Thursday, August 16, 2007

Stephen King vandalises own books

One of the world's most successful authors was mistaken for a vandal in an Alice Springs book shop yesterday. Stephen King was seen signing several of his own books at Dymocks in Alice Springs.

Store manager Bev Ellis said other customers thought he was vandalising the books. But the horror novelist was soon recognised.

Ms Ellis followed him to a nearby supermarket - where the multi-millionaire was buying fruit and veg - and thanked him for autographing seven copies of his latest work, Lisey's Story.

A customer immediately bought one of the books and the shop plans to donate the rest to be auctioned for charity. King is believed to have left Alice yesterday afternoon.

Ms Ellis said the author's surprise visit and private signing session was not particularly eccentric.

"Lots of authors do it," she said. "They'll come into the shop and check if their works are on the shelves. If they are, they'll often sign a few copies. If they're not, they'll ask about them. "It's embarrassing if we haven't got their work on the shelves."

Ms Ellis said King was on a private visit to the Territory and wanted to keep a low profile. "His Australian distributor rang me and he didn't even know King was in the country."

No comments: