Arabic version: مؤلفون يثيرون مخاوف بشأن خدمات دار باتريك وايت للنشر
According to ABC News, several authors have raised concerns about Patrick White Publishing, alleging poor service, pressure to remove negative comments and charges for illustrations that appeared to be AI-generated. The business, also known as PW Publishing House, offers editing, illustration, design, formatting, publishing and promotion services.
Mudgee author Kerry Stewart said she paid $500 after signing with the company to work on her dark fantasy manuscript. She alleged the editing only addressed grammar, introduced mistakes and repeatedly used an older version of her manuscript. Although the website states a “100% satisfaction & money-back guarantee”, Ms Stewart said she was not refunded. She also said a representative offered a refund if she removed a warning post from a Facebook writers’ group, but she wanted payment first.
Melbourne author Tulin Salis said she was quoted $400 for publishing her children’s book on 10 platforms, then received details of a $1,899 “5-Star Ghostwriting Bundle”, including $900 for illustrations. Brisbane author Sheena Avison said she was refunded $400 through a PayPal dispute after questioning the company’s approach to AI images. ABC News reported that some images promoted by the company, including storefront images and book covers, showed positive results for OpenAI or Google Gemini watermarks.
ABC News also reported that the Australian Business Number displayed on the company’s website and invoices belonged to an unrelated business. An office holder for that business said he had never heard of Patrick White Publishing and reported the matter to the Australian Taxation Office and Scamwatch. The report noted that using another party’s ABN is illegal and can carry a two-year prison term.
Not all clients reported negative experiences. Woodstock author Pauline Gill said she paid $17,000 for website redevelopment, editing, marketing and publication services, and was happy with the finished product. Meanwhile, Jane Novak, literary executor of Patrick White’s estate, said she had asked the company to stop using the late author’s name. Patrick White Publishing did not respond to ABC News requests for comment.
