FastPencil Launches New BookBuy Widget and UI Upgrades to Help Authors Sell Books

CAMPBELL, Calif. — March 18, 2010 — FastPencil (http://www.fastpencil.com) continues to remove inefficiencies in the book authoring, publishing and sales processes by launching the FastPencil BookBuy Widget bringing the bookstore to readers everywhere they hang out on the web. The next generation FastPencil publishing service gives authors full control of content, price, distribution and new integrated features to offer direct selling and increase book awareness.

With the book selling widget, FastPencil completely changes book commerce for authors by extending beyond the limitations of Amazon and other on- and off- line bookstores. When a consumer decides to purchase a book, the FastPencil BookBuy Widget presents them with the easiest possible way to purchase it right now. Unlike Amazon and other online bookstores the BookBuy Widget is customized to sell a specific book directly within the reader’s current context of articles, comments and posts found throughout the web.

“Once a book is written, it’s all about promotion, which is traditionally the Achilles’ heal for most authors,” said Steve Wilson, FastPencil Co-Founder and CEO. “Gone are the days of publishers vying for shelf space to sell books. The FastPencil BookBuy Widget empowers authors with the tools to connect directly with their readers to sell more books and make higher profits.”

Authors can post the FastPencil BookBuy Widget anywhere on the web including Facebook and blogs, enabling readers to instantly preview and purchase their book.

FastPencil Updates:

• New universal navigation bar
• Enhanced dashboard with robust learning center and easier navigation
• Fewer Clicks: Users more easily can find publication, projects and collaborations
• Upgraded home page
• Color Book Creator: Page bleeds in work area allows maximum page layout control
• Color Book Creator: Supports larger files like high res photos with sharper image output
• Color Book Creator: Image placement and pan features enhanced, much easier to manipulate images

FastPencil Features:

• Select from a variety of book templates including the personal memoir, the great American novel and children’s books
• Collaborate with a professional book creation team, personal network of colleagues or fans during the authoring process
• Publish in print and eBook formats supported by the iPhone reader, Kindle and soon the Apple iPad
• Distribute to thousands of online retailers
• Flexible content upload through blog to book or direct PDF to publish
• Capture inspiration from anywhere with an iPhone or iPod touch
• Integrated self-publishing wizard for step-by-step assistance

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.

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