Jim Erben’s debut book reaches No. 38 on USA TODAY bestseller list

Succession by Design, the first book from Austin advisor Jim Erben, landed at No. 38 on the USA TODAY Best-selling Booklist and qualified for the print edition. The ranking gives the book national bestseller status and spotlights its message on business succession planning.

Why it matters: - Jim Erben’s first book has reached national bestseller status, giving Succession by Design broader visibility with business owners thinking about transition planning. - The book’s Top 50 ranking also put it in the print edition of USA TODAY, extending its reach beyond the online list. - The milestone may help bring more attention to succession planning before retirement, a crisis or another forced decision.

What happened: - Jim Erben, president of Erben Associates, reached No. 38 on the USA TODAY Best-selling Booklist with Succession by Design: How Visionary Leaders Prepare Their Organization for What’s Next. - The book was released July 28, 2026. - Erben Associates announced the ranking from Austin on Aug. 18, 2026.

The details: - USA TODAY’s Best-selling Booklist ranks the country’s 150 top-selling books each week. - The rankings use aggregated sales data from U.S. bookstore chains, independent bookstores, mass merchandisers and online retailers. - Books across genres and formats are ranked together based on sales, not editorial selection. - Succession by Design draws on more than 30 years of Erben’s experience advising business owners and their families. - The book focuses on the financial, operational and personal considerations involved in preparing for a business transition. - The book covers business valuation, continuity planning, personal wealth requirements, family and leadership considerations, and the role of an advisory team. - Erben said he wrote the book to help business owners protect what they have built and approach succession with greater clarity and confidence. - More information about the book is available at SuccessionByDesignBook.com. - The complete rankings are available on the USA TODAY Best-selling Booklist.

Between the lines: - The ranking suggests the topic is resonating beyond Erben’s existing advisory audience. - Succession planning is often delayed until owners face retirement or an unexpected event, which can make decisions harder and more expensive. - The book’s national ranking may give Erben Associates a larger platform for its succession-planning message and services.

What’s next: - Erben Associates is positioning Succession by Design as part of its broader Succession by Design, Not Default® approach to ownership and leadership transitions. - The firm also invites readers to review related perspective on the ranking and the book’s reception. - Erben Associates says it continues to focus on exit and succession planning for business owners and high-net-worth individuals.

The bottom line: - A debut book about succession planning has become a national bestseller, signaling strong reader interest in how business owners prepare for what comes next.