Portable Reading Corp., maker of the iPhone books application TextOnPhone, has created a social network platform for readers, authors and publishers.

The TextOnPhone social network is designed to connect authors with a new audience, while providing consumers with books and stories to read on their mobile device.

TextOnPhone is said to be a popular book reading service for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It has a library of more than 20,000 books in 37 languages along with short stories and book excerpts contributed by contemporary authors.

For authors and publishers, the audience of TextOnPhone provides a promotional platform for mobile marketing of books that are available in stores or online, according to Portable Reading.

Authors in the Portable Reading network can share short stories and book excerpts with readers and communicate directly within their social network. This approach may work to attract young readers who spend much time on their mobile phones.

The TextOnPhone features include the ability to store content to access offline, discussion boards attached to individual pages and passages, interactive author forums and tools for aspiring authors to upload their writings for others to read.

Installation of software isn't necessary since TextOnPhone operates as a Web application within the mobile browser.