Welcome back to the GrayRabbit hidden gems series, where we ignore the multi-billion-dollar tech giants and look at the startups actually trying to fix broken industries. Today, we are diving into the wild world of digital publishing.
OWNER/FOUNDER OF HOODBOOKS:
Eluyera Oyindamola Paul
OCCUPATION: Fullstack Web Developer/Software Engineer
CODING SKILLS: HTML, CSS, REACT JS, REACT NATIVE , NODE.JS, PYTHON, JAVASCRIPT and TYPESCRIPT.
TOOLS: Git & GitHub, VS Code, Supabase, Vercel, Render, npm, Linux/Ubuntu terminal and Figma.
If you have ever ventured into the depths of online serialized fiction, you know it is an absolute juggernaut. Millions of readers are hopelessly addicted to stories about billionaire bad boys, alpha wolves with commitment issues, and main characters who get reincarnated with video game "systems" built into their brains. It is a massive, lucrative market.
There is just one glaring problem: the current publishing platforms treat authors the way an evil stepmother treats Cinderella.
Many mainstream webnovel sites lock creators into highly restrictive, exclusive contracts. Authors routinely hand over the digital souls of their intellectual property just for a shred of visibility, often earning pennies while corporate platforms hoard the profits.
Enter HoodBooks, a fresh startup currently onboarding writers before its official launch, aiming to fix this exact ecosystem.
THE CURE FOR "CLINGY CONTRACT SYNDROME"
The absolute headline feature of HoodBooks is their commitment to non-exclusive contracts.
In the tech and publishing worlds, this is a massive breath of fresh air. It means HoodBooks wants to act as a partner, not a digital prison. Writers are not locked down unnecessarily. You retain the freedom and ownership of your intellectual property, allowing you to cross-post, pivot, or take your story elsewhere if you choose. They want you to stay because the platform is good, not because a legal document is holding your characters hostage.
Furthermore, they are offering free publishing with zero upfront fees. Whether you are crafting high-stakes fantasy, urban drama, mystery, or Young Adult romance, HoodBooks is opening its doors to all serialized genres without a financial barrier to entry.
THE TOOLKIT: MORE THAN JUST A DIGITAL NOTEBOOK
Building a startup in the creator economy requires giving writers actual data, not just vague compliments in a comment section. As HoodBooks rolls out, early creators will get access to:
— Advanced Analytics: To help you figure out exactly at which chapter your readers decided to stop reading (or where they got hopelessly hooked).
— Discovery Tools: Algorithm support designed to actually surface new stories, rather than buried under a mountain of corporate-sponsored content.
— Monetization Pipelines: Future earning models including reader donations, premium paywalled chapters, and direct writer rewards.
Other benefits will be disclosed after official launch.
They also have a fascinating long-term roadmap that branches into serialized comics. Selected stories on the platform will eventually be considered for comic and webtoon adaptations, creating a natural vertical pipeline for narrative expansion.
CLAIM YOUR THRONE AS A FOUNDING/PIONEER AUTHOR
Right now, HoodBooks is in its early onboarding phase. This is the sweet spot for creators. By getting in before the mass floodgates open, you can skip the saturated noise and secure your spot as a "Founding Author." This status gives you direct input to give feedback, request features, and help shape the platform's culture from day one.
In due time the app will be launched as well, indicating a very promising venture.
Disclaimer: This profile is part of our startup showcase series and is for informational purposes only. GrayRabbit Tech does not provide financial or legal advice. Always review platform terms and contracts thoroughly before submitting your work.
If you are an author tired of exploitative digital publishers, or a tech enthusiast looking at how niche startups disrupt media monopolies, check out their onboarding portal at JOIN THE HOOD
Social Media Links for Collab with the Founder:
