Best Platforms for Entrepreneurs to Find Book Deals, Agents, and Publishing Insights
Where founders and creatives can land book deals, connect with book agents, and understand the publishing landscape.
Why Publishing Still Matters for Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs don’t just sell products or services, they sell stories. And one of the most powerful ways to expand your brand, build authority, and leave a lasting legacy is through a book. But here’s the catch: breaking into publishing can feel like crashing a very exclusive dinner party without an invite. The jargon, the gatekeepers, the endless query letters, it’s enough to make even the boldest founder close the laptop.
There are platforms designed to give you insider knowledge, connect you with agents, and even provide alternative routes to publishing. Whether you’re working on a how-to business book, a memoir, or a creative project that complements your entrepreneurial journey, these tools make the process far less intimidating.
Here are five of the best platforms for entrepreneurs to explore if publishing is on your horizon.
Publishers Marketplace: The Insider’s Backstage Pass
If publishing had a stock exchange, this would be it. Publishers Marketplace is where the industry’s power moves are tracked in real time, who signed a six-figure deal, which agent is selling what, and which publishers are hungry for new voices.
For entrepreneurs, this is gold. You can spot trends in nonfiction categories, study what’s selling in your niche, and identify agents who consistently represent the kinds of books you want to write. It’s not free (subscriptions start around $25/month), but if you’re serious about getting published, it’s a small price for a big edge.
QueryTracker: Your Agent Matchmaker
Finding a literary agent is often the first, and most daunting, step to getting published. QueryTracker makes the process much more manageable. With a searchable database of agents, filters for genre, and even community feedback, it’s like a dating app for authors and agents.
As an entrepreneur, you’ll especially appreciate the ability to track submissions and response rates. It takes the guesswork out of cold querying and gives you hard data on who might actually be reading your pitch.
Reedsy: Build Your Dream Publishing Team
Think of Reedsy as Upwork, but exclusively for book professionals. Need an editor to whip your book proposal into shape? A designer to create a cover that doesn’t scream self-published? A ghostwriter to help you get your ideas on paper without adding another job to your to-do list? Reedsy has them all, vetted and rated.
For entrepreneurs, Reedsy is perfect for turning a messy draft into a polished product that agents and publishers will actually take seriously. It’s also a great option if you’re leaning toward self-publishing but still want your book to look (and read) like it came out of a major house.
Duotrope: Test the Waters With Shorter Writing
If you’re not ready to dive straight into book publishing, Duotrope offers a different entry point. It’s a massive database of literary magazines, publishers, and contests, along with submission tracking tools.
For entrepreneurs, this is an excellent way to build credibility while working toward a book. Publish essays, excerpts, or shorter pieces in respected outlets, then leverage that track record when pitching your book proposal. It’s proof you can write, and that audiences want to read what you have to say.
She Writes Press: A Hybrid Model for Women Entrepreneurs
For women founders especially, She Writes Press offers an alternative to the traditional publishing grind. It’s an award winning hybrid publishing company founded by women, for women, with a mission to amplify diverse voices that mainstream publishers often overlook.
Unlike self publishing, She Writes Press provides professional editing, design, and distribution, ensuring your book stands shoulder-to-shoulder with traditionally published titles. And unlike traditional publishing, you retain more creative control and royalties. For entrepreneurs with a clear vision and an audience already in place, this can be a powerful way to bring a book into the world, without waiting for a gatekeeper’s approval.
Publishing may seem intimidating, but here’s the truth: your story matters. Whether it’s the lessons learned from building your business, a fresh take on leadership, or a personal narrative that ties into your brand, there’s an audience waiting to read it.
With tools like Publishers Marketplace, QueryTracker, Reedsy, Duotrope, and She Writes Press, the path from idea to published book is more accessible than ever. You don’t need insider connections or a six-figure PR budget. You just need the right resources—and the confidence to start.
Because as an entrepreneur, your story isn’t just content. It’s currency. And a book might be the most valuable investment you’ll ever make in your brand.
