WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersColorado Springs, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
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.
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group firmographics
Firmographics- 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
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group industry classification
Industry- 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
Where WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Colorado Springs
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels1 record
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles2 records
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging 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
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group social profiles
Digital presenceWaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
What does WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group do?
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.
Is WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group a public or private company?
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group founded?
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group based?
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group is headquartered in Colorado Springs, United States, in the North America region.
Who are WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group's main competitors?
Paraclete Press is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are B&H Publishing Group, Tyndale House Publishers, Zondervan, InterVarsity Press (IVP), Thomas Nelson, Howard Books, Harvest House Publishers, Abingdon Press and Bethany House Publishers.
Does WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
What industry is WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in?
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group's product category is Christian Book Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAHAG, Religious Nonfiction & Theology Publishing (Apologetics, Doctrine, Ethics), with a secondary code of MPAJAHAB, Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides). Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.