The copyright of China's first novel written for mobile phone users has been sold to a Beijing-based telecommunications carrier for 180 thousand yuan, more than US$21,000.

The novel "Outside the City" has 60 chapters, each with only 70 characters. It was tailored for subscribers to read it by short messages. The company also plans to make the novel available on mobile phones through connecting to the internet, or by listening to the novel by dialing a special number.