[Marketing] RoseMEDIA Group (formerly New Media Mavens / AuthorSpark)

Leans heavily on marketing your work. Lena Claxton (the woman who owns the site) has extensive marketing experience, but seems to have little publishing experience aside from being published herself. Charges for critiquing and editing, doesn't charge for query letters and nonfiction proposals. Private coaching (I have no idea what that means). She's honest though that her company doesn't guarantee publication or rep by an agent.

Methinks they're a bit distracting lol, but thank you. I love 'em too.

If they got published, and obviously from her efforts, I suppose that's a good thing. She doesn't look like she's trying to scam anyone or promise something she can't deliver. I don't know how her rates compare to others, so I'd check that out. I'd be curious to see how she helps with query letters though, how well she does.

Of the testimonial people, two have books available on Amazon.com, neither commercially published.

Tatyana Elmanovich writes as Tatyana Tanika. Her two books appear to be self-published.

Johanna Carroll also has two books on Amazon, both pubbed through Writers Club Press, a self-publishing service.

- Victoria

So both testimonies basically mean nothing?

Not necessarily nothing. Ms. Claxton may well have done a great job of editing the books, if that's what she was hired to do. But given that her advertised services include researching and submitting to publishers, and creating nonfiction book proposals, I'd say that her track record in that area is unproven.

Also, in my opinion, her book marketing services depend heavily on things authors could easily do themselves (such as setting up a blog or social media presence), or else are not very effective for promoting books (press releases, Amazon reviews).

- Victoria

Personally I don't see the harm in a little extra help if it's an informed decision and it's something you're okay with. A professional editor isn't necessary, but ultimately it's up to you. The query letter help I found interesting and seemed like a good idea, but if those two people who provided testimonies hired her and they ended up self publishing well that doesn't say much for the quality of her skills.