Consumers are given the choice to download the first instalment
in PDF format by paying the sum of $1 in advance or by returning to
the web site after downloading the instalment and paying at that
time – which relies on the honesty of the consumer. The payment
system is operated by Amazon.com.
The author will post the second instalment of the novel on his
web site on 21st August. The third instalment will be made
available in September, but only if 75% or more of those
downloading each instalment have paid for it at $1 per instalment.
Each instalment will be between 5,000 and 7,000 words.
King is interested in using the internet to explore new methods
of publishing. On his site he writes: “My friends, we have a chance
to become Big Publishing’s worst nightmare. Not only are we going
glueless, look Ma, no e-Book! No tiresome encryption!” He adds,
“Remember: Pay and the story rolls. Steal and the story folds... No
stealing from the blind newsboy!”
Stephen King’s publisher, Simon & Schuster, has been
excluded from the experiment, although the company worked with King
on a previous e-Book venture, “Riding the Bullet” which produced
500,000 orders within 24 hours of going on-line.
