CAMPBELL, Calif., April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- FastPencil announced today that renowned and fine art photographer and FastPencil PREMIERE author, Jim Dratfield, will launch his "Dogphoria" book tour and paw signings this spring at locations across the country. All of the events fall on May 4, making "Dogphoria" a multi-simul-city book and paw signing tour.

Below are the book tour signing events:

• May 4 – (2-4 p.m.) – Pet Mania, 353 N. Pass Ave., Burbank, CA 91505;
• May 4 – (7-9 p.m.) – Barnes & Noble, 100 Greyrock Pl, suite H009, Stamford, Conn., 06901;
• May 4 – (7-9 p.m.) – Healthy Spot, 1110 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, Calif., 90401;
• May 4 – (7-9 p.m.) – Barnes & Noble, 3 South Tunnel Road, Asheville, N.C., 28805; and
• May 4 – (7-9 p.m.) – Barnes & Noble, 2800 South Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, Mich., 48307.

"My latest book is yet another reflection of the powerful and meaningful friendships we can have with our pets, more specifically with dogs," said Jim Dratfield, author of "Dogphoria." "The mission of this book tour is to celebrate our love for these precious animals, and also so I can thank my readers for their continued support."

Laura Dern, an award-winning and Oscar-nominated actress, has had Dratfield take photos of her pets.

"Jim is a master at capturing the soul of a dog in a photograph," said Dern. "I have felt so lucky to have images of my beloved pets (especially ones that I have lost) that hold their essence to remember them by."

"Dogphoria" is a 132-page collection of candid photos of dogs together with insightful quotes that illustrate the companionship and loyalty of dogs with a portion of the proceeds to be donated to Leader Dogs for the Blind and the HaloPets Foundation. Dr. Debbye Turner Bell, a celebrity veterinarian and CBS News staff correspondent, penned the foreword for the book.

Dratfield will be at the book signing in Stamford, Conn. to meet one-on-one with his readers.

Dog lovers who attend the Burbank and Santa Monica book signings will meet with celebrity TAO, a rescue and certified therapy dog, featured in "Dogphoria." For the Asheville, N.C. signing, attendees will have a chance to meet "Dogphoria" star, Lovable Lucy, and her owner, motivational speaker Dr. Mary Sedgwick. Lucy is a trained dog with Leader Dogs for the Blind. Responsible Maddy is also a part of the "Dogphoria" project, and will give paw signings at the Rochester Hills, Mich. event, with her partner, Jim Platzer, at her side. Maddy is also with Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Halo, Purely Pets®, the holistic pet care company co-owned by Ellen DeGeneres, will provide free samples of HALO Spot's Stew® all natural pet food with the purchase of "Dogphoria" at all the signings (except for the Santa Monica event). In addition, when visitors use $2 Halo coupons (found at Freekibble.com), Halo donates one meal to shelter pets, and enters you to win a 10,000 meal donation to your favorite animal shelter. Healthy Spot, a L.A.-based company that offers a full range of wholesome, organic food lines and safe and eco-friendly toys, grooming products and training tools, will provide free samples of pet food with the purchase of "Dogphoria" at the Santa Monica signing. A portion of the proceeds will go to Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Dratfield is the author-photographer of 10 additional fine art photography books including "Pugnation," "Day of the Dachshund," "Under Dogs" and "The Quotable Equine," which have collectively sold more than 150,000 copies. His books have been featured on 20/20, CBS's Early Show, Access Hollywood, Inside Edition, Primetime Live and in print features and reviews in USA Today, People, and Town & Country. His celebrity clients include Elton John, Jennifer Aniston, Barbara Walters and Henry Kissinger. A TV series based on Dratfield's work is also in progress.

Dratfield joins a growing list of best-selling authors signed by FastPencil for its PREMIERE imprint which offers high-quality traditional and digital formats, speed to press, higher author royalties, wider market reach and greater transparency and control throughout the entire process.

"Jim's book 'Dogphoria' beautifully illustrates the compassion and love we have for our furry companions," said Steve Wilson, FastPencil CEO and co-founder. "His selection of photographs really tugs at your heart and makes you appreciate how lucky we are to have such loyal friendships. We're looking forward to the 'Dogphoria' book tour because it will give Jim another way to share this remarkable book with others."

About Jim Dratfield

Fine art photographer Jim Dratfield, a world-renowned, celebrated fine art pet photographer, celebrates the fine art of photography through his studio www.Petography.com, specializing in canines, and felines employing his unique beautiful sepia toned film style.

Dratfield, a trained actor (including a role in St. Elsewhere), has also been the spokesperson for Claritin (Wag Allergies) and MSN.com. A docu-series is now in development with Revera Entertainment about him and his work. He lives in New York.

Dogphoria Pricing and Availability

The book will be available for purchase in May, and is available for pre-order in hardcover in FastPencil's Marketplace for $21.95. The digital format of "Dogphoria" will also be available to read on smartphones and tablets.

About Dogphoria

Produced by Lynn Isenberg of www.FocusMediaMarketing.com in partnership with FastPencil's elite Premiere imprint. Book concept, brand strategy and campaign partnerships by Lynn Isenberg on behalf of author-fine art photographer Jim Dratfield and www.Petography.com.

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 high-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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SOURCE FastPencil