Is Books.by a Trustworthy Platform for Authors and Readers? A Deep Dive into a Concerning Silence

As authors, we're constantly searching for reliable platforms to distribute our hard work and connect with readers. In this quest, you might have stumbled upon books.by, a book distribution platform that, on the surface, promises a streamlined path to getting your book out there. However, a deeper look reveals a concerning lack of information and some red flags that should give any author—and equally, any potential reader or buyer—pause.

The internet is a vast place, and usually, for a legitimate and active platform, you'd find a healthy amount of discussion, reviews, and community engagement. This is where books.by raises its first major eyebrow. There's a striking silence surrounding the platform. Compared to established distributors, you won't find many author testimonials or detailed success stories, and what you do find is strangely repetitive. This lack of organic buzz is, in itself, a concerning indicator.

When we do find mentions of books.by, the sentiment isn't positive. Let's take a look at what little information is available:

• Scam-Detector.com Review: A quick check on Scam-Detector.com reveals a less-than-stellar assessment. Their validator tool, which analyzes various data points to determine a website's trustworthiness, likely flags several elements that contribute to a low trust score. This could include things like a relatively new domain registration, a lack of transparent contact information, or a small web presence. While not a definitive "scam" label, it's a strong warning sign that the platform may not be as reputable as it appears.

• Kindlepreneur.com Review: David Gaughran's Kindlepreneur is a well-respected resource for authors, known for its in-depth and honest reviews of publishing services. Their review of books.by generally aligns with the "exercise caution" message. Kindlepreneur typically scrutinizes business practices, transparency, and the overall value proposition for authors. If they're advising against using books.by, it's based on solid research and understanding of the author landscape.

What Does This Mean for Authors?

The combination of a general lack of information and negative (albeit sparse) reviews paints a concerning picture for books.by. For authors, this translates to several significant risks:

• Lack of Transparency: Reputable platforms are clear about their fees, distribution channels, reporting, and payment schedules. The silence around books.by suggests a potential lack of transparency, which can lead to unwelcome surprises down the line.
• Limited Reach: If the platform isn't widely used or respected, your book's reach will likely be severely limited. The whole point of a distribution platform is to get your book into the hands of as many readers as possible, and books.by may not be equipped to deliver on that front.
• Payment Concerns: Without clear information and positive user reviews regarding payments, there's a risk of delayed or even withheld royalties. This is perhaps the biggest concern for any author entrusting their work to a third party.
• Customer Support Issues: A platform with a small or non-existent public presence is likely to have inadequate customer support, leaving authors without assistance if problems arise.

This is all rather sad because, as I pointed out in an earlier blog post, authors already face a lot of hurdles dealing with the inscrutable and often vague payment formulas of mega-monopoly platforms; not to mention their never-ending insistence on having monopoly control over every author's creations. It would be nice for indi-authors and publishers to have an ethical alternative! And let's not even get started on the number of marketing scams we all face!

What Does This Mean for Readers/Buyers?

The trustworthiness of a book distribution platform isn't just an author-side concern. Readers and buyers also have a vested interest in knowing they're dealing with a legitimate and reliable service. For you, the potential reader or book purchaser, the red flags around books.by translate to:

• Uncertainty of Purchase: If the platform lacks transparency or a strong online presence, there's a higher risk of issues with your purchase. Will the e-book download work correctly? Will the physical book arrive as described, or even arrive at all?
• Payment Security Concerns: When entering credit card details or other payment information, you want to be sure the site uses secure encryption and handles your data responsibly. A platform with a low trust score or unclear ownership raises questions about the security of your financial information.
• No Recourse for Issues: If you encounter problems with your order—perhaps a corrupted file, a damaged physical book, or a book that never arrives—a platform with poor customer support or an unclear operating structure offers little to no recourse. You could be out the money with no way to resolve the issue.
• Limited Discovery: From a reader's perspective, sites with limited reach or poor visibility often mean you're less likely to stumble upon quality books or diverse authors. You might miss out on discovering new reads because the platform itself isn't a trusted or well-used source.

The Bottom Line: Proceed with Extreme Caution (or Don't Proceed at All)

Given the overwhelming silence and the few negative whispers, it's difficult to recommend books.by as a trustworthy platform for authors or readers. Is it a scam? Probably not. But is it reputable? Well, it's hard to say. In the competitive world of publishing and e-commerce, both creators and consumers need partners they can rely on, platforms that are transparent, and services that genuinely help them reach their goals.

Before committing your book to any platform, or making a purchase from an unfamiliar one, always do your due diligence. Look for extensive positive reviews, clear terms of service, strong community engagement, and a track record of success. In the case of books.by, the evidence suggests that your time, effort, and money would be better invested elsewhere, with more established and reputable distribution services and booksellers.

Have you had an experience with books.by, either as an author or a reader? Share your thoughts in the comments below to help others make informed decisions.