Author Stephen King signs copies of his books, as part of The New Yorker Festival
Author Stephen King signs copies of his books, as part of The New Yorker Festival Reuters

A reprint of Carrie, the book that jump-started Stephen King's writing career, has been released in stores on Tuesday.

The book is also available electronically.

The reprint has new cover art that features a white carnation with a bloodied skull in it.

Carrie is King's first published novel, released in 1974. It's about a young woman of the same name who discovers she has telekinetic powers. She uses these powers to have revenge against those who hurt her.

The novel almost didn't come to be.

King had thrown an early draft in the trash but his wife, Tabitha, took the pages out and told him to continue the story. The book is dedicated to her: This is for Tabby, who got me into it - and then bailed me out of it.