Nomad CEO, LLC AKA Carolyn A. LewisCharles M. Lewis American Greed Meets American Self-Publishing Greed - A New Author's First Book Nightmare Citrus Springs Florida

Nomad CEO, LLC , MGRMs Charles "Mike" Lewis and his wife, Carolyn A. Lewis were introduced to me by a LinkedIn associate, Michael Hellickson - CEO of Virtual Assistant on August 14th 2012 who initially sought my business for his services. I told him I wouldn't need virtual assistance until my 167page book was published. Mr. Hellickson, told me that he had published his book through Nomad CEO and would highly recommend them. He gave me their number.  Later, I found out not only did Mr. Hellickson LIE about being published by them it appeared that he was partner to rope others in to use his services in partnership with Nomad CEO.  My research will later find Mr. Hellickson lied about other things including that in fact, he started this new business after having his real estate license revoked in Washington amid a real estate shortsale scandal.  How would I know this?  He was a reputable business man - I thought?!

I followed up with an email a call and got Mike Lewis who spoke with me for 20 minutes about all the sizzle of what he could do for me and my book from editing, design, publishing, printing and marketing for $2500.  I've done my homework and to be on the safe side, I asked my business associate to speak with him too and between meetings they spoke briefly.  We felt confident that the things we spoke of including purchasing my own ISBN#s to a good book cover design.  Again, I reminded him I need to see our contract, deliverables and what the package entailed.  "No problem" he said in a confirmed email he'd have the informational package sent to me shortly. In the meantime, he requested repeatedly that I send over the book so he could assess and start right away.  Oh, his wife was on a business trip and she would be running everything.  He assured me that she would be updated with everything. 

No information package was sent. No other calls or updates. On September 21st, I received the first invoice $750 (We agreed on a four payments) from Carolyn Lewis and it's then that I sent an email for us to talk.  It was warm, but she was surprise "What informational package?" she replied lost in space (1st Red Flag).  Followed by some back peddling and the now very familiar "No problem - We'll take care of everything" phrases I grew to know.  Okay, I got her reassurances and paid my first of four installments. 

The first Editing draft returned October 8th (17 days later) and well it was now in a book template and I could see some work, but it went down hill after.  Each round had more mistakes than the prior round of edits and there seem to be longer delays between edits and my input.  Questions of book designs "We can't do that..." became the consistent response.  So, I did the book cover design and had to wait to finally get a reduction from the package prices ($125 reduction).  With the second installment it was clear that I wasn't getting all the things I was promised and I really started to feel more like I was working for them instead of me paying them to do the work.  I paid $500 instead of $750 and by the time Thanksgiving and Christmas came the book was becoming more of a burden.  I was feeling more and more dissatisfied and it didn't help that delays of meetings, vacations, cruises and emergencies peppered the work process.  Finally the holidays rolled in and the beginning of the year more emergencies, etc.

It was around February that things had come to a head.  I didn't have my last round until I paid the balance and I really didn't feel satisfied with the end product.  These were the experts yet my effort from book design, content, quote pages designs, research, my extended hours of editing and now, I'm finding out the the most important request for me to own and be the publisher wasn't even taken into consideration.  They decided to go with CreateSpace free unique ISBN# (even with the reassurances with my biz partner) was really the last straw.  I had gotten so tired and as a technical project manager, I now knew I was being snowed.  What could I do?  The book had to be done and they had half the money, I had to finish paying to see the end product - It was a lose-lose at this point.

I paid the balance and immediately as I scanned the file I knew I was duped.  The amount of energy I put into this book and to get this was ridiculous.  I decided to get outside analysis of the end product. They compared the first manuscript with the final one and came to the same conclusion.  Two third-party publishing professionals reviewd the book and "...the publishing comapny, (Nomad CEO) appeared to had only corrected minor edits from XXXXXX manuscript: Proofreading....had many errors, particularly in the misuse of capitals, commas and homonyms (words like too/to/two)....Indicating that the document has been spellchecked yet not read for clarity....."  Bottom line: Nomad CEO did not provide the services adequately as stated on the invoice.  Putting content into a template doesn't make it into a book.  The necessary guidance of what the target and readers needs entailed, etc. was not provided. 

To this I responded with an email to request that we discuss my dissatisfaction.  There response wasn't about working with me to come to a mutually acceptable resolve, but to basically tell me they did what they promised.  No discussion of returns of any of my funds were given to me as an option.  Nomad CEO pretty much crapped over my concerns and that was their business response to me.

They didn't use PayPal so I had to go through my credit card to open a dispute and when I entered the initial dispute they had the 45 days to respond.  They sure did.  They had responded with the defense that they had a "NO REFUND AFTER 30 DAYS" on editing services.  Remember my repeated requests for our verbal contract in writing.  Well, how convenient that they could only have it on their website.  The PROBLEM HERE was THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION ON THEIR OLD WEBSITE THAT I SAW.  You see they replaced the old website with a new website and added this Terms of Service.  They almost got away with it except I'm an IT professional so there are ways of accessing that old information and Wow! They DID NOT HAVE THOSE TERMS THEN.  THEY LIED and was getting away with it.  We went into Arbitration and I had to fight that too.  Well, I wasn't going to let them get away with this. 

Round 2 - "I am in full disagreement with the Nomad CEO response that they provided adequate quality of services.  Their only document was their invoice that stated: Full Service Editing, Formatting and Printing of Customers Book.  This was as vague as my hands in the dark?!  (Red Flag#7)My research for this round brought a few things to light: 1.  On their new website they had a PAYPAL CART AREA. Strange since they never used it with me. Further investigation found that they IN FACT DID NOT HAVE AN PAYPAL BUSINESS ACCOUNT.  Why then a PayPal Area?  Infringement of PayPal Copyrights for one. Fraud and deceit another. 

In conclusion, BUYER BEWARE: Fortunately for me, my persistence, honesty and willingness to fight for what is right and fair paid off.  My last round of Arbitration with the credit company saw it my way too and I WON MY CASE against NOMAD CEO and their MGRMs Carolyn A. Lewis and Charles M. Lewis.  Unfortunately, due to the expiration of time (4 months) my earlier payments couldn't be returned.  I do know they didn't deserve that money, but clearly they will pay in other ways.  As for Michael Hellickson, after scheduling to talk with him about his referral and my dissatisfaction in February, 2013 he conveniently UNLINKED ME@ LinkedIn.  That behavior told me volumes and then my research confirmed his crap too.  Read more httip://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2015045497_hellickson14.htm

I felt that these people took such efforts to undermine, steal and BS others by earning trust they didn't deserve.  I've had so many challenges, sweat and tears  to come up with that funds to fulfill my dreams of being an author.  Their callousness and greed virtually tore it away, but good always triumphs and I'm here to say "I will not be moved by this crap or any other."  I hope this effort will help others avoid these kinds of pitfalls of friendly, clean frauds.  I've been in business for over 9 years and good business is still the best business to have.  I'm proud of my online and offline standing and don't become a victim of people like this.  Be knowledgeable and research others before exchanging.  Get things in writing and know your rights and time limitations so you are covered.  In any case, forge forward and take a stand against these types of activities and help others to do the same.  Good luck everybody!