Publishing.com review: a $1.5 million FTC settlement, strict refund conditions and sharply split student reports
Publishing.com sells self-publishing training, mainly the AI Publishing Academy (typically $1,995) and the Publishing Accelerator (generally $9,800), through webinars and sales calls. In April 2026 the company and its two founders agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle FTC allegations about earnings claims, refunds and reviews. We read the FTC's own documents, the Trustpilot profile and three Reddit threads.
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Our verdict (editorial opinion)
An FTC consent order covers this seller's earnings claims, refunds and reviews. Read the terms before any sales call. The FTC alleged misleading income claims, a refund guarantee with buried conditions and incentivised reviews. The company settled without a trial and is now under order. Student reports on Trustpilot and Reddit are sharply split.
Last verified: 31 October 2026 · Research-based review (we did not buy the program) · Community counts and ratings are as shown on the cited pages on that date
We did not buy it. This review is based on the public sales page, vendor documents, marketplace data and third-party or community reports, checked on 31 October 2026. We claim no hands-on use.
No affiliate relationship: we are not an affiliate for Publishing.com and no link on this page earns us money. Links to the seller are plain links, marked nofollow. See how we review creator courses.
The short version
- What it is: training on publishing books and audiobooks on Amazon KDP and Audible, increasingly with the company's own AI writing tools.
- Price: AI Publishing Academy typically $1,995; Publishing Accelerator generally $9,800, per the FTC complaint.
- FTC: Publishing.com, LLC, Christian Mikkelsen and Rasmus Mikkelsen agreed to pay $1.5 million (FTC press release, 13 April 2026). The FTC case page lists the matter as “Under Order”.
- Trustpilot: 4.4 from 2,381 reviews, with 8 in the last 12 months (31 Oct 2026).
- Seller: publishing.com
What the FTC alleged, and what the order requires
These are the FTC's allegations from its final complaint and press release. A consent order settles allegations; it is not a court finding that they are true. The allegations concern only the named respondents: Publishing.com, LLC (formerly PublishingLife.com, LLC), its CEO Christian Mikkelsen and its CPO Rasmus Mikkelsen.
- Earnings claims: the FTC cites a promotional email from Christian Mikkelsen inviting people to “copy the EXACT system hundreds of my students use to make $1k to $3k a month in passive income”, and alleges such claims were misleading or unsubstantiated.
- Refunds: the FTC alleges an advertised “12 month simple refund guarantee (no questions asked)” came with conditions that were not made clear, including publishing a 25,000-word book or a two-hour audiobook, and, for the Accelerator, completing six months, six coaching calls and ten workshops.
- Reviews and testimonials: the FTC alleges free coaching was offered in exchange for 5-star Trustpilot reviews, that over 200 video testimonials included some from employees without disclosure until December 2024, and that a testimonial contest offered a $10,000 grand prize.
- The order: per the FTC, it requires the respondents to substantiate earnings claims, clearly disclose and honour refund terms, stop misrepresenting endorsements and disclose material connections with endorsers. The FTC case page lists matter 242 3055, docket C-4836.
Not enough third-party information to reach a full verdict
We looked for independent evidence and did not find enough to judge whether this product does what it says. Most of what is published about it comes from the vendor or from affiliates who earn a commission if you buy. Here is exactly what we checked and what was missing.
What we checked
- FTC press release, case page and final complaint (read in full)
- Trustpilot profile for publishing.com (2,381 reviews; recent reviews read)
- Three Reddit threads in r/Scams
- BBB: we did not find a profile to read for this review
What was missing
- The final order text itself (we read the complaint and press release, not the signed order)
- Any independent count of students who earn back the fee
- A BBB profile
Claims that need corroboration before a fair verdict is possible
- Students' own figures, such as the $13,000 CAD and $9,800 spends quoted below
- That refund requests were refused, as several users report
- That the business-services upsell is run by a relative of the founders, as one user says
If you have bought this product, we would like to hear what you received, what you paid in total and whether a refund was honoured. Contact us. We will update this page when better evidence exists.
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| AI Publishing Academy | typically $1,995 | FTC complaint |
| Publishing Accelerator | generally $9,800 | FTC complaint |
| Book production, ads, AI credits | extra; not fixed | Trustpilot and Reddit users |
What students report
About the allegations on this page. Statements from Reddit, Trustpilot or YouTube users are their own opinions or accounts. We quote or summarise them with a link and date; we have not verified them, and we do not present them as fact.
- Trustpilot: 4.4 from 2,381 reviews, but only 8 in the last 12 months. Recent reviews split sharply. A May 2026 reviewer who says they bought the Accelerator in 2023 for “$8,500+” describes changing program structures and slow support. A May 2026 reviewer says they bought a “$10,000 dollar program” and still owe $3,000 on financing. A January 2026 reviewer calls the lessons “structured and easy to follow” and praises the community; a December 2025 reviewer calls it “an awesome program”. Trustpilot's panel says the company has not invited customers recently, “so reviews may not be representative”. With so few reviews, the score tells you very little. Note that the FTC separately alleged that the company offered free coaching for 5-star Trustpilot reviews.
- r/Scams, March 2024: the poster accuses the founders of “false promises” and of “putting them $2k in debt”. A commenter (TopKiwi3992, May 2024) says: “I have given them $13,000 Canadian.”
- r/Scams, November 2024: a user asks about a relative planning to spend $7k. A commenter says they asked for a refund “several times and was told I could not get one since I hadn't followed the rules to a T”, and that their negative Facebook-group comments were removed.
- r/Scams, January 2025: a user who joined the Accelerator in June 2024 describes a condescending coach and upsells, including Publishing Services, which they say is “run by one of their wives”. This is one user's allegation and we have not verified it.
The seller's side
Many Trustpilot reviewers praise the lessons, coaches and community, and the company replies to a number of positive reviews. The FTC settlement does not include a finding that the company broke the law. Since April 2026 the company is bound by the order's requirements on earnings claims, refunds and endorsements. We will add the company's response if it sends one.
Our verdict
Caution. The most serious evidence is the FTC's own: allegations about earnings claims, refund conditions and review practices, settled for $1.5 million under a consent order. Student reports are split between real enthusiasm and complaints about refunds, upsells and support. If you consider it, ask for the full refund terms in writing before paying, ignore income examples, and budget for production and advertising on top.
What we like
- Structured self-publishing lessons, per many reviewers
- Active community and coaching, per positive reviews
- Now under an FTC order on claims and refunds
What to watch out for
- $1.5M FTC settlement over earnings, refund and review practices
- $1,995–$9,800 programs plus extras
- Refund conditions the FTC called unclear
- Recent student complaints about support and upsells
Corrections and right of reply. If you are Publishing.com, LLC or represent the seller, or you think anything here is wrong or out of date, email hello@active-learning-site.com with the page and a source. We will check it, correct the page if needed and publish a factual response from the seller.
Alternatives
- Amazon's own free KDP help pages and free YouTube tutorials cover the publishing mechanics.
- Cheaper structured courses: Udemy or Skillshare.
- More programs: creator course reviews.
Publishing.com FAQ
Did the FTC fine Publishing.com?
In April 2026 Publishing.com, LLC and founders Christian and Rasmus Mikkelsen agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle FTC allegations about earnings claims, refunds and reviews. It is a consent settlement, not a court ruling.
How much does Publishing.com cost?
The FTC complaint says the AI Publishing Academy typically cost $1,995 and the Publishing Accelerator generally $9,800.
Is the Publishing.com Trustpilot score reliable?
It shows 4.4 from 2,381 reviews, but only 8 in the last year, and the FTC alleged that the company offered free coaching for 5-star reviews.
Sources and last verified
Last verified: 31 October 2026. Official pages were read on that date. Third-party figures are attributed and dated where we cite them.
- FTC press release, 13 Apr 2026 — read via Apify 31 Oct 2026
- FTC case page, matter 242 3055 — read via Apify 31 Oct 2026
- FTC final complaint (PDF) — read via Apify 31 Oct 2026
- Trustpilot: Publishing.com — read via Apify 31 Oct 2026; 2,381 reviews
- Reddit r/Scams thread 1bkklb9 — read via Apify 31 Oct 2026; post and comments
- Reddit r/Scams thread 1gz5v0d — read via Apify 31 Oct 2026; post and comments
- Reddit r/Scams thread 1i6xj8p — read via Apify 31 Oct 2026; post and comments