CBS Radio Stations to Promote Exclusive Online Broadcast

[New York, NY – May 7, 2015] In an innovative and exciting collaboration, Simon & Schuster Audio and Play.it® will share in its entirety a stream of Stephen King’s forthcoming audiobook short story DRUNKEN FIREWORKS for listeners nationwide. CBS RADIO stations in more than 20 major markets across the country will drive tune-in to the special event on which takes place July 2nd . Play.it® is an on-demand audio platform recently launched by CBS RADIO and CBS Local Digital Media.

“Great stories are often better when told out loud,” said King. “This event is a cool way for more people to discover just how fun listening to my stories can be.”

Simon & Schuster Audio’s standalone publication of Stephen King’s never-beforereleased short story will be read by beloved Maine humorist Tim Sample. DRUNKEN FIREWORKS will be released exclusively as an audiobook on CD and for download on June 30, 2015.

“Stephen King has always been a huge supporter of audiobooks and has embraced innovative marketing ideas for his books,” said Chris Lynch, President & Publisher, Simon & Schuster Audio. “We are delighted to collaborate with our colleagues at Play.it® and CBS Radio to again break new ground with this audio publishing event.”

In addition, Simon & Schuster Audio will launch a pre-publication sweepstakes featuring DRUNKEN FIREWORKS in June, which will include a travel voucher for a trip to see the annual July 4th fireworks show in New York, a complete collection of Stephen King’s Simon & Schuster Audio recordings, plus additional prizes. The sweepstakes will reach millions of fans through the Simon & Schuster, CBS, and Stephen King sites and social media accounts.

King hand-picked Tim Sample to voice this compelling short tale about a salt-of-the earth Maine native and a friendly annual summer fireworks rivalry that gradually spirals out of control. Sample, known for his Maine accent and pride, is a former CBS News Sunday Morning correspondent who produced the popular “Postcards from Maine” segments for over a decade. With his unique brand of storytelling, he is perfectly cast in DRUNKEN FIREWORKS.

“I’m excited and thrilled to be working with Tim Sample again,” said King. “This is going to be one wild ride.”

“Getting a call from Stephen King, especially when he’s totally pumped about some new project, is a bit like hopping a crosstown bus only to find yourself suddenly speeding along on a high-speed bullet train. The man is simply a force of nature,” said Sample. “This time around Steve’s ‘bullet train’ turns out to be a story called DRUNKEN FIREWORKS and while it’s not the first Stephen King story I’ve had the privilege of narrating, it’s certainly the funniest. Stephen King? Funny? You heard right chummy!”

DRUNKEN FIREWORKS will be published as one of the short stories in Stephen King’s collection THE BAZAAR OF BAD DREAMS, coming from Simon & Schuster Audio and Scribner in November 2015.

 

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER:
Simon & Schuster Audio is a leading publisher of general interest audiobooks including bestselling fiction, nonfiction, business/finance, self-improvement, inspiration, language learning programs, original audiobook productions, and children’s titles. In addition to a list that includes such unparalleled authors as Mary Higgins Clark, Vince Flynn, Ernest Hemingway, Stephen King, Michael Lewis, and David McCullough. Simon & Schuster Audio has produced audiobooks that have won seven Grammy Awards and earned thirty-seven Grammy nominations since 1989. For more information about Simon & Schuster Audio, visit our website at www.audio.simonandschuster.com.

Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, 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, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in and international companies in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.

ABOUT PLAY.IT®
Play.it is a new podcast network that brings together digital-exclusive programming from major brands and publishers as well as content from CBS RADIO shows on demand. Play.it offers more than 400 premium content podcasts, including podcasts from well-known CBS RADIO personalities like Boomer Esiason & Craig Carton, Carson Daly, and Kevin & Bean, as well as content from leading news, lifestyle, sports and media brands including 48 HOURS, 60 MINUTES, CBS Sports Radio, Deadspin, Simon & Schuster and Foursquare, among others. CBS RADIO is one of the largest major-market broadcast media operators in the United States and the undisputed leader in news and sports radio. Producing original audio and video content, live events and exclusive programming broadcast via on-air, online and digital platforms, CBS RADIO distributes its programming via more than 115 AM, FM and HD Radio stations, Radio.com, Play.it and CBS Local Digital Media apps, making engaging with audiences easier than ever before. For more information on CBS RADIO, please visit www.cbsradio.com.

CONTACT:
Lauren Pires
Senior Publicity, Media & Marketing Manager
p. 212-698-7126 / f. 212-698-7664
Lauren.Pires@simonandschuster.com