Troubador Reviews

Over the past few years, I've had three translations and one ebook put out by Troubador/Matador. Overall, I reckon I've received a decent deal and appreciated the service they offered. The books are quite appealing, and their delivery from the warehouse is top-notch. That said, I ended up handling almost all the promotion on my own. I’d suggest to fellow writers to keep it real and not get talked into printing more copies than what’s likely to sell – the book market is just overflowing with new titles!

I rarely write reviews, but last week I was reminded once again of how well Troubador handles requests. I simply asked them to send a couple of my books to a friend. As usual, their response was quick and warm, and they took care of my request without any hassle. Since 2015, I've been a loyal customer, and I’ve noticed that every single request, whether big or small, has been managed with the same level of efficiency.

I've published two books with Troubador, and once I wrap up my current project, I’ll be sending that one their way too. The reasons I stick with this company are simple: they don’t pressure you into unnecessary services, and they genuinely care about helping you. Most importantly, the quality of the final product is on par with, if not better than, what you’d find from big-name publishers. A Troubador title fits right in on the shelves of any major bookstore.

From the get-go, I really liked the folks at Troubador. They’re super professional, patient, and really supportive. They kept it real about self-publishing and the expenses that come with it. My first book was a bit of a challenge to create since it’s packed with maps and illustrations, and I wanted it to look unique. But I was thrilled with how it turned out, and it’s been well-received. The fact that I’ve published a second and third book with them speaks volumes; they’re top-notch in the publishing game. They’re gaining a solid reputation, and I had no trouble getting my books into stores like Waterstones. Overall, the whole journey has been fantastic and has opened doors for me, like writing articles for newspapers and magazines, giving talks, and having my books featured at festivals.

Going the self-publishing route with Troubador guarantees a professionally crafted book that stands out just like any other in bookstores. As a writer, I kept full creative control over my work while also tapping into the expertise of a team that was always polite, reliable, and efficient. Everything is done with the author's approval; services are individually priced, so you can pick and choose what you want (without feeling any pressure) and publish within your own financial plan. For those who might feel a bit lost in the book industry, having Troubador manage the crucial aspects of getting your book out there and sorting out distribution is a real lifesaver. Even after my books hit the shelves, I still get top-notch support from the office and warehouse staff when it comes to reprints and getting copies for myself.

Troubador is truly a remarkable publishing house. To start, the technical aspects of publishing can be quite challenging - formatting and such require a real expert touch. Troubador ensures your book shines just as brightly as those from any well-known traditional publisher. On top of that, their customer service is top-notch. They're always cheerful and eager to assist with any inquiries. They took care of my first non-fiction history book, which has now sold over 10,000 copies. Plus, they produce fantastic audiobooks. I still rely on Indie-Go for formatting my current projects under my own label. I highly suggest Indie-Go if you're looking to manage your own imprint and handle your own marketing. Definitely worth a shout-out!

No question about it, getting your first book out there can be pretty intimidating, but the team at Troubador/Matador was always there to lend a hand. They were super calm, really efficient, and creative, whipping up an amazing book for me in just a few months. The cover and overall design were top-notch. I was over the moon when all the big book retailers started carrying my memoir, and many even had it displayed prominently in their shops. My only small complaint was the lack of feedback from the Star Agency.

I just got my third crime thriller out through Troubador, and once again, I’m totally STOKED with how it turned out. They always bring to life what I envision for my book and what I request. I like to handle my own cover designs, and they always make it just how I want it. The team is super friendly and ready to help at every step, and they tackle any questions I have quickly and professionally. I’m definitely going to work with them for Book 4 - couldn’t be happier! :-)

Working with the crew at Troubador has been a real pleasure. They’ve guided me through each step to create a top-notch paperback of my novel "A Woman of Noble Wit," which I’m thrilled to see on the shelves. Plus, they’ve helped me navigate the ins and outs of the ebook scene. The assistance with my website has been exceptional, providing me not just with a fantastic author platform but also support for my other roles as a historian and speaker in the West Country of England.

I can't say enough good things about Troubador and Matador. This was my debut book, and it was my initial experience with the publishing process. The team was incredibly helpful and informed at every step - from the initial exploration of options to early drafts, production, marketing, and ongoing support. A fantastic and friendly service: huge thanks!

I’m really happy I chose Troubador to publish my debut book ‘Ageing Rewired - How to flourish in later life’. Their service was exceptional, and the final product is top-notch. I wholeheartedly recommend them. Big thanks to the whole team! Lynne Dorling

Teaming up with Matador has been an outstanding journey from start to finish.

Their one-day workshop covering the entire self-publishing journey was super helpful and packed with info, and the team was really friendly and professional. Hannah Daikin’s customer support has been top-notch, and Sophie Morgan’s marketing tips were just as great. The crew for the promotional video did a fantastic job too. Big shoutout to Sam for crafting an awesome writers' website, and Joshua in production was always there to lend a hand. Stephanie Carr has done a stellar job creating a first-rate ebook that’s easy to read, with fantastic illustrations and smooth navigation.

Having direct email access to folks in all departments has made it a breeze to navigate the self-publishing process.

Creating my book was a lifelong dream, and I was determined to nail it. After the thrill of choosing to self-publish back in 2021, I found myself navigating the confusing and oversaturated world of self-publishing services. What a real challenge it was!

I still get a bit anxious thinking about how easily I could have ended up with another publisher. Looking back, I truly believe that picking Matador at Troubador was one of the smartest choices I've ever made.

Lately, I've come to realize that not only is Troubador the best fit for me, but they are also the only ones who could have crafted my book with such exceptional quality.

My book is non-fiction, and Troubador handled it flawlessly. A well-known Canadian blogger in my field even reached out to say, "Your book is stunningly beautiful to handle" - and that was just for the paperback edition!

This was my debut book, but I've been recognized as a credible contributor in my area, and I even got a free review in the top journal of the field, plus an invite to speak from a major national company shortly after my book came out.

Publishing is no walk in the park, and as a self-published author, you really have to rely on yourself. But if you choose to embark on this path, I wholeheartedly recommend Matador for their professionalism, quick responses, efficiency, and friendly approach. Most importantly, they have a fantastic commitment to the highest standards and a well-organized structure that actually delivers on those promises in the final product.

After finishing my book, the next hurdle was finding a publisher. I decided to go with Matador, and after downloading their free self-publishing guide, I nervously dialed their number. Normally, I’m pretty chill about making calls, but this one had me on edge. I was putting my work out there for others to judge, and it felt like one of those stress dreams where you’re exposed in public, and everyone’s staring.

But I had no reason to fret. I connected with Hannah Dakin, the Customer Service Manager at Matador, who instantly calmed my nerves. It was a delightful conversation with someone who truly understood my worries and respected my efforts. She encouraged me to submit my manuscript and assured me they would review it over the next couple of weeks. At that moment, I felt that even if Hannah decided it wasn’t a fit for them, there would be another publisher out there who would appreciate it. I had taken a leap of faith, and it felt like I had a supportive hand to hold as I jumped.

A little over a week later, I received an email that made my day: Matador wanted to publish my book! I can’t express how uplifting it was to know my work would be available for others to read. This was a dream come true, a bucket list item checked off, and a piece of my legacy.

In the weeks that followed, I had more conversations and emails with Hannah, her sister Emily, Fern (who would bring the book to life), Jonathan (who would assist with marketing), and Andrea (the eBook expert).

The contract was straightforward, and you only sign it after thorough discussions, ensuring everyone is comfortable with the process and understands the details. What caught me off guard was the timeline. They mentioned it would take about six months to go from my initial manuscript to a finished book. Six months! I was baffled about what could possibly take that long to print a book. That was my naivety showing.

The process is professional and requires upfront payments at each stage of the contract, but you only pay when you’re ready to move forward. It’s a lengthy process for a good reason: to make sure the book is perfect for you and your readers, and once it’s printed, there’s no turning back without extra costs. The proofreading and copy editing were crucial. Sure, they took time, but they were absolutely worth it. I never realized how many details needed attention, and Matador’s meticulousness is impressive. For instance, I had written 'Mum' as 'Mom,' which is how we say it in the West Midlands. Matador even caught that to confirm how I wanted it spelled. Incredible!

I opted for most of the services they offered, and I’m so glad I did. The team transformed the final book into something far better than I could have managed on my own, given my lack of experience. Their guidance was always gentle and showed great respect for my vision. They even advised me against one service I had initially signed up for, explaining it wasn’t necessary in my case. That’s what I call business integrity, and it’s refreshing to see.

Even post-publication, they keep delivering excellent support, and I have no hesitation in recommending them. To sum it up, I feel like a valued client, not just a customer, and that relationship is solid.