Empowering Authors: How Featured's 'Find Bookstores' Revolutionizes Book Tours

Introducing a New Era for Authors

In an innovative step forward for the literary community, Featured has launched the 'Find Bookstores' tool, a pioneering AI-driven platform designed to assist authors and book publicists in planning book signings and tours. This tool provides access to a comprehensive database of 1,093 independent bookstores across the United States, effectively bridging the gap between authors and the venues that wish to host them. By simply naming a place or genre within Featured's chat interface, users receive detailed information about bookstores that host author events, complete with links to the store's website or events page and, when available, their email address. This intuitive system takes the guesswork out of planning, allowing authors to focus more on their craft and less on logistical challenges.

Revitalizing the Independent Bookstore Scene

The independent bookstore landscape is experiencing a remarkable revival. According to the American Booksellers Association's 2025 annual report, a total of 605 new bookstore businesses opened in 2025 alone, marking an 87% increase from the previous year. This resurgence has brought ABA membership to an impressive 3,417 members operating 3,783 locations, nearly doubling the figures from 2016. This growth signifies a renewed interest in local, independent bookstores, which now offer an inviting space for authors to engage with readers directly. Every bookstore represents not just a selling point, but a community eager to support author events, readings, and signings.

Streamlined Connectivity for Book Promotion

Featured's 'Find Bookstores' tool is not simply a database; it is an integrated component of a larger suite of tools designed to enhance book promotion efforts. Users can request information on bookstores, speaking opportunities, and even podcasts for interviews around each tour stop—all within the same chat environment. This seamless integration maximizes efficiency, allowing authors and publicists to manage their promotional activities from a single platform. Brett Farmiloe, Founder and CEO of Featured, encapsulates the transformative nature of this tool, stating, "When my book came out, I pitched Changing Hands in Tempe for a talk and signing. What made it tough is that as a first-time author, I had no idea what I was doing when it came down to promoting my book. Featured simplifies that path, and connects authors with the stores that host events and can move product."

With 59.9% of the stores in Featured's database linking to a public events or calendar page and 37.6% providing an email address, authors are well-equipped to engage with bookstores across 50 states and the District of Columbia. The tool's accessibility is further enhanced by its availability across all Featured plans, including the Free tier, making it a valuable resource for authors at any stage of their career. In this evolving landscape, Featured's 'Find Bookstores' represents a significant step forward, empowering authors to connect with their audiences like never before. Discover more about this innovative tool at featured.com, and embrace the opportunities it offers to bring your literary works to life in communities across the nation.