Suit Publishing

Suit Publishing is not a single author but rather a collective name for various vanity presses operating under the umbrella of Author Solutions, LLC. This parent company, headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, has grown through acquisitions of other publishing services, including Xlibris and Trafford Publishing. Author Solutions has also engaged in partnerships with established publishers to launch imprints focused on self-publishing.

Despite its growth and partnerships, Author Solutions and its subsidiaries have faced significant criticism. Author advocacy groups and industry watchdogs have frequently cited concerns regarding predatory marketing tactics, excessive fees, aggressive sales methods, and substandard customer service. These issues have led to the company being listed on various 'thumbs down' lists and receiving alerts from organizations monitoring publisher practices.

In recent years, Author Solutions has undergone several ownership changes. It was acquired by Pearson in 2012, then sold to Najafi Companies in 2015, and most recently purchased by Center Street Ventures in March 2025. The company has also been involved in legal proceedings related to alleged deceptive practices, though a class-action suit was ultimately discontinued after a settlement.

Author Solutions, LLC functions as the parent entity for a portfolio of vanity publishing imprints, including well-known names such as AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Trafford Publishing, Xlibris, Palibrio, and Booktango. The company is based in Bloomington, Indiana. Its history includes strategic acquisitions of competitors, such as Xlibris and Trafford Publishing, to expand its market presence. Author Solutions has also collaborated with major Christian publisher Thomas Nelson to establish WestBow Press, a self-publishing initiative, and launched its own Spanish-language imprint, Palibrio, which was later made available internationally. The company has also formed alliances with other traditional publishers like Simon & Schuster, Hay House, and Guideposts, as well as Writer's Digest, to offer specialized self-publishing imprints.

Author Solutions and its associated imprints have been the subject of considerable criticism from author advocacy groups and industry watchdogs. Common complaints revolve around alleged predatory marketing practices, high fees, aggressive sales tactics, and poor customer service. These criticisms have resulted in the company and its subsidiaries being placed on 'thumbs down' lists by organizations like the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and receiving alerts from Writer Beware. In 2013, Author Solutions faced a potential class-action lawsuit alleging deceptive practices, seeking substantial damages. While the court denied class certification, the lawsuit was eventually settled and discontinued without prejudice in 2015, with a second case also being dismissed.

The ownership of Author Solutions has shifted over the years. In 2012, the education and publishing giant Pearson, which also owns Penguin Random House, acquired Author Solutions for $116 million. However, this association ended in late 2015 when Author Solutions, LLC was sold to Najafi Companies. More recently, in March 2025, it was announced that Center Street Ventures, a private investment firm specializing in publishing, media, and marketing services based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, had purchased Author Solutions. These transitions indicate a dynamic corporate landscape for the company and its network of publishing imprints.