Made For Success

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.

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

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

• Book publishing services
• Author marketing services
• Audiobook production
• Children's book publishing
• Non-fiction publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Issaquah

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Book Royalties: Authors receive 50% royalty rate on paperback and ebook sales, paid quarterly. This is significantly higher than industry standard royalties.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AudiblecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAudible 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

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/made-for-success-publishing

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 Made For Success