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September 2022 by She H.
I spend over 4000 dollars with Mascot Books and they still wanted more money. Very very bad experience. Once they get your money they don't help you market your book. Their contracts are misleading. They quote you prices at around 2000 dollars and they end up charging you over 4000. You take all the risk and they get your money. My book sales were horrible because of them. I had to do all the marketing myself. They even charge you storage fees to keep your books. This is not listed in the contract. Big big Rip off!
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May 2022 by Gina B.
From the moment we signed the contract, it's been one issue after another. Lost inventory, unfulfilled orders to distributors, and rudeness. They are an expensive company that gives you little in return.
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April 2022 by Bijal Shah
I published my first illustrated book, For the Love of Laxmi with Mascot Books, on February 1, 2022. We started working together on the book in June 2021 - I had already worked with an illustrator to get the designs done on my own, so I didn't end up using their design services, so I cannot entirely comment on that. I worked with Mascot on their publishing, distribution, and marketing options, and I admire them and their work. This was my first book ever, so I had a lot of anxiety about timing, quality, and ensuring we would have a good go-to-market strategy. I initially micromanaged with a million questions, which their team handled so gracefully. I do wish their team provided frequent communications and more face to face/zoom time to help reassure, but outside of that, they were always on top of things behind the scene - the book quality was stunning, the distribution was outstanding, and truly resulted in a great first release. I can't wait to work with them on the other project.
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April 2022 by Bijal S.
I published my first illustrated book, For the Love of Laxmi with Mascot Books, on February 1, 2022. We started working together on the book in June 2021 - I had already worked with an illustrator to get the designs done on my own, so I didn't end up using their design services, so I cannot entirely comment on that. I worked with Mascot on their publishing, distribution, and marketing options, and I admire them and their work. This was my first book ever, so I had a lot of anxiety about timing, quality, and ensuring we would have a good go-to-market strategy. I initially micromanaged with a million questions, which their team handled so gracefully. I do wish their team provided frequent communications and more face to face/zoom time to help reassure, but outside of that, they were always on top of things behind the scene - the book quality was stunning, the distribution was outstanding, and truly resulted in a great first release. I can't wait to work with them on the other project.
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December 2021 by Ben W.
Mascot Books helped me print 1,000+ copies of my children's book. They walked me through the process, helped me understand what the printer required, and made sure everything was taken care of. There's no better feeling than when a semi-truck pulls up to your house in your tiny subdivision and unloads a pallet full of books. I highly recommend Mascot Books if you're looking for excellent service and for help creating something that will stand the rest of time.
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November 2021 by Zaq C.
I would not recommend starting with Mascot Books for publishing, or really working with them ever. If you are an enthusiastic and creative person looking to publish your first children's book, they will act thrilled and will undoubtedly say yes to your proposal, even if it isn't good. I don't believe they say no to anyone. They will charge you thousands of dollars for different fees, and make a tremendous profit off of your book. You will think it sounds great, considering you get to keep 85% of the royalties. However, they do virtually nothing to help you get your book off the ground, even if you pay for marketing fees. So you will be thousands of dollars in debt, with hundreds of copies of your book that no one will buy or sell. The only way to avoid this is if you beg for people to donate money, which Mascot will encourage you to do. Essentially, they profiteer off of you having an idea, whether it is good or bad. You pay them a large sum of money for various services, then they do nothing to help sell your book, and they make all of their money through having provided their alleged "services." The only reason I would give two stars rather than one was they helped me connect with an illustrator who was tremendous; they did a fantastic job and I have remained in contact with them. I am thankful for that connection having been made. Aside from this, I would strongly discourage you from doing any business with Mascot books. You'd be better off just publishing your first book yourself. If that doesn't work, or no one else will publish you, I'd advise that you simply give up and do something else with your time and energy.
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August 2021 by Louis S.
I was looking for a publisher and came across Mascot Books. That was a lucky day for me. I have published three children's books with Mascot, and each one has turned out better than I could have hoped,. This in large part because of the wonderful illustrator, Stephanie Fliss-Dumas, with whom Mascot put me in touch. The staff at Mascot has uniformly been excellent, on top of things, and very pleasant and professional to work with. The cost of storing and shipping books and the very reduced rate at which Amazon obtains stock from Mascot prevents me from awarding this publisher five stars. However, in all other aspects, partnering with Mascot is a good idea for anyone wishing to get his or her work published in a quality, professional manner. I encourage a writer looking to publish a children's book to peruse the Mascot Books website.
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August 2021 by Jeanne T.
I have been very impressed with Mascot Books and enjoyed the process of publishing my first children's book with them, Just Bunny and the Great Fire Rescue. From the initial conversations, to finding me an amazing illustrator who really got my vision, to the exciting and fun editing process, they were terrific. I put a lot of pressure on them to get the book completed in time for the holidays and they delivered the book not only on time, but early. I was so thrilled. The book looks amazing. I worked with their marketing team and they helped me develop a great website and booked interviews, got reviews for me and booked several in-person events. And then the pandemic happened. Very disappointing to say the least, but not Mascot's fault. And now they are trying to get some of those events back for me which is so helpful. I worked as hard as they did for every sale, event and interview, so don't go into this process thinking you won't have to work hard to get sales and get the word out about your book. This is an expensive journey, but worth it.
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August 2021 by Cynthia P.
We published our first children's book with Mascot. This happened during the early days of the pandemic, so some of what transpired may be related to that situation. The quality of the book is excellent and the illustrations came out beautifully. We were very happy with the end product. The next phase of marketing, however , was very uneven - we experienced a lot of turnover throughout the organization and were very disappointed with the Marketing plus program during the initial post publication time period. We basically built all of our websites and social media sites and directly marketed the book to a number of independent bookstores. For the Marketing plus, we received two book reviews from Mascot contacts who are bloggers. At this point, we felt the significant investment was not worthwhile. We were then assigned a new marketing associate named Sky who really engaged and took action supporting our marketing efforts. We were extremely pleased with her work including the Amazon sponsored ads as well as the help in getting our story in the Cape Gazette. Sky made a huge difference. Overall, we were satisfied with the key aspects of Mascot's publishing and would recommend for first time publishers. If you are savvy in Marketing and social media, I would recommend doing that yourself and foregoing the marketing plus investment.
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August 2021 by Sue Steinhardt
I have published three books with Mascot and have met with the utmost professionalism at every turn. Each step of the process was clearly explained and each representative took the time to answer any questions I had regardless of how small.
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August 2021 by Deborah P.
I had a decent experience self-publishing a series of four children's books with another company, but a friend told me how pleased she was with Mascot's professional handling of a couple books she wrote. Mascot gave me a better price on the books and services, so I decided to give them a try even though the style and subject matter of my fifth book was entirely different from the series. I was able to peruse the work of a variety of artists, one of whom ultimately created amazing, detailed illustrations for my "After the Ark" book. When I went into self-publishing I had no expectations. It's been a continuous learning curve, and I only have a "mom and pop" budget. Yes, I had one major set back that wasn't Mascot's fault. It involved the first illustrator going AWOL. Still, I found if you keep up with your end of the process and communicate with the editors, stylers, coordinators and illustrators, you will arrive like I did, at a lovely finished product. I doubt I will ever make my children's books pay for themselves, but I am leaving a legacy for my grandchildren, family and friends who enjoy the musings I put to pen and picture. I will definitely continue to use Mascot for any future books.
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July 2021 by Marnie S.
I've worked closely with Mascot Books for four years on eight different children's book projects. I highly recommend them. As a new author, I didn't know where to begin. From editing my manuscript, to helping with illustrations, to producing a book that I'm proud of, they've proven invaluable. And when things didn't go exactly as planned, I felt I had a partner that really cared about me and my project. You should know that marketing and distribution isn't easy, and you as the author will have to be involved in that effort. There is no way I could have done this without Mascot's expertise, and for that, I am grateful.
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March 2021 by Joy D.
marketing was terrible from the beginning. the book looked good. I think they really make money from collecting fees from authors to keep distributing their books. there has to a better place /and price then this.
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February 2021 by The Krayon Kids Book Adventures
I am so fortunate that I found Macot Books while seaching for a publisher . They are amazing . I am currently beginning my journey of my 5th book with them . I trust this company. If anything goes wrong they help to fix any problem . They have made my dreams come true . They are extremely helpful and it is great that everything you need to be an author is in their company . I couldn't have done it without them . I trust them and I highly recommend them to anyone they offer the most brillant and creative illustrators as well . ...I am so lucky to be one of their authors and will continue with them for all of my books.
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November 2020 by Jasmine and Emmy
Paid over 7,000 dollars for what? They haven't mentioned my book on there site. The marketing package is a scam do not buy it. There is no podcast they mention you in and they won't push your books to be in physical stores. I had to be told to publish my book in Korea due to covid so it can come by August and doing that it has a made in Korea sign on it and a lower quality in its pictures....and the book is still not even here 4 months later. 7,000 dollars is a rip off try other companies I've looked around and am working with another company who is charging half the price for the same amount of work. Do not waste your money here.
