Supporters who financially backed books under the crowdfunding publisher Unbound may not receive refunds following the company’s entry into administration on March 10. The new publishing entity, Boundless IP, established by Unbound co-founder John Mitchinson and CEO Archna Sharma, has committed to advancing most of the existing projects but confirmed that some will not proceed.

Background on Unbound’s Financial Troubles

The decision to enter administration came amid reports of “financial uncertainty,” which began surfacing in January. This turmoil led to delays in payments for authors and freelance contributors, raising concerns about the stability of the publisher. The administrators appointed to oversee the situation are Allister Manson and Charles Hamilton Turner from Opus Restructuring LLP.

Boundless IP’s Commitment

According to a joint statement by Sharma and Mitchinson, Boundless is set to publish 36 new titles and 11 paperback editions in 2025, followed by 34 new books and nine paperbacks in 2026. Importantly, Boundless will not engage in crowdfunding but will instead initiate innovative pre-order campaigns starting in May 2025.

While the new publisher plans to pay all outstanding debts to authors and freelance contributors, some projects initiated under Unbound have been canceled, leaving supporters questioning the status of their pledged contributions.

Confusion Over Refund Policies

Many authors reported initially believing that supporters would be eligible for refunds on their contributions if certain projects were canceled. Unbound’s prior refund policy, which indicated that requests could be made for refunds or credits for future purchases within a two-year span, has now reportedly been overturned.

As the administrators handle the finances, pledgers may be treated as creditors, likely placing them at the bottom of the list for repayments. Conflicted authors have shared their frustrations as they navigate this uncertain landscape, receiving mixed messages regarding the fate of their backers’ money.

Individual Author Experiences

Mat Pringle, an artist and author, had been crowdfunding a book titled Singing Up the Sun until he became aware of payment issues faced by other writers. Concerned for his backers, he chose to withdraw from his project, believing his supporters would receive refunds. He is now seeking an alternative publishing opportunity, expressing doubts about asking his contributors to invest again.

Another author, who wished to remain anonymous, discovered his project was canceled when communicating with Sharma. Despite reaching out for clarification on refunds, he received the distressing news that backers would not be reimbursed, leaving him to manage the fallout from frustrated supporters.

Challenges in Communication

Numerous authors have described the process of seeking clarity on their projects as challenging. The overwhelming and complicated nature of the administration documents has added to their distress. One author recounted receiving a lengthy 26-page letter, suggesting that legal assistance might be necessary to comprehend its contents.

Ultimately, these authors face a dual challenge: communicating with disappointed supporters and grappling with the unsettling uncertainty surrounding their creative endeavors. The prospect of requesting financial contributions anew after initial pledges complicates the path forward for many.

Publisher’s Response

Despite repeated inquiries from The Bookseller regarding the treatment of crowdfunding backers, the management of Boundless has only reiterated their commitment to pay all authors and contributors owed by Unbound. They emphasized that future plans for crowdfunded titles depend on the decisions of the administrators, who are expected to provide an initial report to creditors by mid-May.

In the statements released, Sharma and Mitchinson noted the importance of maintaining confidentiality during the administrative process, labeling any public dissection of Unbound’s failures inappropriate while investigations are ongoing.