Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 30, 1993                   TAG: 9303300138
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Newsday
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Medium

STERN TO PUT HIS SLEAZE BETWEEN THE COVERS

But will they read him?

Perhaps more to the point, can his fans read?

Simon & Schuster is betting their sweet sleaze on it.

Stern and the publishing giant announced Tuesday that the shock jock, known for his raunchy sexual, racial and profanity-laced comedy, will publish his first book in October.

"A lot of people have asked me why I'm writing a book," Stern said Tuesday at a news conference.

"Basically, it's for the money," he said, although he declined to offer details of his contract. (It was assumed by publishing sources to be slightly more than $1 million.) He also doesn't know what the title will be. "I had a title, `Mein Kampf,' but I was told that it might offend Jewish readers," he said jokingly, referring to the title of the book Adolf Hitler wrote in prison.

Not everyone is hooting it up.

"Simon & Schuster wants to get rich off the hatred and misogyny that Howard Stern perpetuates," said Tammy Bruce, president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women, a staunch Stern foe. "It's a pretty pathetic situation. Unfortunately, our society is fascinated by him. Howard Stern is like a bad accident, people slow down and give their attention to the grotesque."

Simon & Schuster's announcement says that the book will include Stern's "riffs" on politics, current affairs and the entertainment business. Stern added that he will include some autobiographical material.

Simon & Schuster's release did not mention the sexual raunchiness for which Stern is known. But Judith Regan, vice president and senior editor, reassured afterward, "Definitely. Sex will be one of the big things in this book. Howard is going to be Howard."