Headline Publishing has launched an iPhone app for its bestselling author, Martina Cole, to support the paperback release of Cole’s popular crime novel, Hard Girls.

Martina Cole is the bestselling author of 16 hugely successful novels set in London’s gangland. The hardback edition of Hard Girls went straight to No 1 on the Sunday Times bestseller list and the release of the paperback has been much anticipated.

The app was created by Future Workshops, whose founder Matt Brooke-Smith says: “The publishing industry is increasingly recognizing how important it is to become part of the digital age and mobile applications are an ideal way for authors to engage effectively with their fanbase and to create a brand around themselves instead of a single book. Publishing houses like Headline are leading the way with well thought-out digital programmes that enhance the experience for the author and the reader alike.”

The app will be available from the iTunes UK store within a week and will enable fans to preview books, access bonus content, interact with other fans, read about the author, find out where she will be appearing, and listen to audiobook clips.

“This is the first iPhone app that Headline Publishing has created for Martina Cole and we are very excited about the possibilities it will create to support and promote one of our bestselling and much loved authors,” says Headline Publishing, marketing manager, Claire Morrison. “Future Workshop’s strong heritage in media publishing and their proven track record in delivering top quality applications for a number of well-known brands, meant they were the obvious application developer for us.”