Interactive Storytelling Phone Debuts

The entrepreneurs who launched the Call Me Ishmael storytelling project have invented a device that they hope will become a fixture in bookstores and libraries: a phone that allows bibliophiles to anonymously share stories about their favorite books.

Authors on the Air November 9, 2015: Atossa Araxia Abrahamian

Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, author of 'The Cosmopolites: The Coming of the Global Citizen' (Columbia Global Reports, 978-0-9909-7636-3) will appear on WNYC Radio’s 'The Brian Lehrer Show' on Tuesday, November 10, and on NPR’s 'On Point' on Wednesday, November 11.

Authors on the Air November 6, 2015: John Leguizamo

John Leguizamo, author of 'Ghetto Klown' (Harry N. Abrams, 978-1-4197-1518-1) will appear on 'The Wendy Williams Show' on Friday, November 6.

Authors on the Air November 5, 2015: Kay Wills Wyma

Kay Wills Wyma, author of 'I’m Happy for You (Sort Of…Not Really): Finding Contentment in a Culture of Comparison' (WaterBrook Press, 978-1-6014-2595-9), will be interviewed on Focus on the Family on Friday, November 6.

Authors on the Air November 5, 2015: Hector Tobar

Hector Tobar, author of 'Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free' (Picador; 978-1-2500-7485-0) will appear on 'Well READ' on Friday, November 6.

Authors on the Air November 3, 2015: Harlow Giles Unger

Harlow Giles Unger, author of 'Henry Clay' (Da Capo Press, $25.99, 978-0-3068-2391-6), will be on the Jim Bohannon Show Live for the full 11 p.m. ET hour on Wednesday, November 4.

Wait List Available for Publishing Mission to Cuba

The U.S. Publishing Mission to Cuba is sold out. However, industry members interested in the trip can be added to the waiting list by contacting PW publisher Cevin Bryerman at cbryerman@publishersweekly.com.

Authors on the Air October 29, 2015: Annie Jacobsen

With 'Don't Suck, Don't Die' a Scholarly Press Pushes for a Trade Hit

The University of Texas Press is trying to achieve something new with Kristin Hersh’s memoir 'Don’t Suck, Don’t Die: Giving Up Vic Chesnutt,'--a trade bestseller.

Kickstarter Debuts Spotlight Showcase

The crowdfunding site has launched Spotlight, customizable presentation pages that can be used for marketing, educational or commercial purposes.

BookShout to Offer E-books to Public Media Via Special Sales

The direct-to-consumer e-book platform specializing in e-book special sales, is partnering with Forest Incentives, a public media distribution vendor, to provide bulk orders of bestselling e-books to public radio and TV stations.

Harlequin TEEN Turns Five

Celebrating its fifth birthday this month, Harlequin TEEN—Harlequin’s dedicated imprint for young adult books—has quite a few things to be excited about.

Getting 'Lost' with Newcomer Adi Alsaid

Adi Alsaid has lived something of a nomadic life…which may be one of the reasons he was inspired to write about a road trip in his debut novel, 'Let’s Get Lost.'

CONTEST: 'Let's Get Lost' With Adi Alsaid

Are you out there getting lost on your own? With friends? If so, we’d love to hear—and see—your travels.

Julie Kagawa Talks Talon, Dragons and Bookselling

Former bookseller Julie Kagawa always had a “thing,” as she puts it, for dragons. Now, with her new series, Talon, due out October 28, the bestselling author of The Iron Fey books got the chance to explore her childhood obsessions.

Zola Books, BiblioCommons Offer ‘Bookish Recommends’ to Libraries

Zola’s Bookish recommendation engine is coming to 67 libraries in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Togather Startup Suspends Operations

In an email sent to clients and users of Togather.com founder Andrew Kessler said the site was suspending all operations due to a dispute with its investors.

Wizeo: Literary Crowdgiving Platform Gears Up

The latest literary-oriented startup to join Boston’s Innovation District combines video chats by authors and other leaders, or “wizzes,” for a cause.

Organization Wants to Lure Writers to Detroit

Detroit-based literary organization Write-A-House wants to lure writers to the Motor City by deeding them homes after a two-year residency. The organization just launched an Indiegogo campaign to renovate the first house intended for occupancy.

Togather Inks Partnership Deal with B&N College

Togather.com, a “fansourcing site” designed to make event planning more predictable and easier to promote, is partnering with B&N College Stores to provide store managers a turnkey platform for organizing in-store events.