Extremely Disappointing Experience — I Would Not Recommend Hawes & Jenkins
My experience with Hawes & Jenkins has been deeply disappointing.
I entrusted them with publishing my book, Holding the Line, and paid for their publishing services expecting a professionally produced finished product. When I finally received the printed book, I was extremely disappointed with the physical quality, particularly the paper and cover. The finished book simply did not have the quality or feel I expected from a professionally published book.
What frustrated me even more was their response when I raised my concerns. Rather than simply helping me resolve the quality issue, I was told that changing the current version would cost an additional $125, or that adding a hardcover option would cost another $199.
After already paying for the publishing process, being asked to spend still more money to address a product I was unhappy with was unacceptable to me.
I then asked about taking my book files to another printer so that I could personally pay to have a small quantity of higher-quality hardcover copies produced. I was told I could not do so because Hawes & Jenkins holds exclusive printing and distribution rights during the term of our agreement. I have now asked them to terminate the agreement early and return control of the publishing of my book to me.
Perhaps most disappointing is that what should have been an exciting experience — publishing a book I worked very hard to create instead became an exercise in frustration.
Based on my personal experience, I would not use Hawes & Jenkins again and cannot recommend their services. I strongly encourage any author considering working with them to read the publishing agreement very carefully, understand the exclusivity provisions, ask detailed questions about the physical printing specifications, and understand what additional charges may apply if you are unhappy with the finished product before signing or paying anything.







