Terrible, messy and misleading service.I genuinely can't understand how Apple chose them as one of their two main providers for Digital Narration distribution, with Draft2Digital as the other option for self-publishers. I’ve used both services, and if I compare Draft2Digital with PublishDrive, the difference is night and day—PublishDrive is miles behind.As soon as you submit your self-published book, you receive this message:Please send us documentation showing that you have the rights to publish this book.You can upload the document under the Files section of your book, then resubmit it. You can read more about accepted documents here.Fine. So you go to check the list of accepted documents in the provided link, which include:- A letter from your previous publisher confirming the reversion of rights back to you.- A signed agreement between you and the author of the book.- A signed letter from the previous publisher indicating they do not object to your edition.- Documentation proving the previous publisher only held nonexclusive rights.- Proof of your ownership of distribution rights and eligibility to collect royalties.- A contract with a ghostwriter from a reputable company or a verifiable freelancer.- An official copyright certificate from the relevant authorities in your country.How are you supposed to have any of these if you're self-publishing your own book?Now, here’s the twist: the only type of proof you might reasonably have as a self-publisher—such as a screenshot of your book being published on another platform—is not accepted:- Screenshots displaying successful publication on other self-publishing platforms.To make matters worse, they suggest at the bottom of the page that you contact them via the previously provided link.But whether or not you have an account, you’ll soon discover that you need a paid plan to actually get email support. If you try to contact them, you’ll receive this reply:Thank you for reaching out to PublishDrive.Your current plan doesn't include email support. Please note this service is available for Starter plans and above. If you're using a different email, contact us from that address so our system can identify you correctly.And if you don’t have a paid plan? They suggest using their chatbot. Great, right?Wrong.The chatbot can't answer legal questions like the ones related to copyright documentation, and it ends up telling you to use the same "Contact Us" form—where you’re not allowed to submit anything unless you're on a paid plan. So you end up stuck in a loop of death.I even submitted official registration with local authorities—the same place that provided the ISBN. It still got rejected. So even if you follow every step using their own suggested services, it leads to nothing.There are also no videos or clear guidance about this on their YouTube channel. You're completely on your own.So here's the real question:What would happen if someone needed to report an issue under the "Report Alleged Copyright Infringement (DMCA)" section?Would they be blocked unless they pay too?If Apple is reading this, I sincerely urge you to reconsider this company as one of your Digital Narration providers. I had never even heard of them until I faced this experience. Based on it, they’re not operating with user-friendly or logical standards like yours.And here's what I personally believe:This setup isn't just inefficient—it’s intentional.It’s a strategy to force users to upgrade to a paid account, because otherwise, there’s literally no path forward. You’re stuck in a dead-end process, being asked for documents that they know most self-publishers won’t have. If that weren’t the case, then why is the only proof many could realistically provide—like a screenshot of their book live elsewhere—not accepted?They could easily allow users to submit a short YouTube video proving ownership of their account and content. But no—that’s not even on the table.Logically, the copyright/documentation contact form should be separate from general support, and the normal contact form should be inside your account—not hidden behind an external link and paywall. But that’s not the case.The intention is clear:The free account doesn’t actually exist.If you don’t pay, you’re stuck in a system designed to wear you down with impossible requests, circular logic, and zero human contact—until you either give up or pay.So... if you’re considering Apple’s Digital Narration providers, don’t consider PublishDrive.Save yourself the headache.If you’re a self-publisher, choose another aggregator—you will never face this kind of nonsense.Good luck with your curious business model.Note:Removed before as promotional.
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