ELLSWORTH, Maine (January 3, 2013)--A signed copy of a rare Stephen King book is up for auction at a Maine bookstore, and the proceeds will go to a nearby homeless shelter's emergency home heating fund.

A customer of Scottie’s Bookhouse in Hancock donated the copy of “The Regulators,” written by horror writer and Maine native King under the pen name Richard Bachman.

Owner Michael Riggs says there are only 550 copies of the book in a special collector's box.

Auction proceeds will go to the Emmaus Homeless Shelter's emergency fuel fund in Ellsworth.

Emmaus director Sister Lucille MacDonald told WABI-TV it's an "ingenious" way to help people struggling to buy heating oil.

The book is on display at Scottie's and bids are being accepted by email, phone and in person until Jan. 31.