A UK publisher has taken the decision to publish an author's debut novel online and free-of-charge to readers.

Headline Publishing Group will release instalments of 25-year-old Simon Spurrier's first book, Contract, over a six week period from May 24 on the website itsallaboutthemoney.co.uk.

Science Fiction publishers, like Orbit Books, have already published free novels online, but this is a first for a mainstream UK publisher.

Piers Blofeld, of Headline, said: "The publishing industry has been tiptoeing around publishing books online. While there are obvious issues for publishers, the main point for me is that above all else, writers need readers."

Mr Blofeld denied making a commercial mistake. The book will be available online for a limited period, and from June 4 readers who can't wait to read the whole thing can buy it from the website.

"I think people will be excited to have the opportunity to become involved in helping a young writer's career right from the start," he said. "It's all about getting rid of the ivory tower and bringing writers and readers closer together."

Mr Blofeld said that Contract "was one of those very rare submissions that had me literally jumping out of my chair with excitement." It tells the story of hitman Michael Point, who thinks he is losing his mind after some of the people he has killed come back to life seeking revenge. As well as a blog, Point has his own MySpace page, with tips on how to dispose of dead bodies.

Spurrier has written for the 2000AD comic since he was 17 and was voted the top new writer at the 2004 UK Comic Industry Awards.

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