Worms are hard to keep alive

Well worm composting is really hard. They say newspaper is good for bedding but for me it just won't work. Most my worms have died and much of the food started roting. I was really good about not giving them to much but they did not seem to eat it. The only thing they really liked was the coffee grounds. they did make some babies but i never saw any worm castings (Poo). I set the rest free in the back yard. I hope some of them live. If i try again i might get the worm bedding that they sell with the worms or maybe a small layer of dirt. As with plants i can't seem to keep them alive. So far the biggest thing i can keep alive is a guinea pig. :( Oh well.