The New York Times' Julie Bosman picks up on a story Shelf Awareness featured earlier this month about Powell's new series of short films featuring authors, to be shown at their bookstores, movie-premiere style. Ian McEwan is the star of the first "Out of the Book" film, which is planned to run 23 minutes and will feature snippets from an on-camera interview with McEwan, as well as commentary from peers, fans and critics. In essence, this film virtually replaces the standard book tour as he won't be making in-bookstore appearances for his upcoming novel ON CHESIL BEACH.

Powell's has enlisted Doug Biro, a former creative director at RCA Records and music video director, to direct the first film. It will have its debut on June 1 in Manhattan during BookExpo America, a widely attended annual gathering of publishers, booksellers and authors.