so. The editing is discusting. You don't hear a lot of compaints as if they have your book you are still hoping that they might suddenly decide to do the 'right thing by you'. I can't afford to let have them totlay of side with me as they now have my money/book etc and at the moment I can only hope that they begin to honour the contract in some shape or form. I would like to know how to know where in the USA I need to go to take them to court.

Dr. Shiban K.Kachru said...

Raider Publishing Company has caused me a lot of grief with the publication of my first book, The Tragedy of Kashmir. They messed up the text, never kept up with their dates and lied about everything including the number of copies sold.They informed me that 29 copies of my book were sold from Feb. 2011 to April 2012 and offered me $ 73 as compensation, which I refused to take. I found out that over fifty copies of the book were sold through just one outlet on net in India. Incidentally, the book was on Amazon Best Selling list in General Category for ten days a few weeks back. When I complained about all this to Better Business Bureau in New York (complaint No. 8785178, November 2011), Mr.Adam Salviani apologized and promised me to rectify all the mistakes committed by the end of the year 2011. He pretended to be sympathetic and said that "he would hate to see all the hard work put in by both of us go to waste..." Other than returning the 400 Dollars that I had paid for fast service (the book was published one and half years after paying the money in stead of four months as promised), nothing else has been done.I have written about his inaction to the BBB, they have not answered yet. It amazes me that the Bureau has not received many complaints against the man who is openly running a scam outfit. I live in India which makes it difficult for me to start legal proceedings against the man. What is stopping the people in America, whom he has swindled, to get together and expose Mr. Salviani for what he is?

Anonymous said...

I have the misfortune of being published by Raider Publishing International. For my sins, two books. The worst experience of my life and still no royalty payments made after two years. How they get away with fraud I don't know. I contacted the New York State attourney's internet fraud division, who say that the contract is between two individuals? Go figure, I thought it was bewtween a company and myself. They continue to be unresponsive to e-mails. So now I don't know how to proceed, my dreams shattered, my hopes fading and my story unshared. I hope somebody brings them to book, I can't afford to do it or I most certainly would. If nobody does I hope kharmic justice will truely take care of this muppet.

Anonymous said...

Raider Publishing International is a scam. They take your money and then just forget you. My dad has had the misfortune of being 'published' through them. It has been a stressful experience for him and continues to be so. The company did not abide by their contractual obligations, routinely slipped deadlines, failed to send my dad his 10 copies, books are not available in all stores where they should've been, he hasn't received a single report of number of books sold, of course they have done zero marketing and he hasn't seen a dime from them. They have been ignoring his emails over the past year and won't return my phone call. Stay away from them.

Anonymous said...

7Coming Across Your Written Blog On Adam & Raider Publishing Gave Me 1 Thought :
1- As You Are An Outsider Who Didn't Try Adam Or Raider & Hears From People' Variety Of Claims -God Knows If Half Are Even True- Then Writes Accordingly It Seems Legit & I Respect Your Opinion However As An Author Who Is Publishing My Book With Adam & Raider It Is Not True , Adam Is A Wonderful Perosn Who takes Care Of The Author & Very Kind , Always Replies & Supports On All Book's Related Issues , His Company Are Doing Great To Satisfy The Customer . That Being Said From A Perosn Who Knows The Truth & Telling It Then All What Others Say Is Simply Incorrect !

Raider Publishing Is One Of The Best Companies Out There Who Build Friendships With Their Writers & Aim For Their Best Interests . Adam In Turn Is Doing A Marvelous Job Keeping That .

People Out there , Don't Accuse Or Misjudge Someone Who Once Offered Something & Helped .

Marilyn Z. Tomlins said...

I wish to point out that Raider Publishing International is a scam company. Anonymous who wrote in praise of them on November 10, 2012 must be Adam Salviani himself. He takes a writer's money, produces a cheap publication riddled with typing errors and NEVER pays royalties and all emails to him are unanswered. His phone number is as bogus as he is. PLEASE do not go near him

Anonymous said...

Raider publishing is a scam In 2013 even if it was not earlier .Their offices are not in the empire state building. My niece went to check for me after distribution of my book did not start even after it being eight months late They told me that they will organize book launches etc but I don't think the book even got printed or has an isbn no. It is not available anywhere. I had taken and paid for their platinum package. Initially they lost my manuscript and when I started asking them to see the back cover,they realized that they had misplaced the manuscript. Richard Baird has left the company yet all submissions still go to his address.
They have an answering machine though they never respond to any messages. They did not re
Ly to my phone calls or emails. Eventually I decided that I will not get my money back or book distributed and I must give up on false hope I have been scammed. However the website still exists and authors are still looking at the testimonials and the fact that Adam salviani is an author himself
Needless to say ,my contract says that I must give three months notice to end contract. As soon as the email went through I got an answer within six hours. So ,I have lost my money and a lot of time but at least I have learnt to be careful. I am now going to try a traditional publisher this time. If there is a legitimate literary agent who can be recommended please let me know. Stay away from raider and pure haven press

Anonymous said...

Raider publishing is a scam In 2013 even if it was not earlier .Their offices are not in the empire state building. My niece went to check for me after distribution of my book did not start even after it being eight months late They told me that they will organize book launches etc but I don't think the book even got printed or has an isbn no. It is not available anywhere. I had taken and paid for their platinum package. Initially they lost my manuscript and when I started asking them to see the back cover,they realized that they had misplaced the manuscript. Richard Baird has left the company yet all submissions still go to his address.
They have an answering machine though they never respond to any messages. They did not re
Ly to my phone calls or emails. Eventually I decided that I will not get my money back or book distributed and I must give up on false hope I have been scammed. However the website still exists and authors are still looking at the testimonials and the fact that Adam salviani is an author himself
Needless to say ,my contract says that I must give three months notice to end contract. As soon as the email went through I got an answer within six hours. So ,I have lost my money and a lot of time but at least I have learnt to be careful. I am now going to try a traditional publisher this time. If there is a legitimate literary agent who can be recommended please let me know. Stay away from raider and pure haven press

Marilyn Z. Tomlins said...

It is now February 24, 2013. I left a comment here on February 7. Since then I've emailed Raider (Adam Salviani) several times without receiving a reply. As he is in the USA and a majority of those who had paid him money to publish their books live outside of the USA, he thinks that American law protects him: we can only sue him under American law, which means American solicitors, flying to New York and so on. He knows this. He is still replying politely to query letters from writers (I know one of those who had been fooled by him in 2010 and who a week ago sent him a query under a different name, and received an immediate favorable response.

I can not emphasize enough that Raider is a Scam set-up and Adam Salviani is a scam artist who merits an Oscar for a perfect performance of acting the perfectly honest businessman!

Please, do not give them your money! Please please please do not!

Jason Steven Jowett said...

Its calculated of course. Its clearly not worth anyones while to file with the small claims courtunlessthey live in NYC and inwhich case they would treat u like family.

Anonymous said...

Adam Salviani is a con man. Since I transferred $719.20 in late November 2013 for my book publishing project, I’ve never heard from him again. My emails to him met with silence. He offered a 20% discount if “I paid in full within the first two weeks of the contract offer.” I took him up on his offer, but he charged me the full amount.
The following was an email from Salviani in November 2013

2013/11/22
I just wanted to let you know that we received your payment just now, without any problems. We now have everything we need to get started with your book and we'll make sure that work begins on the publication process as soon as possible.
From this point forward, please feel free to contact our staff (staff@raiderpublishing.com) with any questions, comments or concerns that you might have from this point forward. Of course I will also be available to help, in the future.
Thank you again for deciding to work with us, it's a great honor to be publishing your book and we look forward to releasing it in the months to come. Take care and have a great weekend.

Best Regards,

Adam Salviani
Raider Publishing International

Anonymous said...

Adam Salviani is a con man. Since I transferred $719.20 in late November 2013 for my book publishing project, I’ve never heard from him again. My emails to him met with silence. He offered a 20% discount if “I paid in full within the first two weeks of the contract offer.” I took him up on his offer, but he charged me the full amount.
The following was an email from Salviani in November 2013

2013/11/22
I just wanted to let you know that we received your payment just now, without any problems. We now have everything we need to get started with your book and we'll make sure that work begins on the publication process as soon as possible.
From this point forward, please feel free to contact our staff (staff@raiderpublishing.com) with any questions, comments or concerns that you might have from this point forward. Of course I will also be available to help, in the future.
Thank you again for deciding to work with us, it's a great honor to be publishing your book and we look forward to releasing it in the months to come. Take care and have a great weekend.

Best Regards,

Adam Salviani
Raider Publishing International

Unknown said...

Hello yes, Rest assured that Adam Salviani is a con man, we were approached by him to publish our first book in 2010 and he published a draft copy in 2011 which was very poorly edited and put on line and he has been selling this all over the world since 2011. Millions of copies sold, He is in breach of our contract, did not deliver anything on time, schedules and took all our money over $7,500 AUD ... the book is still for sale and has had over 6,369,386 copies sold just on amazon alone.. so no money to us and definitely worth a law suit which we are now pursuing vigoursly as we have just released our new novel Part One and Part Two .. Omerta Mafia Code of Silence with Xlibris and don't want it tainted by the first terrible copy that he printed. There are 100's of other authors in the the same boat and would not recommend anybody to go and publish with this corrupt and deceitful guy.. don't worry he knows exactly what he is doing.. Beware the rat with the gold tooth. Rona Newton and Mark Biermann Authors Omerta Mafia Code of Silence Part One and Part Two.

Unknown said...
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