World-Renowned Author and Illustrator, Mercer Mayer, to Publish Multi-Book Program With FastPencil PREMIERE

CAMPBELL, Calif., Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today FastPencil announced the addition of acclaimed children's book author Mercer Mayer to its highly selective FastPencil PREMIERE general interest book publishing line, a landmark new imprint where best-selling authors can publish books leveraging FastPencil's next-generation digital publishing and social media services as well as its extensive global retail distribution partnerships.  Mayer will join the best-selling authors at FastPencil PREMIERE to publish nine titles in 2011 in the highest-quality traditional and digital formats while working in a partnership environment, receiving higher royalties, more frequent payments and greater transparency and control throughout the process.

"I've been writing and illustrating children's books for decades and, in that time, I have published more than 300 books," said Mercer Mayer.  "I get inspiration for new ideas everywhere, especially from my children and grandchildren, and FastPencil's innovative, hands-on and transparent approach provides me with an exquisite service to publish my work in a timely manner so I can continue to provide families with fun stories to share with each other in whatever format they want it in."

Through FastPencil PREMIERE, Mayer will publish multiple projects including a quartet of "Little Monster" books, such as "Professor Wormbog in Search for the Zipperump-a-Zoo," the legendary book that launched the "Little Monster" million-copy book juggernaut and three more captivating "Little Monster" story collections involving "Fun & Learn," "Word Book with Mother Goose" and "At Home, School & Work."  Mayer will also create a new "Little Critter" program of five book collections further developing the best-selling "Little Critter" franchise within the FastPencil PREMIERE program.  Mayer will also be adding several brand-new exclusive character franchises to PREMIERE, beyond the "Little Critter" and "Little Monster" storybook programs.  All of Mayer's PREMIERE offerings will be available in both print and digital versions at bookstores, libraries, and retail outlets everywhere as well as online and through Premiere.FastPencil.com.

Mayer's books and characters are classic favorites of families around the globe and address timeless subjects that every child experiences, such as going to the dentist or being scared of big thunderstorms.  Not only do the books provide great lessons, but Mayer inserts his gentle humor into the books to show how the adorable critter and monster characters deal with common issues providing wonderful child development and socialization skills support within creative story-telling venues.

"We are delighted to have Mercer Mayer join the growing group of very special best-selling authors at FastPencil PREMIERE where we support authors and book franchises in many fields and genre's," said Steve Wilson, FastPencil co-founder and CEO.  "In just a few short months since launch, we are finding that many established authors are intrigued by what FastPencil's next-generation publishing can offer from a support, technical, speed to market, total distribution and revenue perspective, so stay tuned for more great announcements on world-renowned authors and book franchises coming soon."

Mayer joins a hall-of-fame group of authors at FastPencil PREMIERE whose previous books total hundreds of millions of copies sold – including 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; and Mark Victor Hansen, co-founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc. and co-author of the upcoming book "U R The Solution."  Additional FastPencil PREMIERE authors include Angela Sage Larsen, creator of the "Petalwink" children's book series and the upcoming "Fifties Chix – Travel to Tomorrow" 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 joining the PREMIERE imprint, making FastPencil PREMIERE a remarkable and highly sought-after publishing imprint and presence.

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.

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