As a 77-year-old author, the thought of writing and publishing a book seemed daunting. However, with the loving friendship, patient guidance of my publication assistant Maureen Kinley, and the amazing staff of Covenant Publishing, my book was produced, and a copy was in my hands within 6 months. The entire process was easy to navigate. As a former scientist, the editors transformed my math and molecules style of writing into understandable prose with the addition of scores of Oxford commas. The cover design was beyond amazing, and promotion of the book was all that was promised. This book is about miracles and finding Covenant Publishers popping up unexpectedly in my emails was just one more miracle.
By Judy A.
I was thinking of having this company…
I was thinking of having this company publish our manuscript but after reading this review I think I'll go some place else.
By Fred W.
Poor Customer Service with Book Publisher
I have done two book collaborations with Covenant. The first went well. Anytime the process slowed, or I had questions, the coordinator, Tina, was prompt answering my requests. She was very customer focused and when I expressed a concern, she not only sent an email but would sometimes call me on the phone. She had ways of speeding things along when she knew I was waiting.
Unfortunately, on my second book, Tina left just as we began the cover design. The preliminary front cover was perfect except for the font. I suggested a different font and waited for the revised design. After several weeks, I questioned the delay and was told it was in process. Apparently, Covenant has a rigid “first-in, first-out” queue for processing change requests and something as minor as changing fonts must wait in line.
After nearly two months I sent a costly overnight letter to the CEO, hoping to break the logjam. The delivery tracker verified the CEO signed for the letter noon the next day, but I didn’t get a reply until Wednesday of the following week. This seemed a shabby response. She called, saying the delay with the manuscript was because the designers didn’t know if the font change was for the front cover or the back cover blurb. This seemed an excuse because I had specifically requested the text change for the front cover. If the designers were confused, why hadn’t they asked for clarification. Due to a bad connection, the call was ended and calling back later I got voice-mail. I left a message but heard nothing further and I didn’t pursue the matter because of the CEO’s uncaring attitude.
Finally, after three months, the cover design was released. It was perfect except for a new problem: two words run together in the blurb. Where was the proofreader? This caused further needless delay.
Since raising concerns earlier seemed to provoke a passive-aggressive response, I was reluctant to say anything, fearing further delay.
After a month the problem was fixed, but it’s amazing it took this long to put a space between two words. An honest merchant who makes a mistake will make it right for the customer as quickly as possible.
At a recent trade show, I was asked by a customer for advice on how to get published. I suggested Covenant Books and a week later he sent me an email thanking me, saying he had a signed contract. While they are quick to take on new authors to grow their business, once the contract is inked, I’ve found Covenant to be rigid and unresponsive.
When a writer’s book is nearing publication, unexpected and needless delay is not only annoying but may affect the author’s income. When I spoke directly with Covenant about my concerns I was met with a tepid response and an uncaring attitude. This is not a customer friendly way of doing business.
