When it comes to headline-grabbing publicity stunts, the publishing industry usually lags behind. While midnight launches were par for the course during Harry Potter’s reign over the industry, contemporary literary sensations like 50 Shades of Grey were mostly consumed on e-readers out of the embarrassment of purchasing one at the till.
But James Patterson, the thriller writer of pulpy page turners and the Alex Cross series, is set to release a self-destructing novel that must be finished in a day or lost forever.
Private Vegas will only be made available as 1,000 free digital copies that will self-delete at the end of 24 hours. But there will also be a one-of-a-kind copy of the book that counting down to an explosion 24 hours after the cover is opened.
And it only costs €252,566.23.
The novel is scheduled for general release on January 26th, but Patterson and over-the-top publicity fans can sign up to get their hands of one of the 1,000 copies with the time limit. Slow readers need not apply.
As for the hard copy, it’s only for readers with the deepest of pockets, priced at almost $300,000. The writer will sign the copy, though that seems rather moot given it’s rigged to destroy itself after the day has passed. To sweeten the deal, Patterson has also included a five-course private dining experience with him to the person will to cough up the dough for a self-destructing novel. As well as a pair of golden binoculars.
Check out the trailer for Private Vegas’ unique launch below:
