James Patterson's new book is set to blow up. Literally.

In a sign that book publishing has entered the Snapchat era, Patterson has partnered with a creative agency to put out what is being billed as the "world's first" self-destructing book.

One thousand readers will have the opportunity to get a free digital copy of Patterson's new book, Private Vegas, which will vanish after 24 hours. Patterson is also selling one copy of the self-destructing book for $294,038 — though that includes a private trip and five-course meal with the author.

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Patterson didn't come up with the idea for the self-destructing book, but he approached Mother, the creative agency, feeling a need to try something new to get the word out.

"Publishing, in my opinion, needs to get out there competing with everything else in the world — movies, television, etc. etc.," Patterson says. "It just seems to me I’m in a position to do that. I went to a very good small advertising agency [and said], 'Let's do something that's relevant to what I do, very unusual, that will draw attention to books and this book in particular.'

He continued: "There aren't as many bookstores as there used to be. People just can't wander in someplace and go, 'Look at all these books.' The number of books being reviewed is limited now." All of which pushed Patterson, a former ad exec, to a simple conclusion about these types of marketing stunts: "Why not?"

The self-destructing book was designed to create a thrilling reading experience, with a countdown clock at the top of the screen ticking the time until the entire book disappears. Readers can also keep track of how far along others are in the book and "steal time" from those readers.

"If this works out nicely, I'll certainly consider other things with Mother," Patterson says.

For those who can't or simply don't want to read Patterson's book in this manner, the actual hardcover version will be published a few days later on Jan, 26.