Simon & Schuster Audio to Publish Original Stephen King Stories

Business Wire, Nov 22, 1999

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Nov. 19, 1999--

Only By King -- Only On Audio

Hits Stores Everywhere On Monday 11/22

Simon & Schuster Audio announces the publication of BLOOD AND SMOKE, an original story collection written and read by Stephen King.

Available only on audiocassette and compact disc, BLOOD AND SMOKE features three unabridged short stories: the never-before-published "1408" and "In the Deathroom," along with the chilling "Lunch at the Gotham Cafe." The collection will be in stores on November 22, 1999.

Stephen King explains it best, "BLOOD AND SMOKE picks up where 'Quitters Inc.' and 'The 10 O'Clock People' leave off; it continues my interest in the horror of the evil weed, tobacco. There are stories here that scared even me -- psychopathic killers, torture chambers, haunted hotel rooms...and wafting though each story, the deadly, seductive scent of tobacco."

Seth D. Gershel, Senior Vice President and Publisher, Simon & Schuster Audio said, "We feel very privileged to publish Stephen King, who has an impressive history of No. 1 bestsellers. This original audio-only collection will introduce new listeners to the audiobook format-and perhaps scare them off nicotine addiction too."

The project began when Stephen King recorded his first bestseller for Simon & Schuster Audio, Bag of Bones. After spending over a week in the recording booth, King commented on how much he enjoyed the work. In collaboration with Simon & Schuster Audio, he began to think that a set of stories linked by a common theme would work well on audio, leading to the publication of BLOOD AND SMOKE.

As a writer, Stephen King forces us to confront our greatest fears, guiding us to places we would never have dared venture alone. In BLOOD AND SMOKE he takes listeners inside a world of yearning and paranoia, isolation and addiction. In this audio-only collection, smoking plays a key role in the fates of three different men in these stories of unfiltered suspense.

To compliment this fresh, irreverent, original audio collection Simon & Schuster Audio has developed a special package, complete with a cigarette pack style flip top. Sure to become a collector's item among King's many fans, the unique packaging will only be used for the audiobook's first duplication run.

This smoke-filled fright-fest could only come from the imagination of Stephen King. BLOOD AND SMOKE is available only as an audiobook, but be warned: listening these stories may cause trembling and lead to acute paranoia, but are certain to thrill his legions of fans.

BLOOD AND SMOKE written and read by Stephen King On-sale: November 22, 1999 Cassette: 0-671-04616-0/ $23.50 US/ 3.5 hours on 3 cassettes Compact Disc: 0-671-04617-9/ $27.50 US/ 3.5 hours on 4 compact discs.

Simon & Schuster, the publishing operation of Viacom Inc., is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed and multi-media formats. For more information about Simon & Schuster Audio, visit our website at http://www.SimonSaysAudio.com.