About MindStir Media - Award-Winning Self-Publishing Company
Newsweek acknowledged us as the top self-publishing company in the United States. Partnered with Mariel Hemingway and Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington, MindStir has helped 1,000+ authors publish and market their books since 2009.Won over 100 industry and literary awards throughout the past 15+ years, including landing on Inc. Magazine's "Inc. 5000" list of fastest-growing private companies in America three years in a row.
MindStir Media - Award-Winning Self-Publishing Company (mindstirmedia.com) has 32 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Also known as
mindstirmedia.com
Website
mindstirmedia.com
Category
Books & Magazines
Location
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
About these reviews
Replies
The company replied to 81% of reviews.
Latest
Most recent review: October 2026.
Edits
Reviews are shown as their authors wrote them. The company can reply, but cannot edit them.
Score
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MindStir Media - Award-Winning Self-Publishing Company reviews
32 approved reviews, newest moderated first
BG
Bob G.
Quality Service
I was initially drawn to MindStir for the wide range of options offered. Since then I have published two books with them. From the first day onward they have continued to exceed expectations. My publishing reps has been terrific. They have even suggested some great ideas of her own. I opted for the Mariel Hemingway endorsement package to use a water term the experience has gone swimmingly. The mindstir team takes a personal interest in your book so the best possible product can be put forward. I would strongly recommend MindStir for all your publishing needs.
Response from MindStir Media - Award-Winning Self-Publishing CompanyOct 23, 2026
Thanks for being such an incredible client, Bob. Your book, A Flicker in the Water, has been a joy to promote. We wish you continued success with it.
NI
Nicole
Dissatisfied with service delivery and contract compliance
I hired this company to handle the production and marketing of my book for a contract term spanning June 2025 to June 2026. Unfortunately, the company failed to provide adequate documentation or proof of contract compliance regarding the promised deliverables.
Because the agreed-upon services were not delivered, I was forced to initiate a formal dispute with my financial institution. My bank evaluated the evidence provided and ultimately ruled in my favor, granting a successful chargeback for the unfulfilled services.
Additionally, my royalty payment was delayed over 5 months.
I am sharing this review to provide an honest reflection of my experience regarding their service delivery and contract fulfillment.
Response from MindStir Media - Award-Winning Self-Publishing CompanyOct 8, 2026
We strongly disagree with this review's characterization of our services. After auditing the agreement against our project records, we confirmed that our contractual obligations were fulfilled. These included professional book production, distribution, and extensive marketing services. The author's book The Weight of Dreams: An Ancient Saga of Myth and Magic achieved #1 Amazon bestseller status, received many reader reviews, and won an award. We also provided documentation supporting the marketing performed, including Amazon Ads performance reports and screenshots of campaign data.
A bank's chargeback decision is not a legal determination that a company breached its contract. Furthermore, our records confirm that the royalty payment in question was originally issued on April 15, 2026. When we learned that the check had not been received (lost in the mail), we promptly issued a replacement and paid additional royalties ahead of schedule. The author subsequently confirmed receiving all royalties owed.
The author Nicole Sorrell also raised substantially the same allegations in a Better Business Bureau complaint, which the BBB promptly closed after receiving our explanation and response. We believe that Nicole Sorrell's chargeback was fraudulent.
We stand firmly behind the services provided and believe this review omits significant documented facts. We encourage prospective authors to consider our extensive track record, dating back to 2009, and our overwhelmingly positive customer feedback rather than relying on one disputed account.
CS
Claire S.
Great Team with Heaps of Expertise
It was quite nerve wrecking at first to enter a contract with a company from across the pond (I'm based in the UK) but MindStir Media has been fantastic all the way through. They responded swiftly and have shown real, highly professional expertise, from creating a book cover, to proofreading my manuscript, creating a bespoke marketing PR and setting up a magnificent website, which features more details than I could ever have expected.
Every team member went above and beyond to give my book the best start into the publishing world. So, thank you, to each and every one of you.
HI
Hasan I.
I had a very positive experience…
I had a very positive experience working with MindStir Media / Manhattan Book Group from manuscript preparation through publication. The team was responsive, professional, and patient with revisions, and they kept the process moving step by step.
My book, “Iron Man” by George Goodheart, is now live in paperback and ebook on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and I’m grateful for the guidance that helped bring the project to fruition. We’re currently moving into the marketing phase as well.
If you’re an author looking for a structured publishing process with clear communication and support through the production stages, I would recommend MindStir.
DF
Deborah F.
MindStir Media delivered.
I really enjoyed working with MindStir. Getting a book published can be a daunting task. The collaboration that’s necessary and the synchronization of thought requires trust. My experience was fruitful and exhilarating. My MindStir team made necessary changes and suggestions without hesitation. I am certain that without their expertise, publishing
“i Want to Talk to God” my first children’s book, would not have been such a seamless experience.
JS
Julia S.
MindStir Media gave me the outstanding Manhattan Book Award
MindStir Media gave me the outstanding support, advice, and direction I needed to navigate publishing my three mystery novels. From the first welcoming, informative call with Danielle to the patient, thoughtful, and thorough responses from my project manager, Madison, I found the team to be exceptional. No question was too small—such as when to use "to" or "for" in a dedication—or too important: what do the book categories mean and how to select them and keywords optimally? They gave me timely, complete explanations in a friendly, encouraging manner. At all times, I felt I was in expert hands. I also felt honored and appreciated receiving the Manhattan Book Award. This will be most helpful in promoting my book. My best decision ever: MindStir Media. Thank you!
CS
Charles S.
For a first-time author that I started…
For a first-time author that I started with my book ten years ago, I looked into traditional publishing at first, they do not publish authors that are not well known and don't already have a large platform, I looked at other self-publishing companies and none of them fit what I was looking for. Mindstir was a smooth choice, the cover design team did the way I wanted and even better than expected, editing was professional, formatting was professional, the whole production was smooth, quick, and with good quality, and good communication, J.J. Hebert was above expectation. I highly recommend Mindstir for new authors, also experienced authors. My book called Another Kingdom should be released the first part of March 2026. Charles SR.
Response from MindStir Media - Award-Winning Self-Publishing CompanyFeb 20, 2026
Charles, thank you so much for your thoughtful review and for trusting MindStir Media with your book after a decade of dedication to your manuscript. We know how challenging it can be for first-time authors to navigate the publishing landscape, and we are honored that our team, from cover design and editing to formatting and production, helped bring your vision to life smoothly and professionally.
It truly means a lot to hear that the experience exceeded your expectations. We are excited for the upcoming release of Another Kingdom and cannot wait to see it out in the world. Congratulations on reaching this milestone, and thank you again for your recommendation. We are proud to be part of your author journey.
RF
Raymond Fenech G.
From a Bronze Award Winner
First and foremost, my book took me seven years to write. Besides, it consisted of the memoirs of one of the Pope's top ten exorcist priests, the exorcist was one who travelled the world performing his work, so it took time for him to pass me information by means of a digital recorder. The book was 450 pages long and required research and loads of correspondence with other authors pertaining to the subject to quote extracts which, backed Fr Elias's experiences. The Manhattan Awards tempted me to try and acquire appreciation that I believed Fr Elias deserved. The exorcist died two years before the book went on the market, so he only saw it as a manuscript.
I am entirely segregated in Malta because I write in English not in Maltese. I prefer this option from as early as when I was 17 years old, because there are no poetry or literary magazines here. Only 500,000 people read in Maltese and most of them still prefer English. The real big market is in over 270 countries whose first language is English. So when I won the Bronze Award, it means much more than winning the local Book Club prize. I always thought that being a big fish in a small pond does not determine how good a writer one is. In the long run every competition I won was among some of the greatest writers. Thank you Minstirmedia for creating this award. It suffices to say that the news media ignored this book completely. But who needs the local media anyway when you can shine abroad.
Response from MindStir Media - Award-Winning Self-Publishing CompanyFeb 19, 2026
Thank you so much, Raymond, for sharing the remarkable story behind your book and for entrusting it to the Manhattan Book Awards, created and operated by MindStir Media. The years of dedication, research, and collaboration that went into documenting Fr. Elias’s experiences are truly extraordinary, and we’re honored that the Bronze Award could help bring well-deserved recognition to both you and his legacy on an international stage.
We also deeply admire your commitment to writing in English to reach readers around the world despite the challenges of a smaller local market. Your success is a powerful reminder that meaningful work transcends borders, and we’re proud that the Manhattan Book Awards could play a part in helping your voice shine globally.