CAMPBELL, Calif., April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- FastPencil announced today that award-winning and highly acclaimed writer and producer of dramatic features and documentary films, Helen Whitney, has signed with its selective imprint, FastPencil PREMIERE, to publish "Forgiveness: A Time to Love and a Time to Hate," which is now available in most major bookstores and online. Whitney joins a growing number of best-selling authors using FastPencil PREMIERE for its high-quality traditional and digital formats, speed to press, greater market reach, higher author royalties and open collaboration in partnership.

"Forgiveness resonates with people on a fundamental level, and in today's world, the act of forgiveness can be very powerful," said Helen Whitney. "I wrote this book to share stories of forgiveness, raise questions, challenge feelings and empower people at a time when we need it most. FastPencil enabled me to bring this book to market quickly while using all the latest publishing techniques, including e-book formats and social media."

In "Forgiveness," Whitney looks at the vast human capacity to forgive in situations spanning personal betrayal and adultery to global reconciliation following genocide. It's through these stories that Whitney touches not only the power of forgiveness, but also its limitations and dangers. Whitney, along with her team of researchers, talked to more than 800 people across the world for the Forgiveness project. The book, with a rare introduction written by the Dalai Lama and an endorsement from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, is based on the PBS film comprised of two 90-minute segments, with the first airing nationwide on April 17, and the second airing on April 24.

Since 1971, Whitney has created and produced very successful documentaries and feature films that have a timelessness about them, hitting home with readers having a deep concern for the human condition. Her documentaries cover a wide range of subjects, including presidential candidates, youth gangs, a Trappist Monastery and Pope John Paul II. Her works have received a number of awards, including an Emmy Award, two Peabody Awards, two Humanitas Awards and the prestigious duPoint-Columbia Journalism Award.

"Helen Whitney has mastered the art of storytelling. She touches the hearts of her readers and viewers by connecting with them on a personal level," said Steve Wilson, FastPencil co-founder and CEO. "We jumped at the opportunity to publish 'Forgiveness' because we truly believe in its purpose, and because FastPencil is ideally suited for this book."

Whitney joins a growing list of acclaimed authors at FastPencil PREMIERE whose previous books have sold hundreds of millions of copies collectively, including:

• Mercer Mayer, the legendary children's book author;
• Guy Gilchrist, creator and author of "The Best of Today's Dogg" among many other well-known globally-syndicated cartoons and characters;
• Jim Dratfield, author of almost a dozen popular pet books and owner of the New York City pet photography studio petography.com;
• Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of his newest book "U R the Solution" and co-founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc.;
• Angela Sage Larsen, creator of the "Petalwink" children's book series and the upcoming "Fifties Chix" series of young adult titles; and
• Steven Pressfield, author of best-selling books including "The Legend of Bagger Vance" and "War of Art."

Together they represent the first group of landmark best-selling, established authors and illustrators making FastPencil PREMIERE a remarkable and highly sought-after publishing imprint and presence.

Pricing & Availability

"Forgiveness" in hardcover, is now available at most major bookstores, online retailers and FastPencil for $19.95 – as well as in e-book format for $9.99.

The PBS special will air nationwide in two 90-minute segments, with the first airing on April 17, and the second airing on April 24.

To order the book or find more information please visit: http://www.fastpencil.com/publications/1305-Forgiveness

About FastPencil

FastPencil is leveraging innovative digital-publishing, social media, print-on-demand and e-book distribution technologies to deliver next-generation publishing, offering authors simplicity, more control, speed to market and higher margins. FastPencil.com enables authors to create books online, collaborate, publish and distribute from one engaging, simple, cost-effective solution. Beyond publishing tools and services, FastPencil also maintains a world-class, publishing imprint, FastPencil PREMIERE, an exclusive line of general interest titles that provides top-tier and best-selling authors all the benefits of FastPencil's services to produce and publish the best of the best in book content. For more information please visit FastPencil.com.

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Media Contact:
Seana Norvell
FortyThree, Inc.
831.401.3175
FastPencil@fortythreepr.com

SOURCE FastPencil