Troubador Publishing Reviews 

The Troubador / Matador team is very responsive, highly flexible, and goes beyond the call of duty to make things happen (books printed and delivered on very short notice? Can do!)

A joy for any author to work with

From 2018 to just recently, Troubador has always been there for me every time I've needed expert help.
I'm the SAS author, Lorna Almonds-Windmill. Five years ago, I had two books already out with different publishers - but no experience of self-publishing. Troubador helped me to publish a Sequel to one of my books. It was published first as an E-book in 2018 and then as a large paperback in 2020. I was amazed at the range of specialist advice on offer and the good relationships I was able to develop with different Troubador departments. I couldn't have done it without them. Apart from the book itself, I took advantage of social media support and even a video 'trailer' before the launch. Recently, I've used Troubador to promote a couple of my talks on Facebook. Self-publishing works but you do need a (very good) publisher!

I found everyone at Troubador to be pleasant, friendly, helpful and efficient, as well as being excellent communicators. The scale of charges was transparent and I was never pressured to go for services beyond my budget or inappropriate to my needs. I was particularly inpressed by the meticulous copy editing and proof reading, also the quality of the cover design.

The hybrid publishing option offered by Troubador is an ideal compromise between traditional publishing and self-publishing. Their flexible options enable you to pick and choose from an extensive range of services. You only need pay for assistance in the areas you want it. All the staff are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. Guidance notes on all aspects of the journey provide helpful insight. The process from start to finish runs like a well-oiled machine. I recommend Troubador to anyone considering this model for publishing their book.

I searched for publishers, trawling the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook for possibilities. In every case I received a polite rejection 'sorry, we are not taking any new authors on at this time'. Rightly or wrongly, I believed my book will sell, so decided to self publish. Who to choose was the next step. My wife, who has written several books, recommended I look at Troubador Publishing. Troubador appeared to offer a comprehensive service so this is who I went with.

As a first time author, I had plenty of questions which the staff at Troubador answered promptly and comprehensively by email or by phone. I also appreciated the honest quality of the advice given which on several occasions meant that I was advised not to opt for services offered by Troubador. I was impressed by the way they organise the publishing process which allows writers to fine-tune their script at each stage while completing the process in a timely manner.

I can highly recommend Troubador as your publisher.

Noises After Dark by John Tomlinson is an autobiographical account of the author’s work as a medic for Save the Children in Somalia during 1980s. He describes the successes, the trials and tribulations as well as the dangers of his work building up, staffing and running a hospital in an isolated area of the country. The narrative is set against a backdrop of corruption and a burgeoning civil war with which he and his colleagues have perilous first hand experience. In spite of all the dangers, frustrations and difficulties, John’s account maintains an optimistic and sometimes humorous can-do attitude. From his experiences he describes how he gained a new perspective on life and new insights into the human condition. I found Noises After Dark to be a well written, personal and thought-provoking book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.

Troubador are a joy to work with. Positive and professional from the moment you make contact to the glorious moment where your dream has turned into a reality and you are holding a copy of your book. In this case "You Couldn't Make it Up - Our adventures in small town Provence"
I will certainly be using them again. If you have a script that is just sitting there gathering dust as you attempt to find an agent who will respond, why waste any more time - give Troubador a call.

A rank outsider, when it came to writing, I never expected to see my manuscript become a book. On the advice of a friend ,I half-heartedly sent it off to the Literary Consultancy where it was picked up by a highly professional, enthusiastic editor, who nurtured it chapter by chapter through to a final draft. Suggesting Matador for the publication was a matter of course. For someone with no experience of the publishing world, I found them helpful, polite and instantly accessible. I was impressed with the way, Sam, quickly stepped in to make up lost time owing to the non arrival of an important email. Each step of the way, payments for the process were quickly acknowledged.
Developing the cover was particularly spectacular- the ideas spun back and forth quickly until I felt the cover mirrored the contents perfectly. "Agnes's Broken Dreams" by me, Judy King was on the way to be printed, the day before the office was about to close for Christmas. By mid-January 2023, the finished book arrived at Matador's office and I held the first copy in my hand at my home in Mallorca early February, well ahead of the official publication date of the 28th March 2023.

The quality of the finished books first led me to use Troubador and I was not disappointed when they published my first book. However it was the individual step by step support, so essential at this stage of vulnerability that bought me back to use them again. Their interest and care coupled by professionalism is unique and I will happily be returning.

I must admit that I was rather sceptical and snobbish at the thought of self-publishing, having seen some error-filled and dire examples of self-published books. However, when I received a book of poetry as a gift, I was struck by how beautifully produced and illustrated it was. The publisher was Matador (an imprint of Troubador) and before contacting them, I checked up on the competition in the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook. Unfailingly, the Troubador team garnered praise for professionalism, helpfulness and joining in with the creative impulse.
This has been my own experience; I always felt we were a partnership and working in tandem. I never felt pressurised or rushed. Indeed, I would counsel patience and taking one's time. Producing a book is a very labour-intensive endeavour.
From the very outset, the financial outlays were made very clear. I call writing my 'very expensive hobby.' Although the first book sold out after a print-run of 800 copies, I had incurred expenses by insisting on a certain number of hardbacks and including 8 pages of photographs. A word of warning - no need to go overboard. Nevertheless, the end result was stunning and all the reviews were glowing. For me, it has been an achievement that I feel proud of: a thing of beauty.
I definitely would suggest using the proof-reading and the copy-edit options. It is frightening how many tiny details just slip under the radar. I did use the marketing option on my first book (published during the pandemic), however word of mouth proved to be the most successful marketing tool.
I have just published my second book with Troubador. In some ways it has been an easier experience because I had worked with some of the staff before and was more aware of the whole process from inception to fruition. I am now more adept at what I require in terms of marketing. In any case, the books made brilliant birthday and Christmas presents!
One thing I have really enjoyed is being in control; the books are exactly the way I wanted them to be! (I now fear I am becoming a control freak!) This time it's in paperback only (1000 copies) and no photos.
I'm looking forward with trepidation and excitement to my second book landing in my lap in a few weeks time.
Basia Gordon
Memoir 1: From the River to the Sea: Aquitaine, A Place for Me
Memoir 2: Smithereens: Aquitaine, Scotland and Other Meanderings.

It's not for nothing that these guys are widely regarded as the best in the business. At every stage in the production process their professionalism is matched by their assiduity. There are traps aplenty elsewhere in the scary business of getting books into print. But with Troubador you're in safe hands throughout. They're a no-nonsense outfit, and what they promise they do deliver – with style and grace.

Plain and simple, this company cares about its writers. I have had experiences with 'normal' publishers in Ireland and the UK, with self-publishing companies in Canada and Germany and Ireland. No one tops Troubador. They are always on your side and are totally professional.

I started my journey as an Author in the autumn of 2021. From the first day I contacted Troubador Publishing I was treated with respect and ALL staff were enthusiastic about my stories. They really helped me to get the best from my books, whether it was how they were set out to the final front cover and print.
As a new Author who has had no experience in the literary world, I felt the need to ask lots of questions and needed guidance with each step of the publishing process. Any queries I had were answered timely and I soon felt part of the 'Troubador family'
I still have an excellent rapport with the staff who deal with my books. They feel like a team I can share my love of writing with and they as always enthusiastic about any new books I send to them for review.
I have had 2 books published now and can't wait to contact the team regarding book three. I know they will be equally as attentive and helpful as with the two previous books.
Thanks Team.

I have only praise for the team at Troubador. I appreciated the transparency of their business model and unfailing professionalism. When I needed guidance, a Troubador team member was available to provide it. When I knew what I wanted, the same team aligned to help me bring that vision to life. Today, one year after the launch of EARL, HONEY, I can say without reservation that I would happily work with them again.

D.S. Getson
Earl, Honey

As an avid consumer of crime fiction I have followed several authors including on the Matador label , so when I retired in order to write full time I checked them out.
Everyone has been supportive , and I have learned about a whole new industry for me. The copy editing and proof reading are worth every penny in getting a quality product to market as well as saving valuable time.
The fact that my third title is coming out this year says it all.

Head & Shoulders above the Competition

Caveat emptor. There is no shortage of indie publishers hovering out there on the marketplace with deceptively enticing and invariably costly promises. How refreshing then to find a publisher prioritising honesty in all its client dealings.

As one of Troubador's longstanding foreign customers, I have nothing but praise for the seriousness of this enterprise's team work. How right I was to have taken notice of a warm BBC review in favour of this flourishing Leicester-based firm.
Not that, in choosing Troubador, I ever thought to snatch the laurels from the brows of the likes of Salman Rushdie (long may he continue to amaze us), Umberto Eco or J.M. Coetzee. No, I was happy enough to hold in my hands the expertly crafted copies of my first illustrated publication given substance and life by Jeremy Thompson's dedicated team. And so it has continued ...

Martin G. Thiebaut (aka Graham Fulbright)

'Snowcub'

I really like working with the Troubador team. I have published four children's books with them, including translations. They are always helpful and the final product is really something you can be proud of. I am looking forward to publishing my next book with them.

I have published 6 books with Troubador, and they are working on the 7th now. Throughout the experience I have valued their professionalism, coupled with the effort they make to keep me in the loopm and to respond to me at every stage of the process. I really like the quality of the books that are produced.

As the author of two novels published through Troubador, I have nothing but praise for this company. From my very first contact the team have been super-efficient, dealing with my various queries with endless patience and goodwill. I chose to have e-book and paperback editions and appreciated being talked through the various options without any sense of being pressurised.
I have had an agent but the experience was not a happy one.
One of the other bonuses with Troubador is the speed with which books can be produced – in a matter of months compared with the couple of years the more conventional route can take.
Nothing beats the pleasure of holding a finished book in one’s hand. Thanks to Troubador I have two beautifully produced novels with brilliantly designed covers.
I have recommended the company to my writing friends as the provider of a thoroughly reliable and professional service and one that is a pleasure to work with.
I would have no hesitation in choosing Troubador again in the future.

It was great working with Troubador from beginning to end. They were very professional throughout, and the end result was superb and indistinguishable from a book published by a mainstream publisher. Knowing that I retained the rights to the book was a real positive, and it was good to be able to tailor what they offered to my particular needs. Publishing with Troubador enables books to be sold through normal channels, but also to be sold by the author. Great service, and I'm just about to go into print with my fourth book with them. I'd recommend them to anyone who wants to go down the self-publishing route, and who is confident of being able to generate sales themselves.