SO
MLW Certified 2026

Sourcebooks

Publishing books that change lives through innovation and entrepreneurial spirit

Media/Publishing
Founded 1987
Naperville, Illinois, United States
329
Profile last updated: July 2026

About Sourcebooks

Media/PublishingFounded 1987

Sourcebooks is the seventh largest book publisher in the U.S. We publish bestselling books in all categories including children’s, romance, mystery, literary fiction, thrillers, fantasy, young adult, cookbooks, journals, and more. We’re a mission-driven organization that changes lives through books, using an entrepreneurial business model to invest in employee growth and innovation. Our commitment to our authors, booksellers, employees, and industry partners leads to industry-defying book sales year over year, creating lasting impact.

Quick Facts

  • IndustryMedia/Publishing
  • Founded1987
  • HeadquartersNaperville, Illinois, United States
  • Certifications2

What Sets Us Apart

Mission-Driven Impact

We change lives through books with a purpose-driven culture that empowers employees to make meaningful contributions to authors, readers, and communities.

Investment in Employee Growth

Sourcebooks prioritizes continuous learning and professional development, fostering an entrepreneurial environment where innovation and career advancement thrive.

Industry-Leading Results

Our collaborative team culture drives year-over-year success and bestselling books across all genres, proving that employee engagement directly fuels business excellence.

Our Culture

The lived experience at Sourcebooks

Fearless Innovation

Employees are empowered to challenge publishing conventions and propose breakthrough ideas. Calculated risk-taking is celebrated, and new approaches are tested without fear of failure holding back progress.

Genuine Partnership Mentality

Daily interactions are built on treating colleagues, partners, and authors as true partners rather than vendors or reports. Shared ownership of challenges and opportunities creates a collaborative, problem-solving environment.

Mission-Centered Work

Every project and initiative connects back to the core mission of changing lives through books. This shared purpose creates meaning in daily work and aligns teams around what truly matters.

Authentic Book Passion

A genuine love of literature, authors, and readers permeates the workplace culture. Colleagues engage with each other through shared enthusiasm for stories and their power to transform lives.

Continuous Growth Opportunity

The entrepreneurial environment creates constant learning opportunities. Employees see their career advancement tied directly to Sourcebooks's growth and their own contributions to pushing industry boundaries.

Our Culture DNA

The core values that drive Sourcebooks

entrepreneurialinnovativepartnershipmission-drivenboldindependentpassionatetransformativecollaborativeaccountablegrowth-orientedreader-centricdisruptiveempowered

Frequently Asked Questions about Sourcebooks

Common questions about working at Sourcebooks, their culture, and benefits.

Sourcebooks publishes across all major categories including children's literature, romance, mystery, literary fiction, thrillers, fantasy, young adult, cookbooks, journals, and more. We pride ourselves on publishing bestselling books that defy category boundaries and industry odds.

Sourcebooks operates on a partnership mentality with authors, viewing their struggles and opportunities as our own. We invest heavily in author success through innovative marketing approaches, data-driven strategies, and a commitment to amplifying author voices in the marketplace.

As an independent publisher, Sourcebooks maintains control over its editorial direction, business strategy, and company culture while benefiting from strategic partnerships. This independence allows us to be nimble, innovative, and true to our mission-driven values.

Sourcebooks is the seventh largest book publisher in the United States with approximately 120 employees based in Naperville, Illinois. We publish over 500 books annually and have generated hundreds of national bestsellers.

Recent recognitions include: Fast Company's #6 Most Innovative Company in Media (2024), Best Practice Institute Certified Most Loved Workplace (#2 in Newsweek 2024), Inc.'s 2025 Best Workplaces List (only book publisher named), and Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators.

Unlock Your Full Employer Brand Profile

Upgrade to showcase your culture, benefits, leadership, testimonials, open positions, and more — everything top talent wants to see.

This profile is based on data from LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, and the company's public career page. All certifications are independently verified by Best Practice Institute.