Made For Success
Made for Success is a Seattle-based book publishing company founded in 2005 that provides end-to-end writing, editing, production, audiobook, and marketing services for individual authors, speakers, consultants, and entrepreneurs seeking to publish and promote non-fiction and children's books.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersIssaquah, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Made For Success does
Made for Success is a Seattle-based, privately held book publishing company founded in 2005 by Bryan Heathman and NYT bestselling author Chris Widener. The company provides end-to-end publishing services spanning writing coaching, manuscript editing, design, production, distribution, audiobook production, and book marketing, targeting ambitious authors including business owners, thought leaders, professional speakers, consultants, coaches, memoir writers, and children's book authors.
Its core product portfolio includes the flagship Book Publishing Program, the Made for Kids children's book imprint (launched 2024), the Paperback Pro Publishing Package (launched January 2026) bundling print, eBook, and AI-narrated audiobook, the Audiobook Recording Program with worldwide distribution via Audible, and premium writing experiences such as the Biographer System ($75,000) and Draft a Book Experience ($25,000). The proprietary Hero's Journey Writing System structures manuscript development within 90 days and underpins the company's writing methodology.
The business model blends one-time publishing packages ($12,500-$75,000), recurring monthly subscriptions (Writing Coach $947/month, Paperback Pro $647/month for 12 months, Amazon Ads Management $250/month), and revenue participation through a 50% author royalty rate that exceeds industry standard. Go-to-market is sales-led with scheduled consultation calls and application submissions, supplemented by event-driven acquisition through writing retreats in Seattle and Honolulu. The company claims hundreds of books launched and thousands of audiobooks produced since 2005, with global distribution through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, libraries, Audible, and international retailers.
Made For Success firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Made For Success
- Legal name
- Made for Success Publishing
- Website
- https://madeforsuccess.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Made for Success is a Seattle-based book publishing company founded in 2005 that provides end-to-end writing, editing, production, audiobook, and marketing services for individual authors, speakers, consultants, and entrepreneurs seeking to publish and promote non-fiction and children's books.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Made For Success industry classification
Industry- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130), Books Printing (323117), Record Production and Distribution (51225)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Book Printing (2732), Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Manuscript Development Services (Coaching, Developmental Editing) (MPAJAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Audiobook Self-Publishing & Production Services (Narration, Studio, ACX-style) (MPAJAJAJ), Children’s Activity & Workbook Publishing (MPAJAFAG)
Keywords
Where Made For Success is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Issaquah
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Made For Success business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- Publishing Services: One-time fees for comprehensive publishing packages including editing, design, layout, ISBN, distribution across print and digital formats. Services include children's book publishing, memoir writing programs, and standard book publishing.
- Marketing Services: Subscription-based marketing services including Amazon Ads Management ($250/month), social media asset creation, Amazon KDP optimization, and promotional campaigns. Also includes one-time services like book award submissions and website design.
- Book Royalties: Authors receive 50% royalty rate on paperback and ebook sales, paid quarterly. This is significantly higher than industry standard royalties.
- Audiobook Program: Turnkey audiobook narration with worldwide distribution. Authors retain copyright with non-exclusive 5-year term. Enhanced royalties from Audible at 50% rate.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Children's Book Publishing Package |
| Subscription | Monthly | Writing Coach Program |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | The Biographer System |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Draft a Book Experience |
| Subscription | Monthly | Amazon Ads Management Service |
| Subscription | Annual | Paperback Pro Publishing Package |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Made For Success product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Made For Success is a Seattle-based publishing company that provides end-to-end book publishing services for authors, including writing coaching, manuscript editing, cover design, print and digital publishing, audiobook production, and marketing services. The company targets ambitious authors, business owners, thought leaders, and professional speakers seeking to publish bestselling books through package-based programs supplemented by recurring marketing subscriptions.
Product overview
Made For Success is a Seattle-based book publishing company offering a comprehensive suite of publishing services for authors. The core offering includes the Book Publishing Program for general adult non-fiction, with specialized imprints for children's books (Made for Kids) and a flagship Paperback Pro Publishing Package combining print and digital formats. The product portfolio spans the full author journey: writing support services (Writing Coach at $947/month, Draft a Book Experience at $25,000, and The Biographer System at $75,000), manuscript editing services (Copy Edit, Developmental Edit, Content Edit), audiobook production and distribution via the Audiobook Recording Program, and extensive book marketing services including Amazon Ads Management ($250/month), social media asset creation, podcast booking ($6,000), hotel placement programs ($7,500), and book award submissions. Authors can also purchase individual marketing add-ons like the 100 eBook Unit Sales package ($1,250) and Chirp audiobook promotions ($1,000).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Made for Kids: Children's book publishing program offering comprehensive publishing services for children's books including editing, illustration, design, printing, distribution, and marketing with a focus on touching the hearts and minds of young readers worldwide
- Made for Grace
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% royalty rate for authors (significantly higher than industry standard)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Made For Success
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Made For Success technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature3 records
Made For Success partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- AudiblecoreAudible is the primary audiobook distribution platform. Made for Success offers enhanced royalties from Audible with 50% royalty rate for authors.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Made For Success competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BookBaby: Hybrid self-publishing services company offering editing, design, print, ebook distribution, and marketing services for independent authors — directly comparable service stack and target author customer to Made for Success.
- Lulu Press: Self-publishing platform providing print-on-demand, ebook distribution, and publishing services to indie authors — comparable service offering across the Made for Success core publishing stack.
- Outskirts Press: Hybrid self-publisher offering publishing packages, editing, design, and marketing services to independent authors across non-fiction and fiction — comparable service tier and price points to Made for Success packages.
- Balboa Press: Hybrid publishing imprint (Hay House) focused on personal development, spiritual, and self-help authors with editorial and marketing support — closely overlapping target author and service scope with Made for Success.
- AuthorHouse: Long-established self-publishing services provider offering editing, design, print, distribution, and marketing to indie authors across multiple genres — directly comparable business model and author customer base.
- Archway Publishing: Simon & Schuster's hybrid publishing imprint offering full-service editing, design, distribution, and marketing for independent authors — direct competitor in the author-services publishing space.
- Findaway Voices: Audiobook production and distribution platform offering narration services and royalty splits to authors and publishers — directly comparable to Made for Success's Audiobook Recording Program in service and customer.
- Greenleaf Book Group: Hybrid publisher specializing in business, self-help, and personal development authors with full-service publishing and marketing packages — closely aligned target segments and service offering to Made for Success.
Emerging players
- Book Launchers: Done-for-you book publishing and marketing services targeting nonfiction authors and entrepreneurs — comparable full-service value proposition and target author persona to Made for Success.
- Authority Publishing: Boutique author-services firm helping business owners and thought leaders publish books to build authority and drive business — overlapping target customer (speakers, coaches, entrepreneurs) and end-to-end service model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Made For Success social profiles
Digital presenceMade For Success financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Made For Success leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Made For Success funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Made For Success 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 Made For Success
What does Made For Success do?
Made For Success is a Seattle-based publishing company that provides end-to-end book publishing services for authors, including writing coaching, manuscript editing, cover design, print and digital publishing, audiobook production, and marketing services. The company targets ambitious authors, business owners, thought leaders, and professional speakers seeking to publish bestselling books through package-based programs supplemented by recurring marketing subscriptions.
Is Made For Success a public or private company?
Made For Success is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was Made For Success founded?
Made For Success was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Made For Success based?
Made For Success is headquartered in Issaquah, United States, in the North America region.
How does Made For Success make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Publishing Services are the primary driver. The others are marketing Services, book Royalties and audiobook Program.
Who are Made For Success's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BookBaby, Lulu Press, Outskirts Press, Balboa Press, AuthorHouse, Archway Publishing, Findaway Voices and Greenleaf Book Group. Emerging players are Book Launchers and Authority Publishing.
Does Made For Success have an API?
No public API is recorded for Made For Success.
What industry is Made For Success in?
Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAJAF, Manuscript Development Services (Coaching, Developmental Editing), with a secondary code of MPAJAJAJ, Audiobook Self-Publishing & Production Services (Narration, Studio, ACX-style). Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.