MindStir Media - Award-Winning Self-Publishing Company Avis 32

Unresponsive and amateur

Throughout the whole project, the level of work including editing, formatting, distribution were poor. My book came out with a bad kindle format and wrong price tag.

The whole operating model is poorly structured. Some good people there, trying to do their best, hence 2 stars. but overall I will not work with them again.

MindStir Media is a 5-star operation! As a first-time author of a children's book, I find J.J. Hebert and his work family to be professional, responsible, compassionate, and helpful. Throughout the process of writing, publishing, and marketing, his team greatly cared about me, my ideas, and my book. Their creativity and intelligence made a difference. One of the most memorable experiences of my life was the day that my book was published and placed on Amazon for the world to see! I would encourage anyone who is dreaming about writing a book to contact MindStir Media today. You can do it!

The experience I had with Mindstir Media was amazing. They answered all my questions and there were a ton. I recommend Mindstir to anyone that is looking for a publishing company.

Let's goooo!!!

As a first time author, I researched a lot of options for a publisher. After choosing MindStir and publishing my book, I was extremely happy with my decision to put my book in their hands. With MindStir's support team and guidance my book became an Amazon best seller. Great company, great team!

Working with Mindstir Media has been a truly rewarding and empowering experience. From the very beginning, they kept every promise made to me as an author. Not only did they walk me through the entire book publishing process with clarity and professionalism, but they also provided insights and strategies that gave me a strong foundation in the world of publishing.

One of the most significant milestones in this journey was their introduction to Golden Globe-nominated actress and author Mariel Hemingway. Her endorsement of my debut novel Crossroads elevated the credibility and visibility of the book, helping to establish it as a standout title in a crowded market.

Thanks to the ongoing support and strategic marketing guidance from Mindstir Media, Crossroads achieved Amazon Best Seller status and continues to be available across all major platforms. Even after two years in publication, the novel is still selling and finding new readers, a testament to the strength of the publishing partnership and the trust built along the way.

I’m incredibly grateful for Mindstir Media’s commitment to my vision and their role in bringing Crossroads to life in such a successful and meaningful way. Best Selling Author Rhonda Parker Taylor

I've had a great experience with this company thus far. When I have questions they answer them and listen to my opinion. We have been able to reach agreement. Not that we have had huge disagreements, but small things matter. They have been as advertised.

We made this process great was the options that I had to create my book in anyway I wanted impossible and it was encouraged to do so. For instance, my book cover, they give me many options in even mixed in my ideas with theirs, and it worked out perfectly. The interior of the book was brilliant and went right along with my investigations. Plus, i had many options as well, too, which made it more affordable. Talking to them made the process more easier. They were friendly and honest and upfront about everything what was going to be happening. I do plan on using them again from my next projects and there are many of them.

This is my second experience at self-publishing a book, and the experience with MindStir Media was substantially much better than my experience with the previous publishing company, which was actually less costly. The MindStir Media staff was consistently extremely responsive, even when an inevitable challenge would arise, and I always felt that they shared my goal of producing the best book possible. The Project Manager assigned to me was highly professional and informative, the design team was excellent in producing a quality outcome, and the supports for publishing were high quality. These supports continued even after my book was published. My new book, entitled "Lessen the Stressin': Strategies for Becoming Smarter in Managing Stress," comes at a time when learning how to practice calm on a daily basis has become a worthwhile goal to pursue. My work with MindStir Media has been a totally satisfying experience, and one which was, thankfully, free of stress.

Mindstir Media met all my expectations when it came to getting my novel in print. The staff was always prompt and professional when I had a question or needed advice. When I held the finished product in my hand for the first time, the satisfaction I felt was tremendous and represented the culmination of my lifelong dream of becoming a published author. I highly recommend Mindstir Media!

My first experience with a self-publishing company was a nightmare. Took them forever to publish the manuscript and begin the marketing effort. I did extensive research for the publication of my second Christian devotional and concluded that MindStir Media had the best combination of publishing a quality product and then helping to market that product. My second devotional (Virtue Triumphs Vice) was just published by MindStir Media and marketing efforts are underway. From the initial intake to the publishing/marketing phase, MindStir Media has been first rate, simply the best. I could not be more pleased. Their employees are not only personable and professional, but they publish and market the highest quality product. The people at MindStir Media genuinely care about your book and want to see it succeed as much as you do. MindStir Media will publish my third Christian devotional (The Christian Lawyer: Not an Oxymoron) this summer. My fourth (The End of Life is not The End of Life) will be published next year by MindStir Media. I wouldn't think of using anyone else. Self-publishing authors invest a lot of time and money in getting their product to the market and no one can do a better job to help them than MindStir Media. As a former high stakes litigator, there are two qualities I value above all else: HONESTY and TRUST. MindStir Media is honest and trustworthy and will publish a first class product for a reasonable price for its constituency. I honestly can't say enough good things about this excellent publisher.

MindStir Media I believe ripped me off!!!

After signing a Platinum Contract in February 2024 for $10,899 I spent 8 months dealing with their rookie errors. Danielle Allan in sales was good at signing me up, but after that dealing with Bryna Mollhagen, Angelique T., and Michelle Van Sledright in production was awful.

For example, we all agreed to launch the book in August pre the election but with so many of their mistakes and turnaround delays it got pushed to October. This cost me valuable time in sending out review copies.

Also, at the last second, their print department decided to change to cover graphics!!! And, then after the final proof was sent out they forgot to include the color inserts!!!

Worse of all, after I terminated the contract in January 2025 and moved everything to IngramSparks, Mindstir is now refusing to send me my royalty money and is threatened me with legal action for "harassment" if I keep up my demands for payment.

Even JJ Hebert's hands are unclean as I spoke with him in January 2025, where he agreed to release all my metadata, but JJ assured me that the accounting and royalty disbursement due to me for the prior quarter, before IngramSpark took over, would be handled by MindStir diligently and I would be paid. He gave me his word and I believed him.

Basically, I believe MindStir screwed me out of $20,000 to $30,000 in royalties!!!

IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE, MINDSTIR IS TURNING THE MATTER OVER TO THEIR LEGAL TEAM AND HERE IS MY RESPONSE TO THAT:

My response to MindStir’s paper tiger threats of suing me for criticizing their sloppy costly errors and defamation is as follows:
1. I dispute that MindStir used good faith and best efforts to go above and beyond helping me transfer my book to Ingram.
2. I dispute that MindStir is no longer selling my book in any form.
3. I dispute that my rights and remedies are illegal or torturous.
4. I dispute that MindStir has fulfilled all their contractual obligations.
5. I dispute that MindStir is acting in good faith if they claim they are no longer selling or presently collecting money on my behalf until April 15, 2025 and beyond.
6. I dispute that I have terminated my rights to pursue action against MindStir directly and/or indirectly and reserve my rights for punitive, indirect, incidental or consequential damages.
7. I dispute that my claim in knowing false or defamatory.
Mindstir refused to send me or my accountant proof of payment when requested on April 22, 2025, and there was no accounting information posted on my online designated MindStir Client Portal.
MindStir’s claim that they were damaged is fatally infirm since my actions were not malicious, violent, oppressive, fraudulent, wonton or grossly reckless. Plus, any income I would receive would be donated to charity and not declared as a taxable profit.
MindStir cannot be made whole again because they have not demonstrated nor suffered any material loss needed to restore fair market value, nor any out of pocket expenses, such as the need to rent replacement property or the cost of services to cover indirect and foreseeable losses which were caused as a direct result of my dispute.
However, I believe I could conceivably be entitled to claim liquidated and incidental damages in the event this matter escalates further to litigation. And of course, general, special, future and restitutionary damages for the pain, suffering, inability to perform certain functions as a result of what I believe is a MindStir breach of contract. Yes, indeed for all those sleepless nights and lost profits.
In closing, I reserve all my rights and remedies, including filing a Slapp Motion against MindStir.
This is a simple business dispute, and perhaps there was no criminal intent – just a lapse in judgement by MindStir. Please ask JJ Hebert to call me if he wants to negotiate a reasonable settlement. He has my number. Good day.

Unresponsive throughout the project. Delivered some but not all services promised in our agreement. Uncommunicative. Required repeated entreaties to get follow-through. Some copies of my book sent out to customers missing 1/3 of the pages (quality control issues). Still have tons of unanswered questions, outcomes are unclear. Would not recommend.