IngramSpark (IS) is one of the many self-publishing options available to authors who want to take control of their work and reach a wider audience. Founded by Ingram Content Group, a major player in the book distribution industry, IngramSpark offers a range of tools to help authors publish and distribute their books in both print and digital formats. While Ingram Content Group has been in the publishing industry for many years and is well-respected, the tools provided by IngramSpark, a division of Ingram Content Group, may not live up to the expectations of many authors due to the fact that their support and quality recently leaves a lot to be desired.
Much like other publishing houses I’ve recently covered, including Trafford, iUniverse, AuthorHouse, Xlibris and more, there are a few positives about IngramSpark like low setup fees and worldwide distribution that make it understandable why some authors consider it, but there are easily enough detractors to conclude that it’s not the best option on the market.
Think IngramSpark is the one true love for your book? Don’t get too attached. If you go this route, you will have to get everything done on your own before submitting your book to them for printing and distribution. It’s very much a do-it-yourself platform. And many customers are reporting negative experiences, especially over the past year or so, indicating a decline in customer satisfaction…
IngramSpark doesn’t offer any editing or book design support
While IngramSpark offers a range of tools for authors looking to self-publish, it may not be the ideal choice for those who want to focus primarily on their writing. This is because much of an author’s time when choosing IngramSpark will be spent on trial and error with IngramSpark’s system, which is notoriously clunky and difficult to use, even for the most seasoned authors and publishing professionals. Many reviews have noted files being rejected, slow or no response from IS customer service, etc.
The major problem with working with IngramSpark, it seems, is the fact that they don’t provide any in-house editing or design services whatsoever. So either the author needs to figure it out on his/her own or hire an outside company to handle it which can be costly considering IngramSpark is setup to be a DIY self-publishing option. But either way, that won’t guarantee a positive experience with IS.
I can imagine dealing with IngramSpark could be very frustrating when uploading what you think are properly formatted files only to get rejected or receive poorly produced books and then get no response from customer service. Many reviews chronicle this issue in detail.
Ingram needs to improve their IS customer service and system to improve customer satisfaction and keep authors coming back with subsequent books. It’s completely unacceptable for Ingram, the largest book distributor in the country, to have so many problems with their clients through IS.
Don’t expect much marketing help from IngramSpark
Another big drawback with IS is their lack of marketing support/services. Yes, they can distribute your book to tens of thousands of retailers, which is a positive, but your book will just sit on those retail websites if someone doesn’t properly market your book through digital marketing and drive traffic to those sites. IngramSpark won’t help much with the marketing, other than maybe selling you spots in their catalogs, so it’s mostly up to the author to use their own tools or platforms to drive online sales on an ongoing basis instead of in spurts.
For a new author especially, distributing your book through IngramSpark just isn’t enough to move the needle. Authors need to get out there and market through social media, PPC ads, press coverage and more. Or hire a PR and marketing company to handle all the marketing.
IngramSpark’s low setup fees might be attractive initially, but when you take into account all the marketing you’ll need to do on your own or outsource to another company, working with IS doesn’t seem quite as attractive. It would be a lot easier for an author to work with one company that handles every aspect of book publishing and book marketing under one roof.
Poor quality from IngramSpark has become the norm for many customers
IngramSpark customers report receiving poorly printed books, likely because book files weren’t created or setup properly during the design process or because IngramSpark didn’t print the books correctly or both. IS could probably solve a lot of their quality issues if they offered in-house design services that ensured proper setup and printing.
When it comes to self-publishing, many authors turn to companies like IngramSpark for guidance as they may be new to the publishing world and need assistance to get started. While it’s helpful to have support through the lengthy and sometimes confusing process, settling for a subpar service shouldn’t be the standard.
On top of what is mentioned above, IngramSpark users complain about hidden fees, lengthy shipping periods, a confusing user interface, a sub-par eBook distribution network, extensive formatting requirements, and more. In fact, 30% of the IngramSpark reviews on Trustpilot are 1-star reviews!
Choosing a self-publishing company that falls short of your expectations can lead to horror stories of unethical practices and compromised creative ideas. Much like you’d care for a child, your book deserves the best treatment possible, and partnering with a company that shares your enthusiasm and is committing to exceeding expectations is essential, not to mention the additional $25 you will be required to pay each time you need to make revisions to your book — yep you read that correctly, $25 per revision.
To avoid the disappointment and unsatisfactory outcomes, choose a self-publishing partner that will guide you with professionalism and respect for your creative vision.
The Better Solution: MindStir Media
Looking for a self-publishing company that truly puts its customers first? Look no further than MindStir Media. As the highest-rated self-publisher on the planet, MindStir is dedicated to the success of its authors, providing personalized attention and support every step of the way — from editing to book design to distribution and marketing and publicity. Choose MindStir for a full-service publishing experience and rest assured that you’re in good hands.
IngramSpark Review