Information about the AV Akademikerverlag

Important information about the AV Akademikerverlag

Graduates are repeatedly asked by the AV Akademikerverlag (formerly the VDM Verlag) whether they want to have their theses published.

The publication is free and this is naturally very tempting. However, we urge you to exercise caution here as the publishing house has a rather dubious reputation!

Here is some more detailed information about this:

Article about the Omni Scriptum Publishing Group on Wikipedia (publishing group)

Undoubtedly, there are also high-quality essays in the AV Akademikerverlag’s portfolio. However, the following articles demonstrate very clearly what problems can be connected with publication by this publishing house:

"Fette Fehler" article from the Uni Spiegel (2/2015)

"Die akademische Müllhalde" article from the Zeit Online (November 2012)

Warning about the publishing house by Mimikama (2019)

In summary, it can be said that the publishing house operates under the motto of “Quantity over Quality” and the essays are published just as the author sends them – without any sort of checks. Experience reports (to be found on countless Internet forums, including here: Doktorandenforum.de) highlights that the authors only receive remuneration on the rarest of occasions, as the publishing house stipulates a monthly minimum turnover. Furthermore, it should be considered that you relinquish the exclusive rights (distribution and duplication of the essay) to the publishing house for several years.

Here is the link to the website of the AV Akademikerverlag