Featured, the AI co-pilot for PR, has launched Find Bookstores, a searchable database of 1,093 independent U.S. bookstores designed for authors and book publicists planning signings and book tours. The tool, available on every Featured plan including Free, allows users to name a place or genre in Featured's chat and receive a list of stores that host author events, complete with links to each store's website or events page and, where available, email addresses.
The launch addresses a common challenge for authors, particularly first-timers, who often lack the knowledge to effectively promote their books. "When my book came out, I pitched Changing Hands in Tempe for a talk and signing," said Brett Farmiloe, Founder and CEO of Featured. "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."
The timing is notable given the resurgence of independent bookstores. According to the American Booksellers Association's 2025 annual report, 605 new bookstore businesses opened in 2025, including 399 storefronts, against only 65 closures, with openings up 87% from 2024. ABA membership reached 3,417 members operating 3,783 locations, nearly double the 1,775 members the association counted in 2016 and, according to the Associated Press, the highest since the late 1990s. For authors, each of these stores represents a potential venue and audience.
Find Bookstores covers stores in all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 796 cities. Of the 1,093 stores in the database, 59.9% link to a public events or calendar page and 37.6% publish an email address for the store, while 36.6% describe author events, readings, or signings in their own words. Users can search with natural-language queries such as "Bookstores in Texas that host author signings" or "Mystery bookstores in California" and then ask Featured to draft a pitch in the same chat. The tool also integrates with Featured's other offerings, allowing publicists to plan entire tours, including speaking opportunities and podcast interviews, without leaving the platform.
The launch underscores how AI is increasingly being applied to niche professional workflows. By combining a curated database with conversational search and pitch drafting, Featured aims to reduce the friction that has traditionally made book tours daunting for authors and costly for publicists. The company, which also owns and operates HARO and Connectively, positions Find Bookstores as part of a broader PR toolkit. The tool is live now at Featured.
