Press Release

Dortmund --- Even before the Frankfurt bookfair, which takes place from Oct. 6 to 10, computer users which are connected to EUnet can access the so far unpublished short story Umneys Last Case by Stephen King. The 21 page novella will only be published in print during the bookfair. This is the first time that in Germany a book is published electronically independently from its printed form.

With this offer the commercial provider for electronic communication services, EUnet Deutschland GmbH, Dortmund, wants to show the possibilities which users of electronic media have. Part of this for instance is access to electronic libraries with roughly 1000 volumes via the Internet network.

The speciality of this electronic access to such libraries is the possibility to look up keywords or cross references as well as multimedia functions. Using the Stephen King short story, written by one of the most successful authors today, these usages will be demonstrated to a wide audience.

Stephen King's novella is provided by the American publisher Online Bookstore, who offers electronic books. Before King's novella is published on the Frankfurt bookfair, EUnet users can download Umney's Last Case electronically. Together with an Internet subscription users have access to all services EUnet offers. EUnet understands this E-Mail service not as replacement for traditional books, but as supplement.

More than this, EUnet will offer more services regarding electronic media. Magazines, professional literature and several databases are to be provided. EUnet appreciates the trend to make books accessible electronically. On the Frankfurt bookfair for the first time several providers of online books are seen.