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.