WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

What WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group does

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group is a Christian publishing imprint operating as a subsidiary division of Penguin Random House, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 1996, the group publishes faith-based books across fiction, non-fiction, spiritual growth, biblical studies, and Christian living genres, serving individual readers, churches, small groups, and faith-based organizations. The publishing group operates two sub-brands: WaterBrook & Multnomah, which spans the broader Christian publishing market, and Ink & Willow, a sub-imprint focused on thoughtful, reflective, and literary Christian content.

The group's revenue model is centered on traditional book publishing economics: acquiring manuscripts, producing titles across hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats, and distributing through Penguin Random House's wholesale network to retail bookstores and major online retailers, supplemented by direct-to-consumer sales through its own e-commerce storefront and the parent company's website. Its primary marketing channel is a website newsletter subscription funnel that captures reader interest and drives traffic to retail and Penguin Random House product pages. The imprint does not publish pricing publicly; book retail prices are set by the publisher in coordination with distribution partners and vary by format and retailer.

Notable commercial proof points include "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer, which has sold over 1 million copies, and the launch of a new title, "Release, Rest, Remain" by Yvette Henry. The company is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, indicating approximately three decades of continuous publishing operations. As a subsidiary imprint of Penguin Random House rather than a standalone enterprise, the group does not disclose independent financial metrics, leadership details, or technology stack information in publicly available sources.

Name

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Website

https://waterbrookmultnomah.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group is a Christian publishing imprint under Penguin Random House, publishing faith-based fiction and non-fiction books for readers, churches, and small groups. It operates the WaterBrook & Multnomah and Ink & Willow sub-brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Nonfiction & Theology Publishing (Apologetics, Doctrine, Ethics) (MPAJAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB), Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons) (MPAJAHAL)

Keywords

• Christian book publishing
• Faith-based literature
• Religious publishing
• Trade book publishing
• Spiritual growth books

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group is a Christian publishing imprint under Penguin Random House that publishes faith-based books across fiction, non-fiction, spiritual growth, biblical studies, and Christian living genres. The group operates two imprints—WaterBrook & Multnomah and Ink & Willow—producing titles distributed through the parent company's wholesale network, major online retailers, and the company's own website.

Product overview

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group is a Christian publishing division of Penguin Random House operating as a unified publishing house with multiple imprints. The group encompasses WaterBrook & Multnomah and Ink & Willow imprints, each serving different segments of the Christian publishing market with books spanning fiction, non-fiction, spiritual growth, and literary titles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ink & Willow: A Christian publishing imprint under WaterBrook & Multnomah focused on faith-based literature and resources.

Products and services

• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Paraclete Press: Independent ecumenical publisher focused on contemplative, liturgical, and spiritual formation titles. A smaller-scale competitor whose spiritual growth and devotional categories intersect directly with WaterBrook & Multnomah's growing edge, particularly around Ink & Willow's reflective focus.

Direct peers

• B&H Publishing Group: Publishing arm of LifeWay Christian Resources, B&H produces academic, reference, and trade Christian titles across fiction and non-fiction, competing with WaterBrook & Multnomah for evangelical readers and church-curriculum budgets.
• Tyndale House Publishers: Major independent Christian publisher known for the 'New Living Translation' Bible and inspirational titles like the 'Left Behind' series. Tyndale competes head-to-head with WaterBrook & Multnomah in general Christian trade publishing.
• Zondervan: HarperCollins-owned Christian publishing imprint with deep Bible, theology, and ministry list. Zondervan is a direct competitor in biblical studies resources and Christian non-fiction, with similar distribution into evangelical retail channels.
• InterVarsity Press (IVP): Publisher of Christian academic, Bible study, and spiritual formation titles including the widely used 'IVP Bible Study Series.' Directly comparable in biblical studies and Christian living categories, with similar distribution into Christian bookstores.
• Thomas Nelson: One of the largest Christian publishing imprints in the US, now part of HarperCollins. Thomas Nelson competes directly with WaterBrook & Multnomah in Bibles, Christian living, and inspirational non-fiction, serving the same bookstore and online retail channels.
• Howard Books: Christian fiction and non-fiction imprint of Simon & Schuster, focused on inspirational and faith-based titles. Comparable business model and target audience to WaterBrook & Multnomah, accessed through a competing major-trade-publisher channel.
• Harvest House Publishers: Independent Christian publisher producing trade books, Bible studies, and Christian living titles. Comparable in scale and focus to WaterBrook & Multnomah, with overlapping author and reader profiles.
• Abingdon Press: United Methodist-affiliated imprint publishing Christian living, Bible study, and ministry resources. Overlaps with WaterBrook & Multnomah's Christian living and biblical studies categories, though distribution leans more toward church and curriculum channels.
• Bethany House Publishers: Imprint of Baker Publishing Group specializing in Christian fiction — particularly historical, romance, and suspense — which overlaps directly with WaterBrook & Multnomah's fiction catalog.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WaterBrookPress
• Facebookfacebook.com/WaterBrookMultnomah

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group