FastPencil (http://www.fastpencil.com) today announced the addition of renowned publisher Bruce Butterfield to the company's Board of Directors. As former president of Prentice Hall Regents/Simon & Schuster and current CEO and president of The Wittfield Group, Butterfield adds a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the FastPencil team as an active participant and integral part in the development of a new tier of services for established leaders and top-tier authors.

"FastPencil is a welcome breath of fresh air in an industry that is undergoing an unprecedented change and I'm excited to be a part of helping shape FastPencil's future growth," said Bruce Butterfield. "Together we will continue to make FastPencil the 'author's best friend' while expanding the services and benefits to more established writers and best-selling authors."

"Having been in the business for over 30 years, Bruce brings enormous breadth and depth to our team of innovators at FastPencil," said Steve Wilson, FastPencil Co-Founder and CEO. "With his help we hope to continue to empower top-notch authors who want to take advantage of revolutionary services that provide unparalleled control over timing to market, economics and simplicity in publishing from beginning to end."

Butterfield, CEO and president of The Wittfield Group, LLC, an enterprise involved in education and publishing from print through multi-media, Internet, broadcast and film, has extensive experience in innovation and project management. Butterfield is considered an international leader in the communications, publishing and education fields having served as a global executive, president and publisher of such stand-out companies as Scholastic, Inc., Prentice Hall Regents/Simon & Schuster, and Longman/Addison-Wesley/Pearson PLC. He has participated in landmark publishing projects such as Sesame Street Books, ABC Wide World of Sports, Wildfire/Windswept, Wishing Star young adult lines and Family Album USA TV broadcasts into Asia.

FastPencil provides authors with an end-to-end solution that puts more money in writers' pockets by stripping out the cost and complexity of traditional publishing. At FastPencil authors can sell more books and maintain complete control of content creation, price, distribution decisions and sales activity. FastPencil's relationships with thousands of book and eBook retailers ensures that each of their authors' books are available to the broadest possible audience and the write-once, publish anywhere approach guarantees their books can be read anywhere today and in the future.

FastPencil Features:

• Free book writing tools
• Professional book design templates
• Import manuscripts, turn blogs to books or write collaborative stories
• Connect and share through Twitter, Facebook, Gmail, AOL, Yahoo and MSN
• Author concierge services including consulting, design services and formatting
• Collaborate with your book creation team, personal network of friends or industry professionals
• Integrated self-publishing wizard for step-by-step assistance
• Print on Demand or to eBook formats
• Wide distribution including iBookstore, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About FastPencil

FastPencil is leveraging the disruptive trends of self-publishing, social media, print-on-demand and eBook distribution to deliver a new unified online service that streamlines the book publishing process offering more control and higher margins for authors. The FastPencil writing and publishing service enables authors to create books online, collaborate, publish and distribute from one engaging, simple, cost-effective solution. For more information please visit FastPencil.com.

For regular FastPencil updates follow us at www.Twitter.com/FastPencil

Become a Fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FastPencil

FastPencil is a registered trademark of FastPencil, Inc. All other registered or unregistered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners.

SOURCE FastPencil

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One of the most anticipated books of the year has just been released: the new novel from Arturo Perez-Reverte, "El asedio" (The Siege) ―an ambitious, literary work that, in the words of the author "includes the best of my previous novels." In one of the most intriguing aspects of the story, the city of Cadiz, has been converted into an actual chess board, and the novel's many characters move in a dangerous game of chess.

The novel's story line is set in Cadiz, from 1811 to 1812, during the French siege in the War for Independence. And although the book is historical, it also presents multiple characters and dramatic narratives that converge in an adventure story, a romance, a detective novel, and espionage. It's also a story that's extraordinarily contemporary. "The historical aspect is only the hook, or basis, for the riddles, intellectual puzzles, and action--with characters that are thrilling, life-like, and adventurous. All this is compiled in a solid and well-told story," affirms the author.

"When I read the last line on the final page, all I could think was, 'What a novel Perez-Reverte has written!' I'm in awe of his ability to entertain and challenge readers with every new novel," explains Pilar Reyes, editorial director for Alfaguara in Spain. "When we began working on the campaign to launch "El asedio" I told Arturo that we have to call this the novel that 'has it all.' He wouldn't let me. But I still think that he has succeeded in creating the ultimate novel and that's what we have to talk about. Now all of you can read it, and I'm certain that you'll agree that Arturo has really out done himself this time.

Arturo Perez-Reverte (Cartagena, Spain, 1951) with over 15 million copies sold worldwide is considered Spain's most read author. His works have been translated to 34 languages, and four of his novels have been adapted to cinema. He was a war reporter for 21 years, and in February 2003, he was inducted into the prestigious Real Academia Espanola. He is the author, among others, of: "El husar," "El maestro de esgrima," "La tabla de Flandes," "El club Dumas," "Territorio Comanche," "La piel del tambor," "La carta esferica," "La Reina del Sur," "El pintor de batallas," "Cabo Trafalgar," "Un dia de colera" and also of the historic series "Las aventuras del capitan Alatriste," which was made into a major motion picture starting Viggo Mortensen.

You may find Arturo Perez-Reverte on the web:

New web page: http://www.perezreverte.com

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/perezreverte

Twitter: http://twitter.com/perezreverte

"El asedio" is now available at your nearest bookstore in the US and Puerto Rico.

SANTILLANA AUTHORIZES THE REPRINT OF THIS TEXT FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE BOOK.

SOURCE Santillana Publishing Co.

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Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing today announced the launch of Loser/Queen at www.loserqueen.com, an online serial novel for teens by New York Times bestselling author Jodi Lynn Anderson, hosted by the social discovery and cataloging network LivingSocial's Visual Bookshelf and sponsored by one of America's leading retailers JCPenney.  Loser/Queen is a new style of reading experience that provides online users the opportunity to shape an unfolding story.  

Beginning today, readers will have the opportunity to read the first few chapters and vote for how the story will continue.  Online readers will even have the opportunity to vote for final cover art.  New chapters and voting opportunities will be revealed every Monday until September 13th.  Loser/Queen then, in its entirety, will only be available online until September 20th.  Thereafter, readers will have to wait for the paperback edition and e-book edition to be released by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on December 21, 2010.  

Author Jodi Lynn Anderson says, "When Simon & Schuster approached me about creating an online book together, I was intrigued.  It was a chance to create something really new…the interactive elements, getting the chance to involve readers in deciding on where the story will go…It's been an exciting, creative process."      

"Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing is committed to exploring new ways to deliver content to our core audience and to have that audience be a part of the experience," said Justin Chanda, Publisher of S&S Books for Young Readers.  "I think Loser/Queen is a big step forward in the digital landscape, not to mention being a terrific story, by a first-class author."

"We're thrilled to be able to participate in the Loser/Queen as it's giving young readers a new way to engage and get excited about reading," said Tim O'Shaughnessy, CEO and co-founder of LivingSocial.  "This is revolutionizing the way readers interact with publishers and authors alike.  We can't wait to see how the book ends up."

ABOUT SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, one of the leading children's book publishers in the world, is comprised of the following imprints: Aladdin Paperbacks, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Libros para ninos, Little Simon®, Little Simon Inspirations™, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, Simon Scribbles, and Simon Spotlight®. While maintaining an extensive award-winning backlist, the division continues to publish acclaimed and bestselling books for children of all ages. In addition to numerous Caldecott, Newbery, and National Book Award winners, Simon & Schuster publishes such high-profile properties and series as Eloise, Olivia, Raggedy Ann & Andy™, Henry & Mudge®, The Hardy Boys®, Nancy Drew®, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts®, Nickelodeon's® Dora the Explorer®, Blue's Clues® and SpongeBob SquarePants®, and Mirage studios' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™. For more information about Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, visit our website at http://kids.simonandschuster.com.

Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com

ABOUT LIVING SOCIAL

LivingSocial is an online community that connects 85 million people to all the things they care about. LivingSocial also powers group buying through Deals, its new social commerce program which invites people and their friends to save 50% off or more each day at their favorite restaurants, spas, sporting events, hotels and other local attractions in major cities. As the creator of top Facebook applications "Visual Bookshelf" and its flagship "LivingSocial," it's the most comprehensive place on the Web for people to engage with others around topics like entertainment, food, fashion, technology and more. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C. To sign up for Deals in your city, or to find out more information about LivingSocial, visit www.livingsocial.com. You can also follow LivingSocial on Twitter at www.twitter.com/livingsocial.

SOURCE Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

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The Southern Festival of Books today unveiled its star-studded literary lineup for the popular annual event set for Oct. 8-10 at downtown Nashville's War Memorial Plaza. Headliners include Mo Willems, Jon Sciezka, Audrey Niffenegger (The Time Traveler's Wife), Frank DeFord, Rebecca Skloot, Lee Smith, Jill McCorkle, and Hampton Sides.

Also featured as event presenters are former Congressman Harold Ford, Jr., former Senator Fred Thompson, and Bryan Batt, an actor who is perhaps best known as Sal from the hit series "Mad Men."

Now in its 22nd year, the Southern Festival of Books is a free, three-day celebration of the written word, providing its nearly 20,000 book-loving guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with their favorite authors. Making its debut this year is the much-anticipated Chapter 16 pavilion, which will bring the newly launched www.chapter16.org website of Tennessee literati to life.

Back by popular demand: Southern favorites Rick Bragg; Brad Watson; Marshall Chapman, They Came to Nashville; and Tom Franklin. Click here for the full lineup and information about each author.

Also back by popular demand: the @SoFestofBooks Twitter "Speed Reader" contest, which kicks off today and runs each week leading up to the Festival. @SoFestofBooks will give daily clues abut authors appearing at the Festival. The first person to guess the author correctly wins front-of-the-line book signing privileges for an author of their choosing. Winners and the week's featured author will be announced by 5 p.m. CDT each Friday throughout the contest. Weekly contest winners will receive a Speed Reader pass and a 2010 Festival poster. Must be 18 or older to play.  All answers must be submitted as an @reply to @SoFestofBooks.  Direct messages will not be considered.

The Southern Festival of Books is presented by Humanities Tennessee, a non-profit organization that promotes humanities education across Tennessee. The Festival is proudly sponsored by the National Endowment for Humanities, the Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Dollar General, Nashville Scene, Ingram Book Company, Vanderbilt and the Tennessee Arts Commission. Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SoFestofBooks.

SOURCE Southern Festival of Books

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The National Federation of the Blind, the oldest nationwide organization of blind Americans and the leading advocate for access to digital information by the blind, commented today on the renewal of a ruling from the Librarian of Congress that allows the circumvention of digital rights management (DRM) technology by blind people seeking equal access to e-books.  The ruling states that one of the circumstances in which circumvention of technology that limits access to copyrighted works is not a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is: "literary works distributed in e-book format when all existing e-book editions of the work (including digital text editions made available by authorized entities) contain access controls that prevent the enabling either of the book's read-aloud function or of screen readers that render the text into a specialized format."

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the Blind commends the Librarian of Congress for recognizing the right of blind Americans to obtain equal access to the information contained in digital books.  It is the position of the National Federation of the Blind that blind people have the right to access content for which they have paid or which they have otherwise legally obtained, just like all other readers.  We are pleased that the Librarian of Congress sees matters in the same way.  The e-book industry, however, has largely failed to recognize our rights.  The Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, Sony Reader, and other e-book reading devices and applications still remain inaccessible to us, and we have yet to see accessible e-book readers and content from those who have promised them.  At this time, Apple products that can access the company's iBooks are the only mainstream e-book devices accessible to blind readers.  The National Federation of the Blind will continue to use every means at our disposal to secure the right of blind Americans to access the same books at the same time and at the same price as all other consumers.  We will stand for nothing less."

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind. 

SOURCE National Federation of the Blind

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http://www.nfb.org