Publishing executive Robert W. Byrns has joined Everybook Inc. as vice-president of publisher relations.

The company produces the Everybook Dedicated Reader, a handheld device for reading electronic book texts that has been in development since 1995. Daniel Munyan, president and CEO of Everybook, said that Byrns brings the company book "expertise that is critical to lowering costs and streamlining delivery of publications."Byrns will be responsible for developing and coordinating the electronic book company's relationships with publishers and authors.

Byrns was formerly executive vice-president of marketing, sales and distribution for Crossroad Publishing, where he was also a member of the international management group for the company's publishing parent, Verlag Herder.