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December 21- December 28, 2006 Edition

Simon & Schuster

Sets Bestseller Record,

Looks to Digital Future

NEW YORK, NY/12/21/06—On December 24, 2006, the New York Times bestseller list will include an unprecedented total of 21 separate bestsellers from Simon & Schuster, Inc. This one-week bestseller accomplishment comes as a complement to the company’s record-breaking year-to-date total of 110 bestsellers (sixteen #1), and shatters the previous S&S record of 102, set in 2003.

The plethora of S&S bestsellers on the December 24 list come in eight out of ten of the Times bestseller categories, and includes a rare domination in the ultra competitive hardcover Advice, How-To, and Miscellaneous category, in which Simon & Schuster titles have claimed the top three spots (led by the 2.7 million copy mega seller YOU: On a Diet), and four out of a possible six spots on the list.

“This record-breaking abundance of bestsellers in the busiest and most crowded of publishing seasons is the ultimate tribute to our robust front list publishing,” said Jack Romanos, President and CEO of Simon & Schuster, Inc. “Our entire company, from editorial to production, sales, marketing and publicity and supply chain has performed at the very highest of levels to create and satisfy enormous consumer demand for our books. I can’t think of a more satisfying piece of news to finish out what has been another terrific year at Simon & Schuster.”

In Romanos’s annual letter to employees, he said the amazing sales of Free Press’s YOU: On a Diet, already has had 21 printings, and is the fastest selling hardcover in company history.

The introduction of books by new authors at bestselling levels, including the stunning publication of Atria’s The Thirteenth Tale by Dianne Setterfield, the first debut novel in fifteen years to enter the bestseller list in the #1 position, and The Expected One by Kathleen McGowan (Touchstone), a domestic bestseller and international subsidiary rights phenomenon.

One of the company’s core strength has been in current affairs books, most recently Palestine Peace Not Apartheid by Jimmy Carter and State of Denial by Bob Woodward (S&S), and earlier this year The One Percent Doctrine by Ron Suskind (S&S), and State of War by James Risen (Free Press).

Simon & Schuster Audio had its best year ever and continues to capitalize on digital technology through its downloadable formats for spoken word audio and the Pimsleur Language programs. Digital download sales increased an incredible 300 percent in 2006.

A record number of Canadian bestsellers that have led to an impressive 15 percent sales growth at Simon & Schuster Canada, in a market where competitors have largely reported flatness. S&S’s fast-growing presence in the Canadian marketplace is the dividend of an aggressive new management team and the ongoing integration of S&S Canada into our overall business.

S&S entered the important Christian publishing market through its acquisition in February of Howard Books. “We are looking to expand our presence in this market on a company-wide basis, and have taken steps in this direction with the acquisition of exciting bestselling crossover authors Joel Osteen and T. D. Jakes.

Romanos said four new publishing initiatives are targeted to capture readers in an increasingly diverse marketplace: the Hispanic/Latino line at Atria, Threshold Editions, Simon Scribbles coloring and activity books, and Children’s audio. The company will also continue to expand its Pocket Premium format.

Romanos also said in his employee letter that in the first quarter the company will begin construction on its Digital Archive, and expects to have more than 12,000 titles in digital format by the end of the year. At the same time, S&S is working with CBS to develop a digital warehouse that can both host content and transact business in the digital age. “As print on demand, eBooks, search and sell, and other technologies come of age, a place to securely store and safeguard our content while making it available for known and emerging forms of digital commerce will be critical to keeping S&S competitive in the publishing and information marketplace,” the CEO said.

Simon & Schuster’s New York Times bestsellers for December 24, 2006

(Title/author, imprint, list position)

Hardcover Fiction:

Lisey’s Story by Stephen King (Scribner, #10)

The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory (Touchstone, #12)

Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark (Scribner, #13)

Hardcover Nonfiction:

Palestine Peace Not Apartheid by Jimmy Carter (Simon & Schuster, #5)

State of Denial by Bob Woodward (Simon & Schuster, #15)

Paperback Fiction:

Cell by Stephen King (Pocket Star, #2)

The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult (Washington Square Press, #4)

Turning Angel by Greg Iles (Pocket Books, #7)

The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark (Pocket Books, #13)

Paperback Nonfiction:

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (Scribner, #4)

Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin (Simon & Schuster, #9)

1776 by David McCullough (Simon & Schuster, #13)

Teacher Man by Frank McCourt (Scribner, #15)

Advice, How-to, and Miscellaneous Hardcover

YOU: On a Diet by Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz (Free Press, #1)

Mad Money by James J. Cramer with Cliff Mason(Simon & Schuster, #2)

Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker and Ethan Becker (Scribner, #3)

Paula Deen Celebrates! by Paula Deen with Martha Nesbit (Simon & Schuster, #6)

Children’s Picture Books

Our 50 States by Lynne Cheney (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, #4)

Santa Claus by Rod Green (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, #7)

Children’s Chapter Books

Specials by Scott Westerfeld (Simon Pulse, #7)

Children’s Paperback Books

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld (Simon Pulse, #8)

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 Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonsays.com