Stephen King

Stephen King calls his horror stories “fearsome,” but they are more than fearsome. They’re hair-raising. They’re bloodcurdling. They’re spine-chilling. And they have brought hours of terrified pleasure to millions.

A native of Maine, King spent much of his childhood listening to horror stories on the radio, reading scary comic books and paperbooks, and watching science-fiction and monster movies. He began writing horror stories of his own, but none were accepted for publication, Finally, when he was 23, he sold two stories to a mystery magazine for $35 each.

King began working on his first novel while teaching English at a private school. Discouraged by a string of rejections from publishers, he tossed the manuscript into the trash. But his wife retrieved it and urged him to complete the novel. That book was Carrie, which in 1974 became his first blockbuster success. Carrie tells the story of a lonely high-school girl whose telekinetic powers enable her to take grisly revenge on her tormentors. The book has sold more than four million copies. Since then, King has written over 30 best-sellers that have made him one of the most popular writers in the history of American publishing.

When he is working on a new book, King writes about 1,500 words a day to the accompaniment of rock music.